See exactly what you receive. Every section explained.
These are the pages of a real TM44 report and certificate arranged by TM44.uk for a commercial client, shown as the accreditation scheme's pre-lodgement preview with the client, address, report numbers and assessor details removed. Use it to see what a proper inspection covers before you book.
What you're looking at: the assessor's software produces a preview of the report and certificate for checking before lodgement, which is why each page is marked as a preview. The final version is lodged on the government register under its report reference number, and that lodged record is the legal evidence of compliance. You receive both, plus the reference to find it on the register.
01
Cover and site details
The site address the inspection covers (redacted here).
The report reference number (RRN) used to find the lodged report on the national register.
Inspection date and issue date. This report was issued seven days after the visit.
The accredited assessor and their scheme. Only a scheme member can lodge a TM44 report.
02
Key recommendations
Recommendations are grouped into efficiency, maintenance, controls and management.
There is no legal duty to carry them out, but they are where the energy savings sit.
03
Sub-system index
Each sampled sub-system gets an ID, the area it serves and its effective rated cooling output in kW.
Counts of cooling plant, air handling units, terminal units and controls.
04
Plant inspected and visual checks
Manufacturer, model, year installed, refrigerant type and charge for each unit.
A checklist of visual checks: plant operational, clearances, condenser condition, insulation, each with notes.
05
Sizing assessment
Estimated heat gain for the space, compared with the installed capacity.
A verdict on whether the system is sized as expected, plus advice for future replacements.
06
The certificate summary
A one-page summary with the report number and the date the next inspection is due.
Total effective rated output (here 142 kW), treated floor area and estimated refrigerant charge.
Each sub-system's refrigerant type and the age of its main components.
The terms that matter.
RRN (report reference number)
The 20-digit number that identifies a lodged report. Use it to find the report on the government register.
Related RRN
Links the report to its certificate summary, which has its own reference.
Inspection level
Level 3 covers simple systems: unitary, split, multi-split and VRF packaged units. Level 4 covers complex, centralised systems such as air handling units, chilled water and water-loop heat pump systems. The assessor must hold the level the building needs.
Effective rated output
The combined cooling capacity in kW. More than 12 kW means an inspection is required.
System sampling
CIBSE TM44 lets the assessor inspect a representative sample: at least 10% or 3 packaged systems, including one of each manufacturer.
Valid until
Inspections must be no more than five years apart. This date is your next deadline.
TM44, EPC, DEC and F-Gas: not the same thing.
Facilities teams often assume one certificate covers another. It doesn't. Each answers a different legal question, and a building can need all four.
DocumentWhat it assessesWho needs itHow oftenLodged?
TM44 inspection reportEfficiency of the air-conditioning systems and how to improve itBuildings with more than 12 kW of air conditioningAt least every five yearsYes, on the national register
EPCEnergy rating of the whole building, A to GBuildings being built, sold or letValid for 10 yearsYes, on the national register
DECActual operational energy use, displayed in the buildingLarger public buildings frequently visited by the publicRenewed annually or every 10 years, by sizeYes, on the national register
F-Gas leak checkWhether refrigerant is leaking from equipmentEquipment above the CO₂-equivalent thresholdsTypically every 6 or 12 months by CO₂-equivalent charge; doubled with automatic leak detectionNo. Records kept by the operator
F-Gas leak-check intervals depend on the refrigerant, its CO₂-equivalent charge and whether automatic leak detection is fitted: GOV.UK guidance sets 12 months from 5 tonnes and 6 months from 50 tonnes CO₂e, doubled where detection is installed, with detection mandatory from 500 tonnes. Northern Ireland follows its own guidance. Inspection levels follow the CIBSE Certification definitions.
In England and Wales the fixed penalty for not having a valid TM44 report is £300, and £200 for not producing a copy within seven days of a request. A report only counts once it's lodged on the register.
