![\"Facade](\"https:\/\/randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Qewi-doing-inspectionedit-boom-lift-sweiss-w-485x364.jpg\")
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For owners, boards, and property managers planning for Facade Inspection Safety Program<\/a> (FISP) Cycle 10, it helps to understand which aspects of a report tend to receive the closest review from the Department of Buildings (DOB). FISP filings are not just about describing what\u2019s happening on the facade; DOB reviewers look closely at how the QEWI performed the inspection, how conditions are documented, and how the proposed repairs follow from those observations.<\/span><\/p>\n Across the city, that attention is most evident in how closely DOB reviews inspection methods, access, and decorative materials like terra cotta and stone. For owners and boards, that translates into a FISP process that benefits from careful planning, thorough documentation, and close coordination with the inspection and design team.<\/span><\/p>\n DOB reviewers look not only at the final condition rating (Safe, SWARMP, or Unsafe), but at the information that supports those ratings and the associated repair program recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n Detailed comments on inspection methods, access, and scope<\/strong><\/p>\n Report reviews often include comments and questions about:<\/span><\/p>\n Because RAND files a large volume of FISP reports, we see these themes frequently and structure our standard documentation to address DOB\u2019s expectations upfront.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n E<\/strong>mphasis on procedural and documentation detail<\/strong><\/p>\n Reports are evaluated on how thoroughly the QEWI documents:<\/span><\/p>\n DOB may also perform site re-inspections when filings prompt questions about conditions or completed work, using these visits to verify that reported information aligns with actually exists at the site.<\/span><\/p>\n For owners, this level of review means a FISP filing benefits from:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Decorative Facades: Terra Cotta, Stone, and Cast Elements<\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps the greatest scrutiny in the DOB review is directed at decorative facade elements, particularly on buildings with materials that have been associated with prior failures.<\/span><\/p>\n Materials that often draw detailed attention include:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n RAND sees the following expectations in FISP filings involving these components:<\/span><\/p>\n Hands-on sounding<\/strong><\/p>\n For these materials, visual observation alone is not considered sufficient. A representative sample of decorative units, at a minimum, must be sounded as part of the hands-on inspection to verify how pervasive the observed defects are and whether sufficient sound material remains to make the decorative segment salvageable.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Documentation of each defect<\/strong><\/p>\n FISP reports are expected to include:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Justification of repair vs. replacement, especially for terra cotta<\/strong><\/p>\n DOB often favors full replacement of deteriorated terra cotta units rather than patching or partial repair. When repairs are proposed in lieu of replacement, reviewers look for a clear explanation and supporting documentation showing that the repair approach and methods are appropriate and durable. Reports should explain:<\/span><\/p>\n DOB\u2019s approach to decorative facades places particular emphasis on terra cotta repairs - how durable they are, how they were performed, and how they\u2019re documented. For owners with decorative facades, that typically means:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For owners and property managers, understanding where DOB focuses its review can help you more effectively plan inspections, repairs, and FISP filings.<\/span><\/p>\n Expect thorough inspections and robust documentation.<\/strong> <\/p>\n At RAND, our QEWIs and facade team incorporate these priorities into how we plan inspections, document conditions, and prepare filings. If you\u2019d like to review your building\u2019s FISP obligations or discuss how these focus areas may affect your next report or repair program, we\u2019re here as a resource.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC has been serving New York\u2019s building community for nearly 40 years. Founded in 1987, our firm designs and administers programs for the repair, upgrade, restoration, and adaptive reuse of residential, commercial, institutional, and retail properties.<\/em><\/p>\n Our expertise includes exterior envelope repair - with a particular focus on FISP - parapet inspections and repair programs, window and door replacement, heating, plumbing, and electrical upgrades, garage inspections and repair programs, architectural design and ADA compliance, feasibility studies and plan reviews, structural engineering, forensic surveys, benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning, green roofs, and historic restoration.<\/em><\/p>\n RAND also has dedicated groups for Building Design, Industrial Rope Access, Drone Services, Infrared Surveys, and 3D Laser Scanning. We also have a Code & Zoning Compliance Team and are an accredited Special Inspections Agency.<\/em><\/p>\n To learn more, please visit randpc.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DOB is taking a closer look at how QEWIs inspect facades, document conditions, and justify repair strategies in Cycle 10. Reports involving decorative materials like terra cotta and stone are receiving especially detailed review, making it important for owners and managers to understand DOB\u2019s focus and prepare stronger filings.<\/p>\n Read more<\/strong><\/a><\/span>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":7727,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[882,566,413,717,18,33,1],"tags":[305,113,892,371,384,35],"class_list":["post-7730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-building-envelope","category-exterior-walls","category-facade-inspection-safety-program-fisp","category-facade-inspections","category-facades","category-terra-cotta","category-uncategorized","tag-facade-inspection-safety-program","tag-fisp","tag-fisp-reports","tag-rand","tag-rand-engineering-architecture","tag-terra-cotta-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7730"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7749,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7730\/revisions\/7749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Key Areas of Focus in QEWI Reports<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What This Means for Owners and Managers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n<\/span>Hands-on work, sounding of decorative elements, detailed photos, and elevation mark-ups need to be considered standard expectations, especially for buildings with terra cotta, stone, or cast components.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Build time into your schedule for comments and clarifications.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Even well-prepared reports may be returned with questions. Allowing time for comment response and re-review supports realistic filing and repair timelines.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Coordinate early with your QEWI.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Talking through the inspection plan, filing approach, and possible repairs up front helps ensure your report reflects the aspects of FISP that DOB is most likely to focus on.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Work with an experienced QEWI and support team.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>With DOB reviewing both the technical findings and the inspection process, it is important that your QEWI:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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