Posted on January 6th, 2026

 

Cycle 10 is already on your calendar, so it’s worth asking a better question than “How fast can we file?” A FISP Cycle 10 Inspection can do more than satisfy a filing window.

 

When done thoughtfully, a FISP Cycle 10 Inspection can become the moment when you align facade work with energy upgrades, reduce draft complaints, cut heating and cooling waste, and position your building more favorably under New York City’s energy regulations.

 

 

FISP Cycle 10 Inspection Deadlines Create Leverage

 

A FISP Cycle 10 Inspection is a required critical examination for NYC buildings over six stories, filed within DOB time frames tied to your building’s block number. Cycle 10 began in February 2025, and DOB outlines filing windows by sub-cycle. A good Cycle 10 plan usually starts with clarity on what you’ll need to do anyway:

 

• Schedule the critical examination early enough to allow a repair season, not just a filing deadline

• Plan for access (scaffold, swing stage, boom lift) and related permits as a project, not an afterthought

• Coordinate with a team that can connect facade conditions to building performance goals

 

After you line up those basics, you’re in a better position to decide what to fix now, what to phase, and where upgrades can be folded into repair work without turning the project into a never-ending scope spiral.

 

 

FISP Cycle 10 Inspection Plus Envelope Energy Review

 

“Combine inspection and energy work” sounds like two separate projects, but it can be one coordinated effort. A FISP Cycle 10 Inspection already requires close attention to exterior wall conditions and appurtenances. An envelope energy review examines many of the same locations, such as air leakage paths, thermal bridges, failed sealants, aging windows, and moisture entry points, from a different perspective, leading to comfort complaints and increased energy usage.

 

To keep this approach grounded, aim for a short list of “high-return” focus areas:

 

• Air sealing at window and facade transitions to reduce drafts and comfort swings

• Targeted insulation strategies where accessible during repair work

• Improved moisture control details to reduce long-term material wear

• Better control of unwanted air paths that drive heating and cooling waste

 

After you identify these opportunities, the next step is turning them into bid-ready scope language. That’s where coordination matters. If the facade contractor receives a clear scope that ties repairs to performance upgrades, the work tends to come back with cleaner pricing and fewer mid-project surprises.

 

 

FISP Cycle 10 Inspection: Make SWARMP Work Harder

 

If your last cycle result was SWARMP (Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program), you already know the building needs repairs completed by the next cycle, and DOB guidance is clear that unresolved SWARMP conditions affect future classifications.  SWARMP repairs often involve sealants, localized masonry work, waterproofing details, and appurtenance corrections. Those same tasks touch the “weak seams” where buildings leak air and water. 

 

A practical way to frame it is: repair what must be repaired, then ask what you can improve at the same locations. Not everywhere. Not all at once. Just where it aligns. Consider these upgrade directions when SWARMP repairs are already on the table:

 

• Improve window perimeter detailing during reseal work to cut air leakage

• Add exterior insulation at targeted areas when assemblies are open and access is in place

• Upgrade water management details that protect both facade materials and interior conditions

• Coordinate facade repair sequencing so performance work doesn’t get value-engineered out

 

After you choose upgrades tied to the same access and the same locations, the project stays manageable. You’re not adding a second construction mobilization later, and you’re not paying twice for logistics like sidewalk bridging, scaffolding, or lift time.

 

 

FISP Cycle 10 Inspection And High-Performance QEWI Workflow

 

A FISP Cycle 10 Inspection is performed and filed by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), and DOB provides detailed report rules and labeling requirements. If you want a high-performance outcome, the QEWI workflow should be built to capture more than defects. It should capture conditions that affect the building’s envelope behavior, so repair decisions support both safety and performance.

 

A “high-performance” checklist can stay simple while still being useful. The goal is to collect information that makes future decisions easier, especially for boards and managers who need clarity when comparing bids and timing.

 

A strong QEWI workflow often includes:

 

• Clear mapping of recurring conditions by elevation and assembly type

• Notes on likely air and water paths tied to observed defects

• Repair priorities framed around risk, not just cosmetic impact

• Bid-friendly language that helps contractors price scope cleanly

 

After this information is collected, envelope commissioning can come into play. Building envelope commissioning for Local Law 11 is a fancy phrase for a simple idea: verify that repairs and upgrades actually perform the way they’re supposed to, especially at transitions and penetrations. 

 

 

FISP Cycle 10 Inspection As A Local Law 97 Strategy

 

Local Law 97 is pushing many buildings over 25,000 square feet toward lower emissions, with limits beginning in 2024 and tighter limits in later years. Owners often look first at mechanical systems, which makes sense. But the envelope affects the load those systems must handle. A leaky facade can force HVAC to work harder, even after expensive equipment upgrades.

 

A helpful way to choose retrofit moves during Cycle 10 is to weigh:

 

• Access: are you already opening or reaching the location for repairs?

• Impact: does this location drive known drafts, leaks, or temperature swings?

• Longevity: will the upgrade reduce repeat repairs over multiple cycles?

• Emissions: will it help reduce heating and cooling demand in a meaningful way?

 

After you sort upgrades through that lens, the retrofit becomes more than a “nice idea.” It becomes a planned part of your capital project with a clearer reason for existing.

 

 

Related: 10 Things to Consider to Determine Your Maintenance Needs for Your Roof

 

 

Conclusion

 

Cycle 10 can be a deadline, or it can be a turning point. A well-planned FISP Cycle 10 Inspection can keep your building on track for facade safety while also creating a practical window for envelope upgrades that improve comfort, reduce energy waste, and support longer-term emissions planning. When you connect your SWARMP scope to performance goals, document conditions with a high-performance mindset, and choose retrofit moves that fit existing access, your inspection cycle becomes more than a filing requirement.

 

At AMA Architects, PC, we help owners and managers turn inspections into improvement opportunities. Don’t just inspect—improve. Schedule your Cycle 10 Inspection with AMA Architects today and get a complimentary preliminary envelope energy assessment. Book My High-Performance Inspection. Call (212) 931-1042 or email [email protected] to take the next step with a clearer plan and a stronger building envelope.