Updated: 1st May, 2026
Created: 5th May, 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.
Air conditioning systems are a common sight across many schools, sixth form colleges, and modern academy estates.
From IT suites, studios, and office and administration areas to refurbished teaching blocks, many systems exceed the 12kW threshold that triggers a statutory TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection every five years.
For many education providers, however, TM44 compliance remains overlooked – particularly where systems have been installed incrementally over time.
Barker supports schools and academy trusts with structured TM44 inspections that ensure compliance while identifying practical energy and cost savings.
TM44 refers to the statutory inspection of air conditioning systems under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations (England & Wales).
An inspection is required where:
This includes split systems, VRF installations, fan coil units, and centralised air handling plant.
The inspection must be carried out by an accredited assessor and lodged on the national register.
Although compliance is a legal responsibility, the value of TM44 lies in what it reveals. Air conditioning is one of the more energy-intensive services in a school, and it is easy for inefficiencies to accumulate over time.
TM44 inspections identify systems operating outside occupancy hours or controls that drift into patterns that don’t match how spaces are used.
In other cases, the plant itself was oversized from the start, often installed during earlier refurbishments when future use wasn’t fully understood. Also, systems approaching the end of their life naturally lose efficiency long before they are labelled as outdated.
An inspection highlights these subtle issues. Addressing them doesn’t always require investment in new equipment.
Sometimes simple operational adjustments create meaningful savings, which is why many trusts view TM44 as an essential part of keeping energy use under control.
Through our work with schools and academy trusts, we frequently encounter:
Where a valid TM44 inspection report is not in place, enforcement action is possible. More commonly, however, schools simply miss the opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Although TM44 is a standalone requirement, the insight it provides can support far wider estate planning. Schools often use the findings to inform future replacement programmes or to strengthen bids for CIF and other capital funding.
The information also contributes meaningfully to decarbonisation strategies, giving decision‑makers a clearer understanding of ageing equipment and the efficiency of existing plant.
For trusts managing multiple schools, portfolio-level TM44 work can create consistency, close compliance gaps, and build a more accurate energy profile across the estate.
Barker begins by confirming whether TM44 applies to the estate and checking the status of any existing certificates.
We then arrange the inspection through accredited assessors and ensure the process is coordinated smoothly across all sites involved.
After the assessment, we translate the findings into clear, practical actions and align them with wider estate priorities so the outcomes inform long-term planning.
This approach keeps compliance on track and gives schools and trusts straightforward insight into how their systems can perform better.
If your estate includes:
It is likely that the 12kW threshold is exceeded.
If you are unsure whether your estate requires a TM44 inspection, we can provide a brief compliance review and confirm your position.
TM44 inspections are a relatively modest exercise, but they can act as a catalyst for measurable savings and better estate planning.
To arrange a TM44 compliance review or discuss how this applies to your school or trust, please contact our team.
