[MassHistPres] question on metal fire escapes

[Matthew B. Bronski]

Roberta-

If you decide to go with a new metal fire escape:

Michael is correct - it is very difficult to get galvanized steel to
hold paint for very long, even with diligent field prep.   If you decide
to go with a steel fire escape, I'd recommend skipping the field
painting entirely and going with color-galvanizing from the factory.
Color galv. is a process where the color is integrally mixed with the
molten zinc as part of the factory galvanizing process.   Duncan
Industries in Everett MA does this process, and they have a large tank
for hot-dip galvanizing large items (like fire escape sections). Many
colors are available.   

If you strip them to bare metal, you can also hot-dip color galv.
existing items.   A couple years ago I had Duncan do this with some
fan-shaped steel sidewalk grates over a lightwell on a 1920's Beaux Arts
building that wouldn't hold paint very long, with all the foot traffic,
and all the shoveling and salt in winter.  They are holding up
beautifully so far.

Matthew Bronski, Winchester Historical Commission

Matthew B. Bronski, Staff Engineer/Designer 
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.
41 Seyon Street
Building 1, Suite 500
Waltham, MA 02453
Direct Dial: 781 907 9264
Operator: 781 907 9000
Fax: 781 907 9009
E-mail: mbbronski at sgh.com 
Website: www.sgh.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Smith
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:31 PM
To: 'knrmcguire at aol.com'; Skelly-MHC at comcast.net;
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] question on metal fire escapes

Roberta,

We used metal on the historic Belmont Town Hall and we're glad we did.
However, a word of caution... Galvanized metal is generally the
preference
for exterior applications; and, make ceratain that the painter follows
the
manufacturer's strictest recommendations for preparation, primer and
final
coats of paint, or you will maintaining it sooner than you'd like. 

Best Wishes,
 
Michael Smith
Belmont Historic District Commission

Michael Smith
Equus Design Group, Inc.
Architects & Planners
438 Common Street
Belmont, MA 02478
617-489-8585 (o)
617-489-2887 (f)
617-359-3886 (c)
www.equusdesign.com


-----Original Message-----
From: knrmcguire at aol.com [mailto:knrmcguire at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:16 PM
To: Skelly-MHC at comcast.net; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] question on metal fire escapes


 
Hi,
 
Are there any strong opinions one way or the other in using metal for
the
material
of choice for a fire escape on an historic building. The cost is
significantly greater, but
the ongoing maintenance is significantly less than other options such as
wood.
 
What are your thoughts on this?
 
Roberta McGuire
Westford Historical Commission
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