What Does a Facade Inspection Report Include? A Guide for San Francisco Building Owners
A facade inspection does not end when the physical examination of the building is complete. For qualifying San Francisco buildings, the findings must be documented in a formal facade inspection report that provides the property owner and the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) with a clear record of the building’s exterior condition.
Under San Francisco Existing Building Code Chapter 5F and Administrative Bulletin AB-110, comprehensive facade inspection reports document the qualified professional’s findings, observations, discussions, conclusions, and recommendations. The report must be clear, detailed, well organized, supported by appropriate photographs and references, and prepared as a formal technical report.
Understanding what a facade inspection report includes can help San Francisco building owners know what to expect after an inspection and how the report supports ongoing facade maintenance and compliance.
What Is a Facade Inspection Report?
A facade inspection report is the formal documentation prepared following an inspection required under San Francisco’s Building Facade Inspection & Maintenance Program (FIMP). The report communicates what the qualified professional observed during the inspection, identifies relevant facade conditions, provides conclusions and recommendations, and documents information required for DBI review.
Under AB-110, required facade inspection and maintenance work must be performed under the direct supervision of a California-licensed architect or engineer retained by the property owner. The qualified professional oversees the inspection work and reporting.
The exact report requirements also depend on whether the building is undergoing a comprehensive or supplemental facade inspection.
What Information Is Included in a Comprehensive Facade Inspection Report?
AB-110 requires a comprehensive facade inspection report to document the qualified professional’s inspection findings, observations, discussions, conclusions, and recommendations. It must also contain clear references to photographs and other sources and be presented in a formal technical report format.
Rather than simply stating whether the facade is in acceptable condition, the report creates a documented assessment that can identify where inspections occurred, where maintenance may be needed, where unsafe conditions were found, and what actions are recommended.
Inspection Findings and Observations
One of the most important parts of the report is the qualified professional’s documentation of conditions observed during the facade inspection.
Great Escape’s FIMP documentation identifies inspection areas that can include exterior walls, cladding systems, windows, glass, balconies, cornices and ornamentation, anchors and connections, fire escapes, signs, flagpoles, vents, ductwork, lights and fixtures, hanging air conditioners, chimneys, exposed flashing, and other elements that could pose a safety hazard if dislodged. Inspectors may also document signs of distress such as cracking, corrosion, or water intrusion.
The report therefore provides building owners with more than a general assessment—it creates a documented record of the facade conditions observed during the required inspection.
Are Photographs Included in a Facade Inspection Report?
Yes. Photographic documentation is an important component of facade inspection reporting.
AB-110 states that comprehensive reports should contain obvious references to photographs and sources. Sufficient building information should also be assembled to communicate where inspections occurred and where specific findings are located.
Photographs help connect written findings with specific facade locations and conditions, making it easier for the property owner, qualified professional, and DBI to understand the documented observations.
For supplemental reports involving certain exterior glass and glazing conditions, AB-110 specifically requires photographs that locate and identify the observed conditions.
Does the Report Include Building Plans and Location Information?
Yes, when necessary. Detailed floor plans and construction details are not required in every facade inspection report. Under AB-110, relevant building plans and location information should be included when needed to perform the inspection or clearly communicate inspection areas and findings to the property owner or DBI.
However, sufficient building plan information should be assembled to identify:
Areas that were inspected
Locations or elements requiring maintenance
Locations of unsafe conditions
Other relevant inspection findings
This location-based documentation makes the report more useful by showing not only what was observed but also where the condition exists on the building.
Does the Report Include Repair and Maintenance Recommendations?
Yes. Recommendations are a required part of comprehensive facade inspection reporting under AB-110.
The type of recommendation depends on the conditions identified during the inspection and the overall report conclusion. Depending on the findings, the report may identify facade elements requiring repair, stabilization, or maintenance and provide recommendations and an implementation timeline.
This is an important distinction: the facade inspection report documents and recommends appropriate actions, while the property owner remains responsible for following applicable recommendations and completing required work.
What Are Facade Inspection Report Conclusion Categories?
A facade inspection report also includes an overall report conclusion category that summarizes the building's condition. Under Administrative Bulletin AB-110, comprehensive and supplemental inspection reports use Category 1, Category 2, or Category 3, depending on the inspection findings and required level of repair, stabilization, or maintenance. These conclusion categories help communicate the overall inspection outcome and any recommended next steps.
