How to Paint a Fire Escape

In the event of a catastrophic fire, a fire escape can mean the difference between life and a horrible death. With so much at stake, authorities place heavy emphasis on keeping fire escapes in good condition. Many localities require property owners to repaint fire escapes periodically as part of a regular maintenance plan. The paint acts as a protective barrier against moisture and other outdoor elements. If you don't paint a fire escape often enough and bare metal becomes exposed, rust could form and weaken the integrity of the ladder, leading to potential injury if it needs to be used.

Scrape existing rust and flaking or peeling paint off the fire escape. Scrub the area with a wire brush until all signs of damage are gone. Check any welding or joints with an especially critical eye.

Clean the fire escape using rags soaked with warm, soapy water. Start at the top of the fire escape and work your way down. Dry the fire escape with clean rags afterward. Use a pressure washer instead of hand-washing the metal if you'd like the process to go faster.

Apply a coating of rust-inhibiting primer to the fire escape using a paint brush. Start at the top of the fire escape and work your way down to be able to easily smooth over any dripping primer. Spread a thicker coat of primer over any structural weak points, such as joints and welds. Allow the primer to dry.

Apply a first coat of an enamel or oil-based exterior paint to the fire escape, using the same top-to-bottom pattern used to apply the primer. If your municipality requires you to use two separate paint colors on your fire escape, apply the lighter color first. Allow the paint to dry.

Apply a second coat of paint to the fire escape. Allow it to dry fully.