EWS1 Form Assessments for Flats and Cladding

An EWS1 form helps lenders and valuers judge external wall fire risk. It is often needed to sell or remortgage a flat.

We can complete EWS1 form work. However, we will not sign an EWS1 on a guess. We must either be instructed to carry out FRAEW assessments, or have sight of your existing FRAEW. That is how we evaluate the risks properly.

Request an EWS1 quote

See our FRAEW assessments (PAS 9980) page if you do not already have that report.

What an EWS1 form is

EWS1 means External Wall System. It is a standard form used by lenders and valuers. It records a professional view of fire risk in the external wall of a multi-storey residential building.

The form is about mortgage evidence. It is not a Fire Risk Assessment. It is also not a substitute for FRAEW assessments.

In short, the EWS1 says whether the wall system needs further work for lending purposes. The FRAEW explains the life-safety risk behind that view.

Why we need a FRAEW before EWS1

An EWS1 is a short form. The risk sits in the wall build-up, the cavities, the barriers and the fire strategy. Those details live in the FRAEW.

Therefore we only complete an EWS1 form when one of these is true:

• you instruct us to carry out FRAEW assessments on the building, or
• you give us sight of a suitable existing FRAEW so we can review it

If the existing FRAEW is out of date, incomplete, or not to PAS 9980:2022, we will say so. Then we may need to update it before the EWS1 can be signed.

We do not issue an EWS1 from photos, sales particulars or a walk-past alone.

Send your FRAEW or instruct both

Who needs an EWS1 form?

You may need an EWS1 assessment if:

• a buyer cannot get a mortgage on a flat
• a valuer has asked for external wall evidence
• the building has cladding, balconies or mixed wall types
• a previous EWS1 has expired or no longer matches the building
• the lender wants confirmation after remedial work

Not every block needs one. However, many buildings with cladding still do. Ask us before you commission both reports.

What you get

Where we can support the EWS1, the package typically includes:

• a review of the FRAEW and building records
• confirmation of whether the FRAEW is sufficient
• the signed EWS1 form, where the evidence supports it
• a short covering note for the managing agent, solicitor or lender
• clear next steps if the form cannot be signed yet

If the FRAEW shows that work is still needed, we will not force a “clean” EWS1. We will explain what must change first.

EWS1, FRAEW and your Fire Risk Assessment

These documents do different jobs. Use the right one.

Fire Risk Assessment
This is the legal assessment under the Fire Safety Order. It must consider the external walls. It may recommend FRAEW assessments.

FRAEW assessments
This is the PAS 9980 fire risk appraisal of external walls. It is the technical basis for life-safety decisions, funding and most EWS1 judgements.

EWS1 form
This is the lender and valuer form. It is short. It relies on the FRAEW evidence.

If you only buy an EWS1, you may still lack the report that dutyholders and funders need. If you buy the FRAEW first, the EWS1 is usually simpler.

How the EWS1 process works

1. Tell us what you have
Send the building address, height, number of storeys and any existing FRAEW or EWS1.

2. We confirm the route
Either we are instructed for FRAEW assessments, or we review the FRAEW you already hold.

3. We check the evidence
We look at wall types, materials, cavity barriers, height and the fire strategy. We also check whether the FRAEW is current and competent.

4. We complete the EWS1 where we can
If the evidence supports a form, we complete it. If it does not, we set out the gap.

5. You receive the pack
You get the form, the basis for it, and any follow-on advice.

Option A and Option B, in plain English

The EWS1 form has two routes.

Option A
This is for buildings where the external wall has no combustible materials that need a specialist fire-engineer review in that way. The signatory still needs the right competence.

Option B
This is for buildings with combustible materials in the wall system. It needs a higher level of fire expertise. In practice, this is where FRAEW assessments matter most.

We will tell you which route applies after we have seen the FRAEW evidence. We will not pick a route to make a sale easier.

Who we help

• freeholders and resident management companies
• managing agents and block managers
• solicitors and conveyancers
• lenders, valuers and leaseholders who need a clear pack
• housing associations and local authorities

UK coverage from our base in Wales, including London and Preston.

Why Evolution Safety Solutions

• EWS1 work tied to real FRAEW evidence
• FRAEW assessments to PAS 9980:2022
• member of the Cladding Safety Scheme FRAEW assessor panel
• clear reports for lenders, solicitors and dutyholders
• no EWS1 without a proper risk appraisal

Get a scoped quote

EWS1 form FAQs

Can you do an EWS1 without a FRAEW?

No. We need to be instructed for a FRAEW, or we need sight of your existing FRAEW. Otherwise we cannot evaluate the risks properly.

Is an EWS1 the same as a FRAEW?

No. The EWS1 is a lender form. The FRAEW is the detailed external wall fire risk appraisal. Read more on our FRAEW assessments page.

How long is an EWS1 valid?

Many lenders treat an EWS1 as current for around five years, if the building has not changed. Major works, new cladding or a new FRAEW can mean you need a fresh form sooner.

Does every block of flats need an EWS1?

No. Some buildings do not need one. A lender or valuer request is the usual trigger. If you are unsure, send us the building details first.

Can you use another firm’s FRAEW?

Yes, if we can review it and it is suitable. It must be competent, current and clear. If it is not, we will tell you what is missing.

How much does an EWS1 form cost?

The fee depends on whether we also carry out the FRAEW, how many blocks there are, and how complete the records are. Review-only work costs less than a full FRAEW plus EWS1 package. We quote after a short scope.

Will an EWS1 get my flat sold?

It can remove a lending block. It cannot guarantee a mortgage. The lender still makes its own decision.

Do you also do Cladding Safety Scheme work?

Yes. We are a member of the Cladding Safety Scheme FRAEW assessor panel. That work sits on the FRAEW side. See FRAEW assessments.

Request an EWS1 assessment

Send the building address, storey count, rough height and any existing FRAEW. Tell us if you need the FRAEW as well, or only a review of a report you already have.

Contact Evolution Safety Solutions

Email: info@evolutionsafetysolutions.co.uk