Building Code›Chapter 36 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE (CRC)
San Francisco County Municipal Code § 2.7 Ladder or Stair to Ground
San Francisco County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · San Francisco County
Cite as: San Francisco County Municipal Code § 2.7 · Text as of 2026-10-04
All fire escapes shall continue to the ground level. All fire escapes shall lead to exit courts, passageways or other
means of egress which open to streets or alleys. Courts and passageways into which fire escapes lead shall be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Means of reaching the ground level from the lowest balcony of the fire escape shall be provided by one of the following methods:
2.7.1 A permanent inclined ladder or stair is required between balconies.¶
2.7.2 A swinging counter-balanced inclined stair or ladder constructed as required herein.¶
Each such stair or ladder shall be counter-balanced
about a pivot by the use of weights securely fixed to a lever arm. The arrangement of the swing section, pivot and counterweights shall be such that:
2.7.2.1 A live load weight of 150 pounds, placed one step from the pivot, will not start the section downward.¶
2.7.2.2 A live load weight of 150 pounds, placed one-fourth of the length of the swing…¶
2.7.3 Each such stair or ladder shall have unobstructed width at least equal to the…¶
enclosure and railings shall be so arranged as to make remote as possible any probability of injury to persons at its head or on the landing or platform adjacent thereto when the section swings downward.
2.7.4 All ladders or stairs shall be provided with substantial handrail supported with…¶
2.7.5 The clearance between parts of the ladder or stair where the hands might be…¶
signs shall be provided in buildings below fire escapes.
2.7.6 Permanent inclined ladders, swinging counter-balanced inclined ladders, stairs,…¶
shall not be installed as to obstruct doorways, passageways, or other exits or means of egress. The terminal portion of such ladders or stairs shall end on a level surface of a size equivalent to a stair landing.
2.7.7 The above ladders, stairs or devices shall not be installed so as to interfere…¶
valves for refrigerants or any other similar devices.
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