O&S utilizes rope access to obtain close-up, hands-on access for compliance with the city ordinance. In 2010, an ordinance amended the Code (Philadelphia Code Title 4, Sub code “PM”) by requiring:

• The periodic inspection of the exterior walls and appurtenances of buildings 6 or more stories tall and,

• The filing of reports of such inspections, and

• The repair and maintenance of certain conditions discovered during such inspections.

Each notable exterior wall condition is defined according to the following three conditions:

Safe - A condition of a building wall or any appurtenance thereto that is neither an “Unsafe” condition nor ‘Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program.”

Unsafe - A condition of a building’s exterior wall or any appurtenance thereto or part thereof that is dangerous to persons or property and requires prompt remedial action.

SWRMP - Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program is a condition of a building’s exterior wall of any appurtenance thereto or any part thereof that the Professional does not consider Unsafe at the time of inspection but requires repairs or maintenance within a time designated by the Professional in order to prevent its deterioration into an Unsafe condition.

Filing Deadlines

A Professional must be retained to conduct periodic inspections, once every 5 years of the exterior walls. The deadlines for filing the report with the city is based on construction date: