Fire Escapes: Critical Safety Routes That Require Regular Attention
Fire escapes serve as vital secondary exit routes in emergency situations, providing an essential means of escape if primary exits become inaccessible due to fire or other hazards. Their role in safeguarding occupants during an emergency cannot be overstated.
To ensure they remain safe and functional, fire escapes should be visually inspected at least once every 12 months, in line with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. In addition, it is strongly advised that a comprehensive structural inspection be carried out every five years by a qualified structural engineer to assess long-term integrity and compliance.
Nextgen can Inspection and Certify the following Fire Escape Systems:
Don’t Let Fire Safety Take a Back Seat
Keep Your Fire Escapes Compliant and Ready
Your fire escape stairways are more than just metal structures—they’re lifesaving routes that must be kept in peak condition. According to BS 8210:2020 (17.1.4), a full structural survey of external fire escapes should be carried out every five years to ensure long-term safety and performance.
This aligns with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), which places a legal duty on responsible persons to keep all fire safety systems - including fire escapes—in full working order and good repair.
What’s more, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) requires these systems to be inspected annually to ensure ongoing operational safety.
At Nextgen, our experienced engineers provide thorough inspections and testing services to ensure your fire escape routes are fully compliant, structurally sound, and ready when they’re needed most—giving peace of mind to building owners, managers, and everyone inside.
Get in touch today to schedule your FREE Fire Escape assessment.