When a boiler, chiller, or power system fails unexpectedly, the impact on your business can be severe — lost productivity, safety risks, and costly downtime. Many facilities managers ask: “Do we really need a contingency plan, or can we just react if something goes wrong?”
This blog explores the value of a contingency planning service from Ideal Heat Solutions. We’ll explain the costs, risks, and compliance factors, as well as the real benefits of having a proactive plan in place. Whether you run a hospital, university, hotel, or industrial site, this guide will help you decide if contingency planning is the right move for your business.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Contingency Plan?
Imagine your boiler fails during peak heating season or your chiller goes offline in the middle of a heatwave. Without a plan in place, you’re left scrambling to:
• Source emergency equipment at short notice (often at a premium cost).
• Arrange delivery and installation with no guarantee of availability.
• Manage delays that can last days, costing thousands in lost revenue or project overruns.
For hospitals, the risks include non-compliance with NHS HTM standards and patient safety issues. For construction or manufacturing, downtime can halt entire projects. In education, loss of heating may force closures that damage reputation and trust.
A contingency plan ensures that the right equipment, delivery logistics, and installation process are all mapped out in advance. That means greatly reduced downtime and predictable costs when an emergency happens.
How Much Does Contingency Planning Cost?
This is one of the biggest questions we’re asked. The truth is: the cost of contingency planning depends on the complexity of your site and the level of cover you require.
Typical costs include:
Site survey and risk assessment (often complimentary with our plans).
Equipment specification – boilers (from 15kW to 1.5MW), chillers (from 50kW to 850kW), or power units.
Fuel supply planning – bunded tanks and automatic top-ups.
Connection infrastructure – plate heat exchangers (PHEs), pumps, and stainless-steel hoses.
Remedial Works required – Pipework adaptations for connections, electrical and water supplies and any building modifications
While exact costs vary, contingency planning typically represents a fraction of what unplanned downtime costs businesses.
Types of Contingency Plans Available
Not every business needs the same level of cover. That’s why we’ve developed two tiers of contingency planning:
Protect
– A comprehensive site survey covering all heating, cooling, hot water, and power systems.
– A detailed plan document highlighting the temporary equipment required in the event of a failure, including positioning, access, connections, and remedial works.
Protect Plus+
– Designed to provide added protection for critical sites by ring-fencing specific equipment for immediate call-off in the event of a failure.
– Guarantees equipment availability (subject to an agreed monthly fee).
Both levels ensure you’re never left without critical heating, cooling, or power when you need it most.
Explore Our Contingency Planning Brochure
Want a full breakdown of how our Protect and Protect Plus plans work?
Download our Contingency Planning Service Brochure for detailed information on:
• What’s included in each plan
• Example site survey layouts
• Equipment specifications (boilers, chillers, and power solutions)
• How to activate your plan in an emergency
View Our Digital Brochure Here
This guide shows exactly how Ideal Heat Solutions helps your business stay prepared, compliant, and operational 24/7.
When Do Businesses Use Contingency Plans?
Contingency plans are most commonly used in:
• Hospitals & Healthcare – compliance with HTM 03-01 ventilation and heating guidelines.
• Universities & Schools – ensuring uninterrupted heating and cooling during term time.
• Hotels & Leisure Centres – keeping guests comfortable and facilities operational.
• Construction Sites – avoiding costly project delays.
• Refineries & Industrial Plants – supporting mission-critical processes where downtime is unacceptable.
In every case, a plan ensures smooth, compliant operations even in emergencies.
Do You Really Need Contingency Plans — Or Are There Alternatives?
Some businesses rely on “call-out only” emergency hire. While this can work in low-risk environments, it often comes with higher costs and longer lead times.
Alternatives like holding spare capacity on-site can be expensive and underutilised. Contingency planning strikes the balance: no wasted investment, but allows access to the equipment you need, when you need it.
Risks of Not Using a Contingency Planning Service
X Extended downtime – every hour without heating, cooling, or power adds cost.
X Compliance failures – breaches of health, safety, or environmental regulations.
X Reputational damage – customers, patients, or students left without essential services.
X Higher costs – emergency mobilisation is always more expensive without a plan.
UK Regulations & Compliance Relevant to Contingency Planning
In the UK, several standards apply depending on your sector:
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – duty of care to provide safe, heated, and ventilated workplaces.
Building Regulations Part L – energy efficiency and heating system requirements.
HTM Guidance (Healthcare) – NHS trusts must ensure backup plans for critical systems.
Environmental Protection Regulations – fuel storage and emissions compliance for temporary boilers and generators.
Contingency planning ensures you remain compliant with these legal obligations, reducing liability risks.
Benefits of Choosing a Specialist Provider for Contingency Planning
Working with a specialist like Ideal Heat Solutions means:
• Expert surveys – we assess access, load requirements, and connection points in advance.
• Modern fleet – efficient boilers, chillers, and generators from 15kW to 1.5MW.
• Ancillary support – Trend BMS, PHEs, pumps, fuel tanks, and hoses included.
• 24/7 call-out – our engineers are on standby day and night.
• Proven experience – supporting hospitals, universities, hotels, and industrial clients nationwide.
This expertise translates into peace of mind: when things go wrong, your plan goes into action.
Conclusion
Contingency planning for boilers, chillers, and power is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s essential for any business that relies on continuous heating, cooling, or energy. With Protect and Protect Plus+ plans, Ideal Heat Solutions provides tailored cover that minimises risk, controls cost, and keeps you compliant.
Download Our Digital Contingency Planning Brochure to see how we can help protect your site from downtime and disruption.
Call our team today or complete our quick online form for a free, no-obligation quote on contingency planning services.
FAQs
How quickly can contingency plans be activated?
With Protect or Protect Plus+, we can mobilise within hours, with equipment pre-specified and logistics pre-approved.
Do you guarantee equipment availability?
Yes — our Protect Plus plan guarantees access to specific boiler, chiller, or generator units.
Can you cover multiple sites under one plan?
Absolutely. Many of our education, healthcare, and hotel clients cover estates portfolios under a single contract.
What sizes of boilers and chillers are available?
We provide everything from 15kW – 36kW electric boilers, 140kW – 1.5MW packaged boiler plant rooms, plus chillers from 50kW up to 850kW.
Is contingency planning only for emergencies?
No. Many clients use their plans during planned shutdowns, maintenance, or plant room upgrades to avoid downtime.
Does contingency planning help with compliance?
Yes. Our plans are designed with UK regulations in mind, ensuring your site remains safe, legal, and fully supported.
To learn more or book a free site survey, contact Ideal Heat Solutions today.
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