San Francisco

After the initial inspection, buildings must be reinspected and reports submitted according to the following table.

Reinspection Reporting Schedule
 

* The SFEBC defines “Comprehensive Inspection” as the first close-up inspection that is required for a building, and “Periodic Inspection” as the recurring reinspection using the same procedures. “Supplemental Inspections” are also defined, and considered a “Periodic” inspection. For simplicity and clarity, we use only “Comprehensive” and “Supplemental” to describe inspection types, and “Reinspection” where applicable.

Initial Comprehensive Inspection Waiver

The initial inspection may be waived if the building facade has had a comprehensive inspection, and the necessary repair work completed within ten years preceding the due date for the initial inspection. Owners will need to submit documentation to demonstrate that the inspection/repairs were completed.

Exemption from Visual Glazing Inspection (Supplemental Inspection)

Buildings may qualify for exemption from the visual glazing inspection requirement of the Supplemental Inspections if all three of the following are met:

1. The building contains no spandrel glass**;
2. The building maintains a maintenance log pertaining to glass and glazing replacement or repairs, available for review by the qualified professional; and
3. The building has no history of glass breakage within the last five years.

** Spandrel glass: Often opaque glass used in building facades to conceal interior elements like structural and building system components. Spandrel glass is typically obstructed by interior components and is not visible from the building interior, which increases the risk that broken glass may go undetected.

Inspection Requirements

The inspection procedures are broadly based upon standards developed by ASTM International and issued in ASTM E2270, “Standard Practice for Periodic Inspection of Building Facades for Unsafe Conditions.”

Comprehensive Inspections must include all areas on the exterior of the building, except for horizontal roof areas. The facade includes all exterior walls, windows, balconies, cornices, parapets, and exterior appurtenances. The facade also includes walls supported at roof level, such as penthouse walls, chimneys, and so forth. Inspections also include attached equipment, decorative elements such as urns, friezes and attached artwork, signs, fire escapes, flagpoles, vents, lights, and other elements that pose a safety hazard if dislodged.

Certain portions of the building facade that do not contribute to a safety hazard or that do not require regular maintenance are exempt from inspections. Examples include narrow gaps between buildings and ground-level courtyards within buildings that do not have access via a door.

The facades of historic buildings must have the inspection, and any needed repair work performed by qualified professionals and in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Planning Department Preservation Program provides information to understand if a building qualifies as a historic resource. Additional information may also be available on the Property Information Map (check the Historic Preservation tab and the Assessors Summary link).