Why a PPM Maintenance Contract Does Not Replace a TM44 Inspection

What is a PPM contract designed to achieve?

Planned preventive maintenance generally covers agreed engineering checks, upkeep and scheduled work to support equipment reliability and safe operation. Its frequency depends on plant, manufacturer instructions, service conditions and the agreed contractor scope.

A PPM schedule may help collect plant details for a TM44 assessor. Unless the contract explicitly includes a qualifying statutory air-conditioning assessment carried out by an appropriately accredited assessor, the maintenance visits should not be counted as TM44 inspections.

What is different about the TM44 assessment?

In England and Wales, systems with effective rated output of more than 12 kW fall within the inspection regime, including relevant combinations of units under common temperature control. The appropriately accredited assessor examines accessible equipment and controls, assesses efficiency and prepares the required report.

Inspections of qualifying systems must be no more than five years apart. The assessor and relevant accreditation scheme are part of the statutory evidence; the report cannot be created merely by relabelling an ordinary service worksheet.

Does F-Gas servicing count as TM44?

No. F-Gas checks concern separate refrigerant management and leak-control duties, while the TM44 process assesses energy efficiency of the air-conditioning system under the applicable building regime. Different thresholds, competence requirements and records can apply.

A building may need both, neither or other duties depending on the actual equipment. Avoid describing an annual refrigerant visit as a substitute for a five-year accredited energy inspection.

What should the FM contract manager check?

Read the scope, not just the heading of the service schedule. Ask which exact buildings and plants are covered, who controls the equipment, what assessor accreditation is available and whether official report preparation and lodging are explicitly included.

Where a managing agent changes, obtain prior inspection records and any applicable building handover documents rather than assuming the previous facilities contractor completed the statutory requirement.

• Request the complete TM44 report and its register reference.
• Check inspected address, equipment, date and named assessor.
• Confirm what PPM, F-Gas and EPC evidence is held separately.
• Record report gaps and unresolved system information as UNKNOWN.

Can maintenance records improve the inspection?

Yes. An accurate equipment inventory, operating schedule and maintenance history can help an accredited assessor understand plant condition, controls and recent changes. These documents support the inspection; they are not interchangeable with its statutory output.

For a complex building, consider whether the equipment and access scope requires an assessor with a higher level of relevant scheme accreditation.

How should an FM portfolio plan both workstreams?

Maintain separate columns for routine PPM due dates and statutory TM44 inspection reports at the individual building/system level. Record each relevant person, actual inspection evidence and future review milestones; do not assign a misleading estate-wide compliant flag to unverified properties.

A preliminary office-led document review can help identify which sites need report retrieval, technical clarification or a scoped inspection quotation. It is not itself a legal compliance certificate.