Following the creation of the Building Safety Regulator, the recommendations of the Hackitt Report, and the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Residential Buildings, our industry has a clear direction for improving building safety. But acting on this direction by making the right decisions for improving the safety of your assets is a more complex matter.

The TFT team is involved in over £100m worth of projects improving residential buildings across the UK. Our goal in each case is to swiftly deliver works which will stand the test of time and which won't cause building residents unnecessary disruption along the way.

The success of these works depends on five factors:  

1. Planning for swift and efficiently-run work

2. Making sure Building Safety Fund money is spent correctly  

3. Engaging with residents to minimise the impact of works  

4. Communicating clearly with the building owner and project team  

5. Verifying these improvements and forming the Golden Thread  

How does the Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor support building safety remediation projects?

A Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor is a building owner’s lead technical specialist on remediation projects, bringing accountability and technical insight to procure high quality works.

Major construction works are often supported by Project Monitoring Surveyors, whose job is to oversee use of funds, project progress, stakeholder management and quality of works, on behalf of an investor client. When it comes to fire safety works, this role is expanded to account for the unique circumstances faced by building owners undertaking extensive remediation in buildings which are often occupied.

The Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor oversees the project, from its early stages through to completion. Here are some of the deliverables required at each stage

Stage 1: Providing a PAS 9980 Compliant FRAEW

A comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment for External Walls (FRAEW), compliant with PAS 9980, is essential. Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyors should check that these include detailed risk profiles from intrusive surveys, ideally at a minimum of three points per wall type, providing a comprehensive risk profile. Furthermore, they should be backed by appropriate professional indemnity insurance commensurate with the cost of the remediation works.  

Clients must be wary of FRAEWs with excessive caveats and where the risk score relies on internal compartmentation being present and up to standard. The inclusion of an External Wall System Fire Review (EWS1) form is critical to validate the fire safety status of external wall systems.

Stage 2: Design and Logistics

A Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor will ensure the project establishes a clear design strategy aligned with FRAEW findings and ensure all design information is reviewed and completed before construction.  

Advising on compliance with statutory legislation, including the Building Safety Act and its gateway approval process, with all necessary approvals (including planning) secured before construction.  

A construction management plan must also outline resident protection measures, and a decant strategy should be provided if resident relocation is necessary.

Stage 3: Mobilisation

Ensuring that all contractors and staff are fully aware of the safety requirements and the specifics of the project without causing disruptions is vital.  

This stage includes clear access information for personnel and appointing a resident liaison officer to maintain open communication with residents.

Stage 4: Construction Oversight

The Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor will provide regular progress reports, including weekly photographic updates of cavity barriers, insulation, or cladding installations. They engage with the client and their technical advisors to promptly address concerns and ensure adherence to design and safety standards as the project progresses through its milestones.

Stage 5: Completion Handover

The final responsibilities are to provide comprehensive technical information about the completed works in the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) file and ensure this information aligns with the clients’ obligations for golden thread of information. This file should confirm that all work has met design specifications and safety standards. Final inspections must ensure that all remedial work complies with regulatory requirements.

What important or unexpected issues can arise in building safety remediation projects?

The structured oversight that a Fire Safety Monitoring Surveyor provides is vital to protect the residents and the structural integrity of a building undergoing remediation.

This includes dealing with further issues which can arise in the course of improving a building:

- Discovering issues with the existing superstructure

- Internal compartmentation issues

- The potential need to decant residents

TFT provides comprehensive Fire Safety Project Monitoring along with our project management, cost consultancy and CDM advisory services, ensuring that all remediation works comply with the highest safety standards. 

Our multidisciplinary team delivers fire safety remediation projects including cladding replacement and internal compartmentation, for existing buildings. We provide wider technical advice and assurance to help clients manage their Building Safety Act obligations, and deliver safer buildings sooner.

Contact us to discuss your needs and see how we can help you deliver safer buildings today.  

‍