Guidelines for Building Façade Inspection in Singapore

Façades define the overall structure of buildings in Singapore and give clients the impression of a company’s innovative and “out-of-the-box” thinking. Additionally, they act as thermal and acoustic insulation, preventing water ingress, air penetration, and ultraviolet radiation.
Since building façades are regularly exposed to all types of weather conditions, they naturally accumulate wear and tear over time. To prevent them from deteriorating, cracking, and becoming hazardous, professional façade inspectors conduct periodic building façade inspections in Singapore.
In this article, we’ll explain the role of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in ensuring the safety and functionality of building façades in Singapore. Most importantly, we will discuss the guidelines for building façade maintenance repair and inspection works. Read on to know more.
What Is the Role of BCA in Building Façade Inspection?
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is a statutory body under Singapore’s Ministry of National Development. A merger between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and the Public Works Department’s Building Control Division (PWD) resulted in its establishment on April 1, 1999.
The BCA’s primary role is developing and transforming the built environment sector to shape Singapore’s liveable and smart built environment. Its role also includes creating a technologically advanced construction industry that will serve Singapore’s economic needs by ensuring well-designed, well-constructed, and well-maintained buildings.
The Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) Regime
Each year, the BCA receives nearly 30 reports on falling façade elements and has done so for the past few years. To increase the safety of building façades and reduce the likelihood of façade failure, they passed the Building Control Act in Parliament on March 6, 2020.
The BCA introduced changes to the Building Control (Periodic Inspection of Buildings and Building Façades) Regulations 2021 through the new Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime to facilitate early detection of façade deterioration. Under this regime, the BCA expects more than 4,000 buildings to be inspected annually.
New Building Façade Inspection Guidelines
The PFI regime, which became effective on January 1, 2022, requires responsible parties (building owners, town councils, and management corporations) to ensure that the exteriors of buildings are adequately maintained. This way, building owners can detect and address façade deterioration issues immediately.
The following is a list of the guidelines for building façade inspection in Singapore under the new regime:
  • The BCA will issue advisories at least one year before a building is due for inspection. They will also serve the building owner a notice for the Period Structural Inspection (PSI) process of buildings.
  • Responsible parties can consider scheduled Repair and Redecoration (R&R) works or works to coincide with the PFI, which may allow for cost savings.
  • Façade inspections should be conducted every 7 years for buildings over 20 years old that are more than 13 metres tall.
  • The PFI requires a competent person to conduct façade inspections on older buildings with the assistance of a façade inspector (FI).
  • Periodic façade inspections in Singapore apply to all buildings except detached houses, semi-detached houses, temporary buildings, buildings where the highest point is 13 metres or lower when measured from the ground, and terraced or linked houses used as places of residence.
The general duties of a competent person include conducting a comprehensive visual inspection and close-range inspection, which allows him to assess and judge the façade’s condition professionally. All tasks performed must also adhere to what’s stipulated in the Building Control Act and Regulations.
Although a competent person may require the assistance of a façade inspector, they are still responsible for the entire inspection and assessment of the inspection findings.
Qualifications of Competent Persons and Façade Inspectors
Make sure you appoint a competent person who has passed the statutory boards’ qualifications to oversee your building’s façade maintenance repairs and inspections. You can ensure that your façade deterioration issues are well taken care of with the right worker. Moreover, you will have peace of mind knowing you’ve entrusted the work to someone who complies with the regulatory requirements.
The competent person conducting façade inspections in Singapore should either be a registered professional engineer or a licensed architect. The façade inspector, on the other hand, may either be a registered resident engineer or an accredited resident technical officer.
Lastly, all appointed competent persons and façade inspectors must attend and pass the course “Certificate in Façade Inspection” before undertaking any façade inspection work.
High X Cess Solutions: Reliable Experts for Building Façade Inspection
Building owners like you have a legal duty to ensure your building is safe through proper maintenance and façade inspection in Singapore. If you’re looking for a team of competent façade inspectors, turn to High X Cess Solutions. We specialise in a range of high rise building maintenance, rectification, installation, and repair works in Singapore and Malaysia.
We have years of experience and a comprehensive portfolio of corporate and industrial assignments, including façade inspection and maintenance. Backed by our expertise, professionalism, and integrity, along with our vast collaboration with key research institutes and competent persons, we’ve positioned our company as a safe and efficient façade inspection service for all clients.
Get in touch with our high-rise building experts for your enquiries so we can help you detect and resolve façade deterioration and other issues on time. Call +65 9339 1419 or email highxcess@gmail.com.

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