Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP)

What is FISP?

FISP was created to protect the public from falling building materials and elements.

Owners of buildings higher than six (6) stories must have exterior walls and appurtenances inspected every five (5) years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) and a technical façade report must be electronically filed with the Department through DOB NOW: Safety by the QEWI within 60 days of completing the inspection.

The current inspection cycle (Cycle 9) runs from February 21, 2020 to February 21, 2025.

Cycles are staggered into three (3) sub-cycles:

Requirements:

• Review of Prior Reports
• General Visual Inspection
• Close-up hands-on inspection(s): 1 per 60’ of façade fronting public right of way
• Assessment of Conditions: Safe, Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), Unsafe
• Specific Location of SWAMRP and UNSAFE items
• Deadline for Repairs

DOB Filing Fees:

Unsafe conditions must be corrected within 90 days of filing a report with an Unsafe status.  An amended report must then be filed within two weeks of completing the repairs.

Penalties:

Penalties apply after the filing period ends.

An owner who fails to correct an unsafe condition shall be liable for a civil penalty as detailed in the table below, until the unsafe condition is corrected. Unless the Commissioner grants an extension of time to complete repairs, the penalties will be incurred as detailed in the table below. This penalty shall be imposed until receipt of an acceptable amended report by the Department indicating the unsafe conditions were corrected, the sidewalk shed has been removed and the associated permits are signed off with the Department, including shed permits, or an extension of time is granted by the Commissioner.

HLZAE Contacts:

• Carolyn Caste, R.A. – Director of Façade Compliance
• Stephanie Bush, R.A. – Executive Director, Operations
• Jose Velez – Operations Manager