Air conditioning requirements for businesses in the UK are commonly misunderstood. During the hot summer months, it is a topic of debate as people sit at their desks trying to keep themselves cool and claim the office is too hot, so they must be allowed to work from home, or air conditioning must be installed.
The truth is, there are no legal requirements that specify a business must install air conditioning. However, some regulations and standards indirectly address the need for a comfortable workplace, which includes keeping it at a comfortable temperature.
At Cool-Tec, we are advocates for air conditioning in the workplace because we know what a difference they can make, not just to employee comfort but to their morale and productivity and to your bottom line. With this said, we also know there are no legalities around it, and this can be confusing.
In this blog, we share the legal requirements that need to be met to ensure a comfortable working space and how air conditioning helps to comply with these.
UK Workplace Temperature Regulations
Another debate that goes hand in hand with the air conditioning requirements is the discussion around temperature requirements. We have all been involved in an office chat that stated that once the space gets to a certain temperature, we have to be allowed to go home.
Unfortunately, in the UK, there is no temperature limit for a workspace.
There are, however, regulations that state the space has to be “reasonably comfortable” in terms of temperature. In the winter, a workplace shouldn’t drop below 16°C for sedentary work or 13°C for physical work, but it could be anything at all in the summer as long as you can prove it is comfortable.
So, what does all this mean? In basic terms, air conditioning isn’t legally required, but being comfortable is.
Can Air Conditioning Help Meet Comfort Standards?
Air conditioning units are a great way to create a comfortable working environment.
First and foremost, they will keep the space at a comfortable temperature. If you opt for a unit that also provides heating, this can be used year-round to warm up the workplace when it is cold.
Additionally, air conditioning units filter the air, meaning your staff are breathing cleaner air too. This is not a direct requirement for keeping the workplace comfortable but is a bonus – especially for those who suffer from hay fever throughout spring and summer.
While there are alternative methods to meeting the legal requirements for comfort, such as ventilation (opening windows), fans and heaters, air conditioning offers an efficient system that can quickly cool an area down (or heat it up) while keeping energy bills low.
Meeting Air Conditioning Standards and Compliance
If you decide to install an air conditioning unit on your business premises, you can be confident that you are complying with the regulations to keep a workplace comfortable. This is as long as your air conditioning units meet the air conditioning standards.
Every five years, you will need to ensure a TM44 inspection is carried out by an accredited energy assessor to inspect your air conditioning unit.
These inspections assess and report on:
- The efficiency of your system
- Any faults identified
- The adequacy of equipment maintenance
- The adequacy of the installed controls and control settings
- The current size of the installed system for the cooling load
They are designed to boost the energy efficiency of buildings and further environmental goals.
This inspection will give you peace of mind that you are doing your bit to keep employees comfortable with an energy-efficient system that is working towards environmental goals.
Moreover, regular maintenance will keep a closer eye on the systems and their components to ensure they are all functioning as they should be. Annual services spot and repair small problems before they turn into bigger problems, keeping the system performing at optimal efficiency. Committing to a maintenance package is another way that you can be confident you meet workplace comfort regulations and standards.
Why Consider Air Conditioning To Keep Your Workplace Comfortable?
There are many benefits to installing an air conditioning system in your workplace to maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature year-round.
- Boosting productivity – When employees are comfortable, they can focus on getting their work done rather than searching for methods to cool down or warm up.
- Reducing health risks – Fluctuating temperatures in spaces that get too hot or cold could pose a potential health risk to employees.
- Clean air – Air conditioning units will filter the air, meaning bacteria, dust and pollution are removed.
Make Your Workplace Comfortable
So, while there are no direct legislation that state air conditioning units are a legal requirement for businesses in the UK, there are standards and regulations to ensure workplaces are kept comfortable for employees.
Air conditioning systems are just one method of meeting these requirements.
Cool-Tec are air conditioning specialists, having worked in a range of commercial sectors over our 40 years of business.
With our in-depth understanding of air conditioning systems and workplace legislation, we can work with your business to design a bespoke system that will meet your needs.
You can be confident that our installations and maintenance services will be smooth and result in an easy-to-use air conditioning system that will keep everyone happy and comfortable while keeping your energy bills low.
Contact us today to learn more about how air conditioning can meet your needs and legal requirements. Call us on 0800 0189941 or complete our online contact form, and we will be happy to contact you to answer your questions.
