In Singapore, the Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) is a mandatory regime introduced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to enhance the safety of building facades and prevent potential incidents from falling facade elements. It applies to buildings that are more than 20 years old and generally over 13 meters in height, with inspections required every seven years.  

The PFI aims to facilitate the early detection of facade deterioration. Building owners are responsible for appointing a Competent Person (CP) – a registered Professional Engineer or Registered Architect with specialized facade inspection certification – to conduct a thorough inspection. This inspection typically involves:  

• Preparation and Documentation Review: Reviewing building plans, previous reports, and repair histories.  
• Visual Inspection: Comprehensive observation of the entire facade, often using binoculars, cameras, and sometimes drones for high-level areas.  
• Close-Range Inspection: Physical inspection of at least 10% of each facade elevation using tools like tapping rods, rubber mallets, and borescope to detect subtle defects.  
• Assessment and Reporting: The CP assesses the facade's condition, identifies defects (e.g., cracks, spalling concrete, loose tiles, corroded fixings), recommends necessary rectification works, and submits a detailed report to the BCA.  
• Rectification Works: If defects are found, the building owner is obligated to carry out the recommended repair works to restore the facade's integrity within a stipulated timeframe.

The PFI is crucial for ensuring public safety and maintaining the structural health of Singapore's aging building stock.

How Basementgrid Can Help You Manage Periodic Facade Inspections:

Basementgrid is an ideal platform for streamlining and managing the complex process of Periodic Facade Inspection, from initial discovery to final rectification and compliance. Here's how it can help:

1. Centralized Documentation Hub:

   • Store All PFI Reports: Upload and store all BCA notices, CP reports, inspection photos (before/after), rectification plans, contractor details, and completion certificates directly within Basementgrid. This creates a single, easily accessible source of truth.
   • Asset Linkage: Link PFI findings directly to specific facade assets (e.g., "North elevation cladding," "Unit #05-02 balcony railing") within your asset register, providing a historical health record for each component.

2. Automated Notifications & Reminders:

   • Expiry Alerts: Set up automated notifications for when a PFI is due, or when specific rectification work deadlines are approaching. This ensures you never miss a critical compliance date.
   • Task Reminders: Assignees receive instant notifications on their Basementgrid app when a work order related to PFI rectification is assigned to them.

3. Streamlined Work Order Management for Rectifications:

   • Easy Fault Reporting: Convert PFI findings directly into actionable work orders within Basementgrid. This eliminates manual data entry and ensures immediate follow-up.
   • Detailed Work Orders: For each rectification needed, create a detailed work order specifying the defect, location, required action, priority, and due date. Attach relevant inspection photos or report excerpts.
   • Assign & Track: Assign these rectification work orders to internal technicians or external contractors (Competent Persons/Facade Inspectors for oversight, or rectification contractors). Track the progress in real-time through various statuses (New, Assigned, In Progress, On Hold, Completed).
   • Collaboration & Transparency: All stakeholders (Facility Manager, CP, Contractor, Tenant, even BCA if they have access) can view the status and activity log of the work order, ensuring everyone is in the loop. This fosters greater collaboration and transparency.

4. On-Site Documentation by Technicians/Contractors:

   • Mobile App Access: Technicians can access assigned rectification work orders directly on their mobile devices using the Basementgrid app.
   • Field Documentation: They can "check-in" to the job (timestamped), add notes, upload "after" photos of the completed fixes, record parts used, and even capture digital signatures for verification.
   • Form Completion: If specific forms are required for BCA submission, these can be digitized within Basementgrid for easy completion by the CP or contractor on-site, ensuring all protocols and documentation are completed.

5. Audit Trail & Compliance Reporting:

   • Comprehensive Activity Log: Every action, update, and comment on a PFI-related work order is timestamped and recorded in the activity log, creating an immutable audit trail. This is invaluable for demonstrating compliance to BCA.
   • Generate Compliance Reports: Easily generate reports on completed rectifications, open issues, and historical PFI data, providing a clear overview for internal audits or regulatory submissions.
   • First-Time Fix Rate Tracking: For common facade issues, track the "First-Time Fix Rate" for rectifications to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of your repair teams.

By leveraging Basementgrid, facility managers can transform a potentially overwhelming and complex regulatory requirement like the Periodic Facade Inspection into a manageable, transparent, and proactive process, ultimately contributing to safer buildings and smoother operations.

To get started, download the Basementgrid app and create a workspace.