Building safety in Somerset

EWS1 forms in Taunton

EWS1 forms for freeholders in Taunton and across Somerset, carried out by engineers who know the rules that apply in England.

Service
EWS1 forms
Location
Taunton
County
Somerset
Region
South West England
Fire and rescue
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Law
England
Sheet
AWF-TAU-183-EA

EWS1 forms for Taunton buildings

The South West has a high proportion of listed buildings, holiday lets, hotels and care homes, plus tall residential blocks in its larger cities. Sleeping risk and sensitive historic fabric shape a lot of the fire safety work across the region.

The EWS1 form is a standard way for a qualified professional to confirm to lenders and valuers that the external wall of a residential building has been assessed. It is a valuation document, not a fire safety certificate, and it does not replace the building's fire risk assessment.

There are two routes. Option A is for walls where the materials are unlikely to support combustion. Option B is for walls that do contain combustible materials, and needs a fire engineer to judge whether the risk is low enough or whether remedial work is needed. An EWS1 is valid for five years.

The rules that apply in Taunton

Occupied buildings in England at least 18 metres or seven storeys high with two or more residential units are higher-risk buildings. They must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator, and the Principal Accountable Person must prepare a safety case report that can be called in at any time.

What is included

  • Desktop review of existing documents
  • Intrusive inspection where needed
  • Option A or Option B assessment
  • Signed EWS1 form for lenders and valuers
  • Remediation scope where the outcome is B2
  • Advice on whether a PAS 9980 appraisal is more useful

Buildings we work on in Taunton

  • Freeholders
  • Resident management companies
  • Managing agents
  • Leaseholders selling or remortgaging

Areas we cover from Taunton

From Taunton we also cover Yeovil (21 miles), Weston-super-Mare (24 miles), Exeter (28 miles), Bristol (38 miles) and Weymouth (40 miles). Elsewhere in Somerset we work in Bath, Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil. If your building is not in a listed town, we still cover it: every enquiry for ews1 forms in South West England is handled the same way.

How a job runs

  1. Tell us about the building

    Use the form or send us your fire risk assessment action plan. A few details on height, use and current systems are enough to start.

  2. Survey or desktop review

    Where we need to see the building, we visit. For some jobs, such as EWS1 scoping, we start with the documents you already hold.

  3. Fixed quote

    You get a written, fixed price with a clear scope. Nothing chargeable happens without your approval.

  4. Work and certification

    Our engineers carry out the work and leave the right certificates, photographs and logbook entries.

  5. Records and reminders

    Reports are filed by building and we remind you before the next test, inspection or review is due.

EWS1 forms in Taunton: questions

Do you provide ews1 forms in Taunton?

Yes. We carry out ews1 forms in Taunton and across Somerset, including Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare, Exeter, Bristol. Use the form to tell us about the building and we will reply within one working day.

Which fire and rescue service covers Taunton?

Taunton is covered by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, which enforces fire safety law for non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings in the area.

Is an EWS1 a fire safety certificate?

No. It is a form for lenders and valuers. A building can have an EWS1 and still need fire safety improvements identified in its fire risk assessment.

What do A1, A2, A3, B1 and B2 mean?

A1 to A3 cover walls with little or no combustible material. B1 means combustible material is present but the fire risk is low enough that no remediation is needed. B2 means remedial work is needed.

How long does an EWS1 last?

Five years from the date it is signed, unless the wall is altered.

Other services in Taunton

Request a quote in Taunton

Tell us about the building and what you need. We reply within one working day with next steps or a fixed quote.

  • Fixed prices, agreed before any work starts
  • Written reports and certificates for every visit
  • Coverage across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland