About and Tips
The Knowledge Base stores current Compliance Notes (KBCNs) for issues in live BREEAM & Home Quality Mark (HQM) scheme version and selected superseded versions. CNs provide essential supplementary guidance to the scheme technical criteria and operational processes.
(New) KBCNs do not change or modify the intent of criteria and should not impose additional or more onerous requirements. These are intended to clarify the criteria or explain how to interpret them in certain situations. Where a KBCN has been applied to an Issue in a particular BREEAM Scheme (as identified above each KBCN) it is, therefore, applicable to all assessments under that Scheme, regardless of the date it was published.
Typically CNs will cover how the criteria can be interpreted and therefore applied to specific situations on a project. CNs therefore do not apply to all assessments but where they do apply they provide valuable additional guidance and should be applied.
The Knowledge Base is a centralised resource designed to be used by assessors and all BREEAM staff thus providing an increasing level of consistency in interpretation and application of BREEAM and HQM criteria. Assessors may also share KB CNs with clients.
The Knowledge Base must be used in conjunction with the scheme technical and operational manuals, as these manuals outline the formal criteria and processes against which compliance and therefore a certification decision is determined.
A key aim of this Knowledge Base is to empower assessors in making compliance decisions by providing the supporting principles behind compliance notes (these appear in italics at the end of the note where required). We hope this will also broaden the awareness of the sound basis for sustainable solutions among all stakeholders.
The Knowledge Base will continue to be populated with new CNs as a result of any technical and process query submitted to BRE. Licensed assessors should continue to submit technical queries directly to BRE for any technical question not currently addressed by the scheme manual or this Knowledge Base.
You can view/download/print all the KB Compliance Notes for a single issue by clicking the button next to the issue title.
Tips
Use the Navigation Menu to access content for a specific scheme and issue, this is the fastest route. It will also allow you to move quickly to another issue.
Click on the Compliance Note (CN) title to see the content of the CN itself.
Each CN has a unique reference eg KBCN0428 which can be quoted in reports.
The search function searches only for content in CN title, CN content and for a unique reference number (ie not scheme, category or issue).
Also try out the Beta Dashboards available to assessors via the forum here
Latest 100 Notes
- Erratum – Accessibility Index – HQM Transport calculator
- 00 Definition – Approved Innovations
- Not enough rows in the Pol 01 calculator
- No change in impermeable area
- EFSA daylight requirements for Schools
- Changes to CCS scoring system – January 2019
- Passive design analysis – Modelling the standard building when existing building elements are retained
- Applicable amenities for different building types
- Approved BREEAM Innovation Applications
- Daylighting – ‘Internal association or atrium areas’
- International suitably qualified professionals
- Optimal Ecological Outcome
- Methodology items to consider – Land use and ecology
- Soft Landings Framework
- GN37: BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 scheme assessment timeline
- Scope of different parts – Error in compliance note
- Passive design analysis – Error in the Methodology section
- Greenfield/Brownfield site – Definition
- Occupancy rates- 24-hours consulting or treatment rooms
- Responsible construction practices – Demolition within the scope of works
- GN36: BREEAM, CEEQUAL and HQM Ecology Calculation Methodology – Route 2 (including appendix C)
- Proposed development – definition for use in assessment
- Energy efficient laboratories – scope
- Regenerative drives – requirement for specification
- Louvered panels/facades on Green Guide
- Robust Details – Testing requirements
- Thermal modelling- full dynamic thermal analysis
- Control of glare from sunlight- adjacent buildings
- Electric vehicle charging stations – shell & core assessments
- Control of glare from sunlight- blackout blinds
- Mat 03 calculator – combined elements
- Public transport information system – requirements
- Zoning and occupant controls – handheld remote controls
- [KBCN withdrawn] ~ Ventilation – BB101
- Acoustic requirements for care homes
- View out – internal view within an atrium
- Healthcare buildings and HTM07-02
- Cycle Storage – Electric cycle charging stations
- Project delivery planning – Operational Energy
- Passive design analysis where Hea 04 is not applicable
- Third party verification – BREEAM Assessor or AP
- Building LCA – BREEAM Assessor or AP as consultant
- Scope – Fully-fitted assessments with areas completed to shell & core
- Evidence for ’04 Detailed monitoring and reporting’ at design stage
- Design Stage evidence requirements when a contractor has not been appointed
- Product classification code for ‘Other’ materials/products
- Exemplary level credit and Secured by Design (SbD)
- View Out – Rooms over 7m deep
- Building LCA – Evidence requirements for two (or more) BREEAM assessments where the design is the same
- Scheme classification for residential projects (UK)
- Small power significantly contributing to unregulated energy consumption
- Determining boiler efficiency
- BREEAM Plaques and Banners
- GN35: BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 Ecology Assessment – Route 1 Methodology
- GN34: BREEAM, CEEQUAL and HQM Ecology Risk Evaluation Checklist
- Using LEED as the accredited third party assessment scheme
- Responsible Sourcing – Evidence requirements for two (or more) BREEAM assessments on different parts of the same new building
- Responsible Sourcing – Scope when a BREEAM assessment covers only part of the new building
- View out for commercial kitchens
- GN33: BREEAM and HQM Responsible Construction Management
- Deemed to comply solutions – alternative proposals
- Environmental management – no principal contractor
- Surface water run-off – no change in impermeable area
- Glare control – adjacent buildings
- Erratum – Criterion 8 – ‘No net loss’
- Mat 01/02 Results Submission Tool – concept and technical design submission
- Pol 02 benchmarks – Oil-fired boilers
- Preliminary design workshop – RIBA stage requirement
- Indoor air quality plan – RIBA stage requirement
- Tra 01 and Tra 02 – Prerequisite and RIBA stage requirements
- Heating and cooling provided through one system
- Full or Partial sub-metering
- Considerations for small power
- Sub-metering requirements for a Single Tenant
- Compliant wheelchair and buggy storage facilities
- CO2 equivalence (CO2-eq)
- Daylighting- side-lit internal association and atrium areas
- Site clearance prior to purchase of the site
- Ecological enhancement implementation time-frames
- Relating green roofs to multiple assessments in the same building
- Site wide approach to ecological enhancements
- Recognised local ecological expertise
- Verification of an ecology report / information
- Building LCA – Comparison with the BREEAM Benchmark – mixed-used buildings
- GN40 BREEAM, CEEQUAL, HQM Ecology Assessment Issues Reporting Template
- Erratum – UK NC2018 LE 05 – criterion 6
- Sub-metering of high energy load and tenancy areas – applicability
- Part new-build, part refurbishment projects – Updated guidance
- Flow control devices for multiple blocks
- How to submit on BREEAM Projects using the basic upload form
- How to submit on BREEAM Projects using a Scoring and Reporting Tool upload (MS Excel)
- How to submit an assessment on BREEAM Projects – What versions use BREEAM Projects
- Alternative weather files
- Sustainable transport measures – Shell only and shell & core assessments
- Part new-build, part refurbishment projects – New-build areas inseparable
- Rainwater harvesting standard – BS 8515:2009 replacement
- Retail/Industrial showroom assessments
- Internationally approved Ene 01 calculation software
- Building LCA – Projects that include no substructure
- Buidling LCA – Projects that include no hard landscaping