The Singapore Building and Construction Authority meets with Michael Wolfe of Midboro Management (second from left), Mary Ann Rothman of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums (fifth from left) and RAND President Stephen Varone (fourth from right).
Last month, my colleagues from the Buildings and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) and I visited New York City to learn more about the city’s Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP, formerly known as Local Law 11/98) and to keep abreast on the safety requirements for buildings in various big cities.
As we did in our previous visit in 2012, our delegation met with New York City Department of Buildings officials, who gave us an overview of FISP and the changes implemented for the 8th cycle of inspections. We then had the good fortune to meet with a group at RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC’s office, led by RAND President Stephen Varone, AIA; RAND Senior Architect John Monroe, RA; Neil Davidowitz, President of Orsid Realty Corp.; Michael Wolfe, President of Midboro Management Inc.; and Mary Ann Rothman, Executive Director of the Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums (CNYC).
Mr. Varone and Mr. Monroe explained the types of facade conditions that Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors look for when conducting a FISP inspection and how RAND works with the Buildings Department and property owners to ensure that buildings comply with FISP regulations. Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Davidowitz discussed how cooperative and condominium boards of the buildings they manage plan FISP repair programs to maintain their buildings’ safe conditions. Ms. Rothman talked about how CNYC educates co-op and condo boards on the city’s facade safety requirements and brings boards, property managers, engineering/architectural firms, contractors, and DOB officials together to enhance public safety.
The BCA thanks RAND for arranging the information session, which provided an insightful exchange of views on FISP. We strongly believe that prevention is better than cure, and that lessons are best learned before incidents happen. We are optimistic that the knowledge gained will contribute to better building safety requirements in Singapore.
Jeremy Tan is Deputy Director at the Singapore Building & Construction Authority.
