External Wall Fire Review (EWS1)

Our team are available now to help you complete and submit your External Wall Fire Review (EWS1) documentation.

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    What is an EWS1?

    The EWS1 form is a biproduct of the intrusive investigation works which provide clarity on any potential risks to the spread of fire or non-compliant materials within an external façade. It was designed as a means of enabling competent fire experts to assess whether remedial works are required, in simple and clear pro-forma, from which lenders and valuers can assess whether remedial works affecting value exist. HSRoofClad has facilitated a large volume of external Building Envelope Fire Surveys, to enable our Fire Engineers to issue an EWS1 form which satisfies mortgage lenders.

    HS RoofClad have been working closely with our clients over the last few years undertaking thorough Cladding Testing to identify potential combustible systems and furthermore, proposing and undertaking remediation works to resolve the issues and ensure their buildings external fabric is compliant with regulations.

    Who Needs An EWS1?

    Usually, the most common receivers of an EWS1 certificate are:

    • Leaseholders
    • Property Managing Agents
    • Building Owners
    • Developers

    It is our aim to ensure complete visibility throughout these works, to ensure Building Owners, Managing Agents and Leaseholders have access to the correct information. The focal point being to highlight any defects present which would aid the spread of fire within a block and ensure the correct action can be taken to resolve.

    Following the delivery of any Façade Report, whether that has been completed by ourselves or others; as a Design & Build contractor, HSRoofClad can assist you in progressing any Façade Remediation Requirements.

    HS RoofClad have been working in partnership with Fire Consultants and Building Inspectors to undertake External Wall Fire Reviews (EWS1) to identify and confirm whether external structures of the buildings meet fire and building regulations in line with Government’s guidelines.

    EWS1 was introduced by RICS to aid valuations for high-risk, high-rise buildings. The process should be carried out in line with government guidelines (residential buildings above 18m). The process and stages of HSRoofClad facilitating an EWS1 survey are outlined in the Process Stages below:

    Current EWS1 Guidance

    RICS has newly issued proposed guidance for public consultation. This guidance will aim to help homebuyers and leaseholders, profoundly impacted by delays in the homebuying market, caused by safety concerns over Cladding, and the cost of remediation. The proposed guidance includes criteria, based on existing Government advice and developed in consultation with the fire safety sector, lenders and other stakeholders, to help valuers decide where an assumption can be made that remediation work, which can affect the value of the property, is unlikely to be needed and an EWS1 should therefore not be required.

    Building over six storeys

    • There is no Cladding or curtain wall glazing on the building.
    • If there are balconies where the balustrades and decking are constructed of combustible materials (e.g., timber), they are not stacked vertically above each other.

    Buildings of five or six storeys

    • There is not a significant amount of Cladding on the building (for the purpose of this guidance, approximately one quarter of the surface façade is a significant amount)
    • There are no ACM panels on the building.
    • If there are balconies where the balustrades and decking are constructed with combustible materials (e.g., timber), they are not stacked vertically above each other.

    Buildings of four storeys or fewer

    • There are no ACM panels on the building.

    Although, the guidance will not act as a substitute for a life safety fire risk assessment, nor will it advise on how to complete an EWS1 form.

    The above guidance released from RICS is subject to the mortgage lenders getting on board, which in our experience this is not yet the case.

    EWS1 Form & Process at HS RoofClad

    Why HS RoofClad?

    Highly experienced cladding specialists are on hand to offer free advice that will meet your individual EWS1 requirements. Industry-leading specialists paired with a keen eye for issues with Cladding, functionality and Health and Safety, HS RoofClad are the best and safest choice.

    To find out more, please feel free to call us any time 020 3002 6865.
    Alternatively, get in touch via our enquiry form.

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          Who is this for?

          Leaseholders

          Has your mortgage company requested an EWS1 certificate to reduce their risk during the purchase/sale of a property?

