Fire Escapes vs. Fire Stairs: The Differences Explained
When you own and manage a residential property, you’re responsible for maintaining a safe and comfortable environment. One of the most important ways you can keep your building as safe and comfortable as possible is to prioritize fire protection. Occupants need secure and efficient evacuation routes in emergencies.
Two standard methods of emergency egress in buildings are fire escapes and fire stairs. While people sometimes use these terms interchangeably, they refer to different systems with distinct features, applications, and maintenance requirements. Learning the differences between fire escapes and fire stairs can help you make the best decisions for your property.
How Emergency Exits Differ Structurally
One of the most noticeable differences between fire escapes and fire stairs is their placement in relation to a building. Fire escapes are external structures mounted along the exterior of buildings. Fire stairs, on the other hand, exist inside buildings.
Fire Escapes
Fire escapes attach to a building’s exterior, which is why contractors began adding them back in the 20th century. They were cost-effective and relatively easy to install on existing structures. They still serve as a durable, alternative means of egress when internal staircases are inaccessible or unsafe.;
These structures provide an additional route out of the building without encroaching on internal space. By being outside, fire escapes are not subject to internal fire spreading as quickly as with fire stairs.
Fire Stairs
Fire stairs refer to an enclosed staircase inside the property. These internal structures also provide a protected, designated path for occupants to evacuate during emergencies. When implementing fire stairs, building contractors typically design walls, doors, and other components surrounding the staircase to resist fire for a specified period. These features prevent the spread of flames and smoke into the evacuation route.
Emergency Visibility
The external nature of fire escapes is more advantageous than indoor fire stairs because emergency responders can identify and access them in a crisis. Additionally, firefighters can deploy ladders directly to the escape structure, providing swift aid in evacuation and rescue scenarios.
Design and Visual Appeal
In addition to being functional structures, many people like the iconic and intricate designs of fire escapes. Often crafted from wrought iron, steel, and metal, fire escapes can have ornate details that contribute to a building’s charm. Their presence on the façades of historic buildings has become a symbol of architectural beauty.
A fire escape can blend seamlessly with and even complement a building’s exterior design, adding character and depth. This may make fire escapes preferable to fire stairs to some property owners, as fire stairs can be space-consuming elements with plain finishes.
Space Efficiency
Space is an essential design factor in every property type, especially in dense urban environments. Fire stairs require interior square footage, and they are entirely off-limits for any other use. This can pose a challenge in small properties.
Meanwhile, fire escapes don’t take up interior space. They don’t encroach upon a tenant’s living quarters or a business’s operational areas. By keeping emergency infrastructure outside, fire escapes help property owners and managers maximize rentable or usable space inside the building.
Differences in Fire Protection Features
The features of fire escapes are less complicated than fire stairs, which is another reason why some property managers and communities find them ideal. Fire escapes, typically made of steel or metal, often include the following:
Handrails on the sides
Fixed or hinged ladders or those that slide down a track
Platforms at each story of a property, connected by ladders or stairs
On the other hand, fire stairs require internal sprinklers and ventilation systems for increased protection during emergencies. While beneficial, these additions can be complex for some property managers, as they may increase the installation and maintenance costs.
Maintenance and Upkeep
The open structure of fire escapes allows for more direct and thorough installation and maintenance. With its components exposed, it’s easier for property owners and managers to identify and address issues such as rust or wear.
When taking care of emergency egresses, specifically fire escapes, your best bet is to leave such a tall order in the hands of professional experts. Avoid legal and personal dangers associated with DIY fixes by relying on skilled fire escape contractors to inspect your structure and complete repairs.
Depending on a licensed fire protection service, like Maximum Fire Escapes, allows you to leverage the specialized knowledge of experienced welders who can spot fire escape problems:
Cracked support beams
Sagging and wobbling steps
Minor and significant structural shifts
Internal corrosion
These hazards can impair your fire escape’s safety in the long run. We use premium tools and practical techniques to identify and address problems correctly. By giving attention to the root of each problem, we can help you prevent recurring issues.
Safety and Compliance
While fire escapes and fire stairs have differences, both must be safe for use and comply with local and national fire codes and building regulations. Achieving compliance with fire escapes and fire stairs requires consistent inspections, maintenance, and testing of integrated safety systems.
For fire escapes, safety compliance is typically a matter of structural integrity. Frequent inspections can help you identify worn metal or weakened bolts that could compromise the escape’s reliability.
When scheduling safety inspections, turn to the same source you trust to handle fire escape repairs and replacements. The professionals at Maximum Fire Escapes are always up to date on safety requirements and codes and adhere to them when providing fire protection services.
Since our experts always follow guidelines, we guarantee expertly cared-for emergency structures that can pass all required inspections. Your property will remain within regulatory compliance. Additionally, it reduces legal risks and ensures you can keep your building occupants and visitors safe from personal injury on your property.
Implement Emergency Exits
Fire stairs serve their role in emergency preparedness, particularly for new construction or large commercial buildings. Fire escapes offer functionality, practicality, affordability, and charm, making them the ideal solution in many structures, especially for older or heritage structures. Not only do they preserve architectural beauty, but they also provide a cost-effective and space-efficient alternative to bulky internal stairwells.
After exploring the differences between fire escapes and fire stairs, you may decide that fire escapes are the ideal choice. This is especially true if you aim to maintain safety and preserve the building’s character. These structures gracefully bridge the gap between practicality and aesthetics, offering safety without compromising the essence of architectural history. Whether it’s the ornate ironwork of a spiral fire escape or the clean lines of a modern design, fire escapes are a testament to ingenuity and adaptability.