At the preparation and briefing stage, FairHeat provides a comprehensive range of services designed to set the foundation for a successful heat network project. Our expertise ensures that clients can address key challenges, engage stakeholders, and develop a clear and actionable strategy.
New Build Developments
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.
The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) is creating a regulated environment for all heat networks, and compliance with technical standards is a requirement to enable successful completion of a project. FairHeat’s broad experience and expertise in heat network development, and our role as author of HNTAS and the update to CP1 (2020), means that we are perfectly placed to ensure Employer’s Requirements:
- Are robust and ensure compliance
- Align all projects with client preferences and strategy
- Derisk against delays or poor quality during the project
The standard documentation we can provide for inclusion in a set of Employer’s Requirements includes the Energy Strategy Supplement, Design Supplement, Standardised Designs and Contractor Supplement.
Decisions made at Energy Strategy stage have a significant influence on the risk profile of the development over its lifetime. These decisions should be Developer-led and scheme specific, with risk assessments used to make informed choices. The primary aim of an Energy Strategy is to demonstrate compliance with the relevant regulations and policies (regional and local) concerning sustainability and environmental impacts. Low temperature heat networks represent a proven, cost effective and future-proofed infrastructure on which to build a heat decarbonisation strategy at both a site and regional level. The FairHeat Energy Strategy Supplement provides a framework for producing Energy Strategies utilising low temperature heat networks that standardise the dwelling and building elements of the design. It then sets out a clear, risk-based decision process on how to design the central generation plant to deliver compliance whilst de-risking its technical complexity and lifecycle costs.
The Energy Strategy Supplement is also geared towards providing additional support in meeting the requirements of the feasibility stages of CP1 (2020) rather than actively replacing it.
Given the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme will primarily align with the requirements of CP1 (2020), the Energy Strategy Supplement provides stakeholders with the best opportunity to prepare for compliance with the regulations during the feasibility stage.
Heat networks in the UK have been subject to oversizing, poor control, high heat losses, overheating and poor resident experiences. These issues result in both excessive capital and operational costs for the heat network asset.
In contrast to this, high performance heat networks are achievable, sustainable, and proven to work. FairHeat’s industry leading Heat Networks Design Supplement guarantees an appropriate design with foundations based on defined and measurable performance targets, ensuring its success.
FairHeat’s Design Supplement is used by over 20 housing developers and influences the design and specification of over 20,000 homes on heat networks every year. It works alongside, rather than to supersede or replace, the design requirements of CP1 (2020), therefore allowing its users to prepare for the requirements of HNTAS in the regulated environment.
Implementation of the document has demonstrated a proven track record of improved resident satisfaction and network performance.
Alongside delivery of the Heat Network Design Supplement, FairHeat can work with clients to develop a series of standardised designs and details for their upcoming heat networks. The standardised designs serve as the foundation for further project development which reduces decision-making during detailed design . By using proven and optimised designs and control methodologies, FairHeat can minimise project delivery risks and ensure consistency of assets for clients managing the operation of their heat networks
Whilst the Energy Strategy & Design Supplements are focused on design and specification, FairHeat have also developed several streamlined processes, tools and specifications covering the construction, commissioning and testing of heat networks. The Contractor Supplement encapsulates this work and allows clients to make these requirements a contractual obligation.
Delivering heat networks is a complicated process involving multiple stakeholders.
The Contractor Supplement supports these stakeholders throughout the design, construction, commissioning and handover phases.
The ensures that the specification is met, performance outcomes are achieved, and both the capital and lifetime operating costs of heat networks are minimised. Additionally, the Contractor Supplement provides a framework for demonstrating compliance with the installation, commissioning and testing aspects of CP1 (2020), which will also form the basis of the technical requirements of the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme.
The document is built around the following key principles:
- Provide transparency of process to drive trust
- Ensure continuity of performance specification between handovers
- Identify and mitigate risks throughout build, not at adoption
- Use independent testing to verify performance
- Ensure minimum evidence always provided
- Upskill industry supply chain
Operational Network
For existing heat network operators, maintaining system reliability, performance, and compliance is an ongoing challenge. At the Preparation & Briefing stage, FairHeat provides a structured approach to operations and maintenance, ensuring that networks are not only efficient and cost-effective but also resilient to risks such as system failures, poor maintenance practices, and regulatory non-compliance.
Our O&M Specification Service helps clients define clear maintenance standards, incorporating best practices from SFG20, CIBSE Guide M, and regulatory frameworks to ensure that operational procedures are both consistent and effective. Additionally, our O&M Contractor Procurement Support ensures that service providers meet the highest standards of quality and technical expertise, preventing the common pitfalls of low-cost, low-quality maintenance contracts.
To further enhance network resilience, we support operators in Disaster Recovery Planning, helping them prepare for unexpected failures and emergency scenarios that could otherwise lead to financial, operational, and reputational risks. By integrating risk assessments, contingency planning, and supplier coordination, we provide clients with a clear strategy for responding to critical failures while maintaining service continuity.
With FairHeat’s expertise, operators gain the confidence that their networks are well-managed, compliant, and prepared for future regulatory changes, ensuring long-term performance and sustainability.
