Fire Escape in Soho by Instagrammer lilyangrui We all love fire escapes and what they represent both visually and historically for the New York City landscape. But what are the rules regarding them? The first law, New York Labor – Title 3 – § 273, was enacted after the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Fire which killed 146 immigrant workers in a building now part of NYU. The law required that fire escapes built after October 1st, 1913 had to be made of wrought iron or steel with the ability to sustain a live load of 90 pounds per square foot or greater with an additional safety factor. Other requirements recommended a “continuous or straight run stairway” if possible, a balcony “firmly fastened” to the building on every floor with iron railings, and unobstructed opening to fire escape of a least 2 feet wide and 6 feet in height. One thing you notice on street level is… Read More
