The RICS retrofit standard.
Why the standard is needed.
The RICS Retrofit Standard is a professional guideline developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to provide a robust framework for retrofitting existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency, sustainability, and overall performance. Retrofitting involves updating a building’s infrastructure, systems, and materials to reduce energy consumption, enhance environmental performance, and improve occupant comfort.
The main goals of the RICS Retrofit Standard are to:
1. Promote Best Practices: Ensure that retrofit projects follow best practices that protect the integrity of the building, particularly when dealing with historic or traditional structures.
2. Enhance Energy Efficiency: Guide professionals to achieve significant energy reductions through retrofitting while minimising the risks to building fabric and occupants health and well-being. Comfortable homes are more pleasant to live in.
3. Minimise Risk: Address common risks such as moisture, poor ventilation, and overheating that can arise from poorly executed retrofits. Repair the building first so the retrofit does not fail a key drive.
4. Ensure Sustainability: Emphasis of sustainable materials and methods, reducing the carbon footprint of the construction process and the building’s operational impact over time.
5. Protect Property Value: Help preserve or even enhance the value of properties by adopting methods that balance energy efficiency with the building’s structural integrity, aesthetics, and architectural design..
Key Components of the RICS Retrofit Standard
Some aspects the standard covers include:
• Assessment and Planning: Guidance on conducting comprehensive building assessments before retrofitting, including energy performance, and structural integrity.
• Thermal Performance and Insulation: Recommendations for improving thermal performance without causing unintended damage, such as condensation or mold.
• Ventilation and Air Quality: Strategies for maintaining good indoor air quality the appropriate ventilation, especially when buildings are sealed for energy efficiency. Air quality is often poor in homes where high humidity, water infiltration, and high levels of heat loss through too much ventilation in the fabric.
• Moisture Control: Techniques for controlling moisture and preventing issues like damp and rot, which are common in retrofitted properties.
• Historic Building Considerations: Special guidelines for retrofitting older and listed buildings that require preservation of original features. This can include a plan to upgrade certain items first as part of the process.
Application and Importance
The RICS Retrofit Standard is widely used by surveyors, architects, and engineers involved in retrofit projects. By following these guidelines, professionals can deliver retrofit projects that meet the necessary performance targets while ensuring durability and maintaining the character of the building.
The RICS Retrofit Standard supports the UK government’s objectives for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by encouraging retrofits that help to reduce energy usage in existing buildings, which constitute a large percentage of the UK’s carbon footprint.
When retrofit goes wrong
Undercroft detailing that has failed.
This is an example of a previous standard where the retrofit walkway to the above apartment has led to defects..
Using the right materials, and a good design would have avoided this.
So as a consequence, we have leaking services,the wrong insulation materials chosen,and overall a poor design leading to unintended consequences.
Why do we need to retrofit buildings?
1. Age of Buildings: Victorian and older properties, as well as homes built before current building standards, typically have low energy efficiency and would benefit most from retrofits under PAS 2035.
2. Energy Efficiency Ratings: Millions of homes have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below, making them prime candidates for retrofitting.
3. Housing Type: Social housing, rental properties, and public buildings are especially targeted by retrofit programs, as these sectors are often required to meet higher energy efficiency standards.
Retrofit what is it ?
Retrofit” refers to the process of updating or modifying existing systems, buildings, or equipment to improve their performance, extend their lifespan, or incorporate new and some existing technology without replacing buildings entirely.
This is critical in the process for pre1919 for buildings of particular interest or in a conservation area.
Materials used in this period differ from newer builds.
Why do we need it?
n construction, retrofitting involves adding or updating systems (like HVAC, lighting, insulation, or structural elements) in buildings to improve energy efficiency, safety, or climate resilience. Retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency is common, often involving upgrades to windows, insulation, or heating systems to reduce energy use and environmental impact.
Having a plan is the first step in the process.
The performance gap is the actual in home use and insulation not delivering the expected changes.
What’s the prcocess?
Overall, retrofitting is a practical, cost-effective way to upgrade existing assets, allowing them to meet current standards or utilise newer technology without full replacement.
The first step is to develop a plan.
In domestic we call this our home energy plan to reduce energy use in the first instance.
Is this compulsory?
The UK government has set targets to improve energy efficiency in 2.5 million homes by 2030-50 as a part of the Clean Growth Strategy. Retrofits to PAS 2035 could play a significant role in achieving this target by providing a standard, quality-assured pathway for energy efficiency improvements.
Achieving widespread compliance with PAS 2035 will be a gradual process, influenced by funding, policy support, and the availability of trained retrofit professionals.
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