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Decree no. 2018-126 of February 22, 2018, on the inspection of air-conditioning systems and reversible heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity of more than 12 kilowatts, came into force on July 1, 2018. This decree sets the frequency and terms of periodic inspections of these systems. It also regulates the content of an air-conditioning booklet, centralizing all data and documents relating to air-conditioning systems, to facilitate inspections.
Air conditioning systems covered by the decree
This decree concerns air-conditioning systems and heat pumps, whether simple or complex, with an effective rated cooling capacity of over 12 kilowatts. Air-conditioning systems are defined as the combination of all the components needed to provide a form of indoor air treatment for a property with a roof and walls, in which the temperature is controlled or can be lowered.
Note that when several air-conditioning systems or reversible heat pumps are networked together to control or lower the air temperature, the whole is considered to be a single system whose rated cooling capacity is equal to the sum of the rated capacities of the systems in the network.
Air conditioning booklet
This decree creates an air-conditioning booklet, defined as "the file grouping together the data relating to the air-conditioning system, the use made of it, and the indoor climate regulation needs it meets". The purpose of this booklet is therefore to centralize all information and documents relating to air-conditioning systems in order to facilitate the assessment of their performance and sizing during inspections, as defined in the Decree of December 15, 2016.
Inspection frequency and procedures
The decree stipulates that, by default, the inspection of efficiency, sizing and air-conditioning booklet must be carried out at least once every five years, and that in the case of first-time installation or replacement, the first inspection must be carried out no later than the calendar year following the replacement or installation.
However, when the site's activity is covered by an energy management system certified to NF EN ISO 50001 by an accredited body, the inspection frequency is extended to 10 years.
From October 1, 2020, the obligation to inspect air-conditioning systems and heat pumps over 12 kW will be replaced by obligations to maintain and inspect thermodynamic systems, according to their power and by building.