Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) in Singapore
Singapore's Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) regime is intended to help building owners identify and address facade deterioration before it develops into a public safety risk.
For Building Owners and Facility Managers, the main requirements are not difficult to understand.
Which Buildings Require PFI?
In general, buildings that are more than 20 years old are subject to PFI once they fall within the applicable requirements.
After that, facade inspection is generally required every seven years.
Certain buildings are exempt, including landed residential houses that fall within the stated exemption, temporary buildings, and buildings that are 13 metres or lower in height.
Who Is Responsible for the Inspection?
When a building is due for PFI, the Building Owner is required to appoint a Competent Person (CP) to carry out the inspection in accordance with BCA requirements.
The CP is responsible for the professional inspection and assessment of the facade.
This distinction is important because a rope-access contractor does not replace the role of the CP.
What Does a PFI Include?
PFI involves more than looking at a building from ground level.
The inspection generally includes 100% visual inspection of the building facade and close-range inspection of at least 10% of each building elevation.
The close-range inspection allows selected facade areas to be examined from a much shorter distance so that defects that may not be clearly visible from the ground can be observed more closely.
For high-rise buildings and difficult-access areas, access may be provided by rope access, gondolas, boom lifts or other suitable methods, depending on the building and site conditions.
Where Does a Rope-Access Contractor Fit In?
A specialist rope-access contractor can provide access to selected areas of a high-rise facade so that close-range inspection can be carried out.
Where rectification is subsequently required, rope access may also be used to reach the affected areas for repair works.
For Spyder System, our role may include close-range access support, photographic documentation of defects, locating repair areas and carrying out specified facade rectification works.
Where professional assessment or certification is required, we work in coordination with the appointed Competent Person or Professional Engineer.
The inspection professional assesses the condition of the facade. The specialist contractor provides access and carries out the required physical works within the agreed scope.
新加坡 Periodic Facade Inspection（PFI）
新加坡的 Periodic Facade Inspection（PFI）制度，目的是帮助 Building Owner 在外墙老化问题发展成为公共安全风险之前，及时发现并处理有关问题。
对 Building Owner 和 Facility Manager 来说，主要要求并不复杂。
哪些建筑物需要进行 PFI？
一般来说，当建筑物楼龄超过 20 年，并且属于有关规定范围内，就需要进行 PFI。
之后，一般每 7 年需要进行一次外墙检查。
部分建筑物可以豁免，包括符合规定的 landed residential houses、temporary buildings，以及高度为 13 米或以下的建筑物。
由谁负责检查？
当建筑物需要进行 PFI 时，Building Owner 必须按照 BCA 的要求委任一名 Competent Person（CP）负责检查。
CP 负责对外墙进行专业检查和评估。
这一点很重要，因为 rope-access contractor 的作用不能取代 CP。
PFI 包括什么？
PFI 并不只是站在地面观看建筑物外墙。
检查一般包括对整个 building facade 进行 100% visual inspection，以及对每一个 building elevation 至少 10% 的范围进行 close-range inspection。
Close-range inspection 可以让检查人员在较近距离观察指定外墙位置，从而发现一些从地面上不容易清楚看见的缺陷。
对于高层建筑和 difficult-access areas，可以根据建筑物和现场情况使用 rope access、gondola、boom lift 或其他合适的 access method。
Rope-Access Contractor 的角色是什么？
专业 rope-access contractor 可以协助进入高层建筑外墙指定位置，让 close-range inspection 可以进行。
如果之后需要进行 rectification，也可以使用 rope access 到达有关位置进行维修。
Spyder System 的工作可以包括 close-range access support、缺陷照片记录、协助定位维修位置，以及进行已经指定的 facade rectification works。
如果工作涉及专业评估或者认证，我们会与受委任的 Competent Person 或 Professional Engineer 配合。
负责检查的专业人员评估外墙状况；专业承包商提供 access，并在议定的工作范围内完成实际施工。
Need Support With Difficult-Access Facade Areas?
Spyder System provides specialist rope-access support for close-range facade inspection and subsequent rectification works in Singapore.
Contact us to discuss your building or facade requirements.
Published by Spyder System