After almost 30 years as a professional in the construction industry in NYC the road behind is much longer than the road ahead. I often look back on where I have been, what I have seen and what has really changed. More specifically, what has changed for the better. When it comes to construction, I would most certainly put safety at the top of the list, both worker safety and public safety. This is particularly true when viewed through the lens of a Building Envelope Consultant. In formulating the idea for this article, I had a very specific question in mind; What data exists that proves the FISP Program works and makes the city a safer place.
At the conclusion of my research into the answer, the question was answered, but with convincing anecdotal evidence rather than specific hard data.
For more than four decades, New York City’s Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) -commonly known as Local Law 11—has served as a cornerstone of urban safety policy. Originally enacted in 1980 following a fatal incident involving falling masonry, the program was designed to protect pedestrians by requiring periodic inspections of building façades and mandating timely repairs where hazards are identified.
Today, as the City considers targeted reforms to modernize the program, a growing body of data and analysis suggests that FISP has been highly effective in enhancing public safety.
A Proven Record of Improving Public Safety
Since its implementation, FISP has imposed a structured, enforceable inspection regime on buildings over six stories—covering nearly 16,000 structures citywide. These inspections, conducted every five years, have created a systematic approach to identifying and addressing façade deterioration before it leads to dangerous conditions.
One of the clearest indicators of success is the program’s ability to detect hazards early and reduce the prevalence of immediately dangerous conditions:
- Only a small percentage of façade inspections result in an “unsafe” classification, generally remaining in the single digits across reporting cycles.
- The overwhelming majority of buildings are classified as “safe” or “safe with a repair and maintenance program (SWARMP)”, indicating that issues are proactively managed before they become critical.
Moreover, New York City officials emphasize that FISP has identified thousands of hazardous façade conditions over the years, prompting corrective action and the installation of protective measures such as sidewalk sheds when needed.
The broader conclusion from the City’s first-ever comprehensive engineering review by Thornton Tomasetti —released in December 2025—is especially telling:
FISP has “significantly improved public safety” across the city.
This finding is based on an extensive analysis of tens of thousands of inspection reports and decades of building performance data, making it the most authoritative assessment of the program to date.
Preventative Maintenance as a Safety Model
A key reason for FISP’s success is its preventative framework. Rather than reacting to failures, the program compels building owners to regularly assess façade conditions and address emerging risks.
When unsafe conditions are identified, property owners are required to:
- Install immediate public protections, such as sidewalk sheds
- Complete repairs within strict timelines
- Certify corrections through follow-up filings
This enforcement model has helped shift building maintenance culture in New York City, making façade safety a continuous responsibility rather than an afterthought.
As a result, FISP has become a national model for façade safety regulation, with other cities looking to replicate its approach.
Evidence of Success: The Case for Modernization
Perhaps the most compelling evidence of the program’s effectiveness is the City’s current willingness to consider loosening or refining certain requirements—not as a retreat from safety, but as a data-driven evolution.
Recent recommendations from the DOB-commissioned study include:
- Extending the inspection cycle from five years to six years
- Reducing the number of mandatory hands-on inspections
- Tailoring requirements based on building risk profiles
- Limiting sidewalk sheds to conditions that pose genuine hazards.
These proposed changes reflect a critical insight:
The existing program has created such a strong baseline of safety that regulations can now be refined to improve efficiency without compromising public protection.
City officials have explicitly stated that reforms are intended to maintain safety while reducing unnecessary burdens, such as excessive sidewalk sheds that may remain in place even when risks are minimal.
The fact that policymakers are comfortable introducing flexibility—supported by extensive data analysis—demonstrates confidence in the foundational strength of FISP.
Balancing Safety and Quality of Life
While FISP has undeniably improved safety outcomes, it has also introduced visible side effects—most notably the proliferation of sidewalk sheds across the city.
The City’s ongoing “Get Sheds Down” initiative aims to address this issue by:
- Reducing the duration and footprint of sidewalk sheds
- Encouraging quicker repairs
- Exploring alternative protection methods such as netting and technology-assisted inspections
Importantly, these efforts are not a response to program failure, but rather a next phase of optimization—seeking to preserve safety gains while improving the pedestrian experience.
Conclusion
Although there is limited safety data specific to “FISP hazards, more than 40 years after its inception, the NYC Facade Inspection & Safety Program stands as a highly effective public safety measure. Through rigorous inspection cycles, strict enforcement, and a preventative maintenance philosophy, FISP has significantly reduced the risks associated with deteriorating building façades.
The program’s demonstrated success is further underscored by the City’s current efforts to modernize and refine its requirements. With data confirming improved safety outcomes, regulators are now able to pursue a more balanced approach—maintaining protection while reducing unnecessary costs and urban impacts.
In short, FISP has not only achieved its original mission of safeguarding the public—it has created the conditions necessary for a smarter, more targeted next generation of façade safety policy.
