What is an EWS1 Survey?
EWS1 (External Wall Fire Review) is a form of assessment used in the UK to evaluate the fire safety of external walls of high-rise residential buildings. It was introduced in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which highlighted serious safety concerns related to the use of combustible materials in external cladding systems. The EWS1 assessment is intended to provide reassurance to lenders and buyers of high-rise properties that the external wall system has been assessed by a qualified professional and is safe from the risk of fire spreading through the façade. The assessment is typically carried out by a qualified fire safety professional, such as a chartered building surveyor or a fire engineer, and involves a detailed inspection of the external wall system and its components, including cladding, insulation, and fire-stopping measures. The assessment can result in a range of outcomes, from a recommendation for no further action to a recommendation for remedial work to be carried out to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.