When Do Buildings Need a TM44 Inspection?

A TM44 inspection and certificate are required in England and Wales when the combined effective rated cooling output capacity of air conditioning systems in a building exceeds 12 kW, and the inspection must be renewed at least every 5 years.

If your building meets these criteria, you will need a TM44 inspection for your commercial building

Looking for a local service? See or TM44 inspection services in London

CIBSE accredited Level 3 and Level 4 TM44 assessors—helping building owners and facilities teams get compliant and improve system efficiency.

TM44 inspection requirements at a glance

  • A TM44 inspection is required when:

    • Air conditioning systems in a building exceed 12 kW combined cooling capacity

    • The system is used for comfort cooling

    • The building is located in England or Wales

    • The inspection has not been carried out in the last 5 years

    If these conditions apply, the building owner or responsible person must arrange a TM44 inspection and certificate.

TM44 inspection threshold: The 12 kW rule explained

What is a TM44 certificate and what do you receive?

  • A legally required document under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) for air conditioning systems.

  • An assessment by an accredited TM44 assessor of a building's air conditioning (AC) and ventilation systems efficiency, use, maintenance and controls.

  • The assessor captures the data/info collected before and during the on-site inspection into approved software and generates the certificate and report.

  • After review with the client the certificate and report is lodged onto the Government's non-domestic Energy Certificate Register.

  • The assessor provides you with PDF copies of the certificate and report as proof of compliance as well as a link to your certificate on the register.

When do buildings require a TM44 certificate?

  • Buildings in England and Wales require a TM44 certificate if it has a combined comfort cooling capacity larger than 12 kW.
  • Air Conditioning systems with a comfort cooling capacity larger than 12 kW required their first inspection by 4 January 2011.
  • Air conditioning systems commissioned on or after 1 January 2008, require a first inspection within five years of the commissioning date.
  • The TM44 inspections need to be conducted every 5 years.
  • Buildings with multiple split type units installed with a total cooling capacity larger than 12 kW, need a TM44 inspection.

Example systems that trigger a TM44 certificate

  • 1 × chiller with a 14 kW rated cooling capacity = in scope

  • 5 x split type units with 3 kW cooling capacity each under one control/operator = 15 kW total = in scope

  • Multiple tenant systems with a total comfort cooling capacity of 12 kW and under one control/operator = in scope

  • Confirm you’re in scope (12 kW rule)

  • Book an accredited assessor

  • Site inspection + evidence review

  • Receive report + certificate lodgement confirmation

The quickest way to check is on the official GOV.UK database where inspection certificates are stored.

By entering your building's postcode, address, or certificate number, you can instantly see if your building has a current TM44 certificate.

Clarifying who the responsible person is to ensure compliance with the Regulation

  • The person who has both technical and financial control is seen as the operator and the responsible person.
  • Ownership of an air conditioning system alone does not identify the operator.
  • Operator means the natural or legal person exercising actual power over the technical functioning of the air conditioning system.

Actual power over the technical functioning of the air conditioning system should be understood as including all the following elements:

  • free access to the system and providing access to third parties to supervise its components and their functioning;
  • the control of the day to day functioning/running (e.g. take the decision to switch it on or off);
  • the power to decide on technical modifications, F-gases replaced in the system or have repairs carried out.

If all these elements are devolved by the owner or landlord to a third party (e.g. tenant) through contractual arrangements, then the authority of operator and the responsibilities attached to it should be deemed transferred to that third party, provided that such a transfer is compatible with national law.

If the above elements are only partially transferred, the responsibilities of operator should not be deemed transferred.

Penalties for non-compliance with the Regulation will be to the person recognised as the operator based on the contractual arrangements.

Depending on the terms of the contract, the FM or servicing company may accordingly become responsible under the Regulations.

In such cases the landlord and/or tenant retain a parallel duty to ensure the air conditioning inspection has been done.

Maintenance providers have a duty of care to inform landlords and/or tenants of their obligation to ensure compliance.

TM44 certificate FAQs

Get in Touch for all your TM44 certificate requirements!

If your TM44 certificate is expired or due to expire, you’re not sure whether your system is over 12 kW, or you simply want a more efficient and reliable air conditioning system, we’re here to help.

Call us: +44 (0) 3300 881451

Email:

Or: complete our short form to request a TM44 inspection quote

We’ll confirm whether you need a TM44 air conditioning inspection, provide a clear fixed-fee proposal and agree a schedule that minimises disruption to your building users, helping you stay compliant and improve performance at the same time.

Request a TM44 certificate quote