How often must my building undergo PSI?
BCA states once every 10 years for residential buildings and once every 5 years for non-residential buildings. BCA's guidelines for structural engineers specify that the 10-year cycle applies where at least 90% of the floor area is used solely for residential purposes; all other buildings, including most mixed-use developments, are on the 5-year cycle. Certain civil engineering structures such as jetties and bridges are inspected every 5 years.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Periodic Structural Inspection (PSI) in Singapore: The Owner's Guide. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
BCA's Periodic Structural Inspection requires owners to have a civil or structural Professional Engineer inspect their building's structure when served a notice: every 5 years for non-residential buildings and every 10 years for residential ones, with the first notice possible after the 5th or 10th year from the first TOP or CSC. Owners appoint the engineer within 2 months and carry out recommended repairs.
More questions on this topic
- When is the first PSI after TOP?
- Can any engineer carry out the PSI?
- Does a recent PSI exempt my building from the façade inspection?
- Can the PSI be postponed because we are doing renovation or A&A works?
- What happens if the engineer finds serious defects?
- Who is responsible for PSI in a condominium?
- Can the owner get past PSI reports?