PAS 2030:2023 updates explained 

PAS 2030:2023 updates explained 

On September 28, 2023, the British Standards Institution (BSI) released the revised versions of the PAS 2035/2030:2023 standards. 

The standards are moving away from referencing EU policies with the PAS2035 guidance clauses having been updated to reflect national policy and emphasis placed on the role of PAS2035 in protecting the consumer. 

The changes include references to the BEIS retrofit technical guides and retrofit contractors. Responsibilities have not changed but there may now be a main contractor involved in certain projects who may be subcontracting several retrofit installers. 

As we are currently in a transitional phase with the 2019 standards being discontinued on March 30th, we have decided to break down the PAS 2030:2023 updates for our readers.  

PAS 2030:2023 updates; The PAS 2035/2030:2023 updates: 

The release of the revised PAS2030 standard and PAS2035 marked a significant shift in the home energy assessment and retrofit industry. The medium-term improvement plan is now a requirement rather than guidance and what was clause 5.2.3 is now normative in clause 8.1.7 in PAS2035. 

There are also now requirements to produce an airtightness strategy for some fabric projects which may include a setting of an airtightness target and air leakage testing. If you have fabric measures such as insulation, you should review these 2 new clauses. 

8.2.35 Where the retrofit design includes any EEMs for the improvement of the building fabric (e.g. insulation, airtightness, replacement windows), the Retrofit Designer or Retrofit Coordinator shall develop an airtightness and air leakage testing strategy as part of the retrofit design.  

NOTE 1 The strategy should consider the impact of EEMs on the airtightness of the building and should:  

1. a) explain the benefits of air leakage testing and the risks of not doing so;
2. b) include the airtightness target(s) should one be set for the dwelling(s), especially where a whole-house retrofit is undertaken or if required to specify the correct ventilation system (see Annex C); and 
3. c) recommend any other airtightness or air leakage testing required before, during or after installation of the EEMs. NOTE 2 An air leakage test verifies that there are no major air leaks through the installed EEMs. Ideally, a test before and after any major insulation project should be undertaken to verify that air leakage has been reduced through the building external envelope. This is to protect the building structure from moisture problems and reduce heat loss. Air leakage testing requires fan pressurization and/or depressurization to allow time for leakage checking. NOTE 3 An airtightness target can be beneficial for the project to improve quality control and workmanship during the construction stage. Verification of the airtightness standard is different from the air leakage testing as described in NOTE 1. 

8.2.36 Where an airtightness target is set as part of the strategy under 8.2.35, the retrofit design shall also include a requirement for the Main Contractor or Retrofit Installer to demonstrate compliance with the airtightness standard by means of an approved test for every dwelling, following CIBSE guidance [N12].  

NOTE In the case of a building containing multiple dwellings (e.g. a high‑rise residential block), it may be sufficient to test a sample of the dwellings, including an example of each dwelling type in the building. A dwelling type for airtightness testing should be selected based on the make-up of the external envelope, so the minimum number of flats to be tested might be a topfloor, mid-floor and ground-floor flat. However, if the external wall, roof or floor construction or application of EEMs varies around the block, there might be additional airtightness types. In a small block of flats or maisonettes, it might be more practicable to pressurize the whole block, because treating each flat individually might require multiple sets of equipment to pressurize adjacent units and avoid a misleading test result. 

Further monitoring and evaluation reference the new BS40101 Building Performance Evaluation. British Standard BS 40101 Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings was published in 2022 and is concerned with the evaluation of the performance of buildings at any point during the operational stage of their lives. 

This is aimed at providing a basis for verification of specified performance in new and upgraded buildings in respect of key performance parameters and attributes. 

Monitoring and evaluation should now be considered from inception through to completion, and the retrofit coordinator must prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan as part of the medium-term improvement plan. The intended outcomes set at the start of a project should be reviewed and checked.  

A process has been included whereby distressed replacement of heating appliances can retrospectively comply with PAS2035.  

The addition of new clauses under this element mean that you can replace a boiler in very short notice without having to comply with all of PAS2035 and you aren’t required to have a retrofit coordinator on board until the install or in some cases after the install (You can retrospectively comply with PAS2030/35).  

The guidance and requirements for climate resilience and adaptation in retrofit has been strengthened. As part of the new sub clauses for this element you should consider the resilience of dwellings for future risks or climate change when you are establishing your intended outcomes. For retrofit you should be collecting data to assess whether there are any environmental risks or any climate induced environmental risks.  

Requirements and guidance around moisture in buildings has been brought in line with language in BS5250. The key to this change is to address management of moisture instead of Interstitial Condensation which is a specific moisture problem.