Structural design for an Existing Fire Escape, City of East Orange, Essex County, NJ
3DA Design provided structural engineering services for the existing steel fire escape serving a three-story, two-family dwelling in East Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. The project focuses on evaluating the existing system and developing repair, replacement, and anchorage details for deteriorated components.
S3DA’s Scope
- Analyzed applicable dead, egress live, guard, and handrail loads.
- Evaluated existing steel stair stringers, treads, and landing platforms.
- Assessed platform framing, floor support angles, brackets, posts, balusters, guards, and handrails.
- Designed repairs or replacements for structurally deteriorated steel components.
- Engineered platform-bracket anchorage and connections to the existing building wall.
- Prepared a fire escape repair plan and elevation.
- Developed repair, replacement, connection, and anchorage details.
- Provided structural notes and specifications for the proposed work.
Key Challenges and Solutions
Because the fire escape was installed before the current owner purchased the property, reliable original construction and anchorage information may be limited. S3DA’s approach addresses this challenge by evaluating the visible existing conditions, identifying components requiring repair or replacement, and providing engineered anchorage details for connection to the existing structure.
The design is prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the New Jersey Rehabilitation Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-6, and Formal Technical Opinion 3, which requires fire escape anchorage details to be provided by a licensed design professional.
The Result
The completed structural package will give the contractor clear repair and anchorage details while supporting the municipality’s review of the existing fire escape. The result is a practical, code-conscious solution intended to restore structural reliability and maintain safe emergency egress.
