Who Can Carry Out a FRAEW Assessment?

As a property manager or building owner, you are legally responsible for the fire safety of your building. Part of this duty, particularly for multi-storey residential buildings, involves understanding and managing the risk posed by the external walls. This often requires commissioning a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW).

A crucial question follows: “Who is qualified to carry out an FRAEW?”

The answer is not as simple as finding a general fire risk assessor. A FRAEW is a highly specialised and technical assessment that must be performed by a suitably qualified and competent professional. Choosing the wrong assessor can have serious consequences, leading to wasted costs, invalidated reports, and significant legal and financial risks.

This in-depth guide will provide you with the clarity you need. We will explain what an FRAEW is, outline the specific qualifications and certifications to look for, and help you understand why professional competence is non-negotiable for compliance, safety, and lender acceptance.

What is a FRAEW Assessment?

What is a FRAEW Assessment?

A Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) is a detailed, professional evaluation of a building’s external wall system. Its purpose is to assess the risk of fire spreading over or within the walls and to provide a clear, evidence-based risk rating.

Unlike a standard Fire Risk Assessment (FRA), which looks at fire safety holistically within the building, a FRAEW is a forensic-level investigation focused exclusively on the external facade. It is conducted using the methodology outlined in PAS 9980:2022, a publicly available specification developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

The FRAEW is required to:

Support your Building Safety Case: It is a vital component of the “Golden Thread” of information for your building, demonstrating that you have identified and are managing all fire risks.
Meet Statutory Duties: It helps you comply with your legal obligations under the Building Safety Act and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations.
Underpin EWS1 Forms: It provides the detailed, technical evidence that justifies the rating on an EWS1 form, which is often required for residents to secure a mortgage or remortgage.

Who is Qualified to Carry Out a FRAEW?

The short answer is that an FRAEW must be carried out by a competent professional with a high level of expertise in fire engineering and building construction. The PAS 9980 methodology is specifically designed for these individuals and is not intended for use by a layperson or a general fire risk assessor.

Key qualifications and competencies to look for include:

Chartered Fire Engineers

This is the gold standard for FRAEW assessments. A chartered fire engineer holds a high level of professional accreditation that demonstrates their expertise in the field. They have a deep understanding of fire dynamics, building materials, and the complex interactions within an external wall system. A chartered engineer is required to carry professional indemnity insurance, which offers a layer of protection against errors and omissions.

Assessors Trained in PAS 9980 Methodology

While not all FRAEW assessors are chartered fire engineers, they must have demonstrated competence in applying the PAS 9980 methodology. This is a complex, risk-based framework that requires more than just a passing familiarity. An assessor must be able to conduct a rigorous, five-step appraisal, including intrusive investigations, and use professional judgement to provide a proportionate and accurate risk rating.

Professional Liability and Insurance

Any professional you appoint should hold appropriate Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. This is crucial for protecting you and the building in the unlikely event that an error is made in the assessment. A high level of PI cover is a strong indicator of a professional’s seriousness and ability to undertake complex work.

Professional Bodies and Certifications to Look For

When you are appointing a professional to conduct a FRAEW, it is essential to perform due diligence. Look for individuals and firms with the following accreditations and certifications:

Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE): The IFE is the leading professional body for fire engineers. Look for professionals who are members of the IFE, particularly those who are registered as Chartered Engineers (CEng).

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): Many chartered building surveyors have developed specialist competence in fire safety and external wall assessments. RICS has worked with the government to train its members in the PAS 9980 methodology, and many now hold the necessary expertise.

British Standard 8674:2025: This new national standard provides a clear framework for assessing the competence of individual fire risk assessors. It defines three competence levels (Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced). An FRAEW on a high-rise residential building requires an assessor with an ‘Advanced’ level of competence, which is the benchmark for highly experienced professionals working on complex, high-risk buildings.

UKAS-Accredited Firms: For laboratory testing of materials, ensure the firm uses a UKAS-accredited lab. This is the only way to guarantee that the test results are reliable and legally defensible.

