From July 1, 2021, all retrofit projects receiving government grant funding will be required to adhere to the PAS 2035 standard.
In May 2019, the British Standards Institute (BSI) published the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) document. This was a response to the Each Home Counts review (2015-2017), which identified current flaws as well as potential long-term issues with energy efficiency construction projects.
The solution to the review was to create a robust framework with a series of steps that must be completed.
TrustMark has incorporated PAS 2035 within its framework operating requirements to drive forward the new standards in ECO. Engaging with a TrustMark registered business provides assurance to clients of the quality output at each stage. Work conducted in accordance with the TrustMark compliance regime will meet the improved PAS 2035 specification.
The framework paves the way in ensuring projects are of high quality, long lasting, and safe for those who live in domestic dwellings by redesigning the approach to retrofit projects. This will have a significant impact on those working in the energy efficiency, the social housing sector, including asset managers, installers, manufacturers and suppliers.
What are the main impacts that it will have?
Impact number one: Roles
Creation of five new roles has been created with a clear set of responsibilities and accountabilities with projects.
Impact number two: Depth of Assessment
Dwellings will require an in-depth assessment to base the project on rather than using a superficial EPC based assessment. Furthermore, the Assessor’s role will see limitations with a specific exclusion in the specification.
Impact number three: Data gathering
The Assessor’s role will be to gather data rather than to make recommendations. SAP or PHPP simulation modelling will be used to inform the deep assessment. This would then be managed and interpreted by the Retrofit Coordinator.
Impact number four: Retrofit Coordinator
The Retrofit coordinator. This will be the ‘kingpin’ of any retrofit project, of any retrofit project, managing risk and allocating responsibility and accountability to key parties. Ultimately ensuring that the project underway is strictly complying with PAS2035.
Impact number five: Risk assessment criteria
The Retrofit Coordinator will systematize all projects based on the level of risk as measured using a “Measures Matrix”. The assessed level of risk will determine how much specialist technical expertise is required.
Impact number six: Medium-term Retrofit plans
Based on the results of the deep assessment, the coordinator will strategically develop a medium-term retrofit plan for that dwelling. The coordinator will also consult the improvement Option Evaluation, which specifies which measures, in what order, should then be implemented in response to the assessment result.
Once a plan has been developed successfully, it will be uploaded to the Trustmark Data Warehouse, where residents and property owners will be able to view it and, if desired, continue the retrofit process on the property.
Impact number seven: Retrofit Design
Design input is required for all projects. Higher-risk projects, those of Pathway C in particular, necessitate the involvement of specialised design professionals to ensure an adequate level of detailing and specification.
Impact number eight: Installation
The Retrofit Coordinator will be in charge of allocating responsibility for design to appropriate specialists, whether consultants or installers,, with complete control over product substitutions, sequencing, and inter-team communication.
Impact number nine: Soft Landings
The Retrofit Coordinator will ensure the appropriate handover of the property to residents. Residents must be supported to understand how to get the best outcomes, including reduced bills and health benefits.
Impact number ten: monitoring and evaluation
Every project will be subjected to rigorous testing, monitoring, and evaluation regime. The success of the project is measured against the Intended Outcomes mutually agreed upon at the start of the project. This allows defects to be identified early and the Performance Gap to be reduced.
