RETROFITcheck is a simple, user friendly online system providing independent verification of pre-installation building inspections across a range of retrofit measures, by a team of accredited auditors.
The RETROFITcheck service provides peace of mind before the installation process, helping to mitigate risk and safeguard future building integrity. Building on the success of the popular CAVcheck scheme, our suite of products now also includes IWIcheck, RIRIcheck, UFIcheck, LOFTcheck and EWI check.
In order to improve quality within the industry and ensure the highest standards are upheld, the latest version of PAS 2030 requires that all cavity wall, room in roof and internal wall insulation measures must be accompanied by evidence that the findings of the pre-installation building inspection have been independently checked. This also covers non-ECO installations seeking compliance with PAS2030:2019. RETROFITcheck provides this.
Our user-friendly online platform tracks your submissions and their assessment status allows you to both store and retrieve your quality assured compliance pack. You can share the Unique Reference Number (URN) generated or PDF output with your warranty provider, funder or householder to reassure them that your plans for their home are designed to meet the current scheme requirements.
MORE THAN
JUST A TICK
IN A BOX.
Our service charges differ for each check service and depend on whether you are working with one of our recognised System Designers. For more information, please speak to one of our team who will be happy to help you.
Why is an independent check required?
In order to improve quality within the industry and ensure the highest standards are upheld, the latest version of PAS 2030 requires that specific higher risk measures are accompanied by evidence that the findings of the pre-installation building inspection have been independently checked.
This has been the case for Cavity Wall insulation since 2017 and the benefits of the service have been felt throughout the supply chain with reductions in Technical Monitoring failures.
This pre-installation check is a key check point in the PAS process at which the installer confirms that the design and solution selected for that specific property is suitable and meets the core requirements of PAS2030:2019 as listed out in the specific measure annex. It’s an opportunity to spot any flaws in the design, or highlight any items missed from the survey that could result in a non-compliant installation with unintended consequences for the property.
But I thought that’s what the Retrofit Coordinator does?
The retrofit coordinator is a critical role and he has the very challenging task of understanding the range of options available and planning and sequencing the interactions between new energy efficiency measures. Of course, they have and will build, significant individual measure experience over time but cannot be an expert in every field. Even our own field inspection team specialise in certain measures for example heating, insulation or renewables. A retrofit coordinator could not be expected to meet the competency requirements of each relevant measure Annex of PAS2030:2019. The requirements in PAS2030 are also that this service is provided by an independent person, and it’s your responsibility as the installer to both conduct the PIBI and arrange for the check. It is essential that you have this completed by someone meeting both the competency requirements and who passes the independence test, particularly if your Retrofit Co-ordinator is employed in-house.
What competency does the person completing the check require?
The person completing the independent check must meet the competency requirements for the specific measure that they are checking as defined in PAS2030:2019. That is, they should hold or be working towards a regulated and industry agreed vocational qualification or apprenticeship, or a personal certificate of competence relevant to the EEM to be installed.
Our auditors meet this criteria.
What difference does the check make?
Taking Cavity Wall Insulation as an example. Prior to the introduction of the requirement for an independent check of the PIBI in 2017, whilst technical monitoring failure rates were relatively static, the area of failure was very much focused on one particular question:
CWI-3) Does the current condition of the property suggest that it was suitable for the material that has been installed?
The consequences of failing this question at a post-installation monitoring stage at best, mean further remedial works need to be undertaken e.g. fixing leaky gutters or re-pointing. At worst that the property was not suitable for a fundamental reason such as no DPC present or the wrong material being installed and the insulation material needs to be extracted and the property re-instated.
The latter scenario has contributed to the proliferation of cavity claims in recent years. We know from analysis (taking 5,000 post-installation inspection results prior to July 2017 and 5,000 equivalent checks in the 6-month period that followed) that the overall failure rate on this question declined from 3% to 0.5%. Extrapolated over the 100,000 CWI installations in that period, that equates to 2,500 interventions that prevented a failed installation.
What knowledge and experience does THS have?
Created by industry experts with many years’ experience from ex-installers to surveyors, our check services are led by a fully accredited & knowledgeable team; adding value to businesses by analysing submission/failures trends, therefore teaching users. Our team provide ongoing coaching and have even visited users to conduct toolbox talks. These steps address any issues and identify preventative actions; resulting in lower costs to users’ businesses.
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