The 30/40 Year Recertification Building Inspection is a requirement in Miami Dade and Broward counties, intended to verify in a reasonable way, that the structure and electrical system of the building under consideration is safe for its purposed use and present occupancy.

The new state law that went into effect in May 2022, updated and created new requirements that strengthened the recertification program by including the inspection of additional building components and providing a more detailed look into existing buildings.

Among the new requirements, the new law mandates:

• The use of structural engineers for the structural component of threshold buildings. A “threshold building” is a building greater than three stories, or 50 feet in height, or has an assembly occupancy classification as defined in the Florida Building Code which exceeds 5,000 square feet in area and an occupant content of greater than 500 persons. Requiring structural engineers to certify the structural inspection of threshold buildings is expected to bring an added measure of safety to the recertification assessment for these buildings given the specialized knowledge, training and experience presented by a structural engineer.

• The use of electrical engineers for the electrical component of recertification. The electrical component of recertification reports for threshold buildings will similarly require that electrical engineers be used in assessing threshold buildings given the life-safety threat posed by having electrical systems in disrepair.