Proctor launches range of online services

This article was originally published in issue 44 of Passive House Plus magazine. Want immediate access to all back issues and exclusive extra content? Click here to subscribe for as little as €15, or click here to receive the next issue free of charge

The changes to ‘Conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L’, which came into effect in June 2022, are intended to increase further the standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings. In addition to the focus on the target of reducing carbon emissions, further performance improvements impact the approach to airtightness, thermal bridging, and insulation.

To assist architects, designers, developers, and contractors to accurately carry out assessments to ensure compliance with the latest requirements of the Part L building regulations, the A. Proctor Group has introduced dedicated U-value and condensation risk analysis software. The company described the software as “an essential online tool for meeting the new standards and improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings.”

U-value calculations are conducted in accordance with BRE443: Conventions for U-value Calculations, and can be submitted with your building control applications to demonstrate compliance. The calculations are to BS6946 2017 including Annex C (Surface Resistances), Annex D.1 & D.2 (Thermal Resistance of Airspaces) and Annex F (Correction to thermal transmittance).

The calculations also meet ISO 13370 2017 - Thermal performance of buildings - Heat transfer via the ground. U-values for light steel-frame construction are calculated to BRE Digest 465. Proctor’s condensation risk analysis is calculated to ISO 13788 (Glaser method) – a steady state method as opposed to dynamic methods such as Wufi – supporting infinite condensation planes. The tool includes automated external environment corrections for suspended floors and slab on ground floor element types.

The company is also offering postcode- specific climate data, meaning the condensation risk will be calculated based on up to date 20-year average temperature & humidity data for the project’s postcode. Local climate data is a requirement of both BS5250 & ISO 13788.

Users will be able to print full projects to PDFs, and add custom air layers with low emissivity and ventilation, add custom fixing profiles, adjustable return periods and external and internal environments.

A new members area has also been introduced to the A. Proctor Group website that enables architects, designers, contractors, and clients to access a broad range of technical resources. Registered members will have access to webinars on critical topics, with personalised CPD certification for each. A full suite of brochures and product documents including technical properties and characteristics is available for download from the members area.

Visit www.proctorgroup.com to register for the members area, access the U-value calculator and condensation risk analysis tools.