Structural Glazing Inspection

Structural & Electrical Compliance Guide for HOA Boards and Property Managers

Many cities—most notably Miami-Dade County and other South Florida jurisdictions—require buildings to undergo 40-Year and 50-Year Safe Building Recertification to confirm continued structural and electrical safety as buildings age.

If your property has received a 40-Year or 50-Year Recertification Notice, action is mandatory. Failure to comply can result in unsafe building designations, fines, loss of occupancy, or evacuation orders.

This page explains who must comply, what inspections are required, timelines, common deficiencies, and how to efficiently coordinate professionals to achieve recertification.

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What is 40/50-Year Safe Building Recertification?

40/50-Year Recertification is a mandatory life-safety program requiring aging buildings to be evaluated and certified as safe for continued occupancy.

The program typically requires:
        •       A Structural Safety Inspection
        •       An Electrical Safety Inspection
        •       Filing of completed recertification reports with the local authority having jurisdiction

After the initial 40-year recertification, buildings are generally required to recertify again every 10 years (e.g., at 50 years, 60 years, etc.), depending on local regulations.

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Who must comply

Recertification generally applies to:
        •       Buildings 40 years old or older (based on Certificate of Occupancy date)
        •       Residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties
        •       Condominium and cooperative buildings
        •       Properties owned by individuals, corporations, or associations

Responsibility rests with the property owner or condominium association, even when management or maintenance is handled by a third party.

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What inspections are required

Structural inspection

A licensed engineer or architect evaluates:
        •       Foundations and load-bearing components
        •       Columns, beams, slabs, and framing
        •       Balconies, façades, and exterior elevated elements
        •       Concrete spalling, cracking, corrosion, and deterioration
        •       Waterproofing and water intrusion impacts

The goal is to confirm the building is structurally sound and safe for continued use.

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Electrical inspection

A licensed electrical professional evaluates:
        •       Main electrical service and distribution systems
        •       Panels, feeders, and grounding
        •       Emergency and life-safety systems
        •       Code compliance and fire-risk conditions

Deficiencies must be corrected before certification is approved.

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Timelines & enforcement

Once a Recertification Notice is issued:
        •       Owners are given a fixed deadline to complete inspections
        •       If deficiencies are found, repairs must be completed within authority-approved timelines
        •       Extensions may be limited and require formal approval

Failure to comply can result in:
        •       Unsafe building classification
        •       Civil penalties and fines
        •       Withholding of permits
        •       Vacate or evacuation orders

Recertification is an enforcement-driven process, not a voluntary assessment.

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How rascompany.com helps with 40/50-Year Recertification

40/50-Year Recertification often requires multiple licensed professionals, tight coordination, and fast remediation—especially for older buildings with deferred maintenance.

rascompany.com supports owners and associations by matching them with vetted professionals experienced in 40/50-Year Recertification, including:
        •       Licensed structural engineers and architects
        •       Electrical engineers and licensed electrical contractors
        •       Concrete, façade, balcony, and restoration contractors
        •       Waterproofing and corrosion-repair specialists

Using rascompany.com allows you to:
        •       Quickly assemble the right professional team
        •       Avoid delays caused by incomplete or rejected submissions
        •       Coordinate inspections and repairs under one compliance strategy

This streamlined approach helps reduce risk, downtime, and enforcement pressure.

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Common deficiencies identified during recertification

Recertification inspections frequently uncover:
        •       Concrete spalling and exposed reinforcement
        •       Corrosion from long-term water intrusion
        •       Deteriorated balconies or exterior slabs
        •       Inadequate or outdated electrical systems
        •       Non-compliant grounding or emergency systems

Identifying these issues early helps owners plan repairs efficiently and avoid emergency conditions.

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Steps to complete 40/50-Year Recertification

1) Review the Recertification Notice

Confirm:
        •       Inspection scope (structural, electrical, or both)
        •       Filing deadlines
        •       Applicable local code requirements

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2) Engage qualified licensed professionals

A licensed engineer or architect must:
        •       Perform required inspections
        •       Prepare and sign certification reports
        •       Identify required corrective work

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3) Complete required repairs

If deficiencies are found:
        •       Repairs must be performed by qualified contractors
        •       Permits and inspections may be required
        •       Temporary safety measures may be mandated

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4) Submit certification documentation

Completed reports and approvals must be filed with the local authority for review and acceptance.

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5) Obtain Recertification approval

The process is complete only when:
        •       The authority accepts the reports
        •       The building is officially recertified as safe

Until approval is issued, enforcement actions may continue.

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Penalties & liability considerations

Non-compliance with 40/50-Year Recertification can result in:
        •       Significant fines and administrative fees
        •       Unsafe or uninhabitable designations
        •       Increased insurance scrutiny
        •       Civil liability exposure for owners and board members

Recertification is both a regulatory requirement and a risk-management obligation.

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A practical recertification strategy
        1.      Track building age and recertification milestones
        2.      Engage engineers before notices are issued
        3.      Budget for inspections and potential repairs
        4.      Coordinate structural and electrical scopes together
        5.      Document all inspections, repairs, and approvals

Using a matching service like rascompany.com can significantly reduce friction in steps 2–4 by connecting owners with professionals experienced in recertification programs.

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Key takeaway

40-Year and 50-Year Safe Building Recertification is a critical life-safety process that confirms aging buildings remain safe for continued occupancy. Owners and HOA boards who plan early, engage qualified professionals, and address deficiencies proactively are best positioned to complete recertification efficiently and avoid enforcement consequences.

Leveraging professional matching services such as rascompany.com helps property owners and associations navigate recertification requirements with clarity, speed, and confidence.