One of the critical fundamentals often missing from operational heat networks is defining “what maintenance actually is”. Without this, standards quickly drop as proactive servicing is missed, water quality isn’t correctly managed, and documentation of any works fails to provide the necessary information to adequately manage the heat network.
FairHeat have developed Operation and Maintenance Specifications for several clients, ensuring that industry best practice and standards (from sources such as SFG20 and CIBSE Guide M) are included alongside client-specific internal requirements. Having all maintenance requirements within one concise deliverable helps give clear instruction to those undertaking maintenance activities, states minimum levels of training, competence, and quality of deliverables, and can help form the background of maintenance contracts which are to be tendered.
This deliverable covers organisational standards and general maintenance requirements across most sites – with only minor site-specific changes needed as new sites are included underneath the O&M regime.
Procurement for suitable suppliers within the Operations and Maintenance sector can be challenging to get right, with a heavy emphasis placed on cost but not on quality or thoroughness of maintenance itself – leading to a “race to the bottom” approach and sites quickly falling into disrepair.
Furthermore, contractors who may look attractive on cost initially may fail to price correctly to cover the full O&M requirements expected on site. This often leads to multiple variations throughout the contract duration, resulting in a poor service that may end up costing more than those who looked relatively expensive at the outset.
FairHeat can manage O&M tendering exercises on behalf of clients, ensuring that all requirements to fully maintain the site are considered, no hidden costs are present, and clear examples of their work elsewhere are considered to ensue it meets the quality and thoroughness expected to fully manage the heat network.
The findings and recommendations are summarised and presented to the client upon completion of the assessment to make the final decision, with all benefits and risks clearly available to support decision making.
Failure to have contingency plans in place for operational heat networks can lead to significant risk from various fronts – financial, resident comfort, health and safety, regulatory, reputational, etc. Although preventative measures should be in place to mitigate against unexpected failure, it is critical to have a plan in place for these types of unplanned events.
FairHeat review the heat network to identify areas significantly exposed in the event of equipment failure or heat supply outages, and engage with O&M contractors and suppliers to confirm requirements and lead times for necessities such as temporary boilers, electric storage heaters, and bottled water. Once the requirements are confirmed, a disaster recovery plan is documented to allow for clear instruction and rapid deployment in the event it is required.
District Heating
The success of a district heating network begins with a strong foundation. At the Preparation & Briefing stage, FairHeat provides the essential insights, analysis, and strategic guidance needed to ensure feasibility, efficiency, and long-term viability. Our approach focuses on identifying opportunities, developing commercialisation strategy, de-risking projects, and ensuring compliance with evolving industry standards.
From assessing the viability of district heating networks to defining Client Requirements, our expertise enables network developers to make informed, data-driven decisions that shape the future of their projects. Whether you are at the early exploration phase or preparing to move toward commercialisation, our structured methodology ensures that critical risks are addressed early, technical and economic feasibility is established, clear performance expectations are set and a route into delivery is developed.
With our deep knowledge of heat network optimisation, stakeholder engagement and real-world project execution, we guide clients through regulatory frameworks, financial modelling, and strategic planning, ensuring district heating projects are not only viable but also scalable, efficient, and future-proofed.
At FairHeat, our District Heating Viability Assessments enable rapid determination of the feasibility of implementing a district heating system in a given city or area. Focussing on heat density alongside the presence of waste heat sources and viable Energy Centre land opportunities, we provide an early assessment of an area’s potential for District Heating.
This is presented in the form of key metrics that allow the client to understand an area’s potential, as well as the ability to compare it alongside other schemes. We also identify the key risks and opportunities that should be investigated at the next stage of Feasibility, should the client decide to proceed with the scheme. As part of this service we:
- Use real-world data, not benchmarks, to deliver accurate demand assessments, ensuring that the recommendations we provide are both practical and reliable.
- Conduct wide-ranging heat source appraisals, giving you a clear view of all potential options, key stakeholders, risks and economic performance of different options.
- Focus on phasing of the development, assessing both the initial implementation and the full build-out of your project, balancing economic performance of both points, to ensure a scalable and future-proofed approach.
Our service is designed to be a stepping stone towards securing funding and advancing your project to commercialisation. By partnering with us, you gain access to a trusted team that prioritises efficiency, accuracy, and long-term success for your district heating projects.
At the feasibility stage of district heating development, establishing clear and robust Client’s Requirements is essential to ensuring project success.
FairHeat provides expert guidance in developing Project and Employer’s Requirements, that define the performance, design, delivery, and operational expectations for a district heating scheme. This document serves as the blueprint for project brief development, ensuring alignment between stakeholders and reducing project risks from the outset.
Our Client’s Requirements sets out the critical performance expectations that will inform the Employer’s Requirements contractual documentation. This ensures a structured, standardised approach to project execution, covering:
- Design: Energy strategy selection, energy centre specifications, buried network planning, and customer connections.
- Delivery: A commissioning and testing strategy for the energy centre, buried network, and building connections.
- Operation: Setting measurable targets that guarantee efficient, cost-effective, and reliable heat network performance, positioning the network to transition into a regulated world.
