Written question WQ93852
- Asked by
- Jane DoddsLib Dem
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what measures the Welsh Government is implementing to ensure that high-rise residential buildings conduct risk-based surveys as a replacement for the EWS1 arrangements?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
EWS1 forms were established to inform on the type and potential combustibility of the materials used in an external wall system. The use of EWS1 was not a regulatory requirement but a system used mainly by the finance sector.
In February 2022 the PAS9980 standard was introduced by the British Standards Institution. Through a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall (FRAEW) a PAS9980 assessment sets out a proportionate risk approach by identifying the materials used, the fire safety risks they present, and the works required to mitigate these risks.
This standard is used in the Building Safety Programme and is the required standard set out in our contract with developers. It is also the standard which our social landlords are working to, and the standard we are applying to all our orphan and smaller developer buildings.
The Developer’s Pact is underpinned by a contract, which includes formal requirements and monitoring arrangements. The duties within the contracts are currently being met, however my predecessor was clear that if this does not continue to be the case, legislative options will be explored to ensure the necessary action is taken to address fire safety issues.
Since January 2024, the Welsh Government has held 178 meetings with developers, owners (freeholders) and managing agents to discuss remediation of buildings.
It would not be appropriate to name specific managing agents in this answer.