Hour-by-hour thermal simulations to predict overheating risk and internal comfort.
Dynamic Thermal Modelling (DTM) simulates how a building will perform throughout the year by predicting internal temperatures hour-by-hour using real UK weather data, realistic occupancy patterns, solar gains, ventilation rates and thermal mass. This advanced assessment method is essential for demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations Part O (Overheating Mitigation) for new residential buildings in England, for assessing thermal comfort in offices, schools, hotels and care homes using CIBSE TM52 and TM59 criteria, and for optimizing design strategies to reduce overheating risk, improve occupant comfort and minimize reliance on energy-intensive mechanical cooling. Part O of the Building Regulations came into force in June 2022, requiring all new residential buildings in England to limit solar gains and provide adequate means of removing excess heat. For most standard residential developments with reasonable glazing areas and good ventilation, a simplified Part O assessment (£150 per dwelling) is sufficient to demonstrate compliance. However, for highly glazed buildings, apartments with limited cross-ventilation, developments in urban heat islands, or designs that fail the simplified criteria, a full Dynamic Thermal Modelling report is required to prove that the building will not overheat. Dynamic thermal modelling provides robust, defensible evidence for Building Control and Approved Inspectors, showing whether a building meets CIBSE TM59 overheating criteria (for residential buildings) or CIBSE TM52 criteria (for non-residential buildings such as offices, schools and care homes). The assessment models each room or zone individually, simulating temperatures throughout the hottest periods of the year using Design Summer Year (DSY) weather data. Results show peak temperatures, number of hours above comfort thresholds, and the frequency and severity of overheating events, helping design teams understand whether the building performs acceptably or requires design changes. If the initial assessment shows overheating risk, our service includes design optimization advice to help architects and developers achieve compliance and improve thermal comfort. Common strategies include reducing glazing-to-floor-area ratios on south- and west-facing facades, adding external shading (Brise Soleil, overhangs, louvres, blinds), increasing openable window areas to improve natural ventilation, incorporating thermal mass (exposed concrete soffits, masonry walls) to moderate peak temperatures, and reviewing stack ventilation or cross-ventilation strategies. We can model multiple design variants, showing the impact of each change on predicted temperatures and compliance with Part O or CIBSE criteria. Our nationwide Dynamic Thermal Modelling service uses accredited software compliant with CIBSE and Building Regulations standards, including IES-VE, DesignBuilder, TAS or equivalent tools approved for Part O and CIBSE TM59/TM52 assessments. We work with architects, developers, contractors, M&E consultants and Passive House designers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, supporting single dwellings, multi-unit housing developments, commercial buildings, schools, care homes, hotels and mixed-use schemes. Whether you need Part O compliance for a new apartment block in Bristol, a CIBSE TM52 assessment for an office refurbishment in Manchester, or overheating analysis for a naturally ventilated school in Scotland, we provide fast, reliable thermal modelling to support your design and compliance goals. Pricing is project-specific and depends on building size, complexity, the number of zones modelled and the level of design optimization required. A typical single-dwelling assessment may cost £500-£1,000, while a 20-unit apartment block with multiple orientations and room types may cost £2,000-£4,000. We provide tailored quotes based on your specific project requirements, including scope, timescales and deliverables. Turnaround time is typically 7-10 working days, with urgent projects accommodated where possible. Contact us with your architectural drawings, glazing schedules and ventilation specifications, and we will provide a no-obligation quote and timeline.
Project-specific pricing based on building size and complexity. Contact us for a tailored quote.
SBEM (Level 3/4) uses monthly average calculations and is suitable for most commercial buildings with standard HVAC systems. DSM (Level 5 Dynamic Simulation Modelling) simulates hour-by-hour performance and is required for: highly glazed buildings, buildings with complex HVAC systems, naturally ventilated offices, atriums, buildings seeking BREEAM Excellent/Outstanding, or any project where simplified methods cannot accurately predict performance.
We provide DSM for diverse building types: Schools (BB101 ventilation and overheating compliance), Glass-fronted offices (thermal comfort and cooling demand), Hotels (guest comfort across multiple orientations), Care homes (vulnerable occupant thermal safety), Retail with high glazing (solar gain management), Mixed-use developments (complex zoning analysis).
DSM is frequently required as part of an Energy Statement for planning applications, particularly in London and other authorities with sustainability policies. We can provide a combined service covering energy modelling, overheating assessment and planning compliance documentation.
Since Building Regulations Part O (2022), new residential buildings must demonstrate they will not overheat. Dynamic thermal modelling provides robust evidence for Building Control and helps identify problems before construction begins. For non-residential buildings, CIBSE TM52 assessments demonstrate acceptable thermal comfort.
Get started with your Dynamic Thermal Modelling today.
Call: 01392 980077