DESIGN

FairHeat have encountered several new build developments where the heat network efficiency has been below expectations, resulting in £/kWh heat costs that have been significantly above expected levels. In addition to elevated heat costs, heat losses have other negative knock on impacts, such as overheating in corridors.

The historical performance issues that we see are a product of several different factors, including over-conservative design decisions made by consultants, poor equipment selection and lack of specification for rigorous commissioning processes.

Our design reviews identify opportunities that will:

• Reduce capital costs
• Positively impact performance, efficiency and reliability
• Reduce overall operating costs for heat network operatorS
• Reduce cost of heat for residents
• Increase ease of maintenance and promote heat network longevity
• Comply with good practice with regards to current industry standards, particularly with regards to the minimum requirements set out within CP1 2020, the FairHeat Heat Networks Design Supplement and other industry guidelines.

This peer review process has been carried out by FairHeat on a multitude of new build and retrofit heat networks and we have a proven track record in achieving greatly improved schemes through betterments in the above metrics. The approaches and lessons learned from these processes have been able to be factored into FairHeat’s technical authoring of HNTAS, therefore clients can gain the assurance that their heat networks are undergoing similar processes and meeting the same technical requirements that may be required by HNTAS.

During the reviews of design the focus will be on ensuring that correct design assumptions are used and, that the design approach is in line with client ERs and industry best practice. More specifically, FairHeat will:

• Review design documents to ensure key evidence has been provided:
  • Network options appraisal
  • Heating System Options Appraisal
  • Pipe Size and Insulation Calculations
  • Heat Demand Calculations
  • Main Heat Plant Design Review
• Evaluate the design documents that have been provided and assess: (a) any areas of risk with respect to meeting Key Objectives & Targets; and (b) compliance with the overarching objectives
• Review the LTHW plant room hydraulic arrangement and sizing of plantroom equipment
• Carry out comparative sitewide space heating/hot water heat demand and pipe sizing calculations and provide marked-up schematics for risers, laterals and terminal runs, and check the check the calculation methodology for pipe sizing is in line with the CP1 (2020) requirements
• Carry out pipe sizing and DHW delivery time calculations and provide marked-up schematics for the DHW circuit for different dwelling types
• Review the LTHW Stage 4 equipment schedules and comment on plant selection
• Review the Stage 4 M&E specification (heat network elements only) including commissioning and pre-commissioning (water treatment) specifications
• Review DesOps to ensure appropriate Stage 4 DesOps produced for control philosophy capturing response of system to demand including sequencing of all plant items, alarms and BMS points list (also categorisation of which sensors are to be remotely changeable e.g. boiler set points)
• Provide recommendations and suggestions for how to improve likely performance and minimise risks, with potential value engineering opportunities
• Ensuring CP1 (2020) is considered and met throughout design stages through checklists and statements of applicability

When developers are connecting to wider heat networks operated by ESCos, there are additional considerations, particularly with regards to technical requirements and heat supply and connection agreements.

FairHeat will be able to feed into this stage to ensure that:

• Contract negotiations with the ESCo are finalised and complete to minimise risks
• Support is provided in ensuring that ESCo technical requirements are being met through design stage, and any alterations are documented in derogations trackers.

At the design stage, ensuring that retrofit works on low-temperature hot water (LTHW) systems are well-planned, compliant, and future-proofed is essential for achieving long-term efficiency and regulatory compliance. FairHeat provides comprehensive RIBA Stage 3 and 4 design services, developing detailed tender and construction-ready designs that align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements, including the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS).

Our RIBA 3 & 4 design service covers the full design process for retrofit projects, ensuring networks are efficient, cost-effective, and compliant:

RIBA Stage 3+/4- Tender Design: Development of detailed design documentation for procurement and tendering purposes.

RIBA Stage 4 Issue for Construction: Producing fully developed construction-ready designs, ensuring clarity and precision in implementation.

Ongoing Design Support (RIBA 5 Onwards): Reviewing contractor proposals, responding to RFIs, and providing technical oversight during construction.

We take a structured approach to retrofit design, covering:

• Detailed Technical Calculations: Performing heat loss assessments, pipe sizing, and equipment sizing to develop precise, optimised designs.
• Comprehensive Design Documentation: Creating schematics, layouts, and specification documents to guide construction.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Engaging with specialist suppliers for fire design, structural, AHU, and other technical elements.
• Regulatory Compliance & Approvals: Supporting planning applications, building control approvals, and HNTAS compliance.
• Tender & Procurement Support: Assisting in contractor selection and supply chain coordination to ensure project efficiency.
• Construction Phase Oversight: Updating design documentation in response to contractor feedback and ensuring alignment with design intent.

FairHeat’s RIBA 3 & 4 designs provide highly detailed, technically robust, and fully compliant solutions for retrofit heat network projects. Our unique expertise in regulatory compliance, particularly HNTAS, ensures that all designs meet the latest industry standards, reducing risk and ensuring long-term network performance.

