The EWS1 form was created by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Building Societies Association (BSA) and UK Finance and came into effect in December 2019. Once an external wall system has been assessed by a suitably accredited and competent expert, they can complete either option A or option B of the form, depending on their findings. 

Option A is completed where the primary materials used in the construction of the external walls and attachments (e.g. balconies) of the building meet a minimum classification of being of limited combustibility and are unlikely to support combustion).

Option B is to be completed where there are known combustible primary materials in the external wall system or attachments, which includes any external cladding, insulation, support framework or sub-structure.

Both options have specific sub-categories which clarify the risk associated with the competent person’s findings. Should it be found that an unsatisfactory option is applicable, suitable comments would be provided so that if remedial works are undertaken, a satisfactory option could then be obtained. 

It is a stipulation that the EWS1 form must be completed by a suitably qualified and competent professional, otherwise the form will be rendered invalid. It is essential for those who are commissioning EWS surveys intending to obtain an EWS1 form to ensure their chosen professional meets the required criteria. All external wall assessments carried out by Marshall Fire Ltd are done by fully qualified building professionals with years of experience in fire safety design and are reviewed and signed off by a Chartered Fire Engineer. You can also find us on the Homes England approved panel of Fire Risk Assessors.

To complete option A of the EWS1 form, the signatory would need the expertise to identify the relevant materials within the external wall and attachments, and whether fire-resisting cavity barriers and firestopping measures have been installed correctly. This would not necessarily include the need for expertise in fire engineering. The signatory should be a qualified member of a relevant professional body within the construction industry. 

To complete option B of the EWS1 form, a more detailed review and therefore a higher level of fire expertise in the assessment of the fire risk presented by external wall materials is necessary. Our team are suitably qualified to complete both sections (A & B) of the EWS1 form . You can meet the full team, and find details of their qualifications and memberships on our About Us page. Managing Director Steven Marshall, is a full chartered member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE). 

While not a legal requirement, the EWS1 form is required at the request of an insurer or lender to provide them with assurance that the external walls of the building will not contribute to the propagation of fire spread.  Lenders can (and do) reject applications without an EWS1 form if they have concerns that combustible material present within the external walls may result in rapid fire spread. 

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the wider built environment industry encourage owners of buildings within scope to proactively pursue independent testing of external wall materials to safely speed up the process, rather than waiting until a request is made.

PAS 9980 provides guidance on the risk of fire spread via external wall construction and sets out a methodology to assess and record this. It is solely focused on assessing the risk to life and is not intended to be used as a method of proving compliance with Building Regulations, nor risk to property through fire damage.

Not all buildings will require a PAS 9980 Fire Risk Assessment of External Walls (FRAEW). 

Where it is obvious to a competent fire risk assessor that the risk to life from fire spread over the external walls is sufficiently low, the fire risk assessor will normally address compliance of external wall construction with the Fire Safety Order as part of the FRA. 

PAS 9980 is intended for use by competent professionals. It is not intended to be used by lay people. 

It has been specifically developed for competent fire engineers and other competent building professionals undertaking a FRAEW. It is acknowledged that an FRAEW as specified in PAS 9980 is not within the competency of a typical fire risk assessor. 

A FRAEW is required when a Fire Risk Assessor (or similar authority figure) needs further information about the external wall system of a building that they are assessing. It is a legal requirement that external walls and their attachments are carefully considered within the fire risk assessment of any multi-occupied building.