FAQs
Straight answers.
Building safety, fire classifications and how we work, explained without the jargon.
What is a higher-risk building?
Under the Building Safety Act, a higher-risk building in England is at least 18 metres tall or has at least seven storeys, and contains at least two residential units. Care homes and hospitals meeting the height threshold are also included during design and construction.
What is the Golden Thread of information?
It’s the accurate, up-to-date digital record of how a higher-risk building was designed, built and is maintained. It must be kept for the life of the building so anyone responsible for safety can find the information they need.
What is PAS 9980?
PAS 9980 is the code of practice for fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW). It’s used to decide whether an existing wall presents a risk to life, and what action is needed.
What does an EWS1 form do?
An EWS1 form records an assessment of an external wall for valuation purposes. Lenders may ask for one before agreeing mortgages on flats in buildings with cladding.
What does A1 or A2-s1,d0 mean?
They’re fire reaction classifications under BS EN 13501-1. A1 is non-combustible; A2-s1,d0 has limited combustibility, low smoke and no flaming droplets. Relevant buildings over 18m must use materials of at least this standard in the external wall.
Which areas do you cover?
We’re based in Manchester and work across the North West and the wider UK, particularly on higher-risk buildings.
Do you act as Principal Contractor?
Yes. We can act as Principal Contractor on façade-led projects, including remediation under the Building Safety Act.
Who do you work for?
Main contractors, housing associations, building owners and Accountable Persons, architects and cost consultants, working alongside the Building Safety Regulator, building control and Homes England.
Do you work with Homes England funded schemes?
Yes. We regularly work alongside Homes England and the client’s cost consultant on funded remediation, providing the cost, programme and evidence the funder needs at each stage.
Which panel materials do you install?
Mostly A1 and A2-s1,d0 materials: solid and cassette aluminium, fibre cement, natural stone and brick slip. We’ll recommend options that meet the fire strategy and the design intent.
Is insulated render suitable for high-rise buildings?
On buildings over 18m, only A1 or A2-s1,d0 components can be used in the external wall. We specify mineral wool systems that meet that requirement.
Are brick slips non-combustible?
Clay brick slips are A1. The overall system class depends on the adhesive, carrier and insulation, so we specify the full build-up to suit the building.
How do you prove barriers were installed correctly?
Each detail is photographed before it’s covered up, tagged to its elevation, floor and grid line, and signed off by an appointed person. That evidence goes into the Golden Thread.
Why use one contractor for the whole wall?
It removes interface risk. One team designs, installs and documents everything, so responsibility for performance is clear.