The Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) regime was introduced in 2020 and implemented on 1 Jan 2022. The regime aims to help building owners detect and address any facade deterioration in a timely manner thus ensuring public safety.
Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) Criteria and Frequency
Buildings that are more than 20 years of age are to be inspected every 7 years with the exception of:
- Detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced or linked houses which are used solely as places of residence
- Temporary buildings as defined under the Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations 2018
- Buildings where the highest point (including its roof, if applicable) is 13 metres or lower when measured from the ground.
Process of Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI)
- BCA informs owner* by serving a Notice for PFI of buildings that are due for the building facade inspection
- Building owner appoints a Competent Person (CP)^ to inspect the facade of the building
- CP conducts facade inspection on the building
- Owner or CP (authorised by owner) submits a report to BCA
- Where necessary, owner engages a contractor to repair defects as recommended by the CP
*Owner as defined under s26(1) of the Building Control Act
^CP can either be a professional engineer (in civil or structural engineering) or registered architect who possesses the Certificate in Facade Inspection
Duties of Owner
The owner must appoint a Competent Person (CP) to inspect the building facades upon receiving the PFI Notice, and carry out repair works as recommended by the CP to restore the integrity of the building facades.
List of Competent Persons (CPs) for PFI
You may refer to the List of Competent Persons for PFI