The expulsion of fire engineer Adam Kiziak from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) in February 2025 has sent shockwaves through the UK property market, potentially affecting tens of thousands of property owners. The IFE described the case as “unprecedented in its seriousness for the Institution”, marking one of the most significant professional misconduct cases in the fire safety sector.
Who is Adam Kiziak?
Adam Kiziak is the director of Tri Fire Ltd, a fire safety consultancy firm. He has been described as a ‘prolific fire assessor’ with estimates suggesting he had signed off as many as 4,000 EWS1 forms. Given that a single EWS1 form is issued for each block of apartments, this means tens of thousands of property owners may have been affected by his work.
Kiziak previously held the title of Incorporated Engineer but has been subject to disciplinary sanctions by the Institution of Fire Engineers and was suspended from the national Register of engineers and technicians in August 2024.
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The Timeline of Events
The controversy surrounding Adam Kiziak and Tri Fire unfolded over several years:
- 2021: The first complaints regarding Tri Fire were received by the IFE, with further complaints submitted through to the conclusion of their investigation in 2024.
- August 2024: Kiziak was suspended due to failing to hold Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance and not adhering to professional competency standards.
- February 7, 2025: Adam Kiziak was expelled by the Institute of Fire Engineers, with the expulsion taking immediate effect.
During investigation period: Kiziak attempted to sell his company while under investigation by the IFE.
The Allegations
The allegations against Adam Kiziak and Tri Fire are serious and multifaceted:
Allegations include a failure to discharge his professional duties with honesty, integrity, impartiality, and objectivity. Kiziak has been accused of fraudulently signing off fire safety forms by using the credentials of another engineer without permission, though it should be noted that Kiziak denies these allegations.
The IFE confirmed that due to non-compliance with imposed sanctions, Kiziak has now been expelled from the institution.
The Professional Indemnity Insurance Issue
One of the most significant aspects of the case involves Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. While many Tri Fire reports included PI insurance certificates, the reality was more complex.
Cover for EWS1 work was largely excluded from standard professional indemnity insurance policy wording around the time of the government’s consolidated advice note on external wall fire safety in January 2020. This means that while Tri Fire may have held general PI insurance, specific coverage for the EWS1 assessments they were conducting may not have been in place.
Market Impact and Consequences
The fallout from the Kiziak expulsion has been severe and immediate:
Mortgage Lending Crisis
Lenders including Natwest, HSBC, and Nationwide have refused to offer mortgages on properties with EWS1 forms issued by Tri Fire, preventing the sale of affected properties. Multiple mortgage lenders have said that they will not lend on a property where the EWS1 has been provided by Kiziak or Tri Fire.
Government Response
The Government removed Tri Fire from its panel of firms approved to conduct fire risk appraisals of external walls (FRAEWs) for applicants to its cladding remediation fund for medium-rise buildings, the Cladding Safety Scheme, with existing applications subject to “additional checks”.
Loss of Confidence
External Wall System (EWS1) forms completed by Tri Fire are reportedly no longer being accepted by several major mortgage lenders, and it is assumed that the same view will be taken of Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall (FRAEW) assessments carried out by the company.
What Are EWS1 Forms?
External Wall System (EWS1) forms are critical documents in the UK property market. They assess the fire safety of a building’s external walls and cladding system. For any mortgage application to purchase a flat, lenders require an EWS1 form confirming the property has been assessed and is deemed to have a low fire risk. Without a valid EWS1, property transactions effectively cannot proceed.
Implications for Property Owners
The impact on property owners has been profound:
Unmortgageable Properties
Properties with Tri Fire assessments have become difficult or impossible to sell, as buyers cannot obtain mortgages without lenders accepting the EWS1 forms.
Insurance Concerns
All EWS1 Forms authored by Kiziak and Tri Fire are now the subject of uncertainty unless independently verified, and this will almost certainly affect an insurer’s decision whether to insure the building or on what terms.
Need for Reassessment
Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are not prepared to rely on the content of PAS9980 / Fire Risk Appraisals of the External Walls, EWS1, Fire Risk Assessments or Fire Strategies authored by Adam Kiziak or Tri Fire unless the content and conclusions are reviewed and verified by a competent, qualified professional.
The Wider Scope of Impact
The problem extends beyond properties directly assessed by Tri Fire. Adam Kiziak also signed off reports for other fire consultants, meaning that only reports issued by Tri Fire cannot be assumed to be the only ones affected by his expulsion.
What Should Property Owners Do?
The IFE has stated that Kiziak’s expulsion does not automatically invalidate his historic assessments, and owners or leaseholders who would like further reassurance should contact Tri Fire directly or appoint another
assessor for a second opinion.
However, given the widespread rejection of Tri Fire assessments by lenders and other authorities, property owners affected by this situation should consider:
Seeking an independent review of any Tri Fire assessment
- Potentially commissioning a new assessment from a reputable fire safety consultant
- Contacting their building management or responsible entity for guidance
- Understanding that reassessment may require opening up previously completed remedial works
The Cost Question
Where remedial works have been completed based on Tri Fire assessments, these works have been completed and covered up, and the only solution may be to open up the works and check the remedial works are compliant. The question of who pays for reassessments and potential additional work depends on contractual arrangements and who appointed the original fire assessor.
Professional Standards and Accountability
The IFE has stated that this case is not reflective of the high standards their members embody, and the vast majority conduct their work with professionalism. The case has, however, highlighted significant gaps in oversight and the devastating consequences when professional standards are not maintained.
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Looking Forward
The Adam Kiziak case has exposed vulnerabilities in the UK’s building safety assessment system. It has created an overwhelming demand for reassessments by competent assessors, leading to resource constraints across the industry. The situation continues to evolve as more property owners discover they are affected and as legal and insurance implications become clearer.
For the thousands of property owners caught up in this crisis, the road ahead involves uncertainty, potential financial costs, and the challenge of navigating a complex system to restore confidence in their properties’
safety credentials.
IFE – FAQ: Adam Kiziak Expulsion Case
Conclusion
The expulsion of Adam Kiziak represents one of the most serious professional misconduct cases in UK fire safety engineering. Its impact extends far beyond one individual or company, affecting the lives and financial security of tens of thousands of property owners. The case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of professional competence, integrity, and proper oversight in matters of building safety, particularly in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy that brought building safety issues into sharp national focus.
As the situation continues to unfold, affected property owners, industry professionals, and regulators must work together to resolve the uncertainties created by this unprecedented case while ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent similar situations in the future.
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