- Load testing involves applying significant weight (e.g., 1,000–3,000 lbs) to fire escape treads, platforms, and railings to ensure structural integrity.
- Railings must resist 200 lbs of lateral force to ensure safety.
- Physical load testing is required; simply having people on the fire escape does not qualify as a load test.
- A pre-load test evaluation is conducted to assess the fire escape's condition.
- The evaluation determines if the fire escape is ready for load testing or if repairs are needed before, during, or after the test.
- A deficiency report may be issued if minor repairs are required, but major issues may cancel the load test entirely.
- An engineer measures treads, platforms, and railings to create a load testing plan.
- A load testing company (e.g., Fire Escape Services) brings weights and equipment to perform the test under the engineer's supervision.
- The engineer ensures the load is applied correctly and monitors the process.
- Weights are applied to the fire escape using various methods (e.g., sandbags, water, or lead weights).
- Railings are tested for lateral strength by applying 200 lbs of force.
- Dynamic stress tests may be performed on treads to ensure durability.
- If the fire escape passes, a certification is issued, valid for 5 years.
- If issues are found, a deficiency report is generated, detailing necessary repairs.
- Minor repairs may only require photographic proof, while major repairs may need oversight and a new load test for affected areas.
- If only specific parts of the fire escape are repaired, an integrated load test is performed on the unchanged sections.
- Repaired sections with new bolts or other evidence of strength do not require additional load testing.
- A final certification is issued after all repairs and load testing are completed.
- In rare cases, fire escapes with rust or minor issues may receive a temporary certification (e.g., 2–5 years) with city approval, but a full refurbishment or replacement will be required in the future.
- Load testing ensures fire escape safety by simulating real-world weight and stress.
- Engineers and certified inspectors play a critical role in planning and overseeing the process.
- Deficiency reports guide necessary repairs, and minor fixes may not require retesting.
- Certifications are typically valid for 5 years, but temporary certifications may be issued in special circumstances.
..."Our job is to teach you enough so that you can do this job yourself you know what I'm saying you can paint this fire skape yourself you can do some of the cement work yourself you can do or at least find somebody to do it for you we're a One-Stop shop we've been doing this for 50 years we just get it done faster than anybody else and we come along with a 25 year warranty but otherwise you know I'm saying - have we given you the information you guys need would you guys recommend us to some of the other - people on your street you guys got a ton of apartment buildings on your street would you recommend us to anybody else
yeah I would definitely
perfect do you have enough information to get this done do you feel that with another engineer another architect another ironware company do you guys feel that you have enough information to get it done right at least you know what I'm saying um or as close to right as possible you believe that yes well then we've succeeded we still want you to give us the job we still want to be the the company you know what I'm saying that helps you we've given you so many options very few people are going to give you a five year option or as we call it what you guys are asking for is it kick it down Kick the Can down the road for five more years and we promise to come back and do the right thing we offer that too so it's not just you know hey it's the Cadillac service we offer the bronze solution also but again with the city official uh approval so the key to doing it this way is a Load Test which we're now doing over the next one to three weeks we're load testing everything providing what's called a um um deficiency report of what we now need to fix as a result of this load testing the minimums and um and again we can get this done right away and we can have a document for you on for April 10th otherwise as you know um the key right now is the the city official wants to know who's the responsible party okay and if we're the responsible party we'll call them we'll keep them informed and we'll move these things and the documentation you have is what get you as they say out of jail otherwise they're gonna they're gonna want to speak to a responsible party such as an engineer an architect or a certified fire escape inspector and again we're all three um to let them know what the action plan what's going to be the action plan."
