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What is a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls?
This appraisal has two main elements. Firstly, it assesses the combustibility of materials used on external walls of a building. Secondly, it evaluates the installation process of the external walls. The FRAEW is in accordance with PAS9980 methodology, providing building owners and managers with
peace of mind as to the safety of their residents.
An EWS1 form may be requested by a lender. This is not to be confused with an FRAEW. An EWS1 is a lender certificate, which views the potential for the loss of property, whereas an FRAEW views the external walls from a risk-to-life perspective.
Why is an FRAEW necessary?
Do you know the design and materials of the external walls in your building? Building owners are required to provide this information for Fire and Rescue Services. A suitably qualified specialist must be employed to undertake the assessment. An FRAEW is applicable where the risk is suspected or known, due to the form of the construction materials used, such as combustible materials.
What does an FRAEW involve?
- Assessing combustibility and fire performance
- Likelihood of secondary fires
- Role of fire and rescue services
- Intrusive inspection, if required
- Full methodology set out in the PAS 9980:2022
- Propose necessary solutions to reduce risk
- Material testing, if required
- Opening up and making good
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an EWS1 and an FRAEW?
The clearest way to explain this difference is that an EWS1 is for viewing the potential risk to property, whereas an FRAEW is for risk to life. When conducting an FRAEW, an EWS1 might be requested by a lender. The two are often included in the same process when undertaking an assessment of the building’s safety, as an EWS1 form may be needed for insurance purposes.
What is PAS9980?
The British Standards Institute have published a Publicly Available Specification to provide a methodology for undertaking Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls. It essentially provides the correct approach for carrying out FRAEW, and who should conduct them.
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