What You Should Know About the 40-Year Recertification Process

   

What is a 40 year Recertification?

In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, buildings which have been in existence for forty (40) years or longer are required to be inspected by a registered professional engineer for the purpose of evaluating the general structural and electrical conditions. This requirement shall also be completed every ten (10) years thereafter.

​Cueto Engineering provides the inspection services and documentation necessary for compliance with these requirements.  40-year Recertification inspections shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-11(f) of the Code of Miami-Dade County and Section 110.15 of the Code of Broward County.

Cueto Engineering is proud to serve you in obtaining compliance with the 40-year Recertification requirements for your property.

What types of buildings are included?

In Miami-Dade County, 40-year recertifications apply to all buildings except for single-family homes, duplexes, and buildings that have an occupant load of 10 or less and 2,000 square feet or less. In Broward County, it applies to all buildings except single-family homes, duplexes, those less than 3,500 square feet.

How does the recertification process work?

When a building becomes 40 years old, county or city code compliance officials send a Notice of Required Inspection to the property owner. Recertification dates are based on the anniversary of the original Building or Structure’s Certificate of Occupancy. Property owners have 90 days from the date of notification to have the property properly inspected. The outcome of the inspection will determine if the property will be recertified for another 10 years or if improvements need to be made before the recertification is granted. If repairs or improvements are needed, owners are given another 60 days to complete them. Non-compliance with the inspection notice or not completing required repairs can result in penalties.

What types of inspections are included?

Inspections are performed by licensed engineers. These experts look at many aspects of the buildings structural and electrical systems, including foundation, roofing systems, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, flooring, concrete framing systems, windows, wood framing, electrical service, branch circuits, conduit raceways, and emergency lighting. Recent requirements in Miami-Dade County require infrared thermography inspections for electrical systems over 400 amps.

What happens after the inspections are complete?

Upon completion of the inspection(s), written reports will be prepared in conformance with the Minimum Inspection Procedural Guidelines for Building Structural and Electrical Recertification for structural, electrical, guardrails, and parking lot illumination as required. Additionally, if repairs are required, Cueto Engineering can prepare a list of deficiencies and submit a proposal for construction documents to be submitted for permitting as may be required.

What if I haven’t received a notice for recertification?

In some cases, owners of a property that is 40 or older do not receive a Notice of Required Inspection. However, property owners are still responsible for obtaining the recertification. They are also responsible for having the building recertified every 10 yeas following the initial recertification. If buildings are not recertified, owners can be liable if an accident or other incident occurs at the site.