You want a heat recovery VRF that carries large buildings, keeps design options open, and installs without drama. Toshiba’s SHRM-e was built for that brief. It’s a three-pipe system that delivers heating and cooling at the same time across many zones. It suits office towers, hotels, mixed-use blocks, and large refurbishments. It gives you long piping runs, strong seasonal performance, and a wide indoor unit choice. The numbers and claims below come from Toshiba’s own technical literature and recent data sheets. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
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What SHRM-e is and where it fits
SHRM-e is Toshiba’s three-pipe heat recovery VRF on R410A. It moves heat from cooling zones to areas that need heating. That saves plant space and cuts the need for separate heating in many cases. It sits above standard two-pipe heat pump systems (where the whole network heats or cools at once) and beside newer R32 ranges aimed at lower charge and GWP. If your project needs long risers, many simultaneous zones, and stable seasonal performance, SHRM-e is in play. [1][2][4]
Headline capabilities that matter on site
- Piping scope
Up to 1,000 m total piping, up to 90 m vertical separation, and up to 200 m from outdoor to the furthest indoor unit (model-dependent). That supports high-rise cores and deep floorplates. [1][2][4][5] - Module sizes and system scale
Single modules from 8 HP to 20 HP. Multi-module sets reach ~151 kW total nameplate. Systems connect dozens of indoor units per network. [4][6][7][8] - Seasonal performance
ESEER values up to 8.17 on office profiles reported in official brochures and data sheets. COP/SCOP vary by module and rating point. [3][6][7] - Indoor unit range
Wall, floor, four-way cassette, slim ducted, high static ducted, and specialist units. Mix types per zone as needed. [1][2]
You can design for diverse uses on the same riser—meeting rooms, open plan floors, retail shells, and guest rooms—without separate plant. [1][2]
Model examples and what they tell you
- MMY-MAP0806FT8P-UK (8 HP)
Cooling 22.4 kW, heating 25.0 kW. Up to 18 indoor units. Office ESEER/SEER values shown in the UK data sheet. Cooling range down to -10°C, heating down to -25°C. [7] - MMY-MAP1406FT8P-UK (14 HP)
Cooling 40.0 kW, heating 45.0 kW. Up to 31 indoor units. Same ambient bands, with published EER/SEER and COP/SCOP in the spec. [8] - High-capacity sets (e.g., MMY-AP3216FT8P-E family)
Literature shows single-module capacities up to 20 HP, with multi-module combinations pushing total output while keeping the 1,000 m piping headline. [4][6]
These examples are typical of the current SHRM-e portfolio and reflect the installed base seen in UK projects. Always confirm final selection with Toshiba’s selection tool for load profile, diversity, and line sizing. [4]
How to plan the network
Piping and branches
Keep the main riser simple and central. Use Y-branches and flow selector boxes in corridors or riser lobbies. Respect minimum straight lengths before and after fittings. Map total equivalent length to stay within the 1,000 m envelope. Check vertical steps floor-to-floor and keep indoor-to-indoor separation within limits (up to 40 m is cited in some regional guides). [1][2][3][4]
Capacity ratio and diversity
Toshiba allows high connected capacity ratios (see model notes and data book). In practice, many office floors run 100–130% connected load against outdoor nameplate. Use the office occupancy, solar gains, and after-hours loads to set diversity. [4][6]
Flow selector strategy
Group indoor units with similar use. Example: perimeter offices with cassettes on one FS box, core meeting rooms with ducted units on another. That improves recovery between zones and reduces part-load cycling. [1][2]
Controls
TCC-Link supports local wired controllers, group controllers, and central touchscreens. BACnet/Modbus gateways feed BMS. Use dual set-point logic and timeclocks to avoid needless morning overshoots. [2][4]
Installer notes that save time
- Lift and position
Check module weights and centre of gravity drawings. Plan cranage and roof steel locations before duct handover. [5] - Clearances
