Now with the adverse publicity that has engulfed fire safety engineer Adam Kiziak from the start of this ongoing controversy, many residents find themselves in a double bind. Kiziak’s company, Tri Fire, has been the one to sign off on hundreds of buildings since 2020. Additional allegations have gone on to appear recently, alleging that Kiziak acted unethically and incompetently. Consequently, Kiziak has since been suspended and expelled from the Institution of Fire Engineers. The reality of the situation has led to concerns about the legality and validity of EWS1 forms issued by Tri Fire. As a result, properties owned by permanent residents are often unsellable.
Last month, the Institution of Fire Engineers suspended Kiziak after being made aware of his gross misconduct allegations. An ensuing investigation into his actions found a long history of bad faith in his professional conduct. This investigation led to a finding that the allegations were substantiated. Consequently, Kiziak was fired for creating forged signatures on EWS1s during his suspension. This combination of events has posed huge difficulties for the residents living in buildings Tri Fire has surveyed.
In 2020, Tri Fire created the EWS1 for several different properties. In the wake of the fallout from Kiziak’s expulsion, these certificates have become extremely problematic. From lenders’ perspectives, Tri Fire’s EWS1s have become too high a risk. Consequently, many are withdrawing their loan offers on residential and commercial properties that rely on these appraisals. This has left many homeowners facing obstacles to selling their homes, as prospective buyers encounter difficulties securing financing due to the questionable validity of the EWS1s.
What started as an administrative concern quickly escalated to a harrowing plight for residents inside the impacted structures. Many are concerned that the complications stemming from Adam Kiziak’s alleged malpractice will continue to hinder their ability to sell their properties. With Tri Fire’s EWS1s no longer accepted by all lenders, homeowners are caught between a rock and a hard place. What were once dependable evaluations have turned into daunting roadblocks to property sales, leaving innumerable residents stuck in limbo.
As the investigation continues and the implications of Kiziak’s actions unfold, it remains unclear how this situation will impact the future of Tri Fire and its clients. Those changes have landed the firm in hot water since then. Few major government initiatives have faced more skepticism about the honesty of its process and the competence of its staff.