What are Air Conditioning Inspections?
Air conditioning inspections examine a building’s air conditioning plant and related ventilation (if they are part of the air conditioning plant). The air conditioning report will examine the plant, methods of controls, maintenance documentation and assess this against the cooling loads of the building. The inspections must be completed by Approved Inspectors.
The primary aim of an air conditioning inspection is to give building owners information about the performance of the building plant and to identify opportunities to save energy and cut operating costs.
Why do I need one?
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 Act introduced a statutory requirement for air conditioning inspections in England and Wales. This will be enforced by Trading Standards Officers who have powers to issue fines.
Compliance is achieved by following CIBSE guide TM 44 “Inspection of air conditioning systems”
When do I need to have an assessment?
There are two main dates for when inspections are required:
- 4 January 2009 – Cooling equipment rated at 250 kW or over
- 4 January 2011 – Cooling equipment rated at 12 kW or over
How is the rating assessed?
The rating of equipment is the maximum output in kW stated by the manufacturer during continuous operation at quoted efficiencies.
To assess your requirements under the regulations you should summate all the kW outputs of the air conditioning units in your building e.g. a building accommodating a 200 kW chiller and 6 DX units at 12 kW each would have 272 kW of cooling capacity and would require an inspection by 4 January 2009.
What are the exceptions?
There are two main exceptions.
- Air conditioning systems that are put into service after the 1 January 2008 do not require an inspection on the above dates however the first inspection must take place within five years of their operation
- Air conditioning systems used solely for process applications such as pharmaceutical applications, cold stores, etc
What can TPS offer?
To perform an air conditioning inspection an Approved Inspector shall complete a survey of the air conditioning plant, sensors, controls, maintenance of equipment, and review capacities i.e. check plant is sized correctly.
Following the survey the inspector will produce a report that will detail their findings and will contain recommendations that, if implemented, will improve efficiencies of the air conditioning equipment. Each inspection is valid for a 5 years unless the inspector recommends a shorter period.
More information:
If you require further details of TPS’s CIBSE Approved Inspectors then please contact either
Mike Carter: phone 0131 561 2629 or email
mike.carter@tpsconsult.co.uk
or
Jack Plumb: phone
0131 561 2723 or email jack.plumb@tpsconsult.co.uk
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