2011

2011 assessment registered under 2013 Building Regs - KBCN0538

If a project is registered to BREEAM New Construction 2011, however, building control have registered the building to Part L2A 2013 (England) / Part L2A 2014 (Wales) / Technical Booklet F2 2012 (Northern Ireland). Ene 01 should be assessed as follows: ENE 01 should be assessed using a BRUKL output based on the Part L2A 2010 regulations for England and Wales. This is because the benchmarks within the scheme were developed against the 2010 notional building and therefore to maintain consistency and comparability for all the projects registered to this scheme, the credits awarded should be compared with a building modelled against the 2010 Part L regulations. In order to achieve credits for the Ene 01 issue, the energy model should be run so that it displays results against the 2010 building regulations and this _brukl.inp file should be uploaded into the compliance checker for confirmation of the Ene 01 outputs for BREEAM NC 2011. As the building is registered to regulations Part L2A 2013 (England) /Part L2A 2014 (Wales) /Technical Booklet F2 2012 (Northern Ireland) /Technical Handbook 2010 Non Domestic, Section 6 Energy (Scotland), the software will also need to be run to display results for these regulations for Building Control. An alternative option would be to re-register the project using BREEAM NC 2018 and use the results of the updated regulations for your country to demonstrate compliance with Ene 01. Please note, for BREEAM NC 2018 assessments, the compliance checker website does not need to be used.

Acceptable alternative strategies to sub-metering by floor plate - KBCN00071

An alternative sub-metering strategy