By an inspector who knows exactly what to look for and where – in accordance with BS8210:2020 and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Detailed Reports
Written in an easy-to-follow style with photos so every point's clear.
Realistic Solutions
We tell you everything you and your insurers need to know and if you need to obtain repair quotes – from us or others – provide all the information wanted for this.
who we are
We know more about metal staircases than almost anyone else
We've more than 50 years' experience of fabricating, restoring and repairing steps, fixed ladders and staircases, so our experienced and qualified surveyors know where to look for weaknesses and damage, how to assess their seriousness and what needs to be done to rectify any problem they find.
They will provide you with the best advice plus reports and/or certificates to send to your insurers.
50+Years fabricating and inspecting metalwork
BS 8210Inspected against current standards
LondonOn-site surveys across London, the South, East of England and Midlands
Staircase inspections
Metal staircase inspections
Internal and external metal staircases carry real loads every day, and they degrade in ways that are easy to miss until something fails. A metal staircase inspection checks the things that matter: the condition of all parts of the staircase, and the welds and fixings that hold it together.
We inspect in accordance with BS 8210:2020, the British Standard Guide to Building Maintenance, and report in plain language, so you know what is sound, what needs watching, and what needs work. Whether you manage one staircase or a whole portfolio, you get a documented record you can rely on and can use to obtain quotations, if repairs are necessary.
Fire escape inspections
Fire escape inspections
An external fire escape is only useful if it is safe to use in an emergency. Exposed to weather all year, steel fire escapes can corrode at the fixings and feet, lose their coating, and work loose where they meet the wall. A fire escape inspection confirms the structure will hold, the route is clear, and the guarding is sound.
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005 the responsible person must keep means of escape in efficient working order. Our inspection and written report will give you the evidence that you have checked this, and a clear list of anything that needs attention.
Our reports provide clear evidence that a fire escape has been checked in compliance with BS 8210:2020 to ensure it is structurally sound. Any concerns, and how to rectify them, are clearly identified, so it's easy to obtain quotes. They also provide recommendations for maintaining fire escapes so they won't deteriorate, and for making improvements for users. Our Construction Surveyor is also happy to give on-site advice, in fact, it's difficult to stop him!
what we check
We safeguard you by being thorough
Structure and fixings
All parts of the staircase that can be safely visually examined are checked to ensure they are structurally sound and safe to use.
Fixings and anchorage
Wall ties, base plates and anchor bolts checked for corrosion, movement and pull out risk.
Handrails and balustrades
Guarding height, infill spacing and rigidity checked against current compliance guidance.
Corrosion and coatings
We identify damage to the protective coatings – paint, powder-coating or galvanising – and tell you the best course of action to take.
Treads and landings
Slip resistance, fixings and wear – all assessed.
Documented findings
A clear report with photos and prioritised actions.
how this helps you
You have proof that you have met your obligations
A report from us shows you have had your steps or staircase examined by a qualified surveyor in accordance with BS8210:2020 and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and that the structure is structurally sound – or you know how to make it so and can get this done.
You have peace of mind
No one wants anyone to hurt themselves because a staircase is unsafe and you have a duty of care to ensure this. We can confirm that your steps or staircase are secure, the route is clear and the guarding is sound.
You have an expert to talk to
Our surveyors have looked at so many staircases they sometimes dream of them! If you have any questions, just ask, they are helpful, practical and understand business constraints.
When to act
Signs your staircase or fire escape needs inspecting
Visible rust, flaking paint or scaling on the steelwork
Movement, wobble or flex when the staircase is used
Loose, missing or corroded bolts and wall fixings
Cracked welds, or bent stringers and supports
Worn, loose or slippery treads and landings
Handrails that move, or guarding with wide gaps
Water pooling, blocked drainage or trapped debris
No inspection on record in the last twelve months
Who needs one
Built for the people responsible for safe egress
Schools, colleges and universities
Duty-of-care inspections for education estates.
Care homes and hospitals
Safe egress for vulnerable residents and patients.
Commercial property
Landlords and managing agents meeting their obligations.
Housing associations
External staircases and shared fire escapes across estates.
How it works
From first visit to a report you can act on
01
A clear quotation
Send us a photo or photos showing the full extent of your staircase/s and the full site address and we will quickly provide you with a price for structural survey and report.
02
A thorough survey
In accordance with BS 8210:2020.
03
A helpful report
Clearly setting out any repairs needed and the actions you need to take to maintain it in a good lasting condition.
some of the people we've helped
Fire escape inspectionSouthampton, HampshireStaircase inspectionPetham Primary School, KentStaircase inspectionVictoria, London SW1Staircase inspectionDagenham, EssexStaircase surveyWentworth Primary School, Dartford, Kent
Standards
Inspected against the standards that matter
Our inspections reference the recognised standards for stairs and safe egress, so your report supports your duty of care and any compliance evidence you need to hold.
BS 8210:2020, Guide to building maintenance management
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
FAQs
In accordance with BS8210:2020, a staircase should be examined every 5 years by a suitably qualified person, such as one of our inspectors. However, heavily used, coastal or older structures often warrant more frequent checks and fixed ladders (also known as cat ladders) must be inspected every year.
BS8210:2020 is a code of practice for facilities management that emphasises the importance of ensuring staircases are safe and reliable in the event of an emergency and that they should be inspected by a suitably qualified person (such as one of our inspectors) at least every 5 years. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the responsible person to keep escape routes, including external fire escapes, safe and in efficient working order. Anyone with a degree of control over the premises, such as the owner, agent, employer or occupier, can be designated the responsible person, and must keep fire precautions, facilities, equipment and devices in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. A documented inspection is how most duty holders evidence that they have met that duty.
Our surveyor would tell you straight-away if the staircase was in a dangerous condition and needed to be put out of action. Thankfully, this is rare. Any concerns about a staircase are detailed in our reports and the conclusions tell you how these can be rectified and give you all the information needed to obtain quotes. We'll also provide one, if your site is within reasonably travelling distance from our base in Loughton, Essex. Once any rectification work needed to make your staircase structurally sound has been carried out (and we've done it or seen evidence of this) we can send you confirmation that it is in that condition for your records and your insurers.
If you're within less than 2 hours' driving time from our base in Loughton, Essex, then – if we find any repairs needed to be done – we will usually send you a quote along with our report.
Yes. If you have a property with external stairs, they should be inspected as you're responsible for ensuring they are safe. We regularly carry out inspections for all types of companies, as well as schools, hospitals and care homes.
It depends on the size of the structure, the access, and how many sets of steps, staircases, fixed ladders or fire escapes are involved. Send us photos showing the full extent of each one, and the full address where it's situated and we'll send you a quote soon after.
Usually the building owner, employer or managing agent, the responsible person under the Fire Safety Order. If you own or manage a property with an external staircase or fire escape, the duty to keep it safe typically sits with you.
some of the people we've helped
Thank you for the excellent communication and for getting these surveys completed in such a quick and efficient time frame.
L McLennanEcosafe Group
Thank you for the report and the suggested actions are noted. We will look to arrange a further inspection in 2026.
Mr K MayData Centre Manager
Thank you so much for the thorough and prompt report.
