EWS1 is a process, not a quick form
EWS1 is a lender- and valuer-facing record that an external wall system has been assessed by a suitable professional. It is not a life-safety certificate and does not replace the fire risk assessment. The assessment that supports an EWS1 (commonly a FRAEW under PAS 9980) depends heavily on the quality of available building information - the single biggest cause of delay and avoidable cost is missing or scattered records.
Assembling the information below before instructing makes the assessment faster, cheaper and less likely to require additional intrusive opening-up.
EWS1 readiness: information to assemble
Before instructing an external wall assessment, gather:
- Original architectural and construction drawings, particularly external wall build-ups and sections
- Any post-construction refurbishment or recladding records and specifications
- Existing fire risk assessment (and any fire strategy)
- Any previous external wall assessment, FRAEW, EWS1 or intrusive investigation report
- Building height (to top occupied storey) and number of storeys / dwellings
- Cladding and insulation product information / data sheets if known
- Details of balconies, their construction and any combustible elements
- Building Safety Act status (is it a higher-risk building?) and accountable-person details
- Managing-agent and freeholder contact and access arrangements for inspection
This checklist is provided by Hampstead Chartered Surveyors & Building Consultancy as general guidance. It is not a substitute for a site-specific inspection by a suitably qualified professional.
From readiness to assessment
With the information assembled, a competent professional can scope the assessment proportionately - desktop review where records are good, targeted intrusive opening-up only where genuinely needed. We provide FRAEW / PAS 9980 external wall appraisal and EWS1 process support, and will tell you honestly where specialist fire-engineering input is required rather than implied. EWS1 outcomes are not guaranteed - they depend on the building.
Questions visitors commonly ask
Does every block need an EWS1?
No. Whether one is requested depends on the building, its height and construction, lender policy and the valuation context. Some buildings do not need EWS1 at all.
Will good information guarantee a favourable EWS1 rating?
No. Information quality affects the speed and cost of the assessment and reduces avoidable opening-up, but the rating reflects the building's actual external wall construction and risk - it cannot be guaranteed.
Who can sign an EWS1?
A suitably qualified professional as described in RICS guidance. The supporting FRAEW is carried out by a competent professional applying the PAS 9980 methodology.
Where this usually links to live instructions
EWS1 Form & External Wall Advice London
EWS1 process support and external wall system review.
View EWS1 Form & External Wall Advice LondonFRAEW / PAS 9980 London
Fire risk appraisal of external walls under PAS 9980.
View FRAEW / PAS 9980 LondonFire Safety & Facade Consultants London
Parent service combining FRAEW, EWS1, cladding and BSA support.
View Fire Safety & Facade Consultants LondonYou may also find useful
Local Level 3 building survey guides
Savas Bulduk
BSc (Hons) MRICS, Director & Chartered Building Surveyor.
Writes on Building surveying, Fire safety and facade, External wall systems, Technical due diligence, Contract administration. See the full team profile.