EM Construction provides professional fire escape maintenance, repair, painting, and certification services for residential and commercial building owners throughout New York and New Jersey. Keeping your fire escapes in safe, code-compliant condition is both a legal requirement and a critical life-safety obligation.
New York City law requires building owners to maintain fire escapes in a safe and functional condition at all times. The NYC Department of Buildings and Fire Department conduct periodic inspections, and violations for deteriorated or unsafe fire escapes carry significant fines and can result in vacate orders. EM Construction helps building owners stay compliant and keep their tenants safe.
Fire Escape Services
Fire Escape Inspection
We conduct thorough visual and physical inspections of all fire escape components — including stairs, landings, platforms, drop ladders, handrails, tie rods, anchorage points, and counterweights — and provide a written condition report identifying all deficiencies requiring repair.
Rust Removal & Surface Preparation
Rust is the primary enemy of fire escapes. We use mechanical wire brushing, needle scalers, and angle grinders to remove all loose rust, scale, and failed paint from steel surfaces, preparing them for primer and topcoat application to SSPC surface preparation standards.
Structural Welding & Repair
Deteriorated or damaged structural members — cracked welds, broken balusters, bent handrails, and failed treads — are repaired by our certified welders to restore full structural integrity. All welding is performed in compliance with AWS standards.
Counterweight & Drop Ladder Service
Drop ladders must operate smoothly to provide emergency egress. We service counterweights, clean and lubricate pivot points, and repair or replace drop ladder mechanisms to ensure reliable operation.
Anchorage & Bracket Repair
Fire escapes are only as strong as their connection to the building. We inspect and repair masonry anchors, through-bolts, and wall brackets, and replace any that have corroded or loosened.
Painting & Coating
Following proper surface preparation, we apply a two-coat system — zinc-rich or rust-inhibitive primer followed by a durable enamel topcoat — to all fire escape components. This system protects against corrosion for years and restores the clean appearance of the fire escape.
Compliance Certification
We provide written documentation of completed work for your building’s records and assist with DOB violation clearance where required. Our work satisfies the requirements of NYC Administrative Code Section 27-371.
Why Fire Escape Maintenance Cannot Be Deferred
Neglected fire escapes deteriorate rapidly. Rust progresses from surface staining to section loss, weakening structural members to the point where they can fail under load. A fire escape that fails during a fire emergency is a catastrophic liability. Regular maintenance — inspection, rust treatment, and repainting every few years — costs a fraction of what deferred repairs eventually require, and far less than the legal consequences of a failure.
Signs Your Fire Escape Needs Attention
– Surface rust or flaking paint on any component
– Loose, missing, or broken balusters or handrail sections
– Drop ladder that does not operate smoothly
– Visible section loss (holes or deep corrosion pits) in any member
– Cracked or failed welds at connections
– Loose anchorage — any movement detected at wall attachments
– Outstanding DOB or FDNY violations
Our Process
1. Inspection & Condition Report — We assess every component and document all deficiencies.
2. Scope Agreement — We present a detailed repair and painting scope for your review and approval.
3. Safe Access Setup — Scaffolding or equipment is installed where required for safe access to all fire escape levels.
4. Structural Repairs — All welding, bracket repairs, and component replacements are completed first.
5. Surface Preparation — Rust removal and surface cleaning are performed to the specified standard.
6. Priming — A rust-inhibitive primer coat is applied and allowed to cure.
7. Finish Coat — Durable enamel topcoat is applied and inspected for coverage.
8. Documentation — Completed work is documented for your records.
Service Areas
EM Construction provides fire escape services throughout all five New York City boroughs, Long Island, Westchester County, and northern New Jersey.
Get a Free Estimate
Don’t put your tenants at risk or expose yourself to violations and fines. Contact EM Construction today for a fire escape inspection and a free estimate for all required maintenance and repairs.