Exterior Safety Inspections: Why You Need Them and When to Do Them

Read the full article at CooperatorNews online.

Incidents involving falling debris from a building’s facade are rare but hazardous and highlight the importance of routine exterior building inspections, which are essential for public safety and to mitigate liability for building owners.

Facades, which are often exposed to the elements, can deteriorate over time due to water infiltration, causing structural damage such as cracking, spalling, and weakening of the masonry or steel inside. Areas with harsh weather conditions can accelerate the deterioration, leading to unsafe conditions. Regular building inspections, which are typically required by local regulations, help identify these issues early, prevent costly repairs, and ensure the safety of residents, pedestrians, and drivers. In addition to facades, parking structures and rooftops require close attention, as water intrusion can lead to mold, rust, and further deterioration.

“In both New York and Florida, buildings are subject to two corrosive elements from essentially the same source,” says Doug Weinstein, Senior Vice President of Operations for AKAM Southeast. “In New York, we have freeze-and-thaw, and in Florida, salt-and-water. These factors account for the biggest problems facing building structures. In New York, being so populous and with everything so close to the sidewalk, it’s incumbent upon ownership and management to do inspections regularly to prevent a tragedy, like masonry falling off and striking a pedestrian. In Florida, though buildings are more spaced out, you still have intense pedestrian activity, resulting in the same problem. You want to make areas around buildings safe for both foot traffic and auto traffic. Falling bricks can strike cars as well, and that can be equally or even more dangerous.”

With recent tragedies like the Surfside building collapse in South Florida, stricter requirements for building inspections have been implemented, with buildings over 25 years old in Florida now required to be inspected every 10 years. In regions like New York, regular inspections are mandated every few years for facades and parking garages. Ultimately, proactive maintenance and early detection of issues are critical for the safety of everyone around the building.