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Cladding Testing and Replacement in Waltham Forest refers to the technical process of assessing, maintaining, and upgrading external wall systems on residential and commercial buildings within the borough. This service ensures that building envelopes meet modern UK safety standards, particularly the Building Safety Act 2022, by identifying hazardous materials like ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) or HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) and providing remediation strategies such as localised repair or full recladding.
Cladding testing in Waltham Forest
For building owners and managing agents in East London, addressing façade safety is a legal and ethical priority. A structured approach involves:
Waltham Forest has seen significant residential development over the last two decades, resulting in a diverse range of multi-storey buildings. Many of these structures utilised external wall insulation (EWI) systems and rainscreen cladding that, while thermally efficient, may not meet contemporary fire safety standards. Building owners are now tasked with navigating a complex landscape of safety legislation and insurance requirements.
Understanding the specific risks associated with different cladding types is essential. For instance, while some materials were considered compliant at the time of installation, post-Grenfell updates to Approved Document B have reclassified what is acceptable for buildings over 11 metres and 18 metres. Our role is to provide the technical clarity needed to move from uncertainty to a defined remedial roadmap.
It is not just about the panels themselves. Often, the hidden components—such as cavity barriers, insulation, and timber furrings—present the highest risk. Systematic cladding testing is the only way to confirm what lies behind the visible façade and ensure the entire system functions as a fire-safe barrier.
For many property professionals in Waltham Forest, the catalyst for investigation is the requirement for an External Wall System (EWS1) form. This document is frequently requested by lenders to facilitate the sale or remortgage of flats in multi-storey blocks. An EWS1 survey is a high-level assessment, but if it returns a B2 rating, it signifies that remediation is necessary.
We work alongside qualified professionals to bridge the gap between a failed EWS1 assessment and the physical completion of works. By identifying exactly why a building failed, we can develop a scope of work that satisfies both fire engineers and mortgage lenders, protecting the asset's value and the safety of its occupants.
Before any physical work begins, a comprehensive understanding of the building’s "as-built" condition is required. We have found that original construction drawings rarely reflect the reality of what was installed on-site. Therefore, intrusive testing is the cornerstone of our methodology in Waltham Forest.
Intrusive testing involves removing small sections of the cladding at various heights and orientations to inspect the internal build-up. This allows us to verify the presence and correct installation of fire stops and cavity barriers, which are critical in preventing the "chimney effect" during a fire. We also check for signs of water ingress, which can compromise structural fixings over time.
It is common for building owners to contact us regarding visible issues, such as loose panels or discolouration. However, these are often symptoms of deeper problems. In Waltham Forest’s older mid-rise stock, we frequently encounter issues where the original mechanical fixings have corroded or where the sub-frame was not designed to handle modern wind loads.
Our approach is to treat the building as a holistic system. By diagnosing the root cause—whether it is poor original workmanship, material fatigue, or design error—we ensure that the proposed solution is durable. This prevents the need for repetitive, costly repairs in the future.
A common misconception is that if a cladding system is found to be deficient, it must be entirely stripped and replaced. While this is sometimes the only safe option, many buildings in Waltham Forest benefit from a more nuanced remediation strategy. This can save significant costs and reduce the environmental impact of the project.
Remediation might involve the targeted replacement of non-compliant insulation or the retrospective installation of fire barriers while keeping the existing outer rainscreen. This is particularly applicable when the external panels are non-combustible (such as solid aluminium or stone) but the internal components are lacking.
Full cladding replacement is generally recommended when the primary cladding material is Category 3 ACM or another highly combustible material. In these cases, the risk to life is too great to manage through minor repairs. A full recladding project involves the complete removal of the building envelope down to the substrate (usually concrete or steel frame).
This process provides an opportunity to modernize the building’s aesthetics and significantly improve its U-values. For developers and housing associations in Waltham Forest, this can turn a safety liability into an asset upgrade, enhancing the long-term viability of the property.
| Feature | Localised Repair | System Remediation | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Individual panels/fixings | Specific components (e.g., fire barriers) | Entire façade system |
| Disruption | Minimal | Moderate; often requires scaffolding | High; involves extensive site presence |
| Cost | Lower | Mid-range | Significant investment |
| Compliance | Maintains existing | Brings system up to standard | Full modern compliance (A1/A2) |
Cladding testing in Waltham Forest
One of the most complex aspects of Cladding Testing and Replacement in Waltham Forest is managing the works while residents remain in their homes. Unlike new-build construction, remediation projects must account for the daily lives of hundreds of people. This requires meticulous planning regarding noise, privacy, and access.
