How to Certify Fire Escapes in Boston

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Last year, the Department of Fire Services recorded at least 29,461 fires in the state of Massachusetts. 16% higher compared to 2019 causing 44 civilian deaths, 245 civilian injuries, 594 fire service injuries, 854 arsons, and $266 million damage in properties. The top three causes of fires are smoking, electricity malfunction, and unattended cooking of food.

 

As property managers, we highly advise our clients to be cautious and ask for help from professionals so smoke alarms can be tested and fire escapes can be planned out well. In a multifamily house with multiple floors, fire escapes are REQUIRED from every floor because if there’s a fire and it starts on a lower floor and then engulfs the fairway at the front of the house, you need to make sure that there is a means of egress at the back.

 

You also need to make sure that the windows that you can escape to have a certain amount of dimension to be able to get out. You don’t want to struggle during a fire. Once you have these windows in a certain size, we then help you plan a fire escape.

 

Fire Escapes Explained

 

 

Fire escapes should be in accordance with the Massachusetts Fire Escape Law – Building Code 1001.3.3 – 1001.3.3 Testing and Certification, it states that: All exterior bridges, steel or wooden stairways, fire escapes and egress balconies shall be examined and/or tested, and certified for structural adequacy and safety every five years, by a Massachusetts registered professional engineer, or others qualified and acceptable to the building official; said engineer or others shall then submit an affidavit to the building official.

How to Submit Your Fire Escape or Balcony Certification

Once your fire escape or balcony has been inspected and certified by a qualified professional, there are a few different ways to submit the necessary paperwork and affidavit to the authorities:

• In Person: Your licensed contractor or engineer can hand-deliver the completed affidavit and any supporting documents to the local inspection services office (often found at city building departments). Some permits—like short-form permits—may even be started online, but affidavits usually need a face-to-face visit for submission.
• By Mail: You can also send your signed documents together with any required forms directly to the Inspectional Services Department’s building division. Be sure to send everything to the correct address, and consider using tracked mail for peace of mind.
• By Email: For added convenience, many municipalities accept scanned copies of the completed affidavit via email. Typically, after your paperwork is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive a payment link to take care of any fees online or instructions for in-person payment.

This flexibility makes it much easier to keep your building compliant and safe, no matter what your schedule or location might be.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

If you fail to keep up with required inspections and certifications of fire escapes or related structures, you risk more than just a warning. Consequences can include:

• Costly fines levied by local or state authorities
• Orders to immediately repair or replace non-compliant structures, which may disrupt tenancy
• Legal liability if injuries or damages occur due to lack of proper maintenance
• Jeopardizing your property insurance coverage—or even facing policy cancellations

Staying proactive with inspections is not just about compliance; it’s about protecting your investment and the safety of everyone in your building.

 

Documentation Needed for Fire Escape Certification

When you’re ready to move forward with fire escape certification, there are several important pieces of documentation you’ll need to gather and submit. First and foremost, only a licensed professional—such as a registered engineer or other qualified party—can obtain the necessary permits and complete the application process. Property owners without the right credentials aren’t allowed to secure these permits themselves.

Expect to prepare and provide the following:

• Short-Form Permit: This permit form is required for the repair or certification of fire escapes and balconies. You can typically start this process online through your local city’s permitting portal.
• Fire Escape and Fire Balcony Affidavit: This affidavit must be signed by your licensed professional to confirm the structure’s compliance and safety.
• Proof of Payment: Most municipalities require a processing fee—often a check or money order—to accompany your application.
• Structural Reports or Inspection Documents: The engineer or qualified professional will also need to submit any test results or inspection reports that verify the fire escape’s structural integrity and overall safety.
• Contact Information for Applicants and Property Owners: Ensure you have up-to-date contact details to include in all submissions for correspondence and official records.

Gathering these materials ahead of time will help keep your certification on track and ensure a smoother process with city officials. Remember, the goal is not just compliance, but also the ongoing safety of your residents and anyone who may need to use the escape routes in an emergency.

Fees and Payment Options for Fire Escape Certification

To certify your fire escape, balcony, or exterior bridge, you should be prepared to pay a filing fee of $50. This fee is required as part of your certification process.

Payment is simple and can be made in several ways:

• In person at the appropriate office—cash, check, or major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted
• By mailing a check or money order for $50, made payable to the relevant city department
• Or, if filing online, you may receive a secure payment link once your application form has been reviewed and approved

It’s vital to pay the required fee to avoid any compliance issues down the road.

You  also have to get architectural plans, and most importantly, the right vendors to be able to do so to make sure that they are in good condition that if someone does end up having to use those, they’re safe.

 

What to Include in Your Fire Escape Contract

Before any work begins, it’s crucial to have a thorough contract in place with your chosen fire escape installer or professional engineer. This protects you and ensures everyone is clear on expectations. Here’s what you should always include:

• Detailed Scope of Work: List all repairs, inspections, or installations to be conducted, and be specific about the materials and equipment to be used.
• Transparent Pricing: Break down the total cost, including labor and materials. Whenever possible, compare three quotes from reputable vendors (and verify references if you can).
• Licensed Professionals: Make sure the contractor’s full business address (not just a PO box) and license number appear on the contract for verification.
• Payment Schedule: Agree to payments in installments based on completed milestones—this helps keep the project on track and protects your investment.
• Signatures: Both you and the contractor must sign the agreement. Double-check that every line is filled in to avoid misunderstandings later.

Taking these precautions ensures that your fire escape will be safe, compliant, and built or maintained by someone qualified—with everyone clear on their responsibilities.

 

Aside from this, landlords must make sure to abide the Chapter 10 1001.3.1 Maintenance of Exterior Stairs and Fire Escapes of the Massachusetts State Building Code that states: All exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept free of snow and ice. Exterior stairways and fire escapes constructed of materials requiring the application of weather protecting products, shall have these products applied in an approved manner and shall be applied as often as necessary to maintain the stairways and fire escapes in safe condition. Weather resistant structural fasteners and connections shall tie the stairways and fire escapes directly into the building structural system.

 

If you or anyone else you know, is looking for a proactive property manager that help guide you through the process of either getting fire escapes or recertifying them, please think of Green Ocean Property Management, you get more than a property manager, you get peace of mind