Commercial & Non-Domestic Compliance
CIBSE TM52 Overheating Assessments
Unlike domestic standards, commercial overheating is governed by the three criteria of CIBSE TM52. We use advanced thermal simulation to ensure your offices, schools, or healthcare projects remain comfortable and compliant without relying on energy-intensive cooling.
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Why TM52 is Required
CIBSE TM52 is the industry-standard methodology for predicting overheating in non-domestic buildings. It is frequently mandated by BREEAM (Hea 04), local planning authorities, and the Department for Education (Output Specification) to prove that a building's passive design is fit for a warming climate.
The Three Failure Criteria
To pass TM52, a building must not fail more than one of the following three criteria. These are calculated based on the "Adaptive Comfort" model, which acknowledges that people feel comfortable at higher temperatures when the outside weather is warmer.
Hours of Exceedance
The number of hours that the operative temperature exceeds the threshold comfort temperature by more than 1K during occupied hours.
Daily Intensity
The severity of overheating on any single day. This prevents short but extreme periods of heat that Criterion 1 might miss.
Upper Temp Limit
The absolute maximum temperature allowed. This ensures that even for brief moments, the building never reaches an unsafe internal heat level.
Our Technical Approach
BREEAM Hea 04 Compliance
We provide the full dynamic simulation reports required to achieve BREEAM credits, including modelling for current and future climate scenarios (DSY1, DSY2, and DSY3).
Passive-First Strategy
We test solar control glazing, night-time purging, and solar shading to hit TM52 targets before recommending costly mechanical cooling systems.
Internal Gain Analysis
Detailed modelling of equipment, lighting, and occupancy density to ensure the "internal twin" of the building is accurate.
Sector Expertise
- Commercial Office Fit-outs
- Schools & Educational Facilities
- Care Homes & Healthcare
- Retail & Community Centres
Ready to start your TM52 assessment?
Our engineers use industry-leading software, DesignBuilder, to provide Building Control and BREEAM-ready reports with rapid turnaround times.