4.1 Intent—This standard practice is intended to establish the minimum requirements for conducting periodic inspections of building facades to identify unsafe conditions that could cause harm to persons and property. It addresses the required content of the facade inspection to convey to the specifying authority the condition of the facade and allow comparisons of facade conditions at other times. Facade Inspection reports conducted and prepared as outlined in this standard practice will provide specifying authorities the information necessary to mitigate the threat of harm, injury, damage, or loss to persons or property from unsafe conditions on subject facades.
4.2 Need for Periodic Facade Inspections—Due to age, lack of maintenance, design or construction errors, or a combination of these factors, building facades deteriorate. Based on the knowledge gained about the performance of building facades through investigation and research, governing authorities, owners, and qualified professionals are becoming more aware of potential unsafe conditions on building facades that if unaddressed, can jeopardize public safety and surrounding properties.
4.3 Facade Service History—Facades require periodic maintenance and repairs to extend their useful life and to minimize and/or correct problems. As a part of any facade inspection, facade service history shall be reviewed because: (1) it may indicate patterns of leakage or other performance problems leading to concealed damage and an unsafe condition; (2) it may show a poorly conceived or improperly implemented maintenance or repair procedure that can contribute and aggravate unsafe conditions; and (3) it is necessary to distinguish between original construction and subsequent repairs or modifications during the inspection process and help identify the source of potential problems.
4.4 Who Shall Perform the Inspection—Facade inspection shall be performed by a qualified inspector familiar with the available service history and the available design documents relevant to the building facade. The qualified inspector shall be capable of assessing both the watertight integrity and exterior conditions of the building facade to evaluate and identify potential unsafe conditions. The qualified professional who seals and signs the report shall also oversee all work of the qualified inspector and the inspection process.
4.5 Facades Requiring Inspection—Those facades as determined by the specifying authority that pose a potential threat of harm, injury, damage or loss to persons or property.
4.6 Frequency, extent, and the required level of facade inspections are dependent on facade age, material, and construction.
4.7 Observed facade deficiencies shall be categorized and documented in Facade Inspection Report as x201......