Home Quality Mark high temperature reporting tool
The Home Quality Mark (HQM) high temperature reporting tool is a reporting tool that feeds into a calculation methodology to identify a home’s threshold temperature. This has been developed by BRE solely for use within the foundation route of the Temperature issue of the HQM assessment.
The intention of this tool and accompanying calculation methodology is to support the offering of capped credits to homes whose circumstances make them less likely to be at risk of overheating during summer months, where full dynamic thermal analysis is not completed.
It assesses and scores the building on key factors that affect overheating risk on a whole house basis, and should not be treated as a detailed tool to identify the presence or absence of localised overheating.
The identified threshold temperature for the home uses data from Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) outputs and additional bolt-on inputs relating to the following topics:
- Surroundings.
- Provision of mechanical ventilation.
- Capacity for natural ventilation.
- Solar gains.
- Heat gains from communal heating.
- User factors.
The calculation methodology to determine the threshold temperature is described in the HQM Temperature supporting document.
Please note: this tool and accompanying calculation methodology will produce an estimated output founded on basic information inputs. To establish the overheating risk of a home, BRE Global would always recommend completing full dynamic thermal modelling in accordance with best practice.
Ref Home Quality Mark One, Technical Manual SD239, England, Scotland & Wales, published by BRE in 2018. http://www.homequalitymark.com/standard
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles.
- BREEAM.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Heat stress.
- Home quality mark.
- Human comfort in buildings.
- Overheating - assessment protocol.
- Overheating in residential properties.
- Overheating.
- Preventing overheating.
- Standard Assessment Procedure.
- Thermal comfort.
- Thermal indices.
- Urban heat island
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.