The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) has released the draft Heat Network Technical Standard (TS1), a landmark development in the transition to a regulated heat network market in Great Britain.
TS1 will supersede the widely adopted CP1 (2020) Code of Practice, marking the shift from voluntary best practice to a formal regulatory standard that will underpin the forthcoming Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Once finalised, TS1 will serve as the primary technical reference for minimum requirements necessary for the proper design, installation, commissioning and operation of heat networks across the country.
What is TS1
TS1 is a comprehensive, government-funded technical standard for heat networks, covering the full lifecycle of a system from Concept Design to Operation & Maintenance.
The standard introduces key aims:
- Meet consumers’ heat demands reliably.
- Minimise the cost of heat over the lifespan of the Heat Network.
- Ensure sufficient performance and reliability during the design, construction, and operation of the Heat Network.
- Reduce carbon emissions associated with the provision of heat.
Structured across seven stages, TS1 aligns with the Technical Standards and Assessment Procedures set out in Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) and establishes a consistent foundation for delivering reliable, efficient, low-carbon heat to consumers.
Read the full document here:
FairHeat’s Role in Developing TS1
FairHeat was appointed by DESNZ in 2024 as the Technical Author for TS1, responsible for drafting the new standard and supporting the extensive engagement and governance process behind it.
The authors worked closely with DESNZ, the HNTAS Shadow Code Management Committee, a 14-member Technical Standards Committee and four specialist Technical Sub-Working Groups to shape a standard grounded in technical rigour, industry consensus and real-world deliverability.
Gareth Jones, Managing Director at FairHeat and Lead Author, comments:
“The publication of TS1 is a huge step forward for the sector. It represents not just a technical evolution, but a shared industry commitment to quality, accountability and ensuring minimum standards of heat networks in Great Britain. I’m hugely grateful for the collective effort from DESNZ, the Technical Standards Committee, independent peer reviewers and the team at FairHeat who have worked tirelessly to bring this to life.”
Charlie Davies, Consulting Engineer and co-author, said:
“I’ve been working full-time on TS1 since Summer 2024, and it’s been a brilliant experience to collaborate with more than 40 technical experts across the sector. Seeing the draft released is a proud moment. This standard reflects deep technical discussions about a critical challenge and an ambition shared by experts across the field to deliver reliable, accountable heat networks.”
Tom Burton, Principal Engineer at FairHeat, said:
“TS1 is a landmark moment in the regulatory evolution of heat networks in Britain. Robust technical standards are essential to unlock investment, ensure consistent design and operation, and deliver good outcomes for consumers. This work has only been possible because of the enormous commitment shown by stakeholders across the industry.”
Level of Industry Engagement
The development of TS1 has been one of the most collaborative technical exercises undertaken in the heat network sector to date. Over 40 stakeholders from 39 organisations contributed directly to TS1 through structured workshops, reviews, and technical discussions. A further 130+ experts across 70+ organisations contributed to related HNTAS technical material that has been integrated into TS1.
Four specialist Technical Sub-Working Groups developed new requirements on:
- Pressure
- Resilience
- Water quality
- Insulation
- Equipment condition
Stakeholders included ESCos, housing providers, local authorities, consultants, manufacturers, contractors, and industry bodies, each investing significant time to ensure the standard is technically robust and practically deliverable.
Pete Mills, Commercial Technical Operations Manager at Bosch Thermotechnology, noted:
“TS1 is a significant step forward in the development of technical standards for the heat network sector. My experience is that the process to develop the standard has been a rigorous one, that has introduced new methods and approach for coping with development of standards that cover complex technical content.”
The standard underwent formal independent Peer Review by Douglas Lockyer, James Culbertson, and Paul Woods.
James Culbertson, Director at The Keenan Consultancy, commented:
“I felt it was important to share the knowledge gained over 20 years of dealing with District, communal Heating and now Heat Networks and believed as I had assisted with CP.1, being involved in new advisory content and sound techniques for the next tranche of industry wide advice was important. This provides much more focused support to a known effective scalable growing carbon reducing heat source”
Douglas Lockyer, Principal Engineer at Hoare Lea, said:
“FairHeat (working on behalf of DESNZ) managed the review process exceptionally well, setting clear objectives and expectations during my initial briefing, and arranging constructive discussions on my observations during our post-review debriefing. Fairheat made it easy to integrate my comments directly into the draft at the relevant points, thereby avoiding the need for separate comment sheets.”
A Foundation for the Future of Heat Networks
The draft publication gives the sector early visibility of the regulatory baseline that will underpin heat networks from 2026 onwards. Once finalised, TS1 will form the backbone of the technical requirements set out under HNTAS, enabling Ofgem-regulated oversight and greater protection for consumers.
