FISP critical examinations for buildings over 6 stories, performed by DOB-qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors: New York State licensed Professional Engineers and Registered Architects. SWARMP filing and facade repair coordination throughout New York City.
The Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), widely known as Local Law 11, requires buildings greater than 6 stories to have their exterior walls and appurtenances critically examined every 5 years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI). A QEWI is not a generalist: the DOB only accepts FISP reports from New York State licensed Professional Engineers or Registered Architects with documented facade experience who have qualified with the Department. The examination itself is a professional engineering exercise, combining close-up inspection from scaffold or rigging, probes where warranted, and an engineering judgment call on every condition observed.
Insparisk delivers FISP critical examinations and filings through DOB-qualified QEWIs, and manages the parts of the job that surround the engineering: access coordination, DOB filing, SWARMP tracking, repair specifications, and contractor oversight, so owners get from inspection to accepted report without managing five vendors.
Cycle 10 staggers buildings into three two-year filing windows based on the last digit of the tax block. As of mid-2026, the 10A and 10B windows are both open, so most NYC buildings are either in their window now or about to be.
Filing window: February 21, 2025 to February 21, 2027. Open now, closing first.
Filing window: February 21, 2026 to February 21, 2028. Open now.
Filing window: February 21, 2027 to February 21, 2029. Inspections can be planned now.
Missing your window is expensive: late FISP filings accrue DOB penalties of $1,000 per month, and failing to file runs $5,000 per year, on top of any violations issued for the underlying conditions. If you are unsure which sub-cycle your building falls in, we will confirm it from your block number at no charge.
After inspection, facades are classified into one of three categories:
Facade and appurtenances are in good condition with no unsafe conditions observed. No repairs required before next cycle.
Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program. Conditions that require repair but don't pose immediate danger. Must be corrected and re-filed.
Conditions that pose a danger to people or property. The QEWI must notify the DOB, public protection (sidewalk shed or netting) goes up immediately, and repairs proceed on an expedited schedule with re-inspection and an amended filing.
Review building records, previous inspection reports, and determine access requirements for close-up inspection.
QEWI performs hands-on examination of facade elements including masonry, terra cotta, windows, balconies, and appurtenances.
Facade classified as Safe, SWARMP, or Unsafe. Technical report and filing submitted to DOB within required timeframe.
For SWARMP or Unsafe conditions, we provide repair specifications, contractor oversight, and re-inspection for compliance sign-off.
FISP inspections cover all exterior wall elements and appurtenances:
What happens if your building misses its FISP filing window? Read our detailed guide on the consequences of missing an LL11 FISP deadline, including DOB penalties, sidewalk shed requirements, and how to get back into compliance.
The Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), widely known as Local Law 11, requires NYC buildings greater than 6 stories to have their exterior walls and appurtenances critically examined every 5 years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), with a report filed with the Department of Buildings.
Any building greater than 6 stories in New York City is subject to FISP. The examination must cover all street-facing and accessible exterior walls and appurtenances, including masonry, terra cotta, balconies, cornices, and parapets.
Only a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), a New York State licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect with documented facade experience who has qualified with the DOB. The DOB does not accept FISP reports from generalists.
Your window depends on the last digit of your tax block. Sub-cycle 10A (blocks ending 4, 5, 6, 9) runs February 21, 2025 to February 21, 2027. 10B (ending 0, 7, 8) runs February 21, 2026 to February 21, 2028. 10C (ending 1, 2, 3) runs February 21, 2027 to February 21, 2029. We will confirm your sub-cycle from your block number at no charge.
SWARMP stands for Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program. It describes conditions that require repair but do not pose an immediate danger. They must be corrected and re-filed before the next cycle.
Late FISP filings accrue DOB penalties of $1,000 per month, and failing to file runs $5,000 per year, on top of any violations issued for the underlying facade conditions.
Don't wait for your filing deadline. Get your facade inspected by a qualified QEWI.
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