TM44 Inspection
TM44 Inspection or air conditioning EPCs have now become mandatory for commercial buildings. Air conditioning accounts for almost 33% of a buildings electricity usage – older systems will consume even more than that. Buildings in general account for almost 50% of the UKs total energy consumption and carbon emissions.
With this in mind, the UK has brought in mandatory TM44 inspections of all air conditioning systems with an output larger than 12KW, combined.
- Systems with an output higher than 250KW, must have had their first inspection by 4th January 2009
- Systems with an output higher than 12KW but lower than 250KW, must have had their first inspection by 4th January 2011.
- Thereafter inspections must be carried out every 5 years.
- New systems installed after 1st January 2008 must have their first inspection within 5 years of the installation date.
What is the scope of the TM44 inspection.
What the air conditioning assessment will look at depends largely on the systems installed. But, in general terms, the inspection will focus on :
- The refrigeration plant
- The heat rejection equipment and associated components such as filters etc
- The indoor units and associated components such as filters etc
- Air handling units
- Other ventilation systems
- System controls including correct siting, set-up.
- Cooling load calculations will be performed
- Energy consumption metering analysis – where possible
- Comparison of maintenance schedules with current best practice
For a recent update on TM44 Inspection conventions, see here.