New FISP CYCLE 10 (Local Law 11)
If you’re new to NYC’s Local Law 11 (Facade Inspection Safety Program), you might be unsure about your building’s status within the FISP filing cycles. Every five years, facades of all NYC buildings over six stories must be inspected by a DOB-qualified professional (Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector, or QEWI), and a report must be filed with the DOB. We are approaching FISP Cycle 10, which, like previous cycles, is divided into three sub-cycles. It begins on February 21, 2025, and runs through February 21, 2029. Sub-cycle 10A starts on February 21, 2025, so now is an excellent time to address any SWARMP conditions identified during Cycle 9A. This will ensure your building is in good standing as we enter Cycle 10.
The FISP regulates the conditions of NYC buildings’ exterior walls and their appurtenances. It is part of the NYC Administrative Code (Article 302 Maintenance of Exterior Walls) and detailed in rule 1 RCNY 103-04 by the DOB.
It’s important to note that facade conditions identified as SWARMP during sub-cycle 9A must be addressed by the “SWARMP recommended repair date” in the Cycle 9 report. Unrepaired conditions from sub-cycle 9A to FISP Cycle 10 will default to Unsafe at the end of sub-cycle 10A on February 21, 2027.
Our experienced architects, engineers, and QEWI’s can help you navigate and comply with FISP.
The intent of the NYC FISP Cycle 10 is to provide a “critical examination” to identify the condition of the exterior walls in accordance with the following terms (quoted from the code):
Critical Examination – Critical examination means an examination conducted to review the exterior of a building and all parts thereof to determine whether the exterior walls and the appurtenance thereto are safe, unsafe, or safe with a repair and maintenance program and whether, in the judgement of a Registered Architect or Professional Engineer, they require remedial work.
Unsafe Condition – Unsafe condition means a condition of a building wall, any appurtenance thereto or part thereof that is hazardous to persons or property and requires within (1) year of completion of critical inspections. In addition, any condition which was reported as safe with a repair and maintenance program in an earlier report, and which is not corrected at the time of the current inspection, shall be reported as an unsafe condition.
Safe – Safe means a condition of a building wall, any appurtenances thereto, or any part thereof not requiring repair or maintenance to sustain the structural integrity of the exterior of the building and that will not become unsafe during the next five years.
SWARMP (Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program) – Safe with a repair and maintenance program means a condition of a building wall, and appurtenances thereto or any part thereof that is safe at the time of inspection, but requires repair or maintenance during the next five years in order to prevent its deterioration during that five-year period into an unsafe condition, but not less than one year.
Local Law 11 Inspection Resource:
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https://www.oandsassociates.com/project-category/exterior-envelope/