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FACADE MAINTENANCE

what every owner should know

In accordance with 2014 New York City Administrative Code Chapter 3,

Maintenance of Buildings, Subsection 28-301.1: 

 

"The Owner shall be responsible at all times to maintain the building

and its facilities and all other structures regulated by this code

in a safe and code-compliant manner and shall comply with the inspection and maintenance requirements of this chapter."

 

Therefore, a building’s exterior walls and appurtenances shall be

maintained in a safe condition. 

MAINTENANCE

When preparing a Facade Maintenance Program, your item check-list should include all of the following applicable items:

 

  • Exterior Walls

  • Window Frames, Sills,      

          and Lintels

  • Decorative Terra Cotta,       Water Tables, and Cornice 

  • Parapet Walls and Copings

  • Railings

 

  • Bulkheads and Roof                      Top Structures 

  • Chimney(s)

  • Fire Escapes  

  • Balcony Enclosures                      and Guardrails 

  • Exterior Fixtures 

 

  • Flagpoles

  • Signs

  • Window Mounted A/C Unit

  • Flower Boxes

  • Communication Equipment 

 

RJSA provides clients with an extensive building envelope survey that includes a cost-effective approach to the long term maintenance of your building’s facade.

The New York City Department of Buildings is constantly visiting sites all over the five boroughs doing spontaneous inspections.  Facade Related offenses could result in penalties of up to $25,000 per infraction. 

 

Types of Infractions include:

  • Failure to maintain buildings in a code-compliant manner.

  • Failure to maintain building wall(s) or appurtenances.

  • Failure to submit a required report of critical examination documenting condition of exterior wall and appurtenances.

VIOLATIONS

INSPECTIONS EVERY 5 YEARS 

Building Owners should have exterior wall and appurtenances inspected at minimum every five years regardless of Local Law 11/98 requirements.

 

RJSA's Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI) can design hands-on inspection programs and lead the inspection team in performing a critical examination.  Once completed, a report is generated with detailed notes and photographs of their findings. The report is then used to create a maintenance plan for your building.

 

Facade maintenance is the most expensive upkeep of your building. Being proactive in auditing and maintaining your buildings on a regular basis will reduce the likelihood of significantly expensive repairs in the future.

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