Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) (Formerly known as Local Law 11)
Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) (Formerly known as Local Law 11)Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) was established to maintain the safety of all exterior walls and appurtenances of buildings six stories or higher. An investigation must be performed by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) who is a registered architect or professional engineer on buildings in New York City every five years. A technical report is prepared, documenting the conditions of the structure, classifying deteriorated conditions and providing repair recommendations and timeline in order for the building to maintain a safe classification. The report is filed with the Department of Buildings (DOB).
Local Law Cycle 10 begins on February 21, 2025 with reports due in staggered sub-cycles (based on the last digit of the building’s block number):
| SUBCYCLE | Last Digit of Block Number | Filing Period |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4,5,6 or 9 | February 21, 2025– February 21, 2027 |
| B | 0,7 or 8 | February 21, 2026– February 21, 2028 |
| C | 1,2 or 3 | February 21, 2027– February 21, 2029 |
Façade conditions can be classified as:
Safe – A condition of a building wall or appurtenances not requiring repair or maintenance to sustain structural integrity and will not become an unsafe condition during the next 5 years.
Safe with a Repair & Maintenance Program (SWARMP) – A condition of a building wall or appurtenances that is safe during time of inspection but requires repairs/maintenance during the next 5 years in order to prevent deterioration into an unsafe condition during that 5-year period.
Unsafe – A condition of a building wall or appurtenance that is hazardous to persons or property and requires prompt repair. An unsafe condition requires the A/E to immediately notify the DOB, erect public protection and create a remedial action plan to stabilize/correct the condition.
Preparation for a FISP Investigation
Review the previous Cycle 9 report to ensure that all conditions have been corrected. The QEWI will need a copy of the report to verify that repairs have been completed.
Perform the obligated repairs within the time frame, if not already done so.
Perform any building maintenance/inspections prior to the FISP Inspection. All reports should be provided to the QEWI.
Perform a quick survey of the building’s wall air conditioners to ensure that they have exterior brackets and an internal structure that connects unit to wall.
Selecting an experienced QEWI to perform the investigation and preparing the report.
New Requirements to FISP
Close-up scaffolding drops must be performed every 60’ on public- right-of-way elevations.
Cavity wall probes are only to be performed every subsequent odd numbered cycle; therefore, they are not required for Cycle 10.
Exterior Wall Certificate for Cycle 9 must be posted in your lobby/vestibule, with a transparent cover.