We place a heavy emphasis on resident liaison. Clear communication regarding the schedule of works, the reason for the remediation, and the expected duration of scaffolding is vital. We also implement strict safety protocols to ensure that residents are never at risk from falling debris or construction activity.
Waltham Forest presents specific logistical challenges, from narrow residential streets to buildings situated near busy transport hubs. Selecting the right access method is crucial for both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We evaluate various options based on the building's height and footprint:
Each method has implications for the project timeline and the local community. For instance, mast climbers typically have a smaller footprint on the ground, which is beneficial for sites with limited external space or those close to public pavements.
The regulatory environment for cladding has tightened significantly. In Waltham Forest, as in the rest of the UK, all remediation work must be carried out in strict accordance with the Building Safety Act and the latest amendments to the Building Regulations. This includes the requirement for "Regulation 7" compliance, which dictates that materials used in the external walls of relevant buildings must be of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or A1.
We assist clients in navigating the "Gateway" process required by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). This involves submitting detailed plans and safety cases before work begins and ensuring that a "Golden Thread" of digital information is maintained throughout the project's lifecycle. This ensures that future owners and managers have a complete record of what was installed and how it should be maintained.
No cladding project should be undertaken in isolation. We work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, often acting as the technical lead that bridges the gap between the fire engineer’s strategy and the physical implementation. The fire engineer provides the performance requirements, while we determine the practicalities of how those requirements can be met on the specific building.
This collaboration is essential for ensuring that the finished façade is not only fire-safe but also weather-tight and structurally sound. We ensure that all interfaces—where the cladding meets windows, balconies, or rooflines—are detailed correctly to prevent future issues with water ingress or thermal bridging.
When a full replacement is mandated, the project follows a disciplined sequence of events. Understanding this sequence helps managing agents and owners set realistic timelines and budgets for their stakeholders.
Throughout this process, independent quality control is paramount. We perform regular inspections to verify that every cavity barrier is correctly compressed and that every fire stop is positioned exactly as per the fire engineer’s design. A single poorly installed barrier can compromise the safety of the entire elevation.
While fire safety is the current priority, many buildings in Waltham Forest require Cladding Testing and Replacement due to structural degradation or water penetration. Damp and mould inside apartments are often the first signs that the external façade has failed. This might be due to perished gaskets, failed sealants, or blocked drainage paths within the rainscreen system.
Water ingress does more than just damage interiors; it can lead to the corrosion of the steel "helping hand" brackets that hold the cladding in place. If these brackets fail, the risk of falling panels becomes a significant liability. Our testing protocols include checking the torque and integrity of these fixings to ensure long-term structural stability.
Upgrading a building's cladding is also an opportunity to enhance its environmental credentials. By replacing old, degraded insulation with modern, high-performance mineral wool, we can significantly reduce the building's carbon footprint and lower energy bills for residents. In an era of rising energy costs, this is a major benefit that should be communicated to leaseholders during the planning phase.
Furthermore, modern cladding systems are designed with better "breathability," allowing moisture to escape the building envelope while preventing rain from entering. This improves the internal air quality and longevity of the building fabric.
The cost of cladding testing and replacement can be substantial, often running into millions of pounds for large tower blocks. In Waltham Forest, building owners may be eligible for support through the Building Safety Fund (BSF) or the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, depending on the nature of the building and its occupants.
We provide detailed cost estimations that help managing agents apply for funding or prepare service charge budgets. Our goal is to provide a transparent breakdown of costs, distinguishing between essential safety works and elective aesthetic improvements. This clarity is essential for gaining the support of leaseholders and boards of directors.
One of the most frequent mistakes we see is "patchwork" remediation, where minor issues are fixed without addressing the underlying systemic failure. This often leads to higher costs in the long run as the same issues reappear on different parts of the building. Another common error is failing to adequately document the works, which makes it difficult to obtain a clean EWS1 form at the end of the project.
