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EWS Inspections: Revisiting a Site After an Invalid EWS Certificate

Monday 17th March 2025

The Importance of Proper EWS Inspections

The necessity of thorough and compliant External Wall System (EWS) inspections has been underscored once again by recent revelations regarding invalid certificates issued by Tri Fire. At Tayross Chartered Building Surveyors, we were recently commissioned to revisit a site that had previously been inspected by Tri Fire. The reason? The EWS certificate issued was later deemed invalid, creating significant challenges for property owners, leaseholders, and mortgage lenders.

Why EWS Certificates Matter

EWS inspections are essential for evaluating the fire safety of cladding and external wall systems on residential buildings. Mortgage lenders depend on EWS1 forms to determine the mortgageability of properties, while residents require assurance that their buildings comply with current fire safety regulations.

Recent months have seen growing concerns over improperly conducted EWS assessments, with Tri Fire being highlighted in the news due to their now-invalidated certificates. This situation has left numerous building owners in urgent need of new assessments to meet both regulatory and lender requirements.

Revisiting the Site – Ensuring Compliance

When Tayross was approached to reassess a site impacted by this issue, we recognised the urgency of the matter. Since an initial EWS inspection had already been conducted, our role was not merely to redo the assessment but to ensure full compliance while delivering a cost-effective solution.

We were able to provide a highly competitive quote for the reassessment by leveraging the findings of the previous inspection. This approach allowed us to:

Avoid unnecessary duplication of work while conducting an independent and thorough evaluation.

Assess the validity of the previous findings and update the report accordingly.

Issue a fully compliant EWS1 form, ensuring that the property meets regulatory requirements and satisfies mortgage lenders.

Key Lessons for Property Owners and Managers

This case reinforces several critical takeaways for those responsible for EWS assessments:

Verify the credentials of the assessors – Always ensure that the professional carrying out the inspection is qualified and competent to issue an EWS1 certificate.

Be cautious of low-cost providers – While cost considerations are important, choosing the cheapest option for an EWS inspection can result in invalid certifications, legal complications, and additional expenses down the line.

Act promptly if an invalid certificate is identified – If your building has been affected by an invalid EWS assessment, engage a reputable firm with experience in revisiting and rectifying previous inspections as soon as possible.

Looking Ahead

The EWS1 certification process is continually evolving, and scrutiny of firms providing these assessments is intensifying. At Tayross Chartered Building Surveyors, we remain committed to delivering independent, reliable, and fully compliant EWS inspections to ensure both safety and mortgageability for affected properties.

If you require an EWS inspection or need to revisit a previous assessment, contact us today for a consultation.