TM44 and EPBD

TM44 relates to EPBD – Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which first came into force in 2002.  It was then recast in 2010 and that version has been in force since 2012.  The legislation requires that air conditioning systems are inspected regularly (every 5 years).  It applies to all systems with an effective rated output of 12KW or more.  There are no exemptions for industrial space.

TM44 is CIBSE’s Technical Memorandum (“Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems: A Guide to EPBD Compliance) on this and seems to be regarded by DCLG (the sponsoring department for this legislation) as the go-to resource for business compliance.  We have had little interaction with DCLG but wanted to flag this requirement with operators – many building efficiency requirements exempt industrial space but no such exemption seems to apply here.  The requirements are consistent between England and Wales but there are variations in Scotland and Northern Ireland but the CIBSE guidance covers the whole of the UK, plus Ireland and Malta.

If operators are struggling to meet the requirements for some reason, please get in touch.

See:

Gov.uk sources:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-conditioning-inspections-for-buildings
• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/51121/A_guide_to_air_conditioning_inspections_for_buildings.pdf 

CIBSE guidance:

https://www.cibse.org/Knowledge/knowledge-items/detail?id=a0q20000008I7etAAC

techUK Compliance Healthcheck:

https://www.techuk.org/insights/news/item/15038-updated-compliance-healthcheck