Projects
FRAEW Intrusive Investigation for Central London Property
The Brief
Heightsafe was appointed by Knight Frank to undertake an intrusive investigation at a prominent mixed-use property located on Chancery Lane, Central London. This instruction formed part of the wider fire safety strategy review, with the primary objective of supporting the appointed fire engineering consultants, AESG, in the production of a Fire Risk Assessment of External Wall construction (FRAEW) in accordance with PAS 9980:2022, as well as to inform the completion of the EWS1 form as required by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance.
The scope of the investigation focused on establishing the construction and composition of the external wall build-up, including identifying the presence and continuity of any combustible materials, cavity barriers, fire-stopping provisions, and overall compliance with relevant fire safety standards. Due to the nature and location of the property, as well as its profile and occupancy, the works were planned and executed with consideration for minimal disruption, strict adherence to health and safety protocols, and full coordination with the property management team.
The Solution
Given the building’s prime central location and complex usage—including commercial office spaces, residential units, and ground-floor retail—a significant amount of pre-planning was required. This included close collaboration with traffic management specialists and coordination with both the City of London and Camden Councils to secure road closure permissions. These closures were essential to facilitate the safe operation of high-level access equipment and to minimise risk to the public during the works.
The external investigation was executed using a 33-metre truck-mounted access platform, supplied by a trusted access partner, allowing safe reach to high-level façade areas. Heightsafe’s in-house façade investigation team remained on site for a total of six days, completing both external and internal inspections in a live, operational environment.
Internally, works were carried out within occupied office spaces, requiring detailed stakeholder engagement with building management, facilities teams, and occupants to plan and phase the works to avoid undue disruption. The investigation involved the creation and inspection of approximately 50 openings across the building envelope, targeting both horizontal and vertical compartmentation lines. These were distributed across a range of façade types, including high-specification masonry and other proprietary systems.
To minimise aesthetic and structural impact—particularly within areas of premium masonry—several investigations were carried out using non-destructive methods, such as borescope inspection. This approach allowed Heightsafe to capture critical construction data while preserving the integrity of the external façade finishes.
The Outcome
The logistical complexity of the site, its central urban setting, and its diverse occupancy profile required detailed coordination with all stakeholders, including retail tenants, office users, and residential occupants. A report was produced upon completion of the survey, outlining the methodologies used, access strategies employed, summary of findings, and supporting documentation to enable AESG to carry out an informed fire risk assessment in line with statutory guidance and best practice.
Contact Us
To learn more about our Intrusive Investigation services, contact our Façade Investigation Manager, Henry Greensmith on 020 3819 7199 or submit an enquiry here.
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