apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I used rustoleum, after I brushed the fire escape with a brass brush to loosen anything that was about to flake off...
it wasn't in terrible shape, and I only did one coat.
More of a refresher.

yes, I actually painted my fire escape.

It's in the back of the building, so I didn't have to worry about flaking paint on to passers-by. I'm pretty sure this kind of maintenance is the job of the building owner.

Omigod, this brings back memories! Wire brushes, pull scrapers, Rustoleum primer + paints, and paint-mitts - the kind you wear. The mitts are the easiest and fastest way to paint all those railings. Be sure to cover everything up - painting fire escapes is MESSY!

that is so funny because i was thinking to post almost the same question this weekend. i love the view outside my window but the fire escape is so ugly. i wanted to know if anyone has any ideas, besides painting what else can i do to my fire escape to make it look more like a balcony???

Liz,
An old girlfriend of mine put outdoor carpet on hers and strung a whole row of window boxes with herbs along her railing in her apt in Astoria. Quite a sight to see her vacuuming the fire escape but it was the envy of everyone in her building and several people followed suit. Especially when she had fresh basil (plenty to pass around as well)

Will Rustoleum work on window guards? I thought I had to take mine to an auto shop.

The guys who are repointing the building recommend Benjamin Moore direct to metal paint. There are just a few stock colors, but Janovic Plaza says they can mix up any BM hue for an additional 25%. Even though black is the obvious, traditional NYC fire-escape color, we're gonna go with Bronzetone, which matches the double-hung, dual-pane windows you see all over town.

Would there be any kind of rules or codes or laws on what could and couldn't be done on a fire escape? Including paint? I mean, if there is a fire, I wouldn't want to have to struggle through someone's garden or flaming carpet or whatever. Makes sense, no?

Yeah it does make sense, but since I am on the fifth floor of a five floor building I would be the only one that I am endangering. I am sure there are some rules against decorating fire escapes and as soon as someone points them out to me I will let you all know!

People might have to go UP, rather than down to escape. As well as firefighters going up and into the building. When some moron sets of the fire alarm in our building, the poor firefighters have to equip themselves just like a real fire and they always take the stairs/our fire escape. Our stairs are indoors though. Not out windows.

One of the tenants in our complex complained they got a notice from the management about having a door mat in the common hallway. Well, sure, they didn't want grimy feet inside, which makes sense.

However, they and their guests have already been walking on the hallway carpet all the way to the apartment and most of the grime has been tracked there.

What they don't think of is fire...or people with armloads of groceries, people pushing baby carriages, people using walkers, people in wheelchairs. The hallway shouldn't be an obstacle course, it should and MUST be free of anything that could cause tripping.

It would probably be in the Fire Code section of your local city/county/state laws. Like this:
(1) Any obstacle which may interfere with the means of egress or escape from any building or other premises, or with the access to any part of said building or premises by the fire department in case of fire, shall be removed from aisles, floors, halls, stairways and fire escapes. Doors and windows designated as exits shall be kept clear at all times. (2) Such aisles, floors, halls, stairways, fire escapes, doors and windows shall be kept in good repair and ready for use, and shall be kept properly lighted as required by 780 CMR. A powerful section, which can be used to order the removal of any obstacle to egress from or fire department access to a structure.

Or this:
(13) Hazards to Means of Egress. (a) Obstructions. No person shall at any time place an encumbrance of any kind before or upon any fire escape, balcony or ladder intended as a means of escape from fire. The means of egress from each part of the building, including stairways, egress doors, and any panic hardware installed thereon, aisles, corridors, passageways and similar elements of the means of egress, shall at all times be maintained in a safe condition and shall be available for immediate use and free of all obstructions.

Geez, I was hoping someone else would look this up. Ahhh!

Okay, another site says:
Sec. 791.016. PAINTING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. (a) A fire escape constructed of iron or steel must be painted with at least two coats of good metallic paint when erected. The fire escape must be repainted at least every two years or more frequently if necessary to preserve the fire escape from rust or climatic influences.

And I have no idea...wait...I think that's from someplace in Texas. And I have no idea where everyone is, or what specific laws may pertain to them.

Most laws make sense, once the reason they were enacted becomes clear. A fire escape is just that. A fire escape. A way in and out in case of emergency. It's not a lounge. It's not set up for people to use as a personal balcony.

Even if some folks do use that area as a balcony, and even if all the neighbors do it, it still doesn't make it the right thing to do.

Rusted bolts, collapsing balcony:
http://www.corboydemetrio.com/news/press/08_19_03.cfm

Not the best example. I remember a balcony collapse in which many people were injured.
Chicago:
http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2003/06/29/story104301.asp

Virginia:
http://www.cnn.com/US/9705/18/virginia/index.html

Mentioned here in S.F.:
http://www.donpearman.com/article/38-3.html

They collapse all over. And those "balcony" things are supposed to support people and objects on a regular basis. Right? Fire escapes are meant only for emergencies. They are meant to hold a certain load for a certain time, when they are in perfect, new condition.

You might not notice the little bubble of paint that forms in six months. You might not notice the bubble getting bigger either. I noticed the bubble of paint on my car when I washed it off and there was a big rusty spot underneath. Yikes. Okay, so now my windshield leaks.

But my windshield doesn't have to support my weight or the weight of other people coming up or down, loaded with equipment.

So, you might be able to get the owner of the building to put on a spiffy new coat of approved paint, if the local regulations say they are supposed to do just that.

Call the local fire marshall and ask them for recommendations of paints and proper preparation.

Maybe they'll say do whatever you want. And you could do a rainbow of pretty colors!