Guide

Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) in Singapore: A Complete Guide

Updated 13 October 2026 · SG Drone Inspections

Singapore's Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) regime requires owners of older, taller buildings to have their external walls inspected at regular intervals, so that deteriorating facade elements are found and repaired before anything falls. This guide explains which buildings are covered, how often inspections are due, who is allowed to carry them out, what the inspection involves, and how newer methods such as drones fit within the rules.

What Is Periodic Facade Inspection?

PFI is a mandatory inspection regime under the Building Control Act, set out in the Building Control (Periodic Inspection of Buildings and Building Façades) Regulations 2021. It took effect on 1 January 2022 and is administered by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Its purpose is public safety. Facade elements such as tiles, render, cladding panels, windows and wall-mounted fixtures deteriorate over time, and a piece falling from height can cause serious injury. Regular inspection by a qualified professional lets defects be identified and rectified early.

Which Buildings Must Be Inspected?

According to BCA, the regime applies to buildings that are taller than 13 metres and more than 20 years old. The 20-year threshold reflects the typical lifespan of common building materials; the height threshold reflects the higher risk posed by falling objects from tall buildings.

Building	Covered by PFI?
Condominium, office or commercial block over 13 m and over 20 years old	Yes
Building over 13 m but under 20 years old	Not yet — becomes due once it passes 20 years
Building 13 m or lower	No
Landed houses	Exempt
Temporary buildings	Exempt

BCA estimated that about 30,000 buildings would need a facade inspection within the first seven-year cycle.

How Often Is a PFI Required?

Covered buildings must be inspected once every seven years. BCA identifies buildings within the regime and informs the responsible party when an inspection is due, together with the deadline for submitting the report.

PFI is not the same as Periodic Structural Inspection (PSI). PSI is a separate, older regime that covers the structure of a building rather than its facade, and it runs on its own cycle. Some older articles mix the two up, which is why you may see different intervals quoted online. If your building falls under both, the two inspections are separate obligations with separate deadlines, although they can sometimes be planned together.

Who Is Responsible?

The legal duty to arrange the inspection sits with the building owner. For strata-titled developments such as condominiums and strata commercial buildings, this is the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST), which manages the common property including the external walls.

Individual owners still have a part to play. Items such as windows and air-conditioner brackets on a unit may belong to the unit owner rather than the MCST, and the by-laws of each development set out who must repair what.

Who Can Carry Out the Inspection?

The inspection must be carried out by a Competent Person (CP): a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect who holds a Certificate in Façade Inspection. The certification is delivered through the BCA Academy and the IES Academy, and BCA publishes a list of certified Competent Persons.

The CP can be assisted by Façade Inspectors (FIs), who are trained and registered to help collect inspection information on site. The IES/ACES Façade Inspector registry lists registered FIs. Even when FIs or a drone operator collect the data, the CP remains responsible for the inspection and the report.

What the Inspection Involves

BCA's approach is a two-stage inspection:

Stage 1 — visual inspection of the entire facade. Every elevation is examined for visible signs of deterioration such as cracks, spalling, loose tiles, failed sealant and corroded fixings.
Stage 2 — close-up inspection. A portion of each building face is examined at close range, including hands-on checks such as tapping tiles and render to find hollow, debonded areas. Published descriptions of the regime refer to a minimum of 10% close-up inspection per face; confirm the current requirement in BCA's guidelines.

The CP then prepares a report setting out the findings. If deterioration is found, the CP proposes rectification works, and the responsible party must carry them out within the period BCA specifies. Where a defect poses an immediate danger, temporary safety measures such as cordons or netting are put in place first.

How Drones Fit Into a PFI

Drones (unmanned aircraft systems, UAS) can capture close-range, high-resolution images of a whole facade without scaffolding, gondolas or rope access. BCA has published a technical reference, TR 78, covering facade inspection using UAS, and has issued further guidance on how drone imagery may be used in a PFI. Points that building owners should be aware of include:

The CP stays in charge. BCA's 2025 guidance requires the CP to notify BCA before a UAS facade inspection, to be physically present during the flights and to review the images personally.
Image quality is specified. Images used for the inspection must meet a minimum resolution (0.15 cm per pixel or finer) and be supplied in standard formats without annotation.
Provider accreditation matters. An accreditation scheme for inspection bodies using UAS for facade inspection was launched in 2023 under SAC. Where a provider is not accredited, written approval is needed on a per-job basis.
Aviation rules apply. Commercial drone flights in Singapore need the relevant CAAS permits, and sites near airports or in restricted areas face additional conditions.
Occupants are informed. TR 78 calls for advance notice to occupants and controls on how images are handled, to protect privacy.

Drones are well suited to the Stage 1 visual survey and to identifying where close-up checks should focus. Hands-on checks such as tapping still require physical access, so most drone-assisted PFIs combine both.

Planning Ahead: A Checklist for Owners and MCSTs

Confirm whether and when your building is covered — check its height and age, and any notice received from BCA.
Engage a Competent Person early — allow time for permits, resident notices and access arrangements before the submission deadline.
Gather previous reports and drawings — earlier inspection reports, repair records and as-built drawings help the CP focus on known problem areas.
Provide for repairs in the sinking fund — the inspection itself is only part of the cost; rectification works may follow.
Inform residents and tenants — explain the schedule, any access needed to units, and how images will be handled.
Keep records — a clear record of each inspection and repair makes the next cycle easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is a facade inspection required in Singapore?

Buildings covered by the PFI regime must be inspected every seven years.

Which buildings need a Periodic Facade Inspection?

Buildings taller than 13 metres and more than 20 years old. Landed houses and temporary buildings are exempt.

Who can carry out a PFI?

A Competent Person: a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect with a Certificate in Facade Inspection. They may be assisted by registered Facade Inspectors.

Who pays for the inspection in a condominium?

The MCST, as the party responsible for common property, arranges and pays for the inspection, normally from its maintenance or sinking funds.

Can a drone be used for a PFI?

Yes, within BCA's rules. The Competent Person must notify BCA, be present during the flights and review the images, and the imagery must meet BCA's resolution requirements. Hands-on close-up checks are still needed.

Is PFI the same as Periodic Structural Inspection?

No. PSI covers the building structure and runs on a separate cycle. PFI covers the external facade.

Sources and Further Reading

This article is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Regulations change; check the current requirements with BCA or a Competent Person before acting.