Fire escapes installed after May 28, 1925, on the outside of buildings shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications prescribed in this section, any deviation from which shall only be made by permission of the State Fire Marshal. Each fire escape shall consist of balconies, stairs and firefighter’s ladder, as follows:
(1) Each balcony shall not be less than 12 feet long and 3 feet 8 inches wide, and have a well hole of not more than 6 feet long nor more than 2 feet 3 inches wide. The outside of the floor shall be made of 2 inch by 2 inch by 1/4 inch angle iron and the corners bent on a radius of not less than 6 inches. Slats for the floor shall be 1-1/2 inch by 1/4 inch mild steel and spaced 1 inch between slats, and reinforced by 1/4 inch by 2 inch mild steel not over 3 feet apart, securely riveted to the slats. Railing for the balcony shall be not less than 30 inches high and be extended on each end and front of balcony, and shall have one top and one center rail 1/4 inch by 2 inch bent to conform to platform and securely bolted to the building, and connected to floor of balcony by not less than five upright irons, 1/4 inch by 1/2 inch, twisted to conform to each rail and angle iron, and securely riveted thereto. Screws or lagscrews shall not be used in the construction of fire escapes.
(2) The stairs shall be made of 1/4 inch by 4 inch flat mild steel bars, and the steps shall be 20 inches long and not over 10 inch rise. Stairs shall have a railing made of 1 inch pipe and be 20 inches from stairs, and securely fastened by means of 1 inch pipe supports not over 7 feet apart.
(3) The firefighter’s ladder shall consist of 5/16 inch by 2 inch mild steel bars for sides, and have 3/4 inch round mild steel rungs, spaced not over 14 inches apart, tenoned on each end and riveted to each side of ladder. Ladders shall extend from within 14 feet of the ground to not less than 5 feet above the roof of the building. Each balcony shall be securely bolted to building and supported by means of 1-1/2 inch square braces, four in number, securely anchored into the wall, as may be directed by the building inspector or fire chief. Fire escapes, when finished, shall be painted with at least one coat of red lead.
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