Boston’s older buildings often rely on aging fire escapes that are one rusty bolt away from a citation—or a lawsuit. Neglected metal stairs become liability traps with loose treads, corroded stringers, and shaky handrails. Generic welders often patch over the rot without fixing the structural weakness, wasting your budget on band-aid repairs that won’t pass code.
When it comes to fire escapes and exterior stairs, AP Iron Design prioritizes structural soundness over everything else. We don’t just paint over rust; we grind down to bare metal, reinforce wasted connections, and replace compromised grating. Whether it’s a multi-story emergency exit in Back Bay or a service staircase for a warehouse in Everett, we fabricate solutions that satisfy city inspectors and keep your tenants safe.
We specialize in the difficult logistics of replacing heavy metalwork in tight urban spaces. Our team manages the entire lifecycle: from the initial load-test and engineering affidavit to the final coat of industrial-grade paint. Landlords and condo associations across Greater Boston rely on us to turn dangerous, eyesore metalwork into certified, solid assets that last for decades.
AP Iron Design is a full-service structural shop for fire escapes and commercial stairways. We fabricate new systems from scratch—including space-saving spiral staircases, catwalks, and heavy-duty egress stairs—designed to meet all Massachusetts building codes. For existing structures, our restoration team replaces rusted brackets, reinforces stringers, and secures wall-through bolts. We are deeply familiar with the “MA State Building Code 780 CMR” requirements for certification. We provide the physical labor and the technical expertise to ensure your building remains compliant and safe for occupancy.
We start with a rigorous “Audit” of your metalwork. We hammer-test connections, check wall anchors for pull-out, and measure tread depth against current code. We identify exactly what will cause you to fail a city inspection—be it rusted landings or improper counter-weights. We provide a detailed report and a hard quote to bring the system back to legal compliance.
This is where the sparks fly. We cut out the “cancer” (rusted sections) and weld in new, heavy-gauge steel. We don’t use bondo or filler. We fabricate new treads, replace corroded bolts with high-strength galvanized hardware, and re-anchor supports to the masonry if needed. For new stairs, we pre-fab structurally in Everett to minimize on-site disruption.
Once the steel is solid, we prep the surface aggressively to remove old lead paint and scale. We apply industrial marine-grade primers and topcoats that seal out moisture. finally, we coordinate the load test (if required) and issue the necessary affidavits or letters of compliance for the Fire Department or Building Inspector.
We know the specific egress codes for Everett, Maldem, Medford, Chelsea
Our team is trained in structural welding, not just decorative iron.
Proper documentation and solid work protect you from lawsuits.
We handle the repairs and the sign-offs for the 5-Year cert.
We use structural channel and angle iron, not flimsy sheet metal.
Experts in fabricating compact spiral stairs for tight alleys.
We know how to secure heavy steel into old Boston brick properly.
We use coatings used on ships to fight New England salt and snow.
We can mobilize quickly for emergency repairs to lift violations.
We fix only what needs fixing to pass code, saving you unnecessary costs.
In Massachusetts, fire escapes must be inspected and certified every 5 years.
Yes, that is our specialty. We review the violation report and perform the specific repairs listed.
Absolutely. We fabricate interior and exterior steel staircases for commercial and residential use.
It’s a physical test where weights are placed on the escape to prove it can hold people. We manage this process.
Surface rust is fine, but “pitting” or “delamination” means the steel has lost strength and must be replaced.
