The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

PART 4 INSPECTION OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Application of Part 4

14.—(1) This part applies to air-conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12 kW.

(2) Where the relevant person has the power to control the temperature of more than one individual air-conditioning unit in a building, each unit shall be considered to be a component of a single air-conditioning system for the purposes of paragraph (1).

Inspection of air-conditioning systems

15.—(1) It is the duty of the relevant person in relation to an air-conditioning system to which this Part applies to ensure the system is inspected by an energy assessor at regular intervals not exceeding 5 years.

(2) The first inspection of an air-conditioning system shall take place before the relevant date.

(3) In this regulation “the relevant date” is—

(a) where the system is first put into service after 30th December 2008, the expiry of a period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the system was first put into service; and

(b) where paragraph (a) does not apply—

(i) in the case of a system with an effective rated output of more than 250 kW, 4th January 2010; or

(ii) in the case of a system with an effective rated output of not more than 250 kW, 4th January 2011.

Inspection reports

16.—(1) Where an energy assessor undertakes an inspection of an air-conditioning system the assessor shall make a written report of the inspection and give it to the relevant person as soon as practicable after completing the inspection.

(2) The inspection report shall include an assessment of the air-conditioning efficiency and the sizing of the system compared to the cooling requirements of the building, and contain appropriate advice on possible improvements to the system, replacement of the system and alternative solutions.

(3) The inspection report shall include the following information—

(a) the address of the building in which the air-conditioning system is located;

(b) the name of the energy assessor;

(c) the name and address of the energy assessor’s employer, or if he is self-employed, the name under which he trades and his address;

(d) the date on which the inspection occurred; and

(e) the name of the approved accreditation scheme of which the energy assessor is a member.

Keeping of records etc.

17.—(1) The relevant person shall keep the most recent inspection report relating to the system made by an energy assessor in accordance with regulation 16.

(2) Where the relevant person changes, the previous relevant person shall give to the new relevant person any inspection report kept by him under this regulation.

Changes of relevant person

18.  Where on or after 4th January 2012—

(a) the relevant person changes; and

(b) the new relevant person is not given the most recent inspection report,

the new relevant person shall ensure that the air-conditioning system is inspected within 3 months of the date on which he becomes the relevant person.