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) and the Building Safety Act (BSA), the Principal Designer plays a critical role in managing design risk, regulatory compliance, and health & safety throughout the design and construction phases of retrofit heat network projects. FairHeat provides comprehensive Principal Designer support, ensuring that clients meet their statutory obligations while delivering safe, compliant, and high-performance heat networks.

FairHeat acts as the Principal Designer for retrofit projects, providing expert oversight in:

Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring:

• Ensuring Principal Designer responsibilities under CDM and BSA are met.
• Supporting compliance with Building Regulations across all retrofit scopes.

Competency & Risk Assessment:

• Reviewing designer and contractor competency and assisting with necessary appointment letters.
• Conducting design and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential issues.

Health & Safety Oversight:

• Producing the Pre-Construction Information File, ensuring key safety requirements are addressed.
• Establishing and reviewing H&S file structures throughout the construction process.

Design Change Management:

• Conducting design change reviews to assess the impact on safety, compliance, and project outcomes.

Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Support for Higher-Risk Buildings:

• Providing detailed guidance and supporting applications using our trusted supply chain.

FairHeat’s Principal Designer support provides clients with a structured, compliance-driven approach to risk management, design safety, and regulatory adherence. Our deep expertise in retrofit projects and strong industry relationships ensure that safety, compliance, and best practices are embedded throughout the design process.

The energy centre is the heart of a district heating network. At the design stage, ensuring a technically robust, cost-effective, and scalable energy centre design is essential for the long-term performance and sustainability of the network.

FairHeat’ energy centre design team, provides expert-led design services who specialise in energy centre design development, providing an experienced team able to deliver efficiently and at speed.

Whilst tailoring of solutions are developed for all projects, FairHeat’s design philosophy developed through experience and feedback, provides consistency and outcomes even in complex and unique projects.
Our Energy Centre Design service delivers a structured approach to performance-driven, future-proofed solutions, covering:

• Concept to Detailed Design (RIBA 2-4): Developing full energy centre designs, from feasibility through to tender and construction-ready documentation.
• Heat Generation Strategy Development: High-efficiency heat generation technologies, waste heat offtake and heat recovery solutions.
• Thermal Storage Modelling: Ensuring optimal sizing with consideration to flexibility in operational stage, improving long-term operational efficiency, cost effectiveness and carbon savings.
• Plant Room Layout & Equipment Selection: Engineering efficient plant layouts, ensuring maintenance accessibility and space optimisation.
• Grid & Utility Connections: Managing gas, electricity, and water supply connections for seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Ensuring designs align with technical and planning regulations, reducing future compliance risks.

With deep technical expertise in energy centre design, FairHeat ensures that district heating projects benefit from optimised, scalable, and regulatory-compliant solutions.

FairHeat’s energy centre design team offer a comprehensive multi-disciplinary design review service, which focuses on ensuring designs are constructable and commissionable, safe to own and operate, deliver heat cost and carbon content expected.

The collaborative review and structure enables scheme specific constraints, challenges and design decisions to be understood and final strategy assessed.

The buried network is the backbone of a district heating system, distributing heat from the energy centre to connected buildings.

A well-designed buried network is essential to minimise heat losses, optimise hydraulic performance, and ensure cost-efficient operation. At FairHeat, we provide expert design services, ensuring that pipe routing, insulation, and hydraulic considerations are fully optimised for long-term reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Our Buried Network Design service delivers a performance-focused approach that ensures networks are technically sound, cost-effective, and scalable, covering:

• Survey Information to Inform Key Risks: FairHeat scope, commission & manage the key site surveys required for buried network design, including topographical, ground penetration radar and trial hole excavations. This is critical information to map the buried network environment and identify potential construction issues prior to commencing the install phase, reducing delay costs.
• Pipe Routing & Layout Design (RIBA 3-4): Optimising pipe lengths, connection points, and trench configurations to minimise capital costs and heat losses. Assessing optimal running depths and limiting deep excavations only where necessary, to minimise excavation costs.
• Pipe Sizing & Hydraulic Modelling: Ensuring balanced pressure, flow rates, and optimal return temperatures to improve network efficiency.
• Material Selection & Insulation Strategy: Selecting the most suitable materials and insulation levels to enhance system durability and thermal efficiency.
• Thermal Expansion Design: Assessing operational stresses and design appropriate thermal expansion provisions to ensure long term operational integrity.
• Expansion & Phasing Considerations: Designing for future network expansion, ensuring flexibility for additional connections.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensuring designs align with evolving technical and planning regulations, while mitigating groundwork and installation risks.

FairHeat brings industry-leading expertise in buried network design, ensuring that district heating schemes benefit from cost-efficient, low-loss, and future-ready infrastructure.

FairHeat’s buried network design team offer a comprehensive design review service, which focuses on ensuring designs are constructable and commissionable, compliance with manufacturer standards, industry best practice and client’s specifications. This review focuses on ensuring:

• Evidence for route selection has been provided, and has been optimised
• Sufficient survey information has been gathered to inform the route, and identify potential clashes below ground
• Thermal expansion has been assessed and appropriately designed
• Future proofing, isolation and commissioning strategies have been developed
• Pipe sizing is suitable