By choosing a specialist who understands the complexity of the UK regulatory landscape, building owners in Waltham Forest can avoid these risks. We ensure that every step of the process is documented and that all materials used are fully certified and traceable.
Cladding testing in Waltham Forest
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For building owners and property managers across the United Kingdom, cladding replacement has shifted from an aesthetic or maintenance consideration to a critical matter of safety, compliance, and asset protection. The complexity of modern external wall systems means that replacing a façade is no longer a simple construction task; it is a multi-disciplinary engineering project that requires a deep understanding of fire dynamics, structural load, and building regulations.
Recladding a house is the process of removing a building’s existing external wall covering and replacing it with a new, compliant system. In the UK, this work is typically undertaken to resolve issues involving water ingress, structural deterioration, thermal inefficiency, or fire safety non-compliance in multi-storey residential blocks.
A PAS 9980 assessment is a formal methodology used to evaluate the fire risk of external wall systems on multi-storey residential buildings. Introduced by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in early 2022, it provides a structured framework for competent professionals to determine whether a building’s cladding and wall construction pose an acceptable or unacceptable risk to life safety. Rather than focusing solely on whether materials are combustible, the assessment considers the entire wall assembly and how a fire might spread across the building envelope.
Understanding the safety and compliance profile of a building’s exterior is now a central requirement for property professionals across the United Kingdom. A FRAEW assessment is a specialised technical evaluation of the external wall construction of a multi-storey, multi-occupied residential building. Its purpose is to assess the fire risk contributed by the wall system and determine whether remediation or mitigation is necessary to ensure resident safety.
A cladding survey is a comprehensive technical assessment of a building's external wall system, designed to identify material composition, installation quality, and structural integrity. It involves a systematic investigation of the façade—including panels, insulation, cavity barriers, and fixings—to determine compliance with building regulations and assess the need for repair, remediation, or replacement.
Understanding the internal composition of a building’s facade is a critical requirement for modern property management. An intrusive cladding survey is a detailed physical investigation where specialist engineers open up specific sections of an external wall system to inspect hidden components. Unlike visual inspections, these surveys provide definitive evidence regarding the presence of combustible materials, the adequacy of cavity barriers, and the structural integrity of fixing systems.
An external wall survey is a comprehensive technical assessment of a building’s outer envelope, designed to evaluate the safety, compliance, and physical condition of the entire façade system. This professional inspection identifies defects in cladding materials, insulation, cavity barriers, and structural fixings to ensure the building meets current UK fire safety regulations and performance standards.
The EWS1 survey (External Wall System) is a technical assessment process designed to evaluate the fire safety of a building's external wall construction. Introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), it results in an EWS1 form that confirms whether the cladding, insulation, and cavity barriers meet specific safety criteria or if remediation is required to mitigate risk. This process is essential for residential high-rise buildings, particularly those over 11 metres, to facilitate mortgage lending and ensure resident safety.
Cavity barrier remediation is the technical process of identifying, correcting, or replacing defective fire-stopping measures within the external wall systems of a building. It ensures that the "cavity"—the gap between the structural wall and the external cladding—is properly compartmentalised to prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke. In the UK, this work is essential for aligning high-rise and multi-storey buildings with current Building Regulations and fire safety standards.
Fire stopping remediation is the systematic process of identifying, repairing, or replacing failed and non-compliant fire protection measures within a building's service penetrations, joints, and cavities. In the context of the external building envelope, this specifically involves restoring the integrity of cavity barriers and fire breaks to prevent the spread of smoke and flame through the facade system.
Rainscreen cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of investigating, repairing, or replacing external wall systems that have failed to meet safety, structural, or weather-performance standards. In the UK, this typically involves addressing non-compliant combustible materials, defective cavity barriers, or water ingress issues in high-rise and multi-occupancy buildings.
Higher risk building cladding remediation is the technical process of identifying, removing, or upgrading non-compliant external wall systems on buildings that meet specific height or occupancy criteria under UK law. In the United Kingdom, this primarily concerns residential buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys in height, where the presence of combustible materials presents a significant risk to life safety. Remediation is not merely a cosmetic update; it is a complex engineering and legal requirement designed to ensure that the building envelope prevents the spread of fire and meets the
The safety of a building’s external wall system is a critical concern for property owners and managers across the United Kingdom. Following changes in legislation and building regulations, many structures have been identified as having hazardous façade materials that require immediate attention. Unsafe cladding removal is the systematic process of identifying, stripping, and replacing external wall components that pose a significant fire risk or fail to meet current compliance standards.