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          Property Managers

          Do you need an EWS1 certificate for insurance purposes or maybe for your leaseholders to buy/sell?

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          Developers

          Do you need an EWS1 certificate to verify the external wall materials and workmanship used on a building?

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          The Process

          EWS1 was introduced by RICS to aid valuations for high-risk, high-rise buildings. The process should be carried out in line with the most recent government guidelines (residential buildings above 18m). The process and stages of HSRoofClad facilitating an EWS1 survey are outlined here:

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          Call us on 020 3002 6865. to see how we can help.
          Lines are open 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday

          Process stages

          EWS1 Enquiry Form

          EWS1 Form
          • Client to complete and return an initial EWS1 enquiry form.
          • Alongside the completed EWS1 enquiry form, the client would provide supporting documentation where possible:
            • Existing external Cladding specification
            • Documentation for insulation that may be present.
            • Documentation for fire stopping system in place.
            • Documentation for cavity barriers details
            • As fitted drawings from construction stages for all the above if available
            • Any Fire risk assessments

          Site Survey

          Site Survey
          • Attendance on-site by HSRoofClad’s façade team to complete intrusive sampling of both the external and internal façade (access must be provided for internal works in at least two apartments and all intrusive works will be made good during attendance to ensure the building is watertight)
          • Attendance on-site by qualified Fire Engineer: –
            • Visual assessment of the external façade utilising information from the intrusive survey
            • Consideration of the type and extent of each different façade material
            • Review of internal means of escape and provision of fire safety systems – Internal access codes / drop key information may be required.
            • Interim measures – comment on recommendations made within façade report.
            • Risk of external ignition of the Cladding system (e.g., taking into account the height at which the Cladding starts, proximity of cars etc. to the Cladding)
            • Risk of internal ignition of the Cladding system (e.g., from fires inside the building via unprotected window reveals and the proximity of ignition sources such as domestic appliances).
            • The collective effect of the fire safety measures.

          Report

          Report
          • Fire Engineer compiles a report based on evidence gathered during the intrusive site visit. The report will contain an ‘Executive Summary’ with an outlined list of any façade remediation and fire improvement works needed.
          • EWS1 Form provided in addition to the detailed Façade Survey signed by qualified Fire Engineer.

          Download our initial EWS1 enquiry form

          Click ‘Download Form’ to view

          Case Study

          Cladding Refurbishment for a Prominent London Hotel

          HSRoofClad were contacted to complete a full refurbishment of the exterior façade of a popular hotel in Central London.

          The existing, outdated cladding was removed, and the new solution provides a more uniform, visually-appealing appearance in keeping with the luxurious interiors to welcome guests inside. It was also a viable solution due to the fireproof materials that the Insulated Panels are made from, meaning they comply with safety regulations and will prevent flames from spreading quickly if an incident ever occurred.

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          Meet our experts

          Our dedicated and experienced management team lead a passionate group of Roofing and Cladding experts. They deliver impeccable customer service, excellent communication, and offer transparency for clients. These are the fundamentals for HS RoofClad's continued success.

          Henry Greensmith Façade Inspection Manager

          David McNeil Sales Director

          Thomas Gould Head of Department

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          Our team are available now to help you complete and submit your External Wall Fire Review (EWS1) documentation.

            More About EWS1

            Our locations

            Head Office

            020 3002 6865

            HS RoofClad
            6 Caldbeck Road
            Croft Business Park
            Bromborough
            Wirral
            CH62 3PL

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            London Office

            020 3002 6865

            HS RoofClad
            4 Graham Street
            London
            N1 8GB


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            Scotland Office

            020 3002 6865

            HS RoofClad
            Hudson House
            8 Albany Street
            Edinburgh
            Scotland
            EH1 3QB

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            Wales Office

            020 3002 6865

            HS RoofClad
            Sophia House
            28 Cathedral Road
            Cardiff
            Wales
            CF11 9LJ

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