An External Wall Fire Safety Inspection assesses the risk of whether a building’s external walls could allow a fire to spread. It provides evidential support that either that the external wall system is safe from a fire-risk perspective or that any risk is being managed, to ensure the safety of a building’s residents.
The inspection identifies fire risks in the building’s external walls, by assessing:
It determines whether these components:
An inspection by our fire consultancy specialists’ forms part of the Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW). It helps the Accountable Person, building owners, managing agents, residents, lenders and regulators to decide whether an external wall system is safe or needs remedial work, such as replacing the cladding. Our investigations can also be relied upon as part of the due diligence in a building sale or acquisition process.
We manage all aspects of an investigation, including initial desktop review of requirements, building manager liaison, access, licensing, and fire engineer coordination. And, of course, we ensure safe, watertight reinstatement after completing a survey. Occupied buildings are business as usual for us, so one of our team’s priorities is minimising disruption to occupants.
Following a survey, we produce a report of our findings, clearly detailing the condition of the external wall systems on the building. This supports the production of the FRAEW safety-focused report and the External Wall Systems (EWS1) forms, used by lenders to inform valuations for a variety of property types, from residential, student accommodation and serviced apartments, to hotels.
Our surveyors have the RICS ABBE Level 6 Award in External Wall System Assessment and they have extensive experience in carrying out detailed inspections.
