10-Year Interval
Building Recertification

This inspection applies to properties located less than three miles from the coast. The inspection will consist of a Structural and Electrical Assessment, to ensure the integrity and safety of the property. This is a new requirement which specifies that condominium and cooperative association buildings that are three or more stories in height have to go through a 25 Year Milestone Inspection. The Miami-Dade Building Recertification Program also requires a reinspection for these buildings 10 years thereafter.

Properties located more than three miles from the coast will have to be inspected under the new law every 30 years. The inspection will consist of a Structural and Electrical Assessment, to ensure the integrity and safety of the property. This inspection has been called 30 Year Inland Building Recertification or Inland Inspection. The same will have to be repeated periodically in cycles of 10 years.

All properties after doing a 25 Year Milestone Inspection or the 30 Year Inland Inspection must follow a 10-year cycle called 10 Year Interval Inspection. This inspection serves the same purpose as a 25 Year and a 30 Year Recertification, to ensure the structural and electrical safety of the property.

Your engineer can provide you with a proposal once he has a good understanding of your building. Some engineers provide a price based on square footage. Still others take into consideration the location or the structure, its age, and even if it has a crawl space that he may have to squeeze into.

Inspections are performed by licensed structural and electrical engineers. These experts look at many aspects of the buildings foundational and electrical systems, including foundation, roofing systems, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, flooring, concrete framing systems, windows, wood framing, loading, electrical service, branch circuits, conduit raceways, and emergency lighting. The report includes a statement explaining if the building is structurally safe or unsafe for its continued use and present occupancy.

Infrared thermography inspections are required for electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater and must be performed by a Level II or higher Certified Infrared Thermographer who is qualified and trained to recognize and document thermal anomalies in electrical systems. Miami-Dade County requires an infrared thermography inspection with a written report to be submitted for 40-year Recertification.

Recertifications are reasonably quick, with most taking approximately two weeks. However, you must submit your request for Recertification within 90 days after receiving the notice.

It is up to the design professional to determine if they want to inspect the interior and how many units they want to inspect. We randomly choose at least 10% of the units and we’ll look for cracks on the floor and walls, balcony, railings, windows, and doors.

The submittal process of the report is not part of the engineering scope, meaning the client is responsible for the submitting process.

If repairs are required, proper permitting procedures must be followed before the building can be recertified. After all the damage is repaired, the restorations must be inspected by the engineer once again to ensure that the repairs were made correctly.