In today’s complex and fast-paced construction landscape, the margin for error in building services design is razor-thin. Whether in a luxury hotel, a busy hospital, or a new school campus, even minor design oversights can lead to costly delays, compromised performance, or long-term inefficiencies. This is where the power of peer review becomes clear.

As an experienced MEP consultancy, we see peer reviews not just as a safeguard, but as a critical quality assurance tool, one that supports better outcomes across all sectors of the built environment.

What sets Banyards apart from other MEP design consultancies is our in-house commissioning expertise.

While many firms offer peer reviews as a standalone service, Banyards uniquely combines independent design assessment with our vast commissioning consultancy experience. This integration means we not only identify and resolve potential design issues early but also see the big picture and are able to fully verify and review commissionability.

Our clients benefit from a single, impartial consultancy partner from concept to completion, ensuring that building systems not only meet design intent on paper, but perform reliably and efficiently in the real world. This comprehensive approach reduces risk, avoids costly rework, and delivers greater assurance of long-term asset performance, making Banyards the smarter choice.

What Is a Peer Review?

A peer review is an independent technical assessment of a building services design, carried out by a qualified third-party consultancy. It serves to verify that the proposed mechanical, electrical, and public health systems are fit for purpose, compliant with relevant regulations, coordinated with the wider design, and aligned with the project’s environmental and operational goals.

Peer reviews are not about criticising another designer’s work, they’re about enhancing it. A fresh set of expert eyes often identifies gaps, assumptions, or risks that may not have been spotted internally.

Why Peer Reviews Matter Across Sectors

Regardless of the building type, peer reviews play a vital role in safeguarding quality, reducing risk, and ensuring that MEP designs are both technically sound and fit for purpose. While the core value remains consistent, the specific benefits vary across different sectors:

In hotels, guest experience relies on the seamless operation of building systems. A well-timed peer review ensures that MEP designs are properly coordinated, resilient, and capable of delivering consistent comfort without excess energy consumption. This proactive step helps avoid design flaws that could impact occupancy, guest satisfaction, or operating costs.

In the education sector, where projects often involve legacy infrastructure, phased construction, and budgetary pressures, peer reviews provide reassurance that systems are practical, compliant, and buildable. They minimise the risk of disruptive, costly redesigns and ensure systems perform as expected from day one.

For residential developments, especially multi-unit or high-spec schemes, end-user satisfaction is closely tied to the reliability and efficiency of building services. Peer reviews help validate energy strategies, confirm compliance with regulations such as Approved Document F, Approved Document L & Approved Document O and ensure that communal systems are designed with longevity and performance in mind.

In healthcare environments, the stakes are even higher. Systems must support critical operations, clinical hygiene, and robust compliance. Peer reviews are an essential tool for identifying design risks early, confirming compliance with HTM’s & HBN’s,  validating technical robustness, and ensuring systems perform under all operating scenarios, without compromising patient safety or regulatory obligations.

Finally, in the commercial sector, where tenant expectations are increasingly driven by ESG, performance, and wellbeing, peer reviews help developers and landlords confirm that systems go beyond minimum standards. They support investment-grade design decisions, reduce lifecycle costs, and protect long-term asset value by reducing the risk of future retrofit requirements.

Independent Insight, Informed Decisions

A professionally conducted peer review can provide the confidence to proceed with procurement or construction, or highlight where design amendments are needed. It supports better collaboration, reduces risk, and ultimately leads to better buildings.

At Banyards, we regularly deliver peer reviews at key project stages, from concept to detailed design. Our impartial expertise ensures our clients make informed, assured decisions, whether they’re challenging assumptions, validating complex designs, or simply ensuring nothing has been missed.