Façade Safety Inspections: From Make-Safe Actions to Long-Term Remediation

Façade deterioration can present immediate risks to occupants and the public, particularly where loose elements, cracking, water ingress, or corrosion-driven spalling are present. A good inspection strategy separates urgent make-safe actions from longer-term remediation planning.

A typical structured approach includes:

• Close visual review and defect mapping, with photographic evidence and location referencing

• Risk ranking to prioritise immediate actions (for example, exclusion zones, local stabilisation, temporary protection)

• Identification of likely causes (water pathways, failed sealants, corrosion, movement joints, detailing issues)

• Recommendations for repair strategy and further investigation where necessary

• Monitoring proposals where the condition is stable but should be tracked

The goal is always the same: reduce risk quickly, then deliver a repair plan that is durable, buildable, and proportionate to the asset’s remaining life and operational constraints.