Cladding water ingress refers to the uncontrolled penetration of moisture through a building's external wall system into the internal structure or cavity. This failure in the building envelope typically occurs due to defective seals, poor installation of flashing, damaged panels, or systemic design flaws. Left unaddressed, it leads to structural decay, insulation failure, and compromised internal environments.
Spandrel panel remediation is the technical process of investigating, repairing, or replacing the non-vision infill panels located between the glazed areas of a building's façade. These panels, often found in curtain walling and ribbon window systems, are critical for maintaining the thermal performance, moisture resistance, and fire safety of the external wall envelope.
Ensuring the structural integrity of a building’s exterior requires more than just inspecting the visible panels. The cladding subframe replacement process involves the systematic removal and renewal of the hidden metal or timber framework that secures the rainscreen to the building structure. This work is essential when the original grid has suffered from corrosion, systemic installation defects, or fails to meet modern fire safety standards for high-rise residential and commercial properties.
ACM cladding remediation refers to the professional process of identifying, assessing, and addressing the fire safety and structural risks associated with Aluminium Composite Material panels on a building's exterior. This systematic approach involves determining whether panels require localised repair, specific safety upgrades, or a complete replacement of the external wall system to meet current UK building regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022.
Aluminium cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of investigating, repairing, or replacing aluminium-based external wall systems that have been identified as defective, non-compliant, or deteriorating. This technical intervention ensures that the building envelope meets current UK Building Regulations, particularly regarding fire safety, structural stability, and moisture management.
In the wake of evolving fire safety regulations in the UK, combustible insulation replacement has become a priority for building owners and property managers. The presence of flammable materials within an external wall system poses significant risks to life safety and property value. Addressing these issues requires a systematic approach to identification, technical assessment, and remedial execution.
External wall insulation remediation is the process of inspecting, repairing, or replacing a building's external insulation system to ensure it meets modern fire safety, thermal performance, and structural standards. This specialist intervention addresses systemic failures in EWI systems, such as water ingress, delamination, or the presence of combustible materials that no longer comply with UK Building Regulations, specifically for buildings over 11 or 18 metres.
HPL cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of investigating, removing, or modifying external wall systems that incorporate High-Pressure Laminate panels. In the UK, this work is typically driven by the need to ensure building safety and compliance with the Building Safety Act and updated Fire Safety Regulations. The process involves identifying combustible materials, assessing the risk to the building envelope, and implementing engineered solutions to achieve a non-combustible or fire-safe finish.
Metal cladding remediation refers to the professional process of identifying, investigating, and resolving defects within metal-based building envelope systems. It encompasses a range of actions from localised repairs and component replacement to full-system overhauls. This process ensures the structure remains weather-tight, aesthetically sound, and fully compliant with current UK fire safety and building regulations.
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the landscape of building safety in the United Kingdom changed permanently. A cladding fire safety survey is now a fundamental requirement for the management of high-rise and multi-storey buildings. These technical assessments are designed to identify combustible materials, verify the presence of adequate fire-stopping, and ensure the entire external wall system meets current life-safety standards.
A cladding inspection is a technical assessment of a building’s external wall system to evaluate its condition, safety, and regulatory compliance. It involves a systematic review of the outer skin, insulation, cavity barriers, and structural fixings to identify defects such as material deterioration, water ingress, or non-compliant fire-safety components. This process provides building owners with the data required to plan repairs, remediation, or full replacement.
A cladding investigation is a technical assessment of a building’s external wall system to identify defects, material composition, and compliance with safety standards. This process involves physical inspections, intrusive testing, and material analysis to determine if the façade is structurally sound, fire-safe, and performing as intended.
Curtain wall systems are among the most complex elements of a building’s exterior. These non-structural outer coverings, typically comprising aluminium frames, glass infill panels, and spandrel sections, are designed to protect the structure from the elements while providing aesthetic appeal. However, when these systems fail due to age, poor installation, or material degradation, the result is often water ingress, thermal inefficiency, or structural instability. Curtain wall remediation is the professional process of identifying these failures and implementing targeted engineering solutions to
Balcony cladding remediation is the technical process of identifying, managing, and rectifying safety and structural defects within the external wall systems surrounding balconies. In the United Kingdom, this often involves addressing non-compliant combustible materials, inadequate fire stopping, and failed waterproofing interfaces that pose risks to life safety and building longevity.
