FRAEW & Cladding Safety Scheme FAQs

Potentially, yes. Under the Cladding Safety Scheme, the Responsible Entity will usually need to arrange and initially pay for the FRAEW. Where the building is subsequently confirmed as eligible for funding, reasonable FRAEW costs may be reimbursed through the scheme, subject to the applicable Homes England requirements.

Wrightwood Consulting can assist with obtaining quotations from suitable FRAEW assessors, coordinating the assessment and supporting the subsequent funding application.

Reasonable FRAEW costs can potentially be recovered through the Cladding Safety Scheme where the building is accepted as eligible for funding.

The Responsible Entity will generally need to fund the assessment initially before reimbursement is considered as part of the wider grant.

Wrightwood can help establish the appropriate assessment route and coordinate quotations and appointments before significant costs are incurred. See our guide to how much a FRAEW costs for the main factors that influence price.

A PAS 9980-compliant FRAEW is a key part of the Cladding Safety Scheme application process.

The FRAEW assesses the fire risk associated with the building's external walls and determines whether remediation or other measures are required to reduce the risk to a tolerable level.

Wrightwood can coordinate the FRAEW process and use the resulting report to support the next stages of the funding application.

Yes.

Government funding can now be available for eligible residential buildings below 11 metres in England where external wall fire risks are identified through an appropriate PAS 9980 FRAEW.

Eligibility is risk-based, so being below 11 metres does not automatically mean that a building will receive funding.

Wrightwood can undertake an initial review of the building and available information to help determine the appropriate route.

Read our full guide to Cladding Safety Scheme funding for buildings under 11 metres.

Applications are made through Homes England's Building Remediation Hub by the building's Responsible Entity or an authorised representative acting on its behalf.

A suitable FRAEW will need to support the application, together with information about the building, ownership and proposed remediation.

Wrightwood can assist the Responsible Entity by coordinating the professional team, collating the required information and supporting the application through the funding process.

See the 8-week application window for buildings under 11 metres for the current funding round.

Eligibility depends on the individual building.

Factors can include:

• the height and use of the building;
• the number of residential dwellings;
• the construction of the external wall;
• the findings of the FRAEW;
• the ownership and Responsible Entity arrangements;
• the remediation required; and
• whether another party may be responsible for meeting the cost.

A FRAEW identifying a problem does not automatically guarantee government funding.

Wrightwood can provide an initial review of the available building information and help establish the most appropriate next steps.

Yes, potentially.

A Right to Manage company can be the Responsible Entity where it has the relevant legal responsibility for managing the building and remediation works.

Wrightwood works with RTM companies, resident management companies, freeholders and managing agents to help coordinate FRAEWs, funding applications and subsequent remediation projects.

Individual leaseholders would not normally make a Cladding Safety Scheme application themselves.

The application is generally made by the Responsible Entity, which could be the freeholder, RTM company, resident management company or another organisation with responsibility for the building.

Where leaseholders are concerned about their building, the first step is usually to establish who is responsible for the external wall and whether an appropriate FRAEW has already been undertaken.

The Responsible Entity is generally the organisation with the relevant legal responsibility for the building and the remediation works.

Depending on the ownership structure, this could include a:

• freeholder;
• head leaseholder;
• Right to Manage company;
• resident management company; or
• registered housing provider.

A consultant or managing agent can assist the Responsible Entity with the application and remediation process without becoming the Responsible Entity themselves.

Wrightwood can provide this client-side coordination role.

The Responsible Entity will generally need to fund the FRAEW initially.

If the building subsequently qualifies for government funding, reasonable FRAEW costs may be eligible for reimbursement, subject to the applicable scheme requirements.

Wrightwood can obtain competitive quotations from appropriate FRAEW providers and coordinate the appointment on behalf of the client. For a fuller breakdown of what drives the cost of a FRAEW assessment, see our dedicated guide.

Potentially.

Where a building is accepted as eligible for the relevant funding scheme and the FRAEW satisfies the required standards, reasonable FRAEW costs may be reimbursed through the grant.

It is therefore important to establish the applicable requirements before commissioning an assessment solely on the assumption that its cost will subsequently be recovered.

The requirements depend on the applicable funding route.

The established Cladding Safety Scheme has specific requirements regarding FRAEW assessors. The newer funding arrangements for buildings below 11 metres require an assessment undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent professional in accordance with PAS 9980.

The applicable requirements should therefore be checked before appointing the assessor.

Wrightwood can assist with identifying suitable consultants and obtaining quotations for the required assessment.

Potentially, but an existing FRAEW will need to satisfy the requirements of the relevant funding scheme.

The report should have been prepared in accordance with the appropriate version of PAS 9980 and provide sufficiently clear conclusions and recommendations regarding the external wall fire risk.

An existing report being described as a FRAEW does not necessarily mean that it will automatically be accepted for funding purposes.

Wrightwood can review the existing project information and coordinate with the relevant fire consultant where additional information or an updated assessment is required.

Where the FRAEW identifies an unacceptable external wall fire risk, it should recommend proportionate measures to reduce that risk.

Depending on the building and funding route, the next stages can include:

• submitting or progressing the funding application;
• developing a remediation strategy;
• appointing the required design consultants;
• undertaking further surveys or investigations;
• developing the technical design;
• obtaining statutory approvals;
• tendering the remediation works; and
• appointing and managing the remediation contractor.

Wrightwood can provide client-side management through these stages, taking the recommendations within the FRAEW and helping turn them into a deliverable remediation project.

The Cladding Safety Scheme is intended to address eligible life-safety fire risks associated with cladding and external wall systems.

Depending on the FRAEW findings, eligible works can potentially include removal and replacement of unsafe external wall materials and other measures necessary to address the identified external wall fire risk.

Associated eligible costs may also include certain professional, design, access and project delivery costs.

The objective is generally to deliver a proportionate solution to the identified fire risk rather than fund unrelated building improvements or general maintenance.

Yes.

Eligible residential buildings below 11 metres in England can potentially receive government funding where an appropriate FRAEW identifies qualifying external wall fire risks.

Being below 11 metres should therefore not automatically be taken to mean that a building is outside the government's cladding remediation funding arrangements.

Wrightwood can help Responsible Entities understand the available funding route and coordinate the information required to progress an application.

Full details are available on our Cladding Safety Scheme funding for buildings under 11 metres page.

The next step depends on the FRAEW conclusion.

If the external wall risk is considered tolerable, significant remediation may not be required.

Where remediation or mitigation is recommended, the project can progress into funding, design, procurement and construction.

This can involve appointing façade consultants and designers, developing the remediation specification, agreeing eligible costs, obtaining statutory approvals, tendering the works and appointing a remediation contractor.

Wrightwood can provide continuity through these stages, taking the project from the FRAEW through to delivery of the remediation works.

The Responsible Entity remains ultimately responsible for the building but can appoint specialist consultants to manage the remediation process on its behalf.

A client-side project manager can coordinate the fire engineer, façade consultant, designers, managing agent, funding authority, statutory bodies and remediation contractor.

Wrightwood Consulting provides this client-side coordination and project management service, helping Responsible Entities manage the process from the initial FRAEW through funding, design and procurement to completion of the remediation works.