What You Should Know About Building Façade Inspection

The Building Facade Inspection Safety Program is mandated by many cities in the United States to proactively identify unsafe conditions that may present a risk of causing injury or damaging property. In the City of Philadelphia, buildings of 6 or more stories or with any appurtenance over 60 feet tall must be inspected by a registered engineer every 5 years (PM-304.10 - Periodic Inspection of Exterior Walls and Appurtenances of Buildings). 

The team at BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS keeps current on the latest amendments to municipal codes, so you don’t have to. We have helped many building owners meet inspection, repair, and reporting requirements. And we offer advice on maintenance to perform before the building inspection, to avoid costly penalties and rush repairs.

The answer is anyone that owns or is responsible for the maintenance of a building. Obviously, the complexity and level of the inspection would vary with the local ordinances, building complexity, building use, and the building’s environment. Without the façade inspection, it can be difficult to know if repairs are justified, when identified repairs need to be completed, and whether the repairs are critical or optional. 

At BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS, our investigations go beyond the basics to evaluate why deterioration conditions exist, as well as what to do about them. Regular façade inspections help identify potential problems such as water infiltration and air leakage or deficient insulation causing heat loss for residents, and they keep people safe on the street below. Unsafe conditions may include loose bricks, cracked windows, leaning walls, or improperly secured air conditioners, as well as other conditions which may be dangerous.

BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS provide clients with accurate and creative structural engineering solutions. Our façade experts take into consideration the complexities associated with building movements, installation requirements, thermal and condensation performance, and installation sequencing to support superior building envelope performance, constructability, and resiliency. So, be sure to keep a close eye on your building’s façade and don’t miss the opportunity to detect the potential problems! If you have concerns with the façade of your building or are looking to comply with the Building Facade Inspection Safety Program, please click to contact us and let’s discuss how we may be of service to you.