NYC Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP)

History

In New York City, regular inspections of high-rise façades became standard practice in the 1980s when buildings began to erode in waves. Some had been built before the introduction of improved construction techniques; others had simply been poorly maintained. Falling debris caused a number of accidents, including the death in 1979 of a young woman struck by a falling piece of lintel in upper Manhattan. The incident garnered national attention and prompted the city to enact the first façade inspection law, Local Law 10. This law mandated that buildings more than six stories tall must regularly undergo a critical examination by a licensed engineer or architect.

Over the next 18 years, these inspections revealed significant deterioration of various critical façade elements. Many buildings needed immediate repairs. A larger number than expected had incurred weather damage, having been built at a time of inferior construction techniques. In 1998, the law was revised and replaced by a more stringent requirement. Local Law 11 expanded the scope of inspection to include all façades and required a hands-on examination via scaffolding.

Today, the buildings formerly governed by Local Law 11 are now protected under the NYC Department of Buildings' Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP). FISP enforces the particulars of the periodic inspections and all requirements associated with the Technical Report (TR), which must be filed with the DOB every five years.

FISP FAQ

1. What buildings qualify for the mandatory inspection?

Every building greater than 6 stories must be inspected for the Department of Buildings once every five years. The result of the inspection will be documented in a report that tells the building owner or property manager whether their building is safe or if remedial action needs to be taken.

2. Who is qualified to carry out the inspection?

A Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) must perform the inspection and write the report. The QEWI must be a New York State licensed professional engineer or registered architect.

3. Can the inspection be performed at any point within a 5-year period?

Not exactly. Every building has a specific 2-year filing window determined by the last digit of its block number. Within this window, the building must have its inspection completed and a report filed. The three filing windows (A, B, or C) make up a 5-year inspection cycle. Below is the cycle 10 filing window.

FISP CYCLE 10 FILING WINDOW

4. What portions of the building need to be inspected?

All components of the building's exterior, including:

• Brick, glass, or stone exterior walls
• Fire escapes
• Balconies and terraces
• Building setbacks
• Window AC units
• Attached signs
• Roof

5. How is the inspection conducted?

A base-level visual examination is performed via perimeter walkarounds, aided by long-range binoculars, cameras, and drones where applicable. To inspect portions of the façade that cannot be clearly discerned from the ground, a hands-on, up-close visual examination must be performed from scaffold drops, boom lifts, or other acceptable means at critical locations. Close-up inspections are conducted every 60 feet on elevations facing the public right of way determined by the engineer or architect performing the inspection.

6. What are the DOB fees and penalties associated with FISP filing?

Below are the DOB fees and penalties associated with FISP filing.

DOB Filing Fees:

Penalties for Non-Compliance: