New British Standard on Retrofit Assessment

BS 40104, the British Standard for the retrofit assessment of dwellings, is due to be published in early 2025. Before that time however, it is out to consultation so everyone can have their say. The consultation ends soon on the 22nd of September 2024, so time is running out!

The Environment Study Centre consider that these proposals provide a major step forward in the improvement to retrofit assessment. BS 40104, is a standalone document, but there is an intention for it to replace sections 7.3 and 7.4 of the 2023 version of PAS 2035, the UK standard for retrofitting dwellings.

Our retrofit expert, Professor John Edwards, is a co-author of this document and lead on all older building issues, who said: “This has been such a worthwhile exercise, as we can see a real improvement in the way we undertake the retrofit assessment of dwellings.” Professor Edwards added: “Like all standards it is produced through consensus of the people producing it, but it’s vitally important that everyone has the opportunity to comment on it.”

The changes to the retrofit assessment of dwellings includes a more robust approach to the equipment being used, an increased focus on health and safety issues, a need to focus on the prediction of future climate change hazards, a more detailed analysis of ground conditions and topography together with exposure and shelter along with a much better ventilation assessment with occupancy analysis.

According to Professor Edwards: “On the assessment of significance for buildings which do not have any special protection, it’s just as robust as that described in the 2023 version of PAS 2035, but the assessment has been made easier to undertake”. For protected buildings there is reference to BS 7913, the British Standard for working on traditional and protected buildings, produced by a panel chaired by Professor Edwards.

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