Keep coil faces clear per outline drawings. Avoid short-circuiting discharge air with screens. Allow front access to panels. [5] - Refrigerant work
Size liquid and gas lines to the longest run and branch loads. Pressure test with dry nitrogen, then deep vacuum and decay test. Record levels. [2][4] - Power
Verify supplies and MCB sizes per module sheet. In multi-module systems, spread supplies to avoid nuisance trips on starts. [8] - Commissioning
Address outdoor masters and indoor groups in a set sequence. Use Toshiba’s selection tool output as a checklist—charge calc, pipe map, and FS box IDs. [4] - Documentation
Hand over ESEER/SEER and SCOP figures from the selected model’s sheet, plus as-built pipe routes and controller groups. That supports NABERS/DEC audits later. [7][8]
Design patterns that work
Mixed office floors
Put SHRM-e outdoors on the roof or a screened terrace. Run a main riser through the core. Use ducted units over open plan areas and cassettes in collaboration spaces. Perimeter rooms get small ducted or wall units. Heat from the south side feeds north-side rooms in shoulder seasons. [1][2]
Hotel floors
Each guest room gets a slim ducted unit for a clean finish and quiet fan speeds. Corridors and back-of-house zones sit on their own FS circuits. Heat from laundry and plant rooms can serve public areas in winter. [2]
Retail and office stack
Ground-floor retail uses cassettes and high static ducted for deep shops. Above, office plates use a mix of ducted and cassettes. Recovery between floors can be strong where trading hours differ. [1][3]
Practical selection steps (fast checklist)
- Confirm peak sensible loads and shoulder season load split
- Set zoning and FS box counts by use and floor plate
- Choose module count and HP per location
- Check total and furthest pipe lengths, plus height differences
- Size line sets and branches from the worst-case run
- Confirm indoor unit counts per module against the sheet
- Finalise controls and BMS gateway scope
- Produce a commissioning sequence by zone and date
Each step maps back to the Toshiba spec PDFs and data book tables. [2][4][7][8]
Q&A for common “near me” searches and AEO
What is the difference between SHRM-e and SHRM Advance?
SHRM-e is R410A, three-pipe heat recovery with long piping scope and a large installed base. SHRM Advance is R32, with a focus on lower refrigerant charge and NFC service tools. Both deliver simultaneous heating and cooling. Choose based on refrigerant policy, charge limits, and local spec. [1][3]
How many indoor units can I connect?
Depends on module size. Example: MMY-MAP0806FT8P-UK lists up to 18 indoor units; MMY-MAP1406FT8P-UK lists up to 31. Larger multi-module systems allow many more, within control and piping rules. Check the model sheet. [7][8]
Can it support high-rise cores?
Yes. Literature cites up to 90 m outdoor-to-indoor height difference, up to 1,000 m total piping, and generous furthest run limits. That covers most commercial towers without intermediate plant. [1][2][4]
Is it quiet enough for urban roofs?
Published sound data support rooftop use with screening and correct clearances. Low-noise modes and fan control help where façades are sensitive. Use antivibration pads on steel. [5]
Do I need separate heating?
Often no. Heat recovered from cooling zones can serve areas that need heating on the same system. Many projects still keep a small top-up heat source for edge cases. [1][2]
How do I plan maintenance access?
Leave safe routes to coil faces and control panels. Provide drain access for FS boxes in ceilings. Add hinged access panels for ducted units. Keep O&M labels on each circuit. [5]
What seasonal figures should I present to the client?
Use the ESEER/SEER and SCOP values from the chosen module’s sheet. Many SHRM-e models show ESEER values above 8 on office profiles. Present these with the control strategy and expected run hours. [3][6][7]
Who should install and commission?
Use F-Gas certified VRF teams with proven Toshiba experience. Commission to the manufacturer sequence and keep a full test record pack. That protects uptime and warranties. [2][4]
Example project scenarios (with steps you can repeat)
Office retrofit in Reading
Scope: two floors, mixed meeting rooms and open plan.
