NYC Facade Inspections (FISP)
Buildings over six stories, every five years.
What the Program Requires
Buildings higher than six stories in New York City
Every five years, on a sub-cycle set by the building's block number
A Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) approved by the Department of Buildings
Safe, Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), or Unsafe
The Details That Matter
The inspections are called critical examinations, and the technical report is filed in DOB NOW: Safety. Unsafe conditions must be repaired within 90 days, and public protection stays up until an amended report is approved.
Before You Take This Work
- Professional liability policies define the services they cover. Check that yours describes inspection and report work accurately, not only design, and tell your agent roughly how much of your revenue comes from this work.
- Work at height is common on these assignments, and New York owners often ask everyone on site for broad insurance. Read the contract's insurance requirements before you start.
Official sources
Every fact on this page comes from these sources, read in October 2026. Laws change; read the current text before relying on it.
General information, not legal advice or a statement of coverage. Laws and local rules change; read the current text at the source links and confirm requirements with the building department. Whether a policy responds depends on its wording and the facts. Hardcover is an insurance agency, not a law firm.
Doing This Work? Let’s Check Your Coverage.
We check that your policy describes the inspection work you actually do, before a report is questioned.