31D-093 54 West St fire esc 11-22-17-signedNovember 24, 2017
Mr. John Russo
Maple Heights Realty
313 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Subject: 54 West St., Northampton, MA, Fire Escape Inspection
Dear Mr. Russo,
Thank you for contacting me in regard to the fire escape on the tenement house located at 54
West St.
The building is a three story wood framed building. The fire escape is on the south side of the
building. It consists of a vertical aluminum ladder and steel grate platforms on the second and
third floor levels.
Referring to the Massachusetts State Building Code, 8th edition, and the Massachusetts
Amendments to the Code (page 138), section 3401 subsection 102.2.2.4:
Testing and Certification of Egress Structures. All exterior ... fire escapes and egress
balconies shall be examined and/or tested, and certified for structural adequacy and safety
every five years, by a registered design professional, or others qualified and acceptable to
the building official; said professional or others shall then submit an affidavit to the
building official.
Because the code requires that the structure is inspected once every five years, the evaluation
considers if the existing materials are in condition to safely withstand another five years of
use.
For existing structures, Massachusetts Amendments, Section 102.6.1:
Laws In Effect. Unless specifically provided otherwise in this code, and narrow to the
provisions of this code, any existing building or structure shall meet and shall be
presumed to meet the previsions of the applicable laws, codes, rules or regulations, bylaws
and ordinances in effect the time such building or structure was constructed or altered and
shall be allowed to continue to be occupied pursuant to its use and occupancy, provided
that the building or structure shall be maintained by the owner in accordance with this
code.
Building owners should be aware of the following requirements:
The Massachusetts Amendments, section 1001.3.1 Maintenance of Exterior Stairways and
Fire Escapes:
All exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept clear of snow and ice. Exterior
stairways and fire escapes constructed of materials requiring the application of weather
protecting products, shall have these products applied in an approved manner and shall be
applied as often as necessary to maintain the stairways and fire escapes in safe condition.
Weather resistant structural fasteners and connections shall tie the stairways and fire
escapes directly into the building structural system.
I was on location on November 8th and 21st to examine the fire escape. The fire escape is an
existing non-conforming structure, allowed by the existing structures section referenced above
unless specifically deemed unsafe by the building official.
I was able to safely climb the ladder to each landing. The ladder, steel grate landings, and
steel railings were all structurally adequate.
The fire escape is structurally adequate and safe.
General Comments.
1. The steel grated landings and railings should be wire brushed and painted with at least
two coats of exterior paint.
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Michael Rainville, P.E.
Structural Support & Design Services 236 S. Shirkshire Rd.
Conway, MA 01341
Cc: Mr. Louis Hasbrouck, Building CommissionerBuilding DepartmentPuchalski Municipal Building
212 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060