Approach: one 14 HP set (MMY-MAP1406FT8P-UK) on the roof feeding two FS boxes. Ducted units over open plan; cassettes in rooms. Controls: dual set-point with timed setback. Result: strong seasonal performance and simple handover. [8]
Boutique hotel in Guildford
Scope: 40 keys plus public areas.
Approach: multi-module stack to lift capacity. Slim ducted in rooms; cassettes in lobby and bar. Recovery from south-facing façade supports rooms on the shaded side during spring/autumn. Central controller for FM team.
Retail + offices in Winchester
Scope: retail ground floor; offices above.
Approach: separate FS circuits per use. Night set-back for offices; late trading hours for retail. Simple charge calc with a single riser keeps programme tight.
What you need from the client to quote fast
- GA plans, RCPs, and mechanical layouts with heights
- Room loads or a clear brief to calculate them
- Preferred indoor unit styles per space
- Any refrigerant policy or GWP constraints
- Programme dates and crane windows
Send those, and we return a fixed quote with drawings, pipe routes, and a commissioning plan that fits your programme.
Internal link
For tenders or design support on SHRM-e:
Commercial air conditioning installation
References
[1] Toshiba Air Conditioning UK — SHRM-e product page (piping limits and design scope).
https://www.toshiba-aircon.co.uk/product/shrme-3-pipe-heat-recovery-outdoor/
[2] Toshiba UK — SHRM-e standard specification (three-pipe VRF, components, design notes).
https://www.toshiba-aircon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SHRMe-Specification-November-2017.pdf
[3] CDL/Toshiba — SHRM-e brochure and data (ESEER up to 8.17, system notes).
https://www.cdlweb.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SHRMe-brochure-JFK.compressed.pdf
[4] Toshiba Klima (AT) — SHRM-e data sheets (pipe length up to 1,000 m, height 90 m, indoor count, 20 HP single module).
https://data.toshiba-klima.at/en/SHRM-e%20-%2090%2C40%20kW%20-%20R410A%20-%20VRF%20MMY-AP3216FT8P-E%20en.pdf
[5] Toshiba UK — SHRM-e outdoor dimensional/outline resources (clearances, access).
https://www.toshiba-aircon.co.uk/products/r410a-products/variable-refrigerant-flow-vrf-outdoor/3-pipe-heat-recovery-outdoor-unit/shrme-outdoor/
[6] Toshiba Aircondition EU pages — SHRM-e overview (ESEER up to 8.17, capacity bands, diversity).
https://www.toshiba-aircondition.com/en/air-conditioning-systems-for-companies/product-detail/shrme-50
[7] CDL — MMY-MAP0806FT8P-UK data sheet (8 HP capacities, ambient ranges, ESEER/SEER/SCOP).
https://www.cdlweb.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Toshiba-VRF-Specification-CDL-FINAL-1_Part247-806f.pdf
[8] CDL — MMY-MAP1406FT8P-UK data sheet (14 HP capacities, indoor count, electrical data).
https://www.cdlweb.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Toshiba-VRF-Specification-CDL-FINAL-1_Part250-1406.pdf
Author Bio
Dr. Julian Carter is a highly experienced thermal systems expert with over 15 years in the field, holding a PhD in thermal systems. His career spans academic research, consulting, and teaching, focusing on air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Dr. Carter bridges the gap between theoretical advancements and practical applications, providing expert insights to organisations like ClimateWorks, where his guidance informs decision-making and industry best practices. Notably, he has worked on international projects with organisations such as Daikin Industries, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These collaborations addressed energy efficiency, sustainable refrigerants, and advanced cooling technologies. Currently a lecturer at Edinburgh University, Dr. Carter combines his expertise with a passion for educating the next generation of engineers and advancing climate control technologies.
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