What Is a TM44 Inspection and Why Do You Need It?

August 16th, 2021

Last updated: January 18th, 2023

A TM44 inspection is a widely accepted report which is considered to be industry standard for the inspection of air conditioning systems.

A TM44 inspection must be carried out on an air conditioning system every five years, and within five years of an initial inspection. The inspection assesses the performance of the air conditioning system in terms of energy efficiency, while also checking that it is operating properly and safely in general.

There are certain criteria for the systems that require one of these tests. TM44 refers to guidance created as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and an inspection is necessary for air conditioning systems which:

• Use refrigerants for cooling
• Use cooling methods such as cooled decks/ceiling slabs
• Use aquifers for cooling
• Most air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of 12kW fall under the above categories

Not sure if your system needs a TM44 inspection? Contact us today and we can advise your business on whether or not this is a suitable inspection for the air conditioning system you are using.

What Does a TM44 Inspection Involve?

There are quite a few different elements to the check, which involve visual inspections as well as examinations. To create a reliable TM44 report, the tests should be carried out by experienced professionals, such as those working for Robinsons Facilities Services.

The standard TM44 inspection from Robinsons Facilities Services includes the following:

• Detailed inspection of refrigeration and air moving equipment
• Verification that the system is a suitable size for the space it covers
• Examinations of the inside of ducts and units
• Assessment of the condition of controls and certain smaller components

As our technicians are all accredited and experienced with air conditioning units, we can also help with other aspects such as maintenance and even repair as required.

When Do I Need to Carry Out a TM44 Inspection? Is TM44 a Legal Requirement?

A TM44 inspection is not legally binding, but landlords, employers and building owners could face a fine if they do not have an up-to-date air conditioning inspection report. The fine for uninspected sites with air conditioning systems providing an overall output of more than 12kw is a set fee of £300. This could include an additional £200 fine if the business cannot provide the outstanding report within seven days of a request.

For the majority of buildings, it makes sense to get a TM44 report in order to ensure that they have done all they need to keep their air conditioning in good condition and not cause any danger to their employees and visitors.

In terms of frequency, a TM44 inspection must take place within five years of the previous one. This follows a set criteria:

• Any system that was installed and began service on or after 1st January 2008, must have had an initial inspection within five years of the date service began
• Systems with an output that exceeds 250kW must have been inspected no later than 4th January 2009
• Systems with a service start date prior to 1st January 2008 and with an output which exceeds 12kW must have received inspection by 4th January 2011

Why is a TM44 Inspection Important?

In addition to the obvious importance of avoiding fines for non-compliance, there are a number of benefits to the good management and data collection involved in carrying out a TM44 inspection. These include:

• Highlighting opportunities to improve efficiency and even save money on the operation of your system.
• How to reduce operating costs, carbon emissions and maintenance costs. For example, vents not working properly could be costing you in additional energy.
• Identify opportunities for technical and operational improvements to ensure the system has more of an impact.
• Identify opportunities to replace oversized systems, ie. where design flaws have led to an imbalance between system size and the cooling load required.

A TM44 Inspection from Robinsons Facilities Services

We have a team of experienced service engineers who can carry out a non-intrusive and non-disruptive TM44 inspection tailored to your needs and operations. We will leave you with a TM44 report which includes details on:

• The system’s efficiency
• Faults identified
• Recommendations for improvement of the system
• Details on equipment maintenance levels, controls and settings
• The size of the installed system in relation to the cooling load

Our experts will leave you with recommendations designed to improve your energy efficiency if implemented, which is also one of the Government’s aims. We can follow up this report by helping you to implement these recommendations and monitor subsequent performance.

Contact Robinsons Facilities Services today to understand the importance of TM44 inspections and the benefits they can bring to your organisation. We can then help you deliver compliance and see tangible future benefits in your operational performance.

Working across Yorkshire, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs. Contact us today for all planned, reactive maintenance or emergency call out.