External Wall Fire Safety Assessment and EWS1

Simplifying Fire Compliance for High-Rise Residential Buildings

External wall assessments are crucial for understanding and documenting the fire safety of building façades. At Black Mountain Fire, our qualified assessors provide comprehensive external wall assessments. including both appraisals and EWS1 forms, helping building owners understand and manage their fire risks effectively while supporting property transactions.

At Black Mountain Fire Consultants, we provide professional EWS1 assessments and certification, helping property owners, managers, and developers navigate the complexities of external wall system compliance.

What Are External Wall Assessments?

External wall assessments evaluate the fire performance and safety of external wall construction through systematic approaches. These include:

PAS 9980 Assessments Our fire risk appraisals follow current methodologies and provide a thorough, risk-based evaluation of external wall construction. These assessments examine materials, construction methods and fire performance to determine risk levels and necessary mitigation measures.

EWS1 Forms We provide EWS1 assessments for buildings where these are required for valuation and lending purposes. Our qualified assessors determine the appropriate EWS1 rating following RICS guidance, helping facilitate property transactions while maintaining safety standards.

Through detailed inspection and assessment, we determine the safety status of external wall systems and identify where remedial works may be required. Our assessments provide clear documentation to help stakeholders understand and manage identified risks.

Why Are Fire Strategies Important?

Fire strategies play a crucial role in modern building design and operation, providing the foundation for effective fire safety measures. They ensure that fire safety is considered holistically, taking into account how different protective measures work together to create a comprehensive safety system.

For new developments, fire strategies enable innovative design approaches by demonstrating how performance-based solutions can achieve safety objectives. They provide the technical justification for design decisions, helping approval authorities understand how safety requirements are met through engineered solutions.

In existing buildings, fire strategies establish clear frameworks for ongoing management and maintenance of fire safety measures. They help building operators understand their responsibilities and ensure fire safety provisions remain effective throughout the building’s life.

With the introduction of the Building Safety Act, fire strategies form an essential part of the golden thread of building information. They provide a clear record of fire safety measures and the rationale behind their selection, supporting long-term building safety management.

Why Are External Wall Assessments Important?

External wall assessments serve multiple crucial purposes in ensuring building safety and supporting property transactions.

Appraisals provide a robust, risk-based approach to evaluating façade fire safety. They help building owners understand and manage fire risks while meeting their regulatory obligations under current legislation. These assessments form an important part of the building’s safety case and contribute to the golden thread of information.

EWS1 forms play a vital role in the property market, providing a standardised approach to external wall assessment for valuation and lending purposes. They help provide confidence to lenders, valuers and purchasers while maintaining focus on safety standards.

Following recent legislative changes, external wall safety has become an explicit part of the regulated fire safety regime. Our comprehensive assessment services help duty holders understand and meet these obligations while supporting property transactions where required.

Why Choose Black Mountain Fire?

Extensive Experience

With over 20 years of industry expertise, Black Mountain Fire Consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to every project, ensuring the highest level of service and reliability.

Proven Expertise

Our team has a track record of delivering exceptional fire consultancy solutions, tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and industries, ensuring compliance and safety.

Commitment to Excellence

We prioritise customer satisfaction by providing professional, efficient, and high-quality services, making us a trusted partner in fire safety and risk management.

Our Approach to External Wall Assessment

Our approach combines thorough technical assessment with clear documentation appropriate to each assessment type.

For appraisals the methodology provides a systematic risk-based evaluation. This includes comprehensive documentation review, detailed site inspection and careful analysis of fire risk factors including material performance, cavity barriers and building characteristics.

For EWS1 assessments, we follow RICS guidance to determine appropriate ratings. Our qualified Fire Engineers conduct thorough investigations of external wall construction, including intrusive surveys where necessary, to provide confident assessment of fire risk.

All our assessments include:

Detailed review of building documentation
Thorough site inspections
Material identification and evaluation
Assessment of construction quality
Clear documentation of findings

Through careful analysis of gathered information, we provide clear conclusions and recommendations appropriate to the assessment type.

Key Features of Our External Wall Assessments

Our assessments provide comprehensive evaluation of external wall systems, including cladding materials, insulation, cavity barriers and firestopping. We consider both the individual components and their interaction as a complete system.

Reports Include:

Detailed risk analysis following standard methodology
Clear documentation of risk factors
Specific recommendations for risk reduction
Support for safety case development

EWS1 Assessments Include:

Clear determination of appropriate rating
Supporting documentation and justification
Recommendations where necessary
Technical appendices as required

Where remedial works are necessary, we provide clear recommendations following risk-based principles. Our reports help building owners understand the scope of required works and support the development of remediation strategies.

Key Features of Our EWS1 Service

Comprehensive External Wall Assessment

We perform detailed inspections to identify risks and ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

Expert Risk Analysis

Our team evaluates fire performance and categorises your building based on the EWS1 framework.

Clear Reporting and Certification

We provide clear and concise documentation, including the EWS1 form, tailored to meet the requirements of lenders and insurers.

Remediation Support

If your building does not meet compliance standards, we guide you through the remediation process, offering practical and cost-effective solutions.

Regulatory Framework for External Wall Assessment

Our external wall assessments align with current legislation and standards including:

Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction
RICS guidance for EWS1 assessments
The Fire Safety Act 2021
The Building Safety Act 2022
Building Regulations Approved Document B
Relevant British Standards

The Building Safety Act introduces enhanced requirements for higher-risk buildings, including specific provisions for external wall safety. Our comprehensive assessment services help building owners meet these obligations while supporting property transactions where EWS1 forms are required.

Through careful consideration of these requirements, we provide robust assessments that meet current regulatory expectations while supporting effective risk management and property transactions.

Sectors We Serve

Residential High-Rise Buildings

We assist freeholders, property managers, and developers in achieving compliance for high-rise residential properties.

Housing Associations and Local Authorities

We work with housing organisations to deliver EWS1 assessments that prioritise occupant safety and regulatory compliance.

Mixed-Use Developments

Our services extend to buildings combining residential and commercial spaces, ensuring comprehensive fire safety compliance.

Get in Touch

Whether you’re managing a new building or addressing safety requirements for an existing structure, our EWS1 Assessments service is here to support you. Contact us today to discuss how we can provide a comprehensive assessment to ensure compliance and peace of mind.

Let’s build safer, more secure environments together.

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Llandeilo Office
11 Caledfwlch, Cwmifor, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 7BT

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