How Often Do Fire Escapes Need to Be Inspected?

Legal Requirements, Timelines, and What Property Owners Must Know

Fire escape inspection timeline and structural safety evaluation

Fire escapes are required life-safety systems, and their inspection schedule is not optional. Property owners are legally responsible for ensuring fire escapes are inspected on time, documented properly, and certified when required.

At Atlantic Ironwork Restoration, one of the most common questions we hear is simple:“How often do fire escapes need to be inspected?”

Here is the clear, no-nonsense answer.

Fire Escape Inspection Frequency: The Legal Requirement

Fire escapes must be inspected every 5 years, as required by law in the states we operate in.

This inspection cycle exists to ensure that fire escapes remain structurally sound despite constant exposure to weather, corrosion, and long-term wear.

Property owners are responsible for:

Scheduling inspections on time
Maintaining documentation
Addressing deficiencies found during inspection
Ensuring certification is completed when required

Failure to meet the 5-year inspection requirement can result in violations, fines, and mandatory corrective work.

Why Fire Escapes Require Periodic Inspections

Fire escapes are exposed to:

Rain, snow, and moisture
Freeze-thaw cycles
Rust and corrosion
Structural movement over time

Even when a fire escape appears visually acceptable, hidden deterioration can compromise its ability to safely support occupants during an emergency.

The 5-year inspection requirement exists to identify:

Corrosion beneath paint
Thinning or weakened steel
Failing anchors into the building
Cracked welds or connections

These issues often develop slowly and are not obvious without professional evaluation.

What Happens During a 5-Year Fire Escape Inspection?

A proper inspection evaluates:

Platforms, stairs, ladders, and railings
Anchors and building attachments
Welds and structural connections
Corrosion and material loss
Overall load-bearing capability

The inspection determines whether the fire escape:

Remains structurally sound
Meets applicable safety requirements
Can be certified for continued use

If deficiencies are found, repairs must be completed before certification can be issued.

Do Fire Escapes Need Inspection Sooner Than 5 Years?

Yes — in certain situations.

Additional inspections may be required if:

A previous inspection failed
Structural repairs were performed
A violation notice was issued
Visible rust, movement, or damage is present
A property sale, refinance, or insurance review requires documentation

Waiting for the 5-year deadline when issues are already visible often leads to higher repair costs and increased liability.

What Happens If You Miss the 5-Year Inspection?

Missing the required inspection can result in:

Violation notices
Fines and penalties
Mandatory inspection orders
Required repairs under compressed timelines
Increased legal exposure if an incident occurs

In many cases, violations force owners into reactive repairs instead of planned maintenance.

Certification After Inspection

Inspection alone is not always enough.

Once the fire escape is evaluated:

If it meets requirements, certification may be issued
If it does not, corrective work is required before certification

Certification provides documented proof that the fire escape is compliant and approved for continued use.

Why Professional Fire Escape Inspection Matters

Fire escape inspections are not general maintenance checks.

They require:

Structural knowledge
Code familiarity
Experience with steel and iron systems
Understanding of inspector expectations

Improper inspections or surface-level evaluations often result in failed certifications and repeat violations.

Atlantic Ironwork Restoration performs inspections with a compliance-first approach, identifying real structural issues — not just cosmetic concerns.