London, United Kingdom: A new scheme that allows clients to hold suppliers to account over the performance of heat networks, installed using the Heat Networks Code of Practice CP1, has been opened for public consultation by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), according to a press release issued by CIBSE.

The ‘Client Checklists’, the press release said, have been designed to allow clients to check that their heat network has been installed to minimum standards set out in CP1, and to give them confidence that their scheme is of high quality and will provide low cost, low carbon heat.

The consultation, the press release highlighted, will allow assessors to use the checklists to give feedback on all aspects of the proposed system, as well as the methods for implementing them, to ensure that they are fit for purpose, and inspire confidence in the Code and their heat network. It added that the checklist approach will help clients to build up an ‘evidence pack’ of information that includes measures of performance at every stage of the project, which can be used to set targets and assess the success of the scheme against them.

The Heat Networks Code of Practice, the press release informed, was launched in June 2015, and provides the minimum technical requirements and standards that are assessed by the checklists.

“The Code of Practice on Heat Networks is designed to raise standards in heat network installations and ensure that the industry helps low carbon district heating to become a major part of the future of heat in the UK,” said Phil Jones, Chair of the CIBSE CHP and District Heating Group. “We want clients who use the Code to set targets, measure performance and build up an evidence pack so that we have an evidence base to show heat networks are a viable, long term option. By helping us to perfect these checklists, engineers can provide the tools developers need to apply the Code and raise standards.”

CIBSE informed that the checklists will be trialled later this year, and comments are invited on their consultation up until September 9, 2016, using a response form available on the CIBSE and ADE websites, respectively. The consultation can be found here: www.cibse.org/CP1checklists.