Created: 19th February, 2026
Adam has over 12 years of experience working as a consultant in the construction industry, delivering building services design solutions for new and existing buildings, across all sectors.
He has extensive knowledge on working both, client side with developers on large residential and industrial schemes but has also delivered retrofit building services projects in education estates, collaborating with stakeholders throughout the design stages.
Adam’s key focus is leading the building services design team to deliver innovative solutions to Barker’s client base across the education, residential and commercial sectors.
The UK is entering a transformative phase in heat network regulation, with the upcoming Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) set to introduce mandatory technical standards across new and existing heat networks.
Developed under the Energy Act 2023, HNTAS will help operators demonstrate compliance with a new, legally enforceable technical code designed to improve performance, reliability, and consumer protection.
The scheme is planned to launch in 2027, following ongoing consultation and finalisation of regulatory requirements. The Heat Network Technical Standards consultation, now live, closes on the 15th of April 2026.
Organisations across the public and private sectors should begin preparing for these changes, as HNTAS will apply to heat networks ranging from communal systems to citywide district networks, covering both new build and existing assets.
Key technical requirements, such as insulation performance and flow temperature optimisation, build on established best practice, including CIBSE CP1 (2020).
The HNTAS is being introduced by the UK government to ensure that all heat networks meet mandatory technical and performance standards. Although full implementation is planned for 2027, organisations should start preparing now.
Here are the key steps involved in achieving compliance:
HNTAS is built around a new Technical Standards Code, developed by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and its technical author, FairHeat.
This includes requirements such as insulation performance, flow temperature standards, and other engineering criteria aligned with best practice like CIBSE CP1 (2020).
You must familiarise yourself with these requirements as they will be mandatory for both new and existing networks.
HNTAS applies broadly to communal and district heat networks of varying sizes, including retrofit projects.
The scheme is intended to cover the full lifecycle of networks from planning to operation.
Assess the scale, configuration, and operational status of your network to understand how the rules apply to you.
DESNZ and FairHeat are developing assessment and certification processes that operators must complete to demonstrate compliance. This will require gathering:
Good document control and governance will be essential.
Once the scheme opens, operators will undergo a formal assessment to verify that their network meets mandated standards. These assessments will examine design quality, build standards, operational performance and evidence of ongoing compliance.
Successfully completing the assessment will result in HNTAS certification.
This certification confirms that the network complies with mandatory technical standards and will become a legal requirement before 2027 for new networks, with phased requirements for existing networks.
HNTAS is not a one-off process. The scheme includes mechanisms for ongoing monitoring, performance verification and periodic recertification to ensure networks consistently meet required standards throughout their lifecycle. ‑off process.
The scheme includes mechanisms for ongoing monitoring, performance verification and periodic recertification to ensure networks consistently meet required standards throughout their lifecycle.
As a multi-disciplinary property consultancy, Barker offers an integrated team delivering Design, M&E Engineering and Project Management expertise.
As part of the TEEAM alliance, we provide an end-to-end solution to all your energy and estate management needs.
With the introduction of HNTAS, organisations will need robust programme management, technical compliance planning and coordinated delivery across estates teams, contractors and operators.
Barker is well-positioned to support organisations through:
If you manage, operate or plan to develop heat networks, now is the time to start preparing for the upcoming regulatory framework.
Barker’s team is ready to help you navigate the HNTAS requirements and secure long-term performance and compliance.
