Form EWS1 – A Better Solution Needs To Be Found

Will Buckby and Ian Masser of Beale & Co warn consultants that they should avoid taking on work under Form EWS1 - designed to provide assurance that a high rise building is fire safety compliant - which imposes unlimited liability on them. Professional indemnity insurance could be compromised by its use, they advise.

KEY POINTS

• Form EWS1 has been introduced in order to provide confirmation as to whether a high-rise building is compliant with industry requirements and is safe.
• It is also to provide comfort to building owners, tenants and mortgag
• The Form requires a fire safety assessment to be conducted by a suitably qualified and competent professional.
• For consultants, there are significant concerns in using Form EWS1 (including unlimited liability), and the Form should be avoided.