Fire Escape Retrofit at Northwest Christian University, Eugene

Location: Northwest Christian University campus, Eugene, Oregon
Client/Owner: Northwest Christian University
Partners: Robertson Sherwood Architects (project architect for the change of use); City of Eugene Building and Eugene Fire & EMS (review)
Year: 2013–2014, complete
Size/scale: Two three-story exterior steel fire escapes on a former Greek residence; one retrofitted and certified, one removed
JBE services: Condition assessment, structural analysis, retrofit design and permit drawings, construction observation, final certification report under the Eugene Fire Marshal’s fire escape policy
Sector: Public, Civic & Education

Retrofitted three-story steel fire escape on the brick and shingle Center for Teaching and Learning, Eugene

The challenge

The university was remodeling a former Greek residence near campus into its Center for Teaching and Learning. The building had two exterior steel fire escapes of unknown age, most likely built before Oregon had a state building code. Each had cantilevered platforms at the second and third floors and stairs to the ground, and one had a fireman’s ladder.

Fire escapes are no longer allowed as exits in new buildings, so an existing one can stay in service only if a licensed engineer shows it is safe. The Eugene Fire Marshal’s Office sets out how that is done: a detailed inspection checklist, specific loads the landings, railings and ladder must carry, and a signed affidavit.

Project photos

What we did

We documented both assemblies piece by piece, measuring members, connections and anchors, and modeled the stair and handrail structure to check them against the Fire Marshal’s load criteria. Rather than load-testing the old steel, we showed by calculation what it could carry and what needed to change.

One fire escape was kept and retrofitted; the other was taken down. Our retrofit replaced every lag screw and degraded bolt, verified through-bolting and blocking wherever connections pull against the wall, strengthened the main welded connections with through-bolts and angle clips, and added columns to support the platforms. The plan was permitted by the City of Eugene in October 2013. We answered contractor questions during construction and observed the epoxy anchor installation in January 2014.

The result

The retrofitted fire escape was refurbished and remains part of the building’s egress. Our final report documented the work in full: the completed Fire Marshal checklist with our commentary, a photo log of every connection, construction observation records, calculations and the signed affidavit. The design was reviewed by the Eugene Building Official and by Eugene Fire & EMS, giving the university a clear, certified record for future five-year inspections.