A retrofit can look good when the work is finished. New insulation is in place, windows have been upgraded, gaps have been sealed and the property should now be more energy efficient.
But how do you know it has actually worked?
That is an important question for contractors, site managers, retrofit professionals and housing providers.
Good retrofit is not just about installing the right products. You need competent people carrying out and managing the work, but you also need to check what effect those improvements have had on the building.
That is where training and building performance testing come together.
Retrofit Starts With a Skilled Workforce
The quality of any retrofit project depends heavily on the people carrying out the work.
Insulation needs to be fitted correctly. Windows and doors need to be installed properly. Junctions need attention. Site managers need to understand how different measures interact rather than treating every part of the building separately.
That is why having people with the right retrofit skills and qualifications matters.
Train 4 Growth provides a range of retrofit training courses and NVQ qualifications for people working at different levels of a retrofit project.
These include qualifications for installers, supervisors, site managers and people involved in specialist areas such as insulation, fenestration and air permeability testing.
Qualifications help demonstrate that somebody has the knowledge and competence required for their role.
But there is another side to the job.
You also need to know how the building performs once that work has been carried out.
A Good-Looking Job Can Still Have Performance Problems
Some building problems are obvious.
Others are not.
An insulation installation could look complete while still leaving gaps that allow heat to escape.
A property could be made much more airtight, but the ventilation might no longer be suitable for the way the building now performs.
Small gaps around windows, service penetrations, loft hatches, floors and junctions can also create uncontrolled air leakage.
You cannot always spot these problems just by walking around the property.
Testing gives project teams evidence of what is actually happening.
What Does Air Tightness Testing Tell You?
Air tightness testing measures uncontrolled air leakage through the building fabric.
This can help identify whether work carried out to improve the property has delivered the intended result.
It can also highlight areas where further investigation or remedial work may be needed.
For people who want to develop this as part of their role, Train 4 Growth offers the Level 3 NVQ in Air Permeability (Air Leakage) Testing of Existing Dwellings Using the Low-Pressure Pulse Method.
The qualification is particularly relevant to people working in construction, energy efficiency, retrofit and building performance who want to develop their air permeability testing skills.
However, not every contractor will want to bring testing in-house.
Specialist testing companies can also support retrofit teams by carrying out independent checks and helping identify performance issues.
This Is Where AVT UK Fits Into the Picture
Train 4 Growth’s sister company, AVT UK, specialises in building performance testing.
While Train 4 Growth helps businesses make sure their workforce has the right skills and qualifications, AVT works with contractors, coordinators, developers, housing providers and project teams to check what is happening inside the completed building.
For retrofit projects, AVT can provide air tightness testing and building performance support.
This means the two sides of retrofit can work together.
The workforce carries out the improvements correctly.
Testing then provides evidence of how the building is performing.
Airtightness Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
Making a building more airtight can reduce uncontrolled heat loss, but retrofit needs to be looked at as a complete system.
For example, reducing air leakage without considering ventilation can create other problems.
A property still needs suitable airflow to help manage moisture and maintain healthy indoor conditions.
That is why ventilation assessment and compliance testing can also be important when investigating building performance.
There may also be situations where the problem is not immediately obvious.
A thermal heat loss survey can help identify areas where heat is escaping, including possible insulation gaps and thermal bridges.
The important point is that retrofit should not finish with the words: “We’ve installed it.”
The next question should be: “Has it worked?”
Training and Testing Solve Different Parts of the Same Problem
Training cannot replace testing.
Testing cannot replace competent installers.
You need people who understand what they are doing, supervisors and managers who can keep work on track, and suitable checks to confirm that the finished property performs as expected.
For contractors, this can also mean fewer nasty surprises at the end of a project.
Finding an issue while work is still accessible is very different from finding it once decorating is complete, occupants have moved back in and somebody has reported a problem.
Building performance should therefore be considered throughout the project rather than treated as something to worry about at the very end.
Could Your Team Develop Its Building Performance Skills?
Air tightness, insulation, fenestration, site supervision and retrofit management are becoming increasingly connected.
For businesses working across retrofit projects, developing these skills within the workforce can give employees a better understanding of how their individual work affects the overall performance of a property.
Train 4 Growth can help individuals and employers find the appropriate qualification for their role and experience.
If you are unsure which route is right for you or your team, contact Train 4 Growth or call 0161 706 1401.
If you need air tightness, ventilation or other building performance testing on a live project, our sister company AVT UK can provide the specialist testing support you need.