Why Competence Matters

Choosing the right professional is not just about ticking a box. It is a critical decision that directly impacts the safety of your residents and the financial health of your building.

Lender and Insurer Acceptance

Mortgage lenders and insurers are highly risk-averse. They rely on the FRAEW to provide a trustworthy and legally defensible opinion on fire safety. An FRAEW report and EWS1 form signed by a suitably qualified professional—one with recognised accreditations—will be accepted, unlocking the mortgageability of flats in the building. A report from an unaccredited assessor is likely to be rejected, causing significant delays and costs.

Compliance with Building Safety Act

Under the Building Safety Act, you are required to appoint “competent” persons to assist you in meeting your duties. A legally defensible FRAEW report, created by a professional who meets the necessary competence criteria, is a core piece of evidence that you have fulfilled this duty. Failure to do so could expose you to criminal liability in the event of a fire.

Accuracy and Proportionality

A competent professional will apply their expertise to provide a proportionate, risk-based assessment. They will identify genuine risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures, helping you avoid costly and unnecessary remediation work. An unqualified assessor, lacking the necessary judgement, may provide either a falsely reassuring “pass” or an overly cautious “fail” that leads to disproportionate and unbudgeted expenses.

Risks of Using Unqualified Assessors

When faced with a cheaper quote, it can be tempting to use a firm without the proper credentials. The risks of this decision are substantial:

Invalidated Reports: Your assessment may not be accepted by mortgage lenders, insurers, or the Building Safety Regulator, meaning the money you spent is completely wasted.

Legal & Financial Liability: An unqualified assessment could miss critical safety defects, exposing the building and its occupants to genuine fire risk. In the event of an incident, the building owner could face severe legal consequences, including prosecution.

False Reassurance: An inaccurate report can create a false sense of security, delaying vital remediation works and putting lives at risk.

How Property Managers and Building Owners Can Appoint the Right Professional

Request Credentials: Always ask for proof of professional qualifications, such as membership in the IFE or RICS, and ask for a copy of their Professional Indemnity insurance.

Verify Experience: Ask for case studies or references from similar buildings they have worked on.

Ensure a Fixed Scope: A professional firm will provide a clear, fixed-scope quote that outlines the deliverables, the methodology (PAS 9980), and the planned level of investigation.

Avoid Simple Visual Inspections: A true FRAEW almost always requires some level of intrusive investigation. Be wary of any quote that claims to offer a comprehensive assessment based solely on a visual inspection.

Fill out the form below to connect with qualified and insured fire engineers who can provide a transparent and competitive quote for your building’s FRAEW assessment.

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Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

This step-by-step form takes just a few minutes. We’ll ask for your building’s key details and any existing reports or drawings. The more information you provide, the faster our accredited specialists can give you an accurate, fixed-scope quote.

Step 1 of 5

Building Details

Building Name/Numbe(Required)

Building Postcode(Required)

Building Height / Number of Floors(Required)

Year of Construction (if known)

Only Accredited FRAEW Experts. No Exceptions. We only work with fully accredited fire engineers and chartered professionals who are qualified to carry out Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEW) under PAS 9980:2022.

Our experts hold the same high-level accreditations required for EWS1 forms — including IFE, RICS, CABE, and CEng — but with additional proven competency in conducting PAS 9980 assessments.

Every professional is fully vetted, with memberships, qualifications, and insurance verified. All surveys and reports follow PAS 9980:2022 methodology, and we provide a due diligence pack with every quote so you can check each specialist’s credentials with confidence.

Who Can Carry Out a FRAEW Assessment?

What is a FRAEW Assessment?

Who is Qualified to Carry Out a FRAEW?

Professional Bodies and Certifications to Look For

Why Competence Matters

Risks of Using Unqualified Assessors

How Property Managers and Building Owners Can Appoint the Right Professional

Start Your FRAEW Quote

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

Building Details

External Walls.(Cladding)

Previous Reorts

Step 5: Extra Details

Compliance Assured

Building Safety Compliance

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