Support clients with evidence gathering, technical information, appraisal findings and proportionate next steps.
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Independent fire safety consultancy
Independent technical advice for external wall systems, fire safety compliance and remediation—helping building owners and duty holders move from uncertainty to a clear, practical and proportionate solution.
External Wall Safety at a Glance
External wall fire safety extends beyond the visible cladding. It requires an understanding of the complete wall construction, including insulation, cavity barriers, fire stopping, fixings and interfaces, and how these elements interact with compartmentation, means of escape and the building's overall fire strategy.
FireRite helps clients understand the construction of their external wall systems, assess fire risk and develop technically robust, proportionate solutions. Our support can extend from initial investigations and risk assessment through design review, remediation and completion verification.
Understand and reduce the risk of external fire and smoke spread.
PAS 9980, Approved Document B and other relevant building-specific guidance.
Building owners, Responsible Persons, duty holders, developers, managing agents and project teams.
Investigation, assessment, design review, remediation planning, quality assurance and completion verification.
Understanding the Risk
Defects within an external wall system can create concealed pathways through which flames, smoke and hot gases spread beyond the compartment of fire origin.
Fire emerging from an opening may ignite combustible components or enter concealed cavities, allowing fire to spread vertically between storeys.
Continuous cavities, combustible materials or ineffective cavity barriers may allow fire and smoke to spread across compartment boundaries.
Unprotected or poorly compartmented cavities can accelerate concealed upward fire and smoke spread within the external wall system.
Missing, damaged or incorrectly installed cavity barriers may significantly reduce the intended level of fire compartmentation.
Unsealed service penetrations and poorly detailed junctions can allow fire and smoke to bypass compartmentation.
Windows, balconies, roofs, movement joints and interfaces between building elements require careful technical assessment.
External wall fire risk is rarely defined by one visible product alone. The condition and continuity of cavity barriers, fire stopping and compartment lines can be equally significant.
Replacing visible external wall materials without addressing missing cavity barriers, inadequate fire stopping or compromised compartment lines may leave significant residual fire risk.
A competent assessment considers the interaction between the external wall system, insulation, cavities, openings, internal compartmentation and active fire protection measures where provided.
Legislation and Guidance
FireRite helps clients understand how the relevant legal, regulatory and technical framework applies to their building, responsibilities and project requirements.
Places legal duties on Responsible Persons to manage fire risk and maintain appropriate fire precautions in relevant premises.
Clarifies that, where applicable, fire risk assessments must consider the external walls and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings.
Introduces enhanced accountability, competence requirements and the management of higher-risk residential buildings. The applicable legislative framework differs between England and Wales.
Provides a recognised methodology for carrying out proportionate fire risk appraisals of external wall construction.
Provides statutory guidance supporting compliance with the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations in England and Wales.
Promotes the creation, maintenance and sharing of accurate building safety information throughout a building's lifecycle.
Fire safety legislation and guidance should always be considered in the context of the individual building, its location and the responsibilities of the relevant duty holders. This page provides general information and is not a substitute for project-specific technical or legal advice.
POINT OF COMPARISON | FRAEW | EWS1 |
Primary purpose | Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction. | Provides information to support valuation and lending decisions. |
Typical context | Building fire safety and risk management. | Residential property transactions and mortgage lending. |
Approach | Building-specific and risk-based appraisal. | A standardised external wall system form. |
Are they interchangeable? | No. They have different purposes. The appropriate requirement depends on the building, the reason for the review and the needs of the relevant stakeholders. |
FireRite Consultancy Services
Clients can appoint FireRite for targeted technical advice or coordinated support throughout the external wall safety and remediation process.
Review drawings, specifications, fire strategies, reports and site evidence to establish the external wall construction and identify potential gaps in the available information.
Support clients with evidence gathering, technical information, appraisal findings and proportionate next steps.
Consider the interaction between the external wall system, compartmentation, means of escape, evacuation strategy and active fire protection.
Technical support covering cavity barriers, fire stopping, compartmentation and interfaces between building elements.
Develop targeted and practical measures based on the root cause, external wall construction and identified fire risk.
Review remediation work during construction and support verification before critical fire safety details are concealed.
Technical Remediation
External wall remediation does not automatically require complete removal and replacement of the external wall system.
FireRite investigates the underlying causes of the identified risk and evaluates potential solutions against life safety, regulatory requirements, buildability, disruption, durability and residual risk.
Depending on the findings, suitable measures may include targeted fire stopping, cavity barrier improvements, interface upgrades, partial system replacement or more extensive external wall remediation.
The most appropriate remediation strategy is not necessarily the most extensive. It is the solution that addresses the identified fire risk, can be installed correctly and can be supported by reliable evidence at completion.
Our Methodology
A structured process provides clarity over what information is needed, why each stage is required and how technical decisions will be supported.
Define the building, concern, responsibilities and required outcome.
Review drawings, reports, fire strategies and product information.
Confirm the external wall construction and assess critical details and interfaces.
Develop and compare proportionate technical solutions.
Monitor delivery and preserve evidence of the completed work.
Why FireRite?
We listen before advising, explain technical findings clearly and shape the scope around the decisions the client needs to make.
Our expertise in fire strategy, compartmentation, fire stopping and passive fire protection supports a coordinated understanding of building fire safety.
Our support can extend beyond initial assessment into design review, remediation, construction quality assurance and completion verification.
FireRite Consultancy Services
Talk to FireRite
Tell us about the building, the concern and any reports, drawings or fire safety information already available. We will help you establish the most appropriate next step.
Telephone: 029 2086 7222
Email: sales@firerite.co.uk
Address: Unit 14, Roundabout Court, Bedwas House Industrial Estate, Caerphilly, CF83 8FS
Protecting buildings. Preserving assets. Prioritising life safety.
