Building departments don’t want a full report — they want a scoped, PE-signed statement that answers one question and stands behind it. Lebra Engineering & Design drafts building-department affidavits and performs the 5-year fire escape, balcony, and exterior stairway recertification inspections Boston, Somerville, and other Massachusetts municipalities require.
PE-reviewed · a written proposal typically within 1 business day.
Tell us what the building department is asking for.
A building inspector reads an affidavit as the engineer taking personal responsibility for a condition someone else built and often cannot fully see. Every sentence broader than what was actually observed is uncompensated liability that outlives the permit by decades. Lebra states the purpose, the basis, and the limits — what was observed, what wasn’t, and what couldn’t be determined — before offering an opinion, then confines that opinion to exactly the question the building department asked.
For exterior fire escapes, balconies, and stairways specifically, Massachusetts building code §780 CMR 1001.3.2 requires periodic certification by a registered design professional or a licensed fire escape installer. Boston’s Inspectional Services Department enforces this on a five-year cycle, with a permit and a Fire Escape and Fire Balcony Affidavit filed for each structure; Somerville’s ISD Building Division likewise inspects fire escapes as part of its field-enforcement work. Lebra performs the site observation and issues the affidavit directly to the filing.
We get the exact question the building department asked, in their own words.
We confirm the current Building Commissioner, mailing address, and any town-specific form.
A documented site visit — the basis for every statement in the affidavit.
A numbered, purpose-limited statement, signed and sealed.
Letter or notarized form, submitted with the permit the department requires.
Boston enforces the 5-year fire escape and balcony recertification cycle, and a lapsed certification can hold up a rental license, a sale, or a Five-Year Inspection Plan filing. We can usually get an inspection on the calendar within the week.
Every affidavit states what it covers — and just as clearly, what it doesn’t.
No statement is made without a documented field visit.
We confirm the current commissioner and any town-specific form before drafting.
Matched to exactly what the building department requires.
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"Efficient and Effective Load-Bearing Wall Removal I recently hired Lebra Engineering to design a steel beam for a load-bearing wall removal project with a 26' - 6" span. I was thoroughly impressed with their service from start to finish. They prepared the necessary drawings and calculation reports for my building permit application with remarkable efficiency. Within a few short days, I had all the documentation I needed. Their work was professional, accurate, and clearly demonstrated their expertise in structural engineering. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lebra Engineering to anyone needing structural design services. Their combination of speed, quality, and expertise made the entire process smooth and stress-free."
"We had a great experience with Lebra Engineering & Design. Their engineers helped us improve the layout and functionality of our facility, and the design team brought creative ideas that truly enhanced the space. Highly recommend them for any project!"
"After working with Lebra Engineering & Design, I’m a true believer in their commitment to quality and excellence. They helped us with both the engineering and design aspects of a major renovation, and everything turned out perfectly. A great team to work with!"
"Top-notch engineers and designers! I had a great experience with Lebra Engineering & Design. Their team was always responsive, kept me in the loop, and delivered high-quality work on time. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for engineering expertise!"
Tell us what the building department is asking for, or which fire escape needs recertifying, and we’ll outline the fastest path to a filed affidavit.