Does the PFI apply to landed houses?
Detached, semi-detached, terraced and linked houses are excluded, but only where they are used solely as places of residence. Temporary buildings are also excluded, as is any building whose highest point is 13 m or lower measured from the ground. A landed-type building used for other purposes, or a mixed-use shophouse, is not automatically exempt and should be checked against BCA's criteria, particularly the 13 m height test.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) in Singapore: The Complete Owner's Guide. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Since 1 January 2022, BCA can require owners of buildings taller than 13 m and more than 20 years old to have the façade inspected every seven years. On receiving a notice, the owner must appoint a Competent Person (a PE or Registered Architect with the Certificate in Façade Inspection) within two months, submit the report by the notice deadline and complete the recommended repairs.
More questions on this topic
- How is the age of my building counted for the PFI?
- Can I carry out the PFI before BCA sends me a notice?
- Can the PFI be deferred because we are doing repainting (R&R) works?
- Is a drone inspection enough to satisfy the PFI?
- Who pays for the PFI in a condominium?
- What happens if the CP finds an unsafe façade?
- Can I appoint the architect or engineer who designed my building as the CP?
- How long do we have to complete the repairs?