The Differences Between Milestone Inspections and SIRS
The Differences Between Milestone Inspections and SIRS
Milestone Inspections vs Structural integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS)
As a board member or community association manager, you have a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important is ensuring that your association's property is properly maintained and that it has the financial resources to pay for future repairs and replacements.
Two important tools that can help you with these tasks are milestone inspections and Structural integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS). In this blog post, I will discuss the difference between these two types of studies and why they are important for associations.
What is a Milestone Inspection?
A milestone inspection is a type of structural inspection that is required for condominium and cooperative associations whose properties are three stories or higher in height. The inspections must be conducted every 10 years, and the results must be submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The purpose of the milestone inspections is to ensure the structural integrity of these properties. The inspections are conducted by a licensed engineer or architect, who will visually inspect the property's common areas and review the property's reserve funds. The engineer or architect will then prepare a report that details the condition of the property and makes recommendations for any necessary repairs or maintenance.
What is a SIRS?
A SIRS, or Structural Integrity Reserve Study, is a more comprehensive type of inspection that includes an analysis of the property's reserve funds. The study typically includes a visual inspection of the property's common areas, as well as an analysis of the property's reserve funds, assets, and liabilities. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the property is structurally sound and to recommend any necessary repairs or maintenance, as well as to assess the association's financial health and ensure that it has the financial resources to pay for future repairs and replacements.
The Differences Between Milestone Inspections and SIRS
The main difference between milestone inspections and SIRS is the scope of the study. Milestone inspections are a more limited type of inspection that focuses on the structural integrity of the property. SIRS, on the other hand, are a more comprehensive type of inspection that also includes an analysis of the property's reserve funds.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between milestone inspections and SIRS:
Feature | Milestone Inspection | SIRS |
|---|---|---|
Scope | Structural integrity of the property | Structural integrity of the property, reserve funds, assets, and liabilities |
Frequency | Every 10 years | Every 5-10 years |
Purpose | To ensure the structural integrity of the property | To determine whether the property is structurally sound and to recommend any necessary repairs or maintenance, as well as to assess the association's financial health and ensure that it has the financial resources to pay for future repairs and replacements. |
New Law Changes as of 2023
In 2023, the Florida legislature passed new laws that further regulate milestone inspections and SIRS. The new laws include the following requirements:
Milestone inspections must now be conducted by a licensed engineer or architect who is certified by the International Code Council.
SIRS must now be conducted by a licensed engineer or architect who is certified by the International Code Council and who has experience in conducting SIRS.
The results of both milestone inspections and SIRS must now be submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
What Board Members and Community Association Managers Need to Do
In order to stay compliant with the new law changes, board members and community association managers need to do the following:
Ensure that milestone inspections and SIRS are conducted by qualified professionals.
Review the results of the inspections and take any necessary action.
Submit the results of the inspections to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
By following these steps, board members and community association managers can help to ensure that their associations are in compliance with the law and that their properties are properly maintained.
Conclusion
Milestone inspections and SIRS are important tools that can help board members and community association managers to ensure the safety and financial health of their associations. By understanding the differences between these two types of studies and the new law changes as of 2023, board members and community association managers can stay compliant with the law and help to protect their residents and their properties.
I hope this blog post was helpful! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best of success,
Deb Bell
Community Association Manager & CAM Instructor
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney to discuss your specific situation.
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