Curtain Wall Design & Consulting, Inc. is the largest independent exterior facade design and consulting firm in the United States. We specialize in all types of facade design, inspection, documentation and execution using the latest technologies to address our client’s needs. We provide services for projects anywhere in the world, from offices located in the U.S. and abroad. One essential service CDC performs is facade inspections to comply with local facade ordinance requirements. These required periodic inspections help identify unsafe or hazardous conditions which can impact public or occupant safety.
Facade Ordinance Inspections
A facade ordinance is a regulation established by local government authorities of certain jurisdictions related to the required inspection of building facades.
The main purpose of a facade ordinance is to protect public safety and prevent the development of unsafe conditions in facades.
Major cities with high-rise structures including Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Milwaukee, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Saint Louis require periodic inspections of the building facade per local code requirements.
Facade ordinance inspections are performed under the supervision of or by a licensed professional in general accordance with ASTM E2270 “Standard Practice for Periodic Inspection of Building Facades for Unsafe Conditions” and ASCE 30 “Guideline for Condition Assessment of the Building Envelope”, as required by local authorities. CDC has the knowledgeable and experienced professionals available to coordinate and perform the facade inspection, document unsafe or hazardous conditions, and provide the written report required to satisfy the local facade ordinance.
Achieving a Successful Facade Inspection
There are different ways to perform facade inspections in order to meet the requirements of your facade ordinance. The scope of the inspections will vary per specific city mandates; however, a variety of different techniques to achieve the requirements can be combined. These techniques include review from afar, “hands-on” inspections from a swing stage or rope access descent.
Periodic Maintenance Plan
Facade inspections performed on a regular basis are the key to early discovery of deteriorating and unsafe or hazardous conditions. CDC has a group of experienced professionals who can conduct facade inspections and provide recommendations for cost effective repairs to assist the building in meeting the local facade ordinance requirements.
Roped Access (SPRAT)
CDC has professionals that are certified by the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) as part of our difficult facade access team. Our team is ready to be deployed and provide cost effective and efficient “hands-on” inspections at conditions or configurations where utilizing other techniques and equipment may be challenging.