A breather membrane replacement is a specialist remediation process involving the removal of existing external wall layers to install a new, high-performance water-resistant but vapour-permeable layer. This critical component protects the building’s primary structure and insulation from moisture ingress while allowing internal water vapour to escape, preventing interstitial condensation and structural decay.
Cladding bracket replacement is a technical remedial process involving the removal of failed or non-compliant support components within a building's external wall system and installing new, structurally sound fixings. This intervention ensures the façade remains securely attached to the primary structure, maintains required cavity depths, and meets modern fire safety standards. It is typically required when inspections reveal structural fatigue, significant corrosion, or the presence of combustible components within the "helping hand" bracket system.
Cladding rail replacement is the process of removing and renewing the structural framework that secures external façade panels to a building’s primary structure. This infrastructure, often hidden behind the visible rainscreen, is critical for managing wind loads, supporting the weight of the cladding, and ensuring the fire safety performance of the external wall system.
Parapet cladding remediation is the technical process of assessing, repairing, or replacing the external façade elements located at the topmost edge of a building’s wall system. These areas, known as parapets, serve as critical junctions between the roof and the external wall, requiring precise fire stopping, structural integrity, and weatherproofing to ensure the safety of the entire building envelope.
Fire barrier remediation is the technical process of correcting, repairing, or replacing failed cavity barriers and fire stops within a building’s external wall system. This specialist work ensures that in the event of a fire, the concealed gaps behind cladding panels do not act as chimneys that allow flames and smoke to spread rapidly across the facade.
Brick slip cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of investigating, repairing, or replacing decorative thin-clay brick veneers that have failed due to structural issues, moisture ingress, or non-compliance with fire safety regulations. This technical intervention ensures the external wall system meets current UK Building Regulations, specifically regarding thermal performance and fire resistance for multi-storey buildings.
Fibre cement cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of identifying, testing, and correcting defects in external wall systems that use fibre-reinforced cementitious panels. This professional intervention addresses issues ranging from structural instability and moisture-related degradation to fire safety non-compliance, ensuring the building envelope meets current UK Building Regulations and British Standards.
GRC cladding remediation refers to the systematic process of identifying, testing, and rectifying defects in Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) facade systems. This process encompasses everything from localised structural repairs to comprehensive GRC cladding replacement where panels have reached the end of their service life or fail to meet modern safety standards.
External wall systems using pre-fabricated units are a staple of modern UK construction. Insulated panel replacement refers to the systematic removal and substitution of composite or sandwich panels that no longer meet thermal, structural, or fire safety standards. This process is essential for maintaining the building envelope’s integrity and ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act and updated Building Regulations.
SFS remediation refers to the professional investigation, structural repair, or full-scale replacement of Steel Framing Systems (SFS) within a building’s external wall. In the UK, this process is typically required when the light gauge steel framing—which provides the structural skeleton for the façade—is found to be corroded, incorrectly installed, or failing to meet modern fire safety and thermal performance standards. A successful remediation strategy ensures the structural integrity of the building envelope while ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act and updated Building Regulat
In the complex hierarchy of an external wall system, the sheathing board occupies a critical position. Often hidden behind the decorative cladding and insulation layers, it serves as the primary structural skin of the building’s frame. When this component fails due to moisture ingress, structural movement, or fire safety non-compliance, sheathing board replacement becomes a technical necessity to ensure the long-term viability and safety of the property.
Steel cladding remediation is the process of inspecting, repairing, or replacing external metal wall systems to ensure they meet modern fire safety, structural, and thermal standards. In the UK, this work is essential for high-rise residential and commercial buildings where existing steel façades may have deteriorated or were originally installed without adequate cavity barriers and non-combustible insulation.
Terracotta cladding remediation refers to the specialist process of identifying, managing, and resolving defects within external wall systems that utilise fired-clay tiles or rainscreen panels. This technical intervention ensures that the building envelope remains structurally sound, weather-tight, and compliant with current UK fire safety regulations and Building Regulations (specifically Approved Document B).
