Developing Quality Heat Networks for Long-Term Efficiency and Compliance.
Regulatory Confidence
Ensure compliance with industry regulations from the outset.
Performance Excellence
Well designed and delivered networks for developers and end users.
Industry-leading Quality Assurance
Identify and mitigate risks early.
End-to-end Solutions
Ensure smooth transitions between design, construction, commissioning and long-term operation.
PREPERATION & BRIEFING
For developers embarking on new build heat network projects, setting clear and comprehensive Employer’s Requirements is crucial to achieving regulatory compliance, performance efficiency and long-term operational success. FairHeat leverages its technical expertise and leadership in industry standards – including our role as authors of the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) – to ensure that projects are structured for success from day one.
Our Employer’s Requirements framework goes beyond traditional specifications, incorporating Energy Strategy Supplements, Design Supplements, Standardised Designs and Contractor Supplements. These elements provide a risk-based decision-making process that enhances design integrity, ensures buildability and promotes seamless integration of heat network infrastructure.
By focusing on performance outcomes and cost-effectiveness, as well as compliance with CP1 (2020) and upcoming HNTAS requirements, we help developers avoid common pitfalls such as oversized networks, inefficiencies and poor resident experiences. Our expertise ensures that new build heat networks are designed, delivered and operated to the highest industry standards – optimising both capital and operational expenditures while future-proofing assets.
FESABILITY
For new build heat networks, early-stage feasibility decisions have a long-lasting impact on performance, efficiency and compliance. FairHeat supports developers, consultants and local authorities by ensuring that their heat networks are designed to deliver cost-effective, energy-efficient and resident-aligned outcomes.
Our feasibility services include Energy Strategy Reviews, ESCo Connection Agreement Negotiations and Regulatory Compliance Assessments, ensuring that developments align with industry standards such as CP1 (2020), Building Regulations Part L and the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). We provide strategic advice on system sizing, network routing and lifecycle risk assessment, helping developers avoid common pitfalls such as oversizing, poor control and inefficient heat distribution.
As technical leaders in the quality assurance of heat networks, FairHeat brings unmatched expertise in optimising system performance and meeting regulatory requirements. By integrating best practices from our work as industry standard authors and contributors, we help clients design high-performance, future-proofed heat networks that comply with evolving regulations.
DESIGN
For new build heat networks, achieving optimal performance, cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance starts with a robust design process. At FairHeat, we provide detailed design reviews and technical assessments, ensuring that heat networks are engineered to deliver high efficiency, reduced costs and enhanced long-term reliability.
Our Design Review services (covering RIBA Stage 3 & 4) focus on identifying and resolving inefficiencies before they become costly issues further down the line. We ensure correct design assumptions, accurate calculations and compliance with regulations, such as CP1 (2020) and the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Additionally, we support clients in ESCo negotiations, ensuring that technical requirements and agreements align with project objectives.
By applying industry-leading expertise and lessons learned from past projects, FairHeat helps developers create efficient, future-ready heat networks that deliver long-term value for both operators and residents.
CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION
A well-executed construction phase is essential for delivering high-performing, reliable and compliant heat networks in new build developments. At FairHeat, we provide specialist oversight and technical expertise to ensure contractor designs align with project specifications, installations meet industry standards and risks are managed effectively.
Our Contractor Design Review service ensures that design integrity is maintained throughout construction, preventing costly deviations, delays, or inefficiencies. We provide technical submittal reviews, reviews of design changes, reviews of specialist design pieces (e.g. pipework expansion, UFH design) and carry out risk assessments to guarantee compliance with M&E designs, performance standards and regulatory requirements.
Our Installation Review service focuses on early intervention and accuracy, providing comprehensive inspections of plant rooms, substations, network (above and below ground) and consumer connections. We conduct initial inspections early to identify design deviations and highlight installation issues that could impact performance, whilst setting project installation benchmarks to be taken forward in the project. This is supplemented with further on-site inspections throughout the construction phase, to maintain design compliance and ensure quality workmanship.
Our inspections are critical for preventing issues that may impact program timelines and operational performance, guaranteeing the system meets design intent and regulatory requirements. We ensure accurate as-built drawings are developed throughout the process, providing a reliable record for future maintenance and operation.
By providing structured contractor oversight and early intervention, FairHeat helps developers safeguard project quality, control costs and ensure a seamless transition from design to construction.
COMMISSIONING
A well-executed commissioning process is crucial to ensuring that new build heat networks operate as designed from day one. FairHeat provides structured commissioning oversight, helping developers avoid performance issues, inefficiencies and costly post-handover interventions.
Our services ensure that plant equipment, distribution networks, consumer connections and consumer heat systems are all tested, validated and optimised alongside the verification of water treatment activities. We conduct comprehensive load testing, witness commissioning activities and verify system performance, ensuring compliance with technical & regulatory standards and KPIs, whilst ensuring resident comfort and expectations are met. FairHeat will implement systems to sufficiently monitor and report on Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) KPIs, ensuring ongoing compliance.
By integrating detailed commissioning processes and independent verification, we help developers de-risk projects, improve long-term network performance and enhance resident satisfaction.
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
Effective asset management throughout the commissioning phase and into full operation is critical to ensuring long-term reliability, efficiency and regulatory compliance.
We support clients who are receiving new sites into their portfolio in an adoption capacity, ensuring that sites have been commissioned to the required standard, with excellent levels of performance and associated documentation to allow a smooth transition into the operational phase.
Our Defect and Liability Period (DLP) support ensures a successful start to a site’s operating life and ensures that standards do not slip at such a key milestone. Where construction snags are carried across to the operational phase, FairHeat manage this process on behalf of the client, ensuring maintenance activities are not halted as a result of disputes and all required works remain in place to support defect claims.
