Guides
Guides to external walls, EWS1 and building safety.
Plain-English explanations of FRAEWs, EWS1 forms, the Cladding Safety Scheme and the Building Safety Act, written by the team that carries out the assessments.
External walls and FRAEWs
What is a FRAEW?What a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls is, who needs one and how it is carried out.
FRAEW risk ratings explainedLow, tolerable, medium and high: what each rating means and what to do next.
FRAEW vs EWS1The difference between the full appraisal and the form lenders ask for.
EWS1 forms and ratings
What is an EWS1 form?Who signs it, how long it lasts and what changed on 1 November 2026.
EWS1 ratings explainedAll five ratings, A1 to B2, and what they mean for lending.
EWS1 B1 ratingWhat a B1 means and why it is a satisfactory outcome.
EWS1 B2 ratingWhat a B2 means, who pays for the works and what happens next.
Funding and the Building Safety Act
The Cladding Safety SchemeWho can apply, which buildings qualify and how the FRAEW fits in.
Building safety case reportsWhat goes in a safety case report and how to prepare one.
FRAEWs near you
We carry out FRAEWs across the UK. See our local pages for FRAEWs in London, FRAEWs in Manchester and FRAEWs in Birmingham, or browse all the places we work.
Need advice on a specific building?
Our guides explain the general position. For advice on your building, see our FRAEW & EWS1 service, browse our case studies or get in touch. Every instruction is led by a Director.
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McKay Turner Consulting are Homes England approved Cladding Safety Scheme assessors, carrying out PAS 9980 FRAEWs and EWS1 assessments across the UK.
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