New Facade Rules in Effect
The final version of the newly amended rule governing exterior wall inspections and repairs has been published in the City Record and will be in effect on February 20, 2020.
Below is a breakdown of the 9th Cycle Local Law 11/98 (FISP) changes:
Facade Status will need to be posted and maintained in the building lobby to alert occupants of the exterior wall states (Safe, SWARMP or Unsafe).
Close-up inspections will need to be performed at intervals of not more than 60 feet fronting each public right-of-way.
Probe investigations will be required to determine presence and condition of wall ties in cavity walls. This requirement will begin with the 9th Cycle and will be required every odd cycle thereafter.
Photographic evidence of close-up inspections in progress will need to be submitted with the completed Local Law 11 (FISP) reports.
New Penalties will be issued for failure to perform corrective work, including SWARMP repairs.
Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI) must be licensed architects or professional engineers with at least 7 years of relevant experience to ensure inspectors have appropriate knowledge of exterior walls and how to conduct inspections of those walls.
For more information, including the full rule and filing deadlines, please click here.
Merritt Engineering has over 30 years of experience in conducting Local Law 11 (FISP) inspections, having completed the critical examinations since inception of the law. If you have any questions or would like to request a proposal, please feel free to contact us at (718) 767-0923.