Tuesday, March 31, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Grand F
This session will discuss current regional jurisdictional mandatory assessments. Engineers with experience completing these mandatory assessment regulations and ordinances in Florida, New York, Chicago, California, and other regions will discuss requirements for the assessment and reporting. Challenges, limitations, and case studies will be presented for current mandatory assessments. ACI 364, Guide to Assessment Prior to Rehabilitation, currently undergoing revision, will also be presented as a resource for these assessments, in addition to other ACI documents. In addition, discussion regarding changes to or development of other regional mandatory assessment regulations and ordinances will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
(1) Understand some of the existing regional mandatory assessment regulations and ordinances for buildings;
(2) Discuss challenges and limitations with completing a mandatory assessment as required;
(3) Discuss various resources available by ACI regarding assessments;
(4) Discuss changes to or development of additional mandatory assessment regulations and ordinances.
Age-Based Structural Inspections in Florida: Why Age Doesn't Define Safety
Presented By: Matthew Fadden
Affiliation: Walter P Moore
Description: Florida's legislative response to the Champlain Towers South collapse through SB 4-D (2022), SB 154 (2023), and HB 913 (2025) established statewide structural recertification requirements (age-based inspections) for condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or higher. Modeled on Miami-Dade and Broward County programs, the mandate requires visual inspections focused on observable distress. While this approach provides baseline assessments, it does not identify latent design or construction deficiencies without visible manifestation. As a result, no one should not interpret compliance as a guarantee of safety, nor should they view non-compliance as implying reduced safety.
The inspection framework often blends structural repairs, which restore load-carrying capacity, with maintenance activities such as concrete restoration and waterproofing. This presentation examines the dual challenge of identifying genuine structural deficiencies while protecting building owners. Notably, A recent study by Bridge et al. (2025) found that approximately one-quarter of buildings in earlier 40-year inspection programs required some form of repair. Case studies reveal that engineers can overlook or conflate structural concerns. This issue is compounded when engineers and local governments mandate maintenance work regardless of owner priorities or individual building circumstances.
This presentation provides guidance on applying logical analysis and critical thinking to age-based inspections. The discussion demonstrates how engineers can provide options that acknowledge diverse owner objectives. Ultimately, the continuation or expansion of age-based assessment programs depends on rational, evidence based engineering research that validates their effectiveness.
Lessons Learned from California Deck and Balcony Inspections
Presented By: Kelly Cobeen
Affiliation: Wiss Janney Elstner Associates
Description: Following collapses of a balcony and an entry stair in northern California apartment complexes in 2015, the state of California passed two senate bills requiring statewide inspection of exterior elevated elements including balconies, decks, entry stairs, breezeways and similar elements in multi-family residential buildings. This included separate and distinct bills and inspection requirements for what might be identical buildings based on ownership (SB 721 for apartment buildings and SB 326 for condominium buildings). January 1, 2026 was the deadline for completion of the first state required inspections; this first round has represented a very significant financial investment by building owners and has provided opportunities for lessons learned for design professionals involved. Meanwhile, City of San Francisco had similar inspection requirements that had been in place since 2013 and City of Berkeley put in place similar requirements in 2016 prior to the development of state requirements. This presentation will discuss implementation issues and lessons learned, highlighting both common aspects of the inspection programs and their differences. Some areas where lessons have been learned include: objectives of the inspections, quantity of inspections, elements to be inspected, uncovering of hidden conditions, qualifications for inspectors and repair, reporting and permit requirements, and measures to ensure implementation.