How Long Does a FRAEW Take?

A common question from building owners, managing agents and Responsible Persons is:

How long does a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) actually take?

A FRAEW is a structured, PAS 9980:2022-aligned appraisal used to assess whether a building’s external wall systems — including cladding, insulation, balconies and façade details — present a life safety fire risk. Because the process is technical and evidence-led, the timeframe varies depending on building size, façade complexity and documentation quality.

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we provide structured, risk-based FRAEW services across the UK. We work with Responsible Persons, freeholders and managing agents to scope projects clearly, minimise disruption and deliver defensible reporting aligned with PAS 9980.

This guide explains how long a FRAEW typically takes, what affects duration, and how to plan your appraisal efficiently.

In most cases, a FRAEW takes between one and four weeks from initial scoping to final report delivery, depending on façade complexity, access arrangements and whether intrusive investigation is required.

What Influences FRAEW Duration?

The time it takes to complete a FRAEW depends on several key factors:

1. Building Size and Height

Larger buildings take longer to survey. A low-rise building with straightforward façades can often be inspected more quickly, while high-rise structures with multiple cladding types, balconies, recesses and complex geometry require more inspection points.

2. Façade Complexity

Buildings with multiple external wall types, mixed materials or unknown construction build-ups require additional investigation time. Façade complexity affects:

• Visual inspection time
• Requirement for intrusive inspection
• Evidence collation and technical analysis

3. Quality of Available Information

When accurate as-built drawings, specifications, refurbishment records and O&M manuals are available upfront, assessors can reduce inspection time and focus analysis more efficiently. Incomplete or conflicting documentation prolongs the process.

4. Access Arrangements

Easy, safe access for inspection crews speeds up site work. Where access requires special equipment (e.g., cherry pickers, scaffold, rope access) or planning with third parties, this adds time.

5. Intrusive Investigation

If walls cannot be verified visually, an intrusive inspection may be needed. This involves opening up panels, inspecting behind cladding and possibly sampling materials — all of which extend the timescale.

6. Reporting Requirements

Some clients require high-detail reports with extensive appendices, technical rationales and remedial strategy options. More detailed deliverables take longer to produce than a concise risk summary.

Typical FRAEW Timescales

FRAEW duration can be divided into three main phases:

1. Pre-Inspection Preparation

Typical Duration: 1–5 days

This phase includes:

• Initial scoping call with the client
• Review of available documentation
• Site visit planning and access coordination

Having up-to-date drawings and façade information can significantly shorten this phase.

2. On-Site Inspection

Typical Duration: 0.5–3 days (per building)

On-site work generally involves:

• Visual inspection of façades
• Notes and photographs of wall build-ups
• Verification of materials where visible

Smaller low-rise buildings with clear façades often take less than a day. Medium blocks typically take 1–2 days. High-rise buildings with multiple elevations and complex features can require 2–3 days or more.

If intrusive inspection is required, add 1–3 additional days depending on how many areas need to be opened up and safely inspected.

3. Reporting

Typical Duration: 5–15 working days

This phase includes:

• Analysis of inspection findings
• Collation of evidence
• Risk evaluation against PAS 9980 criteria
• Drafting a proportionate report
• Internal review and quality assurance
• Issuing the final report

Highly complex façades or reports with detailed recommendations, appendices and illustrations may extend this phase toward the longer end.

Example Timescale Scenarios

These are indicative and assume documentation is available in advance and access is coordinated.

How To Reduce FRAEW Duration

While some aspects are inherent to the appraisal, you can proactively reduce overall timescales:

Provide As-Built Documentation Early

Supply drawings, specifications, material certificates or installation records before the site visit.

Arrange Access in Advance

Book access coordination with site managers, concierge teams, or contractors before the inspection date.

Clarify Building Use and Occupancy

Knowing tenancy, access restrictions and peak occupancy times helps plan efficient inspection windows.

Clarify Scope Early

Whether interim measures or deeper investigation is required should be agreed before the inspection starts.

Why FRAEW Takes Longer Than a Standard Fire Risk Assessment

A FRAEW is fundamentally more detailed than a standard fire risk assessment (FRA):

• A FRA focuses mainly on internal fire hazards, means of escape, fire alarm systems, and management arrangements.
• A FRAEW examines the external building envelope — a far more complex domain involving material behaviour, cavity interfaces and risk of vertical fire spread.

A FRAEW should not be confused with an EWS1 assessment, which serves a different purpose in property transactions.

External wall configuration is often reviewed alongside guidance such as Approved Document B when considering intended fire performance and compartmentation principles.

Because PAS 9980 requires both probability and consequence to be evaluated across entire façades, competent appraisal naturally takes more time and professional interpretation.

Planning Your FRAEW Project

When planning, consider creating a schedule that includes:

• Time for document collation
• Site access windows and safety briefings
• Weather dependencies for external inspection
• Time for report review and internal approvals

Clients who build this into their fire safety programme experience fewer delays.

External wall fire risk sits within the scope of fire safety legislation, as clarified by the Fire Safety Act 2021. Where façade risk could affect life safety, Responsible Persons must ensure that assessment is proportionate and properly documented.

How We Deliver FRAEW Efficiently and Proportionately

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we understand that timescale matters — particularly where buildings are under regulatory scrutiny, lender enquiry or remediation planning.

Our approach to FRAEW focuses on:

• Early document review to reduce unnecessary intrusive investigation
• Clear scoping discussions before inspection
• Coordinated site access planning
• Proportionate, risk-based evaluation aligned with PAS 9980
• Clear, defensible reporting suitable for regulatory review

Where intrusive investigation is required, we advise on scope early to avoid delays and cost escalation.

Our aim is not simply to produce a report, but to provide clarity — enabling Responsible Persons to understand façade risk and integrate findings into the wider fire risk assessment and fire safety management strategy efficiently.

If you would like to understand how long a FRAEW may take for your specific building, we can provide tailored scheduling advice and a structured quotation.

Conclusion

A FRAEW’s duration depends on building size, façade complexity, documentation quality and access logistics. While simple cases may be completed within a few days to a couple of weeks, more complex façades can require a month or more from start to delivery.

By preparing documentation early and coordinating access efficiently, you can help ensure your FRAEW is completed promptly and to a high standard.

For Responsible Persons, developers and managing agents looking to understand the timeframe for your specific building, contact us for tailored guidance and scheduling advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a FRAEW typically take from start to finish?

A FRAEW can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on site inspection time and reporting complexity. Simple buildings may be completed in about one to two weeks, while complex cases may take three to four weeks or more.

What’s the on-site inspection time for a FRAEW?

On site, FRAEW inspections typically take between 0.5 and 3 days per building depending on height, façade complexity and access. Intrusive inspections require additional time.

Does documentation availability affect how long a FRAEW takes?

Yes. Having accurate drawings, specifications and façade records available before inspection can significantly reduce the time needed for investigation and reporting.

How long does reporting take after inspection?

Report drafting usually takes between 5 and 15 working days after the site inspection. More complex façades with detailed recommendations may extend this.

Why does a FRAEW take longer than an internal fire risk assessment?

A FRAEW examines external wall systems — including material behaviour and façade configuration — which requires more detailed inspection and analysis than a standard internal fire risk assessment.

Can the FRAEW time be shortened?

Providing detailed documentation, coordinating access efficiently, and agreeing the scope upfront all help shorten the overall timeline for a FRAEW.

Who decides whether intrusive inspection is needed?

A competent assessor typically decides during initial document review and site inspection whether intrusive investigation is necessary to verify materials or build-up details.