How is the age of my building counted for the PFI?
BCA's PFI guidelines count age from the date the last Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) was granted for the whole building, or, if no such TOP was granted, from the date the last Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) was issued for the whole building. This differs from the PSI, which counts from the first TOP or CSC. Check your TOP and CSC dates with your managing agent or BCA before assuming your building is out of scope.
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
- Does the PFI apply to landed houses?
- 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?