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External Wall Assessments
At Delta Fire Engineering, we provide Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEW) to assess the fire performance and compliance of external wall systems in accordance with PAS 9980:2022 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Our ethical, independent, and evidence-based approach ensures that building owners, responsible persons, and developers receive accurate, unbiased, and actionable fire safety advice.
A FRAEW is a structured assessment designed to evaluate whether an external wall system poses an unacceptable risk in the event of a fire. It is a key tool in determining whether remedial action is required and supports compliance with UK fire safety legislation. Fire safety of existing residential premises is a key concern for many building owners and the intrusive inspection of an external wall can be critical in understanding the materials present and standard of construction. Under the Fire Safety Act 2021, fire risk assessments undertaken in residential buildings must take account of the external wall, and an assessment known as a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall (FRAEW) provides a methodology for reviewing the external wall system/components and a risk-based assessment of the overall impact on building safety.
A FRAEW considers:
✔ The materials and design of external wall systems, including cladding, insulation, and fixings.
✔ The potential for fire spread across the façade and impact on means of escape.
✔ Mitigation measures such as fire barriers, cavity barriers, and active fire protection systems.
✔ Risk-based decision-making aligned with PAS 9980 methodology.
Our Approach
Preliminary Review & Planning
- Assessment of available documentation to establish initial findings and expectations.
- A preliminary site inspection, if required, to inform the survey scope and methodology.
- Development of a survey plan that minimises disruption while ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the external wall system.
Detailed External Wall Examination
- Identification of materials used in the construction, including cladding, insulation, and fixings.
- Verification of cavity barriers, fire-stopping measures, and penetrations to assess fire resistance.
- Consideration of building access requirements, working in coordination with a specialist access contractor.
Invasive Surveys & Material Testing
- Surveys conducted in tandem with an access contractor, ensuring safe and efficient investigation.
- Any opening up and making good is carried out by a specialist contractor under controlled conditions.
- Testing of materials that cannot be readily identified, with expert recommendations for remedial actions where required using our in house testing facilities.
Clear & Actionable Reporting
- Comprehensive survey findings presented in a structured report.
- Recommendations for remediation, where necessary, to ensure fire safety compliance.
Case Studies
Student Residential
Peer Review of FRAEW
Student Residential
Delta Fire Engineering provided comprehensive fire engineering consultancy for a student residential development in Central London. The project required detailed fire safety assessment and support across all RIBA Stages. We conducted a thorough desktop review of all available project documentation, including existing fire strategies, architectural plans, and building specifications. Delta Fire Engineering undertook an on-site familiarisation visit to assess the building layout, fire safety measures, and evacuation provisions. We supported the project through the Planning Gateway process, ensuring compliance with fire safety requirements for high-rise residential buildings.
Residential FRAEW
Peer Review of FRAEW
Student Residential
Delta Fire Engineering were engaged to carry out a fire risk review of the external wall and attachments for a purpose-built residential building comprised of thirteen storeys in Brentwood. The Lower Ground Floor provides accommodation for garages (currently used for storage), storage areas and staff welfare spaces for caretakers. The upper twelve storeys (Ground to Eleventh Floor) contain existing apartments with a total of 50 apartments across all upper floors. Delta Fire Engineering carried out an invasive site inspection and observed the build-up of the external walls.
Peer Review of FRAEW
Peer Review of FRAEW
Peer Review of FRAEW
Delta Fire Engineering were engaged to undertake a peer review of an existing FRAEW for a student residential building in Bournemouth. We completed an initial review of all the available information pertaining to fire safety including, general arrangement plans for all floors, the existing fire strategy and the latest fire risk assessment for the building. We then attended site to review the existing provisions with respect to fire safety and to validate the information contained within the fire safety information reviewed. Delta Fire Engineering reviewed the existing FRAEW for the building and provide a peer review report detailing our comments on each section of the existing report.