BCA PSI (Periodic Structural Inspection)

As per the Building Control Act (CAP 29), AEC Technical Advisory provides BCA Periodic Structural Inspection (PSI). The visual inspection; PSI is always conducted by the PE as per the BCA requirements; Er. Aman Aboobucker.

LinkedIn of Aman Aboobucker

The duration for the PSI set by Statutory requirements is:

• Interval of every 5 years for most buildings, depending on building age and type

• Interval of every 10 years for buildings where 90% of its floor area is used solely for residential purpose

Buildings become subject to the mandatory regime from their 13th year. Once this applies, building owners or the Management Corporation Strata Title are responsible for PSI compliance, including for strata titled developments through the management corporation. This requirement is set out under the Building Control Act and Building Control Regulations as part of the control regulations.

In general, non residential buildings fall under the 5-year cycle, while residential buildings may fall under the 10-year cycle when the stated floor-area condition is met.

Commercial Building

• Commercial buildings fall under the non-residential category and often require closer review of the building’s structural condition due to heavier usage and frequent fit-out changes.

Industrial Building

Industrial buildings may need tailored structural assessment because machinery, storage loads, or operational changes can place higher demands on structural elements.

Condominium

Condominium

Detached, semi detached, and terraced houses used solely as residences are generally treated differently from the usual PSI regime.

Shop Houses

Places of Worship

• Temporary buildings are generally exempt from the periodic structural inspection requirement.

Please contact us for more information below:

Email contact@aectechnicalsg.com

Whatsapp +65 8385 9933

Call +65 8385 9933

AEC Technical Advisory assists with BCA PSI compliance for commercial, industrial, and residential properties, with the appointed engineer registered with the Professional Engineers Board.

What is the process to move forward with a Periodic Structural Inspection (PSI) notice from BCA?

Step 1) Obtain a quotation and appoint a structural engineer who is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and has no professional or financial interest in the building. The bca notice starts the psi process, and building owners must comply within the stated timeframe. This acts as a preventative strategy to identify issues before they become dangerous.

Step 2) Professional Engineer will purchase original as built structural plans from BCA via BCA PPS system. If the owner/developer has the full BCA as built systems, you may save cost here and provide all the drawings via soft copy only, as available drawings help the engineer compare current conditions during inspection.

Step 3) PE completes CP appointment form to submit and notify BCA.

Step 4) PE makes a site visit to carry out a comprehensive visual inspection of structural elements, including floor slabs and other accessible parts of the building, to assess the building’s structural condition, detect defects that could create safety risks, and to take pictures with the client/owner. Where false ceiling is present, every 250m2, the client must open and have a worker to climb and inspect the area to take photos and videos as per the BCA new regulations 2022.

Please see BCA new regulations item 4.3.1 and 4.3.2

Step 5) Upon completion of site visit, PE will prepare the inspection report, document the findings, and complete report submission to the Building and Construction Authority for approval. Timely follow-up on the engineer’s findings promotes a maintenance culture and supports ongoing compliance. If rectification is recommended, repairs should be carried out by a contractor in accordance with engineering standards. Professional Engineers bear civil and criminal liability for their findings. Non-compliance can lead to fines up to $20,000, daily fines up to $10,000, custodial sentences of up to two years, and in severe negligence cases fines up to $500,000.

What does the PSI Report content for information to the Authority?

• General information of the building, including prior maintenance, alteration works, previous periodic inspection reports where available, and, where relevant, building-sector references such as the Housing Development Board

• Structural system of the building (Concrete Frame, Steel Structure, others), noting how defects may affect concrete structures and compromise overall structural integrity if left unaddressed, and whether critical load-bearing elements remain robust to lower the risk of structural collapse

• Diary and Scope of Visual Inspection

• Survey of loading on the building structures

• Survey of Un-authorised works to Building structures

• Survey of signs of structural defects, deformation or deterioration, including identified defects such as cracks, deflections, corrosion, and spalling concrete, so issues can be identified early to support public safety

• Survey of exposure to aggressive environment, where moisture intrusion accelerates concrete degradation and corrosion, and carbonation is a primary cause of concrete deterioration

• Survey of slope, retaining walls and slope protection structures

• Survey of safety Barriers

• Survey or checks carried out, with detailed information to support the assessment; concrete carbonation rates in Singapore are commonly cited at 5.5 to 8.6 mm per year

• Recommended remedial actions for all defects detected; the report recommends repairs, sets out recommended rectifications, and identifies any remedial works or rectification works needed for early detection follow-up to prevent failures, support repairs, reduce long term and long term repair costs, and help preserve market value and insurability

• Sketches, Plans, Photographs

• Structural Engineers Certification to applicable engineering standards