Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

BuildMetrics ("we", "us", "our") operates the BuildMetrics web application, a structural engineering calculation platform. We are the data controller responsible for your personal data.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

Account and Profile Data

• Full name
• Email address
• Password (stored as a cryptographic hash — we never store plain-text passwords)
• Professional designation (e.g. BEng, MEng, CEng) — optional
• Company or firm name — optional

Usage and Calculation Data

• Project names and descriptions you create
• Calculation inputs you enter (e.g. span lengths, loads, section sizes)
• Calculation results generated by the Service
• Saved calculation records and design register entries
• Reports you generate or download

Technical Data

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Date and time of access
• Referring URLs

We do not collect special category (sensitive) personal data, payment card information (we use no payment processor during the free period), or data from children under 18.

3. How We Collect Your Data

• Directly from you — when you register an account, update your profile, or enter data into any calculator or project.
• Automatically — technical data is collected via server logs and browser local storage as you use the Service.
• From cookies — we use functional and analytics cookies as described in Section 9.

4. How and Why We Use Your Data

We do not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

5. How Long We Keep Your Data

You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time. See Section 7 for your rights.

6. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes. We may share your data in limited circumstances:

• Service providers: We may engage trusted third-party providers (such as hosting, analytics, or email delivery services) who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements that comply with UK GDPR.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose your data where required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of BuildMetrics, our users, or others.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the successor entity, subject to equivalent privacy protections.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

As a data subject under UK GDPR, you have the following rights. You can exercise these rights by contacting us at support@buildmetrics.uk. We will respond within one calendar month.

8. International Data Transfers

Where we use third-party service providers based outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place — such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or transfers to countries with UK adequacy decisions — in accordance with UK GDPR Chapter V.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

BuildMetrics uses the following types of cookies and browser storage:

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain storage types may affect the functionality of the Service.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, destruction, or alteration. These include:

• HTTPS encryption for all data in transit;
• Password hashing (plain-text passwords are never stored);
• Access controls limiting data access to authorised personnel only;
• Regular review of security practices.

No method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the ICO within 72 hours and affected users without undue delay, as required by UK GDPR Article 33 and 34.

11. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at persons under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately at support@buildmetrics.uk and we will take steps to delete it.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will notify registered users by email and update the "Last reviewed" date at the top of this page.

Your continued use of the Service after any changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us