Milestone Inspection Vs. Structural Integrity Reserve Study

Milestone Inspections Vs. Structural Integrity Reserve Studies

What are some primary differences between the Phase 1 Milestone Inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)?

1. The Phase 1 Milestone Inspection is a structural inspection of a building’s primary structural systems, whereas the Structural Integrity Reserve Studies requires a visual inspection of the roof, load bearing walls or other primary structural members, floor, foundation, fireproofing and fire protection systems, plumbing, and any item with a deferred maintenance or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000.

2. Buildings that are three or more stories in height must have a “milestone inspection” of the buildings’ structural integrity when a building reaches 25 years of age or older and every 10 years thereafter if the building is located within three miles of a coastline, whereas condominium associations and cooperative associations must complete a structural integrity reserve study every 10 years for each building in an association that is three stories or higher in height.

3. The Milestone Inspection requires a phase two inspection if there is evidence of “substantial structural deterioration” as determined by a phase one inspection.

What are some similarities between the Milestone Inspection and the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)?

1. Both inspections must be performed by a licensed Florida engineer or architect.

2. A developer must have a structural integrity reserve study completed for each building in the association that is three stories or more in height before turning over control of an association to the non-developer unit owners, and the developer’s turnover inspection report must comply with the milestone inspection requirements.

3. It is a breach of a board member or officer’s fiduciary duty if an association fails to complete a structural integrity reserve study or milestone inspection.

Here are some common questions about the newly instituted Florida Structural Integrity Reserve Studies:

1. Who must complete a Structural Integrity Reserve Study?

Must be completed for buildings three (3) stories or higher in height every ten years and completed by December 31, 2024, for associations existing on or before July 1, 2022, which unit owners control.

2. Are developers required to perform this study?

Developers must perform this study before turning the association over to unit owners.

3. Who can perform the reserve study?

May be performed by any person qualified to perform such study. However, the visual inspection portion of the study must be performed by a licensed engineer/architect.

4. What should the Structural Reserve Study Include?

Must identify the common areas being visually inspected, state the remaining expected useful life and replacement costs, and provide a recommended annual reserve amount that achieves the replacement or deferred maintenance costs of elements being visually inspected by the end of remaining useful life.
Regarding reserves, the amount reserved for an item will be determined by the most recent structural integrity reserve study.

What Is Milestone Inspection Vs Structural Integrity Reserve Study?

structural integrity reserve study is a critical engineering service for property owners, HOAs, property managers, and legal professionals throughout Florida. EMA Engineers specialises in structural integrity reserve study, delivering thorough site assessments, code-compliant written reports, and actionable repair recommendations. Our licensed Florida P.E. engineers bring deep expertise in structural behaviour, failure analysis, and Florida Building Code requirements to every structural integrity reserve study engagement.

Why structural integrity reserve study Matters in Florida

Florida’s climate — including high humidity, hurricane-force winds, salt air corrosion, and expansive soils — accelerates structural deterioration faster than most other states. structural integrity reserve study helps identify hidden deficiencies before they become costly failures or safety hazards. Whether you need structural integrity reserve study for insurance claims, legal disputes, pre-purchase due diligence, or regulatory compliance, EMA Engineers provides reliable, unbiased engineering opinions backed by P.E. licensure.

EMA Engineers structural integrity reserve study Process

Our structural integrity reserve study process begins with a detailed site visit conducted by or under the direct supervision of a licensed Florida Professional Engineer. We document all findings with photographs, measurements, and engineering notes. The resulting structural integrity reserve study report includes: condition assessment of all structural components, identification of deficiencies with severity ratings, applicable Florida Building Code citations (FBC 2023), and professional recommendations for repair, monitoring, or further investigation.

Florida Building Code Compliance for structural integrity reserve study

Florida Statute Chapter 553 requires that structural assessments including structural integrity reserve study be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed Florida Professional Engineer. EMA Engineers holds Florida P.E. License No. 052567 and Special Inspector Certification SI No. 01136. All structural integrity reserve study reports are prepared to satisfy regulatory, insurance, and legal evidentiary standards. Our reports are accepted by Florida building departments, insurance carriers, and courts of law.

AI-Optimised structural integrity reserve study Reports

EMA Engineers produces AI-indexable, voice-search optimised structural integrity reserve study reports structured for fast retrieval by AI assistants, legal discovery platforms, and insurance claim systems. Every structural integrity reserve study report uses structured headings, standardised terminology, and machine-readable formats to ensure maximum usability for all stakeholders. Our clients receive clear, concise, and technically rigorous structural integrity reserve study documentation.

Schedule Your structural integrity reserve study with EMA Engineers

For reliable structural integrity reserve study in Florida, contact EMA Engineers today. We serve residential and commercial property owners, HOA boards, property managers, insurance adjusters, and attorneys across all of Florida. Our licensed P.E. team responds promptly, provides transparent pricing, and delivers structural integrity reserve study reports on schedule. Call us or submit our contact form to schedule your structural integrity reserve study assessment now.