PORTLAND | GUIDE TO INSPECTING FIRE ESCAPES
1. Safety of yourself, your workers, building occupants, and the public should be paramount.
2. Review this policy in detail.
3. Conduct a visual evaluation of the structure for obvious corrections that are needed.
4. Develop a plan for the in-situ testing, structural analysis and limited testing, or confidence
testing as described in this policy. Include alternate means of egress during time the fire
escape is not available.
5. Submit testing plan to the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) and secure a permit.
6. Make needed repairs prior to load testing.
7. Record all appropriate measurements, conduct load testing, and complete post-load
measurements.
8. Plan and conduct any repairs identified.
9. Standpipes and their related supports and attachments to the fire escape shall be evaluated.
Significant rust, corrosion, or failure of components shall be reported to the Fire Marshal’s
Office immediately.
10. Verify the surface preparation, caulking and painting are done as specified. Precautions shall
be taken when working with lead based paint and may require separate permits.
11. Complete necessary reports for BDS and affidavit for the Fire Marshal’s Office.
12. File the reports and affidavit as required.
13. Request the Final inspection.
Once the permit has been finaled and entered in the BDS TRACS system, the Fire Marshal’s Office will
conduct a visual review of the fire escape and post a sign indicating the year the fire escape was tested.
Any further corrections noted will be cited to the building management for completion.