External wall safety, matched to the right fire safety specialist.
We match building owners, managing agents and Responsible Persons with accredited fire engineers, surveyors and remediation contractors — moving buildings from an uncertain external wall system to a certified, compliant one.
From FRAEW to certified sign-off
A complex process, made manageable
Residential blocks & high-rises
We focus on multi-occupancy residential buildings, student accommodation and mixed-use developments with external wall systems requiring assessment or remediation.
Qualified fire engineers only
Every surveyor and engineer in our network is matched by relevant qualification — chartered fire engineers, RICS-registered surveyors and PAS 9980-competent assessors.
One introduction, full pathway
From initial survey through to remediation contractor and building control sign-off, we help you assemble the right team at each stage — not just the first one.
The market is fragmented and specialist
Few practices hold genuine PAS 9980 competency, and demand has outstripped supply since the Building Safety Act came into force. We maintain relationships with vetted assessors and remediation contractors so you're not starting your search from zero, and so pricing and availability stay transparent throughout.
Duties that now carry real teeth
Under the Building Safety Act 2022 and Fire Safety Act 2021, Responsible Persons and Accountable Persons must assess and manage external wall risk as part of a documented, ongoing safety case — and maintain a "Golden Thread" of information proving it. Failure to act is no longer just a reputational risk; it carries direct legal and financial exposure.
Specialised workstreams
External Wall Survey & FRAEW
We introduce you to fire engineers and surveyors who carry out Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEW) in line with PAS 9980:2022, and can issue an EWS1 form where a mortgage lender or freeholder requires one. Assessments typically move through three stages:
- Desktop documentation review: gathering existing drawings, specifications and construction records to establish what's known about the wall build-up before any physical work begins.
- Intrusive investigation & material verification: targeted "opening up" works at mapped inspection points to physically sample insulation and confirm combustibility ratings, moving beyond desktop assumptions to forensic, as-built data.
- Cavity barrier & interface assessment: verifying horizontal and vertical cavity barriers are intact and correctly aligned, and checking fire-stopping at critical junctions such as window jambs, sills and balcony interfaces.
Cladding Remediation & Replacement
We match you with certified remediation contractors for the full scope of external wall works, segmented by the type of system involved:
- ACM & HPL cladding removal: strip-out and replacement of aluminium composite and high-pressure laminate panel systems.
- Insulation & cavity barrier upgrades: removing combustible insulation such as EPS and reinstating non-combustible, A-rated alternatives with compliant cavity barriers.
- Balconies & timber elements: remediation of combustible balconies, decking and other external timber features.
Who you'll be connected with
Fire Safety Engineer
Leads on facade fire engineering, from FRAEW methodology to sign-off of the finished system.
Independent Fire Safety Consultant
Provides an independent inspection and second opinion, working to current building safety regulations.
Facade & Cladding Architect
Designs the replacement system — material choice, detailing and aesthetic compliance, heritage settings included.
Chartered Building Surveyor
Assesses condition, acts as client representative, and administers the contract through to completion.
Passive Fire Protection Buyer
Sources compliant insulation, cavity barriers and fire-stopping materials at competitive pricing and lead times.
Site & Project Manager
Runs the facade installation day-to-day — sequencing, logistics, and coordination around occupied buildings.
High-Level Access Team
Carries out abseil and rope-access opening-up works to reach and investigate difficult elevations safely.
Third-Party Certifiers
Independent bodies who verify and certify the completed system against the relevant fire performance standard.
Navigating funding & recovery routes
Government schemes such as the Cladding Safety Scheme and Building Safety Fund, alongside developer-led remediation contracts under the Responsible Actors Scheme, can cover some or all of the cost of qualifying works. Navigating eligibility, applications and contractor procurement within these schemes is a specialism in itself.
We work with consultants experienced in funding applications and leaseholder protections under the Building Safety Act, helping you understand which route applies to your building and connecting you with contractors used to delivering funded works to the required standard.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an EWS1 form?
Not every building needs one — it depends on height, construction and what your lender or freeholder requires. Our introduced assessors can advise whether a FRAEW to PAS 9980 or a formal EWS1 is the right starting point for your building.
How long does remediation typically take?
Timescales vary enormously by building size, system type and funding route — from a few months for straightforward interim measures to well over a year for full cladding replacement on a high-rise. Your assessor will give you a realistic programme once the survey is complete.
Can Fire Broker help with funding applications?
We don't process applications ourselves, but we connect you with consultants experienced in the Cladding Safety Scheme, Building Safety Fund and developer remediation routes who can guide you through eligibility and the application process.
Does Fire Broker carry out the survey or works itself?
No. Fire Broker is a procurement intermediary and introducer service. We are not a certified fire safety organisation and do not carry out surveys, issue EWS1 forms, or perform remediation works. Our role ends at consultant or contractor appointment.
Firebroker is a procurement intermediary and introducer service. We are not a certified fire safety organisation and do not carry out works, issue EWS1 forms, provide fire risk assessments, or offer fire safety advice ourselves. Legal compliance responsibility remains with the building owner or Accountable Person. Our role ends at contractor or consultant appointment.