Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI)

The Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) regime was introduced in 2020 to enhance maintenance of building facades, for public safety.

Frequency of Inspection

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
- Buildings where the highest point (including its roof, if applicable) is 13 metres or lower when measured from the ground.

Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) Process

1. BCA informs owner* by serving a Notice for PFI of buildings
2. Owner appoints a Competent Person^ (CP)
3. CP conducts a facade inspection of the building
4. Owner or CP (authorised by owner) submits a report to BCA
5. 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

How can owners play their part?

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.