Professional surveys of external walls, façades and cladding systems to identify potential fire safety concerns and provide clear, practical guidance on the next steps.
Or request a free callback and one of our experienced fire safety consultants will contact you to discuss your enquiry.
The materials and construction of an external wall can significantly affect how fire spreads around a building. Cladding, insulation, cavity barriers and poorly installed or damaged components can all create potential risks that may not be visible from the outside.
Understanding what’s behind the façade is essential to identifying potential fire safety issues and determining whether further action is required.
A survey can include:
External wall and façade construction
Cladding and insulation materials
Cavity barriers and fire stopping
Potential routes for fire and smoke spread
Existing defects or areas of concern
Clear findings and recommended next steps
A Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) checks the cladding, insulation and materials on a residential building to PAS 9980. If your building has flats, lenders may also ask for an EWS1 form to confirm the external wall system has been assessed by a fire safety expert.
BEFS is a Cladding Safety Scheme panel member providing FRAEW surveys and EWS1 certificates.
Whether you’re under pressure to meet Building Regulations, require a Fire Strategy or simply need expert guidance, our experienced consultants are here to point you in the right direction.
Talk directly with an experienced fire safety consultant who understands your project and requirements.
We'll explain exactly what you need and recommend the most appropriate next steps.
Completely free with no pressure or commitment—just expert advice when you need it.
We make fire safety simple and hassle-free,
guiding you from initial contact to complete peace of mind.
Tell us about your needs in a quick, no-obligation call. We’ll answer your questions and provide initial advice tailored to your situation.
We assess your requirements and provide a clear, fixed-fee proposal with the right solution for your building and budget.
Our experts deliver your fire safety solution professionally and efficiently, with ongoing support whenever you need it.
It’s an assessment of a building’s external wall construction, including elements such as cladding, insulation and cavity barriers, to identify issues that could contribute to the spread of fire.
It may be appropriate where there are concerns about the construction or materials within an external wall, particularly on multi-storey residential buildings or where the existing fire safety information is incomplete. FSEC can review your circumstances and advise on the appropriate assessment.
We’ll clearly explain the findings and recommend appropriate next steps. Depending on the issues identified, this could include further investigation, specialist testing or remedial works to address potential fire safety concerns.
A FRAEW (Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls) is the survey itself. A fire safety expert inspects the cladding, insulation and other materials on a residential building and assesses the fire risk to PAS 9980. An EWS1 form is the certificate that records the outcome, so valuers and lenders can see the external walls have been assessed. If you are buying, selling or remortgaging a flat, you may need an EWS1, and a FRAEW is often the survey that supports it. BEFS is a Cladding Safety Scheme panel member and can carry out both.
BEFS Ltd provides FRAEW surveys and EWS1 certificates for residential buildings across the UK. We assess cladding, insulation, cavity barriers and other possible routes for external fire spread, in line with PAS 9980.
As a Cladding Safety Scheme panel member, our fire safety experts give you clear findings and practical recommendations, helping building owners, managing agents and responsible persons understand the risks and decide what to do next.
