What is a building logbook?
What is a building logbook?
The building book is a document that comprehensibly documents the maintenance and inspection of buildings and their components. It was introduced with the 2014 amendment to the Vienna Building Code and is therefore specific to Vienna.
The creation of a "building book" (Section 128a of the Vienna Building Code) is mandatory for all new buildings, additions and conversions of buildings with more than two main storeys (excluding additions and conversions to the extent of an existing building refurbishment and lift extensions).
The obligation to document these maintenance measures is also stipulated in the Vienna Building Code (§ 129), which makes the measures traceable and controllable for the authorities. In particular, those components of a building must be inspected that could pose a specific risk if their condition deteriorates. This primarily includes load-bearing components, façades, roofs, railings and balustrades.
The building log must be created with the notification of completion and must be presented by the landowner to the authorities on request. The building logbook does not have to be kept in any specific form and can also be kept electronically. The document must be updated and supplemented on an ongoing basis, usually by the property management company.
ÖNORM B1300 was developed parallel to the introduction of the building logbook. This is to be understood as a guide to the visual inspection of a residential building (ÖNORM B 1301 for non-residential buildings). In contrast to the Vienna Building Code, however, there is no obligation for property safety inspections in the other federal states. ÖNORM B 1300 or 1301 is a standardised recommendation which is, however, used as a basis in the event of damage and any resulting legal disputes.
The building book must contain the following points:
a) the data of the building permit(s) and completion notice(s) relating to the building (transaction number and date of the notice, it is not mandatory to include all notices and consensus plans);
b) the designation of the components that are subject to regular inspection;
c) the date of the first inspection and the intervals at which subsequent inspections are to be carried out;
d) the requirements that the inspecting persons must fulfil in each case;
e) the results of the inspections carried out, with the exception of those
inspections that must be carried out for components in accordance with other federal or provincial regulations