For a detailed explanation of each conclusion category and what happens when deficiencies or unsafe conditions are identified, read our guide: What Happens If a Building Fails a Facade Inspection?
Is a Compliance Affidavit Included With the Report?
Yes. For a comprehensive facade inspection, AB-110 requires the Comprehensive Building Facade Inspection Report Compliance Affidavit (Attachment A), signed by both the property owner and the qualified professional.
For a supplemental inspection, the Supplemental Building Facade Inspection Report and Compliance Affidavit (Attachment B) is used instead and must also be completed and signed by both parties.
What Is Included in a Supplemental Facade Inspection Report?
A supplemental facade inspection report is not identical to a comprehensive report.
According to AB-110, the supplemental report briefly documents applicable information, observations, conclusions, and recommendations. Where exterior glass or glazing is classified under Conclusion Category 1 or Category 2, or broken glass is identified, additional information must be documented.
This can include:
Description of the observed condition
Nature and extent of recommended repairs, maintenance, or corrective actions
Possible cause
Recommended mitigation measures
Photographs identifying and locating the condition
These recommendations may address actions to be performed immediately or before the next reporting-period deadline, depending on the findings.
Why Is the Facade Inspection Report Important for Building Owners?
The facade inspection report serves as the formal record of the qualified professional’s inspection findings and recommendations. For building owners, it provides documented information that can be used to understand observed facade conditions, identify maintenance or corrective actions, and maintain records for the building.
The report is also part of the formal FIMP compliance process. Great Escape’s provided program documentation states that the owner or representative submits the facade inspection report to DBI for review and may be contacted to address review comments or correct the report before resubmission.
For this reason, the quality and completeness of the report are important both for understanding the building’s facade condition and for satisfying applicable reporting requirements.
What Happens After the Facade Inspection Report Is Submitted?
Once submitted, the report enters the DBI review process. The owner or representative may be contacted regarding review comments and necessary corrections before the report is accepted. Great Escape’s FIMP documentation also states that after the report has been approved and accepted, DBI contacts the owner or representative regarding applicable review fees.
This makes the inspection report more than a record for the property owner, it is a central part of documenting compliance with San Francisco’s facade inspection program.
How Great Escape Helps With Facade Inspection Reporting
Great Escape Service & Inspection provides professional facade inspection services for qualifying San Francisco buildings. Our inspection process focuses on accurately documenting observed facade conditions and providing building owners with clear inspection findings and reporting aligned with applicable Chapter 5F and FIMP requirements.
Because Great Escape focuses on inspection services rather than repairs, building owners receive an independent assessment of observed conditions and recommendations based on the inspection findings.
Final Thoughts
A facade inspection report gives San Francisco building owners a documented understanding of what was observed during the inspection, what those findings mean, and what maintenance, repair, stabilization, or other actions may be recommended.
Under Chapter 5F and AB-110, comprehensive reports must be detailed, well organized, supported by appropriate photographs and references, and accompanied by the required compliance affidavit. Supplemental inspections have their own reporting and affidavit requirements.
For qualifying San Francisco properties, Great Escape Service & Inspection can perform the required facade inspection and provide clear professional reporting to help building owners understand their facade conditions and navigate the applicable FIMP reporting process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DBI take to review a facade inspection report?
Under AB-110, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) reviews a submitted facade inspection report within 60 days of receipt. DBI then notifies the owner and qualified professional whether the report is acceptable or whether revisions or additional information are required.
What happens if DBI requests changes to a facade inspection report?
If DBI identifies missing information or issues review comments, the owner or building representative may be contacted to address them. The report can then be corrected and resubmitted for further review.
What happens to a facade inspection report after DBI accepts it?
Once the review process is completed, the report becomes part of DBI's permanent records. AB-110 also states that DBI maintains publicly accessible facade inspection reporting data and related information.
Can a submitted facade inspection report be revised?
Yes. AB-110 allows revisions to previously submitted reports when necessary. Changes from the previously submitted version should be clearly identified.
How often is a comprehensive facade inspection report required in San Francisco?
For buildings subject to San Francisco's Chapter 5F comprehensive facade inspection requirements, the comprehensive inspection reporting cycle is generally every 10 years. Applicable due dates depend on the requirements established under Chapter 5F.
