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The qualification requirements for retrofit designers have changed significantly. Previously, a Retrofit Coordinator (RC) could carry out retrofit design for Risk Path A & B projects. However, under the new guidelines, this role must now be carried out by a specialist or a trained designer. This ensures that the design work meets the highest standards for energy efficiency and safety.

Under the updated PAS2035:2023, Level 3 in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings is now a mandatory qualification for both Retrofit Assessors (RAs) and Retrofit Coordinators (RCs) when working with any traditional property. This ensures that professionals are properly trained to handle the unique challenges of retrofitting older and traditional buildings.

All projects such as ECO4, GBIS, HUGS, and self-funded projects must be completed and fully installed by 30th March 2025. Additionally, lodgements must be carried out no later than 20 working days after installation.

Yes, all SHDF projects carried out under PAS2035:2019 remain valid as long as the assessments have been preloaded into Trustmark before the end of March 2025.

Yes, PAS2035:2023 is a mandatory standard for retrofit projects in the UK that aim to receive public funding or need to meet specific energy performance requirements under government regulations.

PAS2035:2023 introduces new requirements for risk management, quality control, and energy performance assessments. It emphasises a more holistic approach to retrofitting, including considerations for occupant needs and long-term sustainability.

The UK Government has identified the retrofit of buildings as a key lever in their low carbon strategy to achieve 68% carbon reduction by 2030. All affordable homes will be required to achieve a minimum EPC of C by 2030. All ECO funded refurbishment projects are required to achieve full compliance with PAS 2035:2019 from July 2021 with a 20% funding uplift for projects that comply before the deadline.

PAS 2035:2019 (Specification for the Energy Retrofit of Domestic Buildings) is revolutionising the refurbishment of buildings. Over the last 30 years energy efficiency programmes have focussed on single measures (i.e.: cavity wall insulation or window replacement, etc.) but all future programmes now require a holistic solution designed to suit the specific building type.

To comply with PAS 2035, a qualified Retrofit Coordinator must be employed to provide a 'Whole House Retrofit' solution.

In a climate crisis, all our decisions need to be taken through the lens of the impact they have on our environment. If we don’t know the impact, we can’t make the best decisions. And the decisions we make around retrofit, when multiplied by the vast number of homes that need retrofitting, will materially impact on the UK’s overall emissions in the coming years. Don’t stop retrofitting for the want of an embodied carbon assessment, but where possible do let it be part of the web of factors that guide decisions. There’s little point in putting so much effort into reducing buildings’ operational emissions if many tonnes of carbon are emitted to do so!

Read the full article written by Lizzy Westmacott, Associate Director & Matt Wingrove, Senior Architect from our architects ECD Architects for Unlock Net Zero on why we should be measuring the embodied carbon on retrofits.

Retrofitting existing buildings will allow individuals and businesses to save money and be more sustainable. It will let people across the UK live in warmer and healthier homes. Crucially, it will help our industry, and the country as a whole, decarbonise.

Following an RICS led cross-industry working group investigation into best practices when reporting and valuing tall buildings within the secured lending arena, a revised standard process has been published together with a revised EWS1 form which was updated to reflect the Government Building Safety announcement, notably the immediate withdrawal of the Consolidated Advice Note (CAN) and the publication of BSI PAS9980:2022 – Assessing the external wall fire risk in multi-occupied residential buildings. 

There is a requirement for a fire safety risk assessment of the external wall system to be conducted by a suitably qualified, and competent professional for buildings with a residential floor height above 18 metres (six storeys) and some 4/5 story buildings that have a significant element of external cladding. 

The requirements are as set out in the RICS guidance note 'Cladding for Surveyors' - https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/news/news--opinion/fire-safety/cladding-for-surveyors-supplementary-info-paper-1.pdf

There is no definitive answer to whether your building is a high fire risk, as different factors may affect the level of risk. However, you can use a fire risk assessment to evaluate the potential hazards and risks in your building and determine the appropriate measures to reduce them. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all premises that the public has access to, as well as for businesses and blocks of flats.

A fire risk assessment involves five steps:

1. Identify the fire hazards, such as sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen.
2. Identify people at risk, such as employees, visitors, residents and anyone who may be particularly vulnerable, such as children, elderly or disabled people.
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks, by implementing fire prevention and protection measures, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, escape routes and signage.
4. Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training, by documenting the results of your assessment, developing a clear procedure for evacuation and fire fighting, and informing and instructing all relevant people on their roles and responsibilities.
5. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly, by checking that the measures are still effective, taking into account any changes in the premises or activities, and making improvements if necessary.