(a) The person who erects a fire escape shall test the fire escape, on its completion and before final approval of the fire escape, by the application of a live load of 160 pounds per square foot of area of balcony floor and stair treads, or a dead load of 240 pounds per square foot of area of balcony floor and stair treads. The weight must be simultaneously imposed on each balcony and the stairways connecting the balconies that lead both up and down.
(b) Sand, gravel, concrete blocks, or any other suitable commodity may be used in performing the tests. The load must be accurately weighed and applied as specified in this section.

(c) A dead load must be placed in position in whole or in part by mechanical means without a person present on the fire escape when the test is made. A live load must be placed in position by mechanical means or by persons, and persons must be present on the fire escape as part of the load when the test is made.
(d) The person who erects the fire escape shall conduct the tests in the presence of:
(1) the state fire marshal;
(2) an appointed representative of the state fire marshal;
(3) the chief of a fire department; or
(4) a municipal fire marshal.
(e) If an official listed in Subsection (d) cannot be present to witness the test, any of the officials instead may accept an affidavit from the person who erects the fire escape that states that the minimum required test has been made and that the fire escape has passed the test.