PAS 2035 Explained
If you work within the energy efficiency sector, then PAS 2035 should ring a bell.
During the first half of 2019, the British Standard Institute (BSI) published PAS 2035, which serves as a framework for deep retrofit projects ensuring that plans for energy-efficient homes are of the highest quality, safe and fit for the future.
Following its introduction to the industry, the transition phase started in June 2019 and is expected to conclude in June 2021, after which, all publicly funded projects have to comply with PAS 2035.
What is PAS 2035?
PAS 2035 is a response to the Each Home Counts Review (2015-2017). It addresses key structural issues that may have affected the successful implementation of many energy efficient domestic plans in the past. Some of the problems include:
Defects: 10% of all solid wall insulation projects resulted in a Type-1 Fail (as noted by Ofgem, 2013)
Unintended consequences: such as health and social problems that have been made worse by retrofit, not better
Shallow retrofit: availability of funding resulting in the installation of single measures at the wrong time and place
Accountability: rules of the game meaning the buck is continually passed on, resulting in litigation
Poor design: low profit margins exclude building professionals from engagement in retrofit
Performance gap: predicted energy savings not delivered in practice
[Source: The Retrofit Academy]
How will PAS 2035 change your ways of working?
It is imperative that businesses develop an understanding of the fundamental changes that come with PAS 2035 in an effort to avoid the aforementioned problems.
Here are some of the changes that will be implemented through PAS 2035:
New roles: there are five distinct new roles introduced in PAS 2035:
Retrofit Coordinator
Retrofit Assessor
Retrofit Designer
Retrofit Installer
Retrofit Evaluator
The project responsibilities of each role are outlined in the guidelines as well as the accreditations and qualifications that are required.
Deep assessment: the first step for all new projects is to employ an in-depth assessment of the dwelling – which excludes the EPC assessment. The Assessor role is now limited and excludes specification.
Data gathering: The Assessor will be responsible for collecting data but cannot specify solutions during the Deep Assessment. This process will be modelled using the full SAP or PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) and filtered through the Retrofit Coordinator.
Retrofit coordinator: It will be the responsibility of the coordinator to ensure that the project complies with PAS 2035.
Risk assessment: The Coordinator will prioritise all projects based on the level of project risk using a “Measures Matrix” which will determine to what end specialist technical expertise will be required.
Medium-term retrofit plans: Following the assessment, the coordinator will create a bespoke Medium-term Retrofit Plan for the property. This plan will draw on the Improvement Option Evaluation strategy, which will outline the installation sequence and then be uploaded to the TrustMark Data Warehouse where future owners of the property can easily access it to continue the retrofit journey.
Design input: Each project must include design input, but the Higher risk projects (Paths B and C) will require specialist design professional input to ensure adequate detailing and specification.
Seamless design and installation: It will be the responsibility of the Coordinator to make sure that the design is fully realised, while in complete control of product substitutions, sequencing and inter-team communication.
Soft landings: The Retrofit Coordinator needs to ensure that once the property is handed over to residents and owners, the occupant of the property needs to be supported to understand how to enjoy the best outcomes in terms of reduced bills and the intended health benefits.
Monitoring and evaluation: In order to minimise the Performance Gap, each project will be subjected to a series of testing, monitoring and evaluation – thus ensuring defects are identified early.
[Source: The Retrofit Academy]
Now that we’re up to speed on PAS 2035, what’s next?
The next step is to ensure that your business is equipped for the PAS 2035 rollout by June 2021.
The introduction of the five new roles for PAS 2035 means that it is crucial to upskill your in-house team or form alliances with external retrofit professionals.