Heating, ventilation and cooling from firms that specialise rather than generalise
HVAC is the line most often bundled into a general FM contract and least often checked. TM44 inspections lapse, F-Gas logs are incomplete, and ductwork has not been surveyed since handover. The desk matches you to firms with the specific registration for the asset, and prices planned maintenance against SFG20 rather than a made-up schedule.
Who is legally responsible
The building owner or operator, with the person in control of an air conditioning system responsible for TM44 inspections, and the operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases responsible for leak checking and record keeping.
What the regulations require
Leak checking intervals by CO2 equivalent charge, mandatory record keeping, and certified personnel for any work on the refrigerant circuit.
TM44 air conditioning inspection every five years for systems with effective rated output over 12kW.
Gas Safe registration required for work on commercial gas appliances and plant.
The industry standard maintenance specification, the benchmark for what a planned maintenance contract should actually contain.
Ventilation duct cleanliness standards, and the grease hygiene standard for kitchen extract.
What the hvac panel covers
TM44 air conditioning inspection
An accredited energy assessor inspects the system, lodges the report on the central register and issues efficiency recommendations. Non-lodgement carries a fixed penalty.
F-Gas leak testing and record keeping
Leak checks by certified engineers with a compliant equipment log, which is the record an enforcement visit asks to see first.
Ventilation and duct hygiene
Pre and post-clean verification to BS EN 15780 or TR19 Grease, with photographic and deposit-thickness evidence your insurer will accept.
Planned preventative maintenance
Boiler, chiller, AHU and plant servicing priced against a defined task set rather than a vague annual visit.
Accreditation the desk checks for
- REFCOM certification checked, and engineer-level F-Gas cards evidenced
- TM44 lodgement number provided, not just a PDF report
- Maintenance schedule mapped to SFG20 task codes
- Asset register with age, refrigerant type and charge, and remaining life
- Duct cleaning quoted with verification method stated up front
Where buildings usually come unstuck
Consequence: Fixed penalty, and a gap in the evidence pack at sale or refinance
Fix: Check the lodgement, not the certificate in your file, and re-inspect where it has expired
Consequence: The operator carries the duty, and cannot evidence it
Fix: Take ownership of the log, with charge quantities and CO2 equivalents recorded per system
Consequence: Insurer declines a fire claim
Fix: Specify TR19 Grease with pre and post verification and deposit measurements
Consequence: You are paying for attendance rather than maintenance
Fix: Require an SFG20-referenced schedule with asset-level task frequencies
HVAC questions buyers actually ask
Do we need a TM44 inspection?
If the building has air conditioning with an effective rated output over 12kW, including multiple smaller units under one control, an inspection is required every five years and the report must be lodged on the central register.
How often do F-Gas leak checks need doing?
Twelve-monthly for systems from 5 to 50 tonnes CO2 equivalent, six-monthly from 50 to 500, and three-monthly above 500. Intervals double where an automatic leak detection system is fitted.
What is SFG20 and why does it matter?
SFG20 is the recognised standard maintenance specification for building services. Contracts written against SFG20 task codes are comparable between bidders. Contracts that are not, generally are not.
How often should ventilation ductwork be cleaned?
It is risk-based under BS EN 15780. Kitchen extract under TR19 Grease is the tightest, ranging from three-monthly for heavy use to annually for light use, and insurers frequently make it a policy condition.
Can the desk price PPM against our existing contract?
Yes. Send the current schedule with the brief and firms will quote on a like-for-like SFG20 basis, which is usually where the real gap shows up.
HVAC guides
Need hvac specialists?
Send one brief. Inside forty-eight hours you get three firms that have confirmed capacity and hold the accreditation for your exact scope, and we set up the introductions on your word.