What do Air Conditioning Inspections Cover?
Faq's - Frequently Asked Questions about Air
Conditioning Inspection procedures and techniques.
Note that all air-conditioning systems with an effective rated
output of more than 12kw rating must be regularly inspected by an Energy Assessor
(Refer to Compliance, and
the Directory to find an
assessor). The inspections must be a maximum of five years apart.
Examination
of Air Conditioning Systems
There
are several factors to be considered during the
inspection which, for the most part will involve a
visual survey of the system and photographs obtained
where necessary.
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Who
Can Carry Out A Survey?
An
approved assessor will carry out an inspection and will examine the refrigeration
(cooling systems) and air movement (Ventilation and
Fans) equipment that are installed as part of air-conditioning
system, this will include control systems as part of the
package. In small scale applications a commercial energy
assessor (Level 4) is accredited to survey such a
system. |
It will
be necessary to also examine any documentation and
schematic drawings and other relevant material that helps to understand the
system under review, this may also include the
examination of maintenance logs to ascertain maintenance
schedules to see the extent to which the systems have been maintained.
The
assessment will also entail further checks as required to estimate whether the system is suitably sized for the cooling loads in the treated spaces, and to provide advice on ways in which the performance of the system might be
improved, these improvements will be noted under
"Recommendations" as part of the report upon
completion.
Air
Conditioning Systems Access Arrangements
The
assessor will require access to air conditioning equipment that may be located in plant rooms, or
outbuildings containing ancillary equipment and
controls, which may include rooftops or other locations with limited provision for
access in order to conduct the survey.
The building owner or manager should agree the means for safe access with the energy assessor, following a health and safety risk assessment of the individual
situation at the site. The energy assessor may need to be accompanied by the responsible building manager or maintenance agent at all
times during the period of the inspection as part of
site safety management protocols.
In addition, further access may be required for some
types of air conditioning plant, for example to the inside of AHUs
(Air Handling Units) which may be located on the roof of
the building, or ductwork at the premises (see Safety
below). This must be provided and supervised by the responsible building manager or maintenance agent with due regard to the safety of the energy assessor and to building
occupants while the survey is conducted.
Safety
Aspects During Inspection
In
some situations this may require that the system be
shutdown to allow safe access, any arrangements may need to
take account of normal business working practices and
arrangements for inspection outside working hours may be
required to avoid disruption to normal business
activities. The Energy Assessor may need to access a sample of components, such as fan coil units, which may be hidden above suspended ceilings.
In this instance, access should be provided by the
facilities manager.
Building owners and managers should not expect the air conditioning inspection to identify hazards or unsafe aspects of the installation, operation or maintenance of systems that should be identified and addressed by other arrangements, nor should they expect the energy assessor to fi x any problem identified as part of the
inspection procedure.
Advice
may be provided on site by the inspector to notify
of defects found, the assessor is not obliged to
repair defects as found.
If owners or managers require this service then they should ensure that the need is clearly specified in the invitation to undertake
any work, and assure themselves that the energy assessor is competent to undertake such additional work, and ensure that such aspects are clearly expressed in their contract or agreement with the energy assessor.
Where
can I find an approved Inspector?
Remember
small scale systems can be inspected by a commercial
energy assessor as part of an energy assessment for
business premises for sale or lease, a directory of
commercial property assessors can be found in the links
section of this website. Large scale systems will
require a dedicated air conditioning energy assessor.
See also our Directory for
approved assessors for your local area.
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Did You Know? - Climate Control Systems could make
your Heating and Ventilating system run more
efficiently. |
Refer
also to Air
Conditioning for further details regarding Refrigeration, cooling, design, engineers, service, installation, maintenance, repairs, inspection, installers, Variable Refrigerant Volume/Flow Systems VRV VRF, Heat Recovery, Ducted Systems, Climate Control Systems, upgrades of New and Existing Air Conditioning HVAC Heating Ventilation plant (AHU) Air Handling Units and controls.
