DEA to Retrofit Assessor: An essential upskill

17th Aug 2020

If you are already accredited as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), then the upskill to Retrofit Assessor should be straight forward and will build on your current skillset. This will allow you to do a lot more than just provide EPCs for clients.

This is because the activities provided within a retrofit assessment are like those which are already undertaken by trained and accredited DEAs:

• DEAs already understand the basic principles of building survey.
• DEAs understand how to draw plans and gather photographic evidence to a suitable standard.
• DEAs are already part of an approved scheme and understand the auditing process and requirements. With all the points noted above the transition should be straight forward.

Stroma Certification’s Retrofit Assessor Course

In addition to the above, Stroma’s Retrofit Assessor Course will provide you with valuable refresher training on all elements contained within the EPC. You will earn 10 hours’ worth of CPD to use against one of your other qualifications.

The Retrofit Assessment Role is a fundamental part of the PAS2035 Retrofit process and the training will give you a detailed understanding of why various conditions inhibit dwellings throughout the country. You will learn about Damp, Condensation, Mould Growth and understand the necessity of adequate building ventilation. If you are looking to increase your work scope potential and energy portfolio, you need to consider the PAS2035 Retrofit Assessment Course.

How is Stroma helping this transition?

Stroma currently offer a two-day training course that includes all aspects of the software required to produce a comprehensive condition report required by the coordinator.

The training course offers an online examination and a virtual walk around of a project, where you must complete at least one full report as part of the process. This will give you the software confidence required to produce your own reports once accredited.

Whether you’re a Retrofit Coordinator or Assessor, Stroma offers Professional Indemnity Insurance from Thomas Carroll. For advice or a quote for a tailored annual insurance policy, please get in contact with Stephanie Williams at Thomas Carroll Brokers at stephanie.williams@thomas-carroll.co.uk.

Retrofit Assessment Software

As existing DEAs, you will already be comfortable using the RdSAP+ software which pulls in the EPR, RdSap and Occupancy date through into simple pdf reports. This can be downloaded as part of a suite of documents that the retrofit coordinator will need to complete their evaluation of any energy efficiency measures being fitted to the property.

Retrofit Condition Report (Including Ventilation Risk Assessments) – Formation This iOS and Android App utilising Stroma’s well renowned formation software is simple and intuitive to use. The software has been built with surveyors in mind and leads DEAs around the property in an orderly fashion. This ensures that all the correct data is captured for the Retrofit Coordinator and the software can be partially filled in prior to attending site, this also captures the following data fields for the coordinator:

• Basic property condition report itemising any defects
• Basic ventilation assessment
• BS7913 historical buildings significance survey details

Hints and tips;

It is key that all Assessors liaise with their Coordinator prior to the assessment to understand the following;

• The risk Path (A, B or C) knowing the risk path will help you to better understand what the Retrofit Coordinator is looking for in terms of the condition report
• The Intended Outcomes for the building owner, knowing this will assist you when face to face with the customer, i.e. you will know what is being fitted so can give the appropriate advice to the customer regarding the improvement measures
• Advice on site, you must understand what advice you can give and what advice you cannot give. Remember, you’re not an expert in everything so be careful with any advice you are either giving or asked to give by the Coordinator
• Take good quality photographs of any possible issues such as leaky or blocked gutters, these will have an impact on the Coordinator. Small things might not stop the measures being fitted but they may help the Coordinator issue advice to the customer so that any issues can be rectified
• Ventilation is critical, ensure you photograph all the ventilation in a property and record it accurately. Ensure you understand the difference between the ventilation types, if you do not record the correct ventilation within a property fabric measures may create problems for the homeowner and Coordinator down the line.