External Wall Surveys
What is an external wall survey?
External wall surveys are critical assessments of the exterior walls of buildings, carried out to determine their structural integrity, safety, energy efficiency, and compliance with building regulations. These surveys are especially important for high-rise buildings, older properties, and those with external cladding.
The importance of external wall surveys
External wall surveys are crucial for assessing the condition, safety, and structural integrity of a building’s exterior. They help identify issues such as cracks, dampness, insulation problems, or materials that may not comply with current regulations, particularly in high-rise or multi-occupancy buildings. These surveys are especially important for ensuring fire safety, energy efficiency, and long-term durability, allowing property owners and managers to address potential risks early and plan necessary maintenance or remediation work effectively.
The Law
The Fire Safety Act 2021 requires responsible persons to assess the fire risks of external walls, and PAS 9980 provides the framework for conducting this assessment. The Building Safety Act 2022 also references PAS 9980 in relation to fire safety in higher-risk buildings.
PAS 9980:2022 is a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) on 31 January 2022. It establishes a code of practice for conducting a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) on existing multi-storey and multioccupied residential buildings, focusing on their external wall construction and cladding.
CWB Fire Safety can assist in providing expert external wall surveys for domestic and commercial premises to give you confidence in your workplace safety. Please get in touch to find out how CWB Fire Safety can assist you and your requirements.