Your building can meet the requirements of an EWS1 form if it has an exterior wall system consisting of cladding panels, window frames, doors, or metal brackets and bolts. Unfortunately, the new EWS1 form can sometimes cause more problems than it solves. The biggest problem the UK faces with the EWS form is the need to sign a licensed fire engineer from the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE), which is significantly lacking in the UK. In fact, in 2020, fewer than 300 registered fire engineers were available in the IFE repository to issue and evaluate EWS1 assessments and confirm if corrective action is required. Do I need an EWS1 form? An EWS1 form is not required by law for any transaction. However, if you buy, sell, pledge or reprogram an apartment and it is located in a building longer than 18 m (approx. 6 floors high), it is then likely that a buyer, lender or their appraiser will request an EWS1 form. EWS1 forms are not always required for buildings under 18 m, and the lower the building height, the less likely it is that such a form will be required. As all this became a major problem, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors took on the design of the EWS form and process.
It provided clear and consistent methods for accurately assessing buildings with recorded results. Residents, insurers and mortgage lenders may require all property owners or managers to provide an EWS certificate1. EWS1 forms are generally required to: This information should not be considered legal or professional advice. Read the disclaimer. EWS1 forms are used to evaluate exterior wall systems on buildings 18 metres tall or more. Some lenders had requested EWS1 forms for buildings under 18 meters, but in July 2021, the government confirmed that they are not required for buildings below that height. No. An EWS1 form is a very limited assessment, often an “office” assessment without extensive intrusive inspections, of the fire hazard posed by the presence of combustible materials in the exterior wall system. It does not replace an assessment of fire hazards, or other building safety risks, such as structural stability, ventilation, degradation or the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos. For advice on liability for siding and other construction defects, the Building Safety Fund and the importance of EWS1 forms, please use the contact information below.
The new EWS1 form is for anyone who owns or manages a building with an exterior wall system. They can be owners, property managers, architects or land surveyors. But what is an EWS1 form and when is it used? In this article, partners Ed John and Louise Elmes answer frequently asked questions about EWS1 forms. The government is also urging lenders to accept other forms of building safety evidence to support their assessments. The SAP1 procedure should only be used when there is a clear need and there is no adequate assurance or regulatory evidence to support assessments. In addition, it is mandatory under the Regulatory Reform Ordinance, also known as the Fire Safety Ordinance (FSO), to have a fire safety plan for your building. This includes regular fire drills and ensuring that all residents are aware of evacuation procedures. If you are a condominium owner who is rescheduling or selling, or if you are a buyer of an apartment, you should ask your lawyer if you need an EWS1 form for the building where the apartment is located. If an EWS1 form is required, the owner or administrative officer requests it. Based on the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height coated with high-pressure laminate (HPL) and buildings of five storeys or more with balconies of combustible cladding should always be submitted to an EWS1 form.
The government`s January 2020 consolidated advisory note states: “The need to assess and manage the risk of spreading an external fire applies to buildings of all heights.” Homeowners of homes under 18 metres reported that lenders require EWS1 forms. In Section A, you will need to provide details about your property and its exterior wall system. This includes information such as the name of the building, its address, the type of SAP it has, and the date of its installation. Due to considerable experience, some qualified professionals still tend to make highly inaccurate assessments. This makes it all the more important to have proper processes that cover everything. Therefore, Form EWS1 is accompanied by the correct supporting information. The EWS process involves an assessment by a suitably qualified professional who completes Form EWS1. Full information is available on the RICS website.
If there are flammable materials in the exterior wall (“Option B”), the person signing Form EWS1 will require a higher level of expertise in assessing the fire hazard it poses. This qualification would usually be either: the form was introduced due to the need for greater security in the real estate market, which means that there are clearly defined reasons for using it. These benefits protect both your residents and your business from potential fire damage. The most unfortunate thing about this industry is that there is a lack of qualified personnel. This prevents multiple forms from being approved as quickly as needed as demand increases. As a result, there are always delays on the ground. The form is designed to help identify potential risks associated with an EWS, including: RICS, UK Finance and the Building Societies Association have developed Form EWS1. Form became a necessity when the market for buying and selling high-rise apartments froze, with appraisers unable to value apartments in apartment buildings after the Grenfell disaster in June 2017, preventing so-called “mortgage prisoners” from selling or reassigning their apartments. Form EWS1 can be signed by a number of different professionals if “Option A” is selected (i.e. there is no non-combustible material in the exterior wall), including suitably qualified architects, engineers and surveyors. Our team of experienced log cabin managers will be happy to help you. We can work with you to complete Form EWS1 and address potential risks associated with your building`s SAP.
Contact us today to learn more. If you own or operate a building with an exterior wall system, it is your responsibility to ensure that the form is completed and that all necessary repairs are made. You can fill out the form yourself or work with a property manager. Once you have received your form, you will need to fill it out. Here`s a quick guide. These risks can potentially be life-threatening, so it is important that they are identified and addressed by officials as soon as possible. Therefore, the new EWS1 form is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended that owners and managers use it to assess the status of their EWS and protect the safety of their residents. It has been reported that lenders insist on EWS1 forms, even though properties do not meet the criteria of the new RICS guidelines. If an appraiser or lender can demonstrate that the owner of the building has complied with the recommendation of the Notice of Consolidated Assessment, a Form EWS1 should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building over 18 metres that has a valid building inspection. However, PAS 9980:2022 is not intended to replace EWS1 forms. EWS1 forms are for assessments and are specifically for exterior wall systems only.
At the same time, PAS 9980:2022 provides standards for an important part of a building`s broader fire risk assessment. It can also be used to train new fire engineers and building experts on the special requirements of exterior wall and cladding construction. There are two types of people who can fill out these documents. When you open an EWS1 form, you will notice that there are two options: option A and option B. There are reports that the insurance industry is reluctant to offer personal information to professionals who fill out EWS1 forms. On 21 July 2021, Lord Greenhalgh said a government-backed IIP scheme would be introduced “for qualified professionals carrying out assessments of exterior wall systems”. The program will help qualified professionals complete EWS1 forms: “where it is really needed, in a risk-appropriate manner and will help ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the market to be able to fill out EWS1 forms quickly, helping people buy, sell and remortgage their homes.” For property owners who manage multiple properties, creating EWS1 forms is an important service for their residents, as well as lenders, appraisers, insurers and buyers.