TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections in Surrey
If your business operates an air conditioning system with an effective rated output of 12kW or more, you are legally required to have it inspected at least every five years. This is the TM44 inspection, and failing to hold a valid report can mean a fixed penalty. Here is what the inspection involves, who it applies to, and how to keep your premises compliant.
In short
A TM44 inspection is a legally required energy assessment of air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of 12kW or more. It must be carried out by an accredited assessor at least once every five years, and the report must be kept available for the relevant enforcement authority.
Who needs a TM44 inspection — and how often
The requirement applies to any air conditioning system, or group of systems within a single building, with a combined effective rated output exceeding 12kW. That threshold is reached by most commercial premises — offices, shops, restaurants, care homes and similar — even where it is made up of several smaller units serving one building.
The inspection must be carried out at least every five years by an accredited energy assessor. A valid TM44 report (the Air Conditioning Inspection Report) must be lodged and held by the person who controls the system, typically the building owner or operator.
What the inspection assesses
TM44 is fundamentally an energy efficiency inspection, not a safety service. The assessor reviews the system's efficiency relative to the building's cooling needs, checks sizing and condition, examines controls and maintenance records, and identifies whether equipment is correctly sized or oversized.
The output is a report with practical recommendations — improving efficiency, right-sizing equipment, or replacing systems that are no longer fit for purpose. Acting on those recommendations is voluntary, but holding a current report is not.
Staying compliant without the hassle
Many businesses only discover they need a TM44 report during a lease transaction or an enforcement check. The practical answer is to diarise the five-year cycle and combine inspection planning with your routine servicing, so efficiency recommendations can be actioned by the same team that maintains your equipment.
Tempest works with Surrey businesses to keep commercial systems both well-maintained and compliant. We can help you understand whether your premises fall within the 12kW threshold and plan the inspection cycle around your service schedule.
- Legal requirement for AC systems with effective rated output of 12kW or more
- Must be carried out at least every 5 years
- Performed by an accredited energy assessor
- Assesses efficiency, sizing, controls and maintenance
- A fixed penalty can apply for not holding a valid report
- Building owner or operator is responsible for compliance
TM44 inspection at a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Applies to | AC systems with effective rated output over 12kW |
| Frequency | At least once every 5 years |
| Carried out by | Accredited energy assessor |
| Responsible party | Person who controls the system (owner/operator) |
| Focus | Energy efficiency, sizing, controls, maintenance |
| Non-compliance | A fixed penalty may be issued |
Frequently asked questions
Who is legally responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection?
Does the 12kW threshold apply to each unit or the whole building?
How often does a TM44 inspection need to be repeated?
Is a TM44 inspection the same as servicing my air conditioning?
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