High-Rise Facade Inspections in San Francisco: What Building Owners Should Know
For San Francisco buildings covered by Chapter 5F, reaching 15 or more stories creates an additional facade inspection requirement. These taller buildings are subject to supplemental facade inspections that focus specifically on exterior glazing.
For owners and property managers, the difference is not simply that a taller building is harder to access. The 15-story threshold adds an inspection layer focused on glass and glazing systems, and the building’s height can also affect how inspectors view and reach exterior areas.
This guide explains what changes for 15-story-and-taller buildings in San Francisco, how exterior glazing is evaluated, and how high-rise access methods support the inspection process.
What Changes When a Chapter 5F Building Reaches 15 Stories?
Buildings within the scope of San Francisco Chapter 5F that are 15 or more stories tall are additionally subject to supplemental facade inspection requirements.
AB-110 separates these taller buildings from the broader group of properties undergoing comprehensive facade inspections by adding a supplemental inspection focused on exterior glazing. AB-110 Facade Bulletin.
Not sure whether your property falls under Chapter 5F? Our Chapter 5F Facade Inspection Guide explains which buildings are covered and how the requirements apply.
What Does a Supplemental High-Rise Facade Inspection Focus On?
For a supplemental facade inspection, San Francisco applies the General Inspection method under ASTM E2270 Item 10.3 and requires visual evaluation of the building’s exterior glazing.
AB-110 states that this General Inspection consists of 100% visual inspection of the exterior glazing, unless the applicable exception conditions are met. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
The qualified professional methodically scans the glazing system and checks for conditions including:
Out-of-plane displacement
Deterioration
Defects in glazing elements
Glass breakage AB-110 Facade Bulletin
This glazing-focused inspection is one of the main requirements that distinguishes taller Chapter 5F buildings.
How Is 100% Exterior Glazing Visually Inspected?
AB-110 allows the exterior glazing system to be visually observed from an appropriate distance with or without magnification or remote optical devices. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
The inspection is intended to evaluate the glazing systematically, not only locations where visible damage is already obvious.
On a tall building, this matters because many windows and glass panels may be far above normal ground-level viewing distance. The inspection approach therefore needs to provide a useful view of glazing across the building.
The exact access method can vary based on the building’s height, shape, facade configuration, and available access.
Do All Chapter 5F Buildings 15 Stories or Taller Require 100% Exterior-Glazing Inspection?
Not in every case. AB-110 provides an exception when the qualified professional (Engineer or Architect) confirms and documents all three of the following conditions:
| Condition | What Must Be Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Spandrel Glass | The building contains no spandrel glass |
| Glazing Records | A maintenance log documents glass and glazing replacement or repairs |
| Glass Breakage History | The building has had no glass breakage within the previous five years |
The maintenance log must be available for review by the qualified professional. BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION & MA…
All three conditions must be satisfied. Meeting only one or two does not meet the stated exception.
The applicable conditions must also be confirmed and documented through the AB-110 compliance process. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
For owners of taller buildings, maintaining accurate glazing records is especially important.
Why Does Glass Breakage History Matter?
Glass breakage history is one of the specific conditions San Francisco considers when determining whether the normal supplemental exterior-glazing inspection requirement can qualify for the stated exception.
AB-110 requires confirmation that the building has had no history of glass breakage within the previous five years, together with the other required conditions. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
If the building experienced glass breakage during that period, it does not meet this condition.
This makes accurate maintenance and incident records useful when a supplemental facade inspection is due.
Why Are Glazing Maintenance Records Important?
AB-110 specifically identifies a maintenance log documenting glass and glazing replacement or repairs as one of the conditions used when evaluating the supplemental glazing exception.
The log must be available for review by the qualified professional. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
For property owners and managers, this means glazing records should clearly document relevant repair or replacement work.
For a closer look at what goes into the final documentation, see our Facade Inspection Report Guide
How Are Hard-to-Reach High-Rise Facades Inspected?
Access is one of the most practical challenges when inspecting a tall building.
Great Escape Service & Inspections’ FIMP documentation identifies methods that can include:
Visual observation
Close-up examination
Photographic documentation
Lifts
Drones
Rope access BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION & MA…
Different areas of the same building may require different access methods.
The goal is to obtain the views needed to evaluate the required exterior areas effectively. The technology used does not change the underlying inspection requirement.
For example, a drone may provide useful visual access to glazing at elevation, while another part of the building may require a different approach.
Can Drones Be Used?
Yes. AB-110 recognizes 3-D surveys, remote aerial vehicles, and other non-traditional inspection methods as possible means and methods for carrying out General Inspections under ASTM E2270 Item 10.3. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
The qualified professional remains responsible for complying with applicable laws and regulations associated with those inspection methods.
Drones can therefore support a high-rise facade inspection, especially where exterior areas are difficult to view directly.
Can Remote Optical Devices Be Used?
Yes. AB-110 also allows exterior glazing to be visually observed with or without magnification or remote optical devices during a supplemental inspection. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
This can be particularly useful when glazing is located high above accessible areas and needs to be examined from a distance.
What Should Owners of 15-Story-and-Taller Buildings Keep Organized?
For the supplemental glazing requirements discussed here, the most important records are those connected directly to the building’s glass and glazing system.
Owners should keep the glazing maintenance log available when applicable. This log documents glass and glazing replacement or repairs and is specifically referenced in AB-110’s supplemental inspection provisions. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
Records of glass breakage are also important because the five-year breakage history forms part of the exception criteria.
Keeping these records organized helps the qualified professional establish the glazing system's documented history when a supplemental inspection is due.
What Makes High-Rise Facade Inspection Different in San Francisco?
For tall buildings subject to Chapter 5F, three points matter most.
The 15-story threshold matters. Buildings at or above this height have supplemental facade inspection requirements in addition to the broader inspection framework.
Exterior glazing becomes the main supplemental focus. AB-110 calls for 100% visual inspection of exterior glazing unless all conditions for the stated exception are confirmed and documented.
Access becomes more important. High-rise glazing may require lifts, rope access, drones, remote optical devices, or other suitable methods depending on the building and inspection approach. AB-110 Facade Bulletin BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION & MA…
This combination makes high-rise facade inspection a distinct topic from general facade inspection requirements.
Conclusion: Planning a High-Rise Facade Inspection in San Francisco
For Chapter 5F buildings that are 15 stories or taller, facade inspection planning requires particular attention to supplemental exterior-glazing requirements.
Building owners and managers should understand the role of the 15-story threshold, keep relevant glass and glazing maintenance records organized, and plan for the access methods needed to evaluate difficult-to-reach exterior areas.
Because high-rise properties can involve extensive glazing and complex access conditions, early coordination can make the inspection process easier to manage and help ensure the required exterior areas can be evaluated effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the glazing exception conditions need to be confirmed every time a supplemental inspection is due?
Yes. AB-110 states that the qualified professional must confirm and document the applicable conditions each time a supplemental inspection report is due. BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION & MA…
Who is responsible for confirming the supplemental glazing exception?
The qualified professional must confirm and document whether the required conditions are met in the applicable AB-110 compliance affidavit. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
Does meeting the glazing exception mean there is no documentation requirement?
No. Even when the required exception conditions are satisfied, AB-110 still requires those conditions to be formally confirmed and documented through the applicable compliance process. BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION & MA…
Can remote inspection technology automatically replace any closer investigation that may be needed?
Not automatically. AB-110 specifically recognizes remote sensing methods as possible means and methods for General Inspections. If the qualified professional determines that additional or more detailed evaluation is necessary, the inspection approach can be adjusted accordingly. AB-110 Facade Bulletin