External timber facades have long been a popular choice for UK architects and developers, offering a natural aesthetic and strong environmental credentials. However, as buildings age and regulatory standards evolve—particularly following the Building Safety Act 2022—many property owners are finding that these systems require significant intervention.
Zinc cladding remediation is the technical process of identifying, managing, and resolving defects in zinc-based facade systems. This work typically involves structural inspections, moisture analysis, and the repair or replacement of non-compliant components. Effective remediation ensures that the external wall system meets modern fire safety standards, provides weather protection, and maintains the building’s aesthetic integrity.
Cladding adhesion testing is a critical technical assessment used to determine the structural integrity of bonded façade systems. This process measures the tensile strength of the bond between the cladding material and its substrate, ensuring the system can withstand wind loads, thermal expansion, and environmental degradation. For building owners and managing agents, these tests provide empirical evidence of whether a façade remains safe or requires remedial intervention.
Professional cladding testing is a rigorous process used to evaluate the safety, integrity, and regulatory compliance of a building's external wall system. It involves physical sampling, laboratory analysis, and on-site inspections to identify material composition, fire performance, and structural stability. This technical assessment ensures that façades meet current UK building regulations and provides a clear pathway for necessary remediation or repair works.
Ensuring the structural stability of a building envelope requires more than a visual assessment of the exterior panels. Cladding pull out testing is a vital onsite procedure used to measure the physical load-bearing capacity of fixings and anchors within an external wall system. By applying a controlled tensile load to a fastener, engineers can verify that the substrate—whether it be concrete, masonry, or steel—is capable of holding the cladding system securely under environmental stresses such as wind loading and self-weight.
A cladding wind load assessment is a technical engineering evaluation used to determine the specific wind pressures a building’s external wall system must withstand. It involves calculating peak positive (pressure) and negative (suction) forces based on the building's height, location, and geometry to ensure that panels, fixings, and subframes remain structurally secure under extreme weather conditions.
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), often referred to as fibreglass, has been a staple in the UK construction industry for decades. Its lightweight nature, versatility in moulding, and durability made it a popular choice for architectural features, decorative cornices, and modular wall panels. However, as building safety standards evolve and the long-term performance of these materials becomes clearer, many property owners now face the technical challenge of GRP cladding remediation.
If your building is over 11 metres (roughly 4 storeys) and has any form of external cladding or EWI, you should have it professionally assessed. Signs of trouble include visible damage, water ingress, or if you lack an up-to-date EWS1 form. Even if the building looks fine, the internal fire barriers may be missing or incorrectly installed, which can only be verified through testing.
In the vast majority of cases, no. We specialise in carrying out remediation while the building remains occupied. We use specific sequencing and noise-mitigation strategies to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Access is typically managed from the outside, meaning workers rarely need to enter individual apartments.
The timeline varies significantly based on the size of the building and the complexity of the system. A medium-sized residential block might take 6 to 12 months from the start of site setup to final completion. The initial testing and design phase usually takes an additional 2 to 4 months.
ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) consists of two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core, which in older buildings is often combustible polyethylene. HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) is made of wood or paper fibres bonded with resin. Both can pose significant fire risks depending on their specific composition and the presence of fire breaks, and both frequently require cladding testing to determine their safety.
No. Fire-retardant paints or coatings are not a recognized substitute for non-combustible cladding materials on high-rise buildings. The risk usually lies in the core of the panel and the lack of internal fire stopping, neither of which are addressed by surface treatments. Compliance requires the removal of the hazardous material.
A failed EWS1 (a B2 rating) means that the surveyor has identified a risk that requires remediation. The first step is to commission a detailed intrusive survey to define the scope of the problem. Once the remediation work is completed and signed off, a new EWS1 assessment can be carried out to achieve an A1, A2, or B1 rating, which satisfies lenders.
The Building Safety Act 2022 has changed the rules regarding who pays. In many cases, developers or the government (through the Building Safety Fund) are responsible for the costs of remediating safety defects, protecting leaseholders from large bills. We recommend seeking legal advice to determine the specific liability for your building.
We implement a multi-stage quality assurance process. This includes photographic evidence of every fire barrier installation, independent inspections by building control or fire engineers, and rigorous adherence to the manufacturer's installation guidelines. All this data forms part of the "Golden Thread" of information handed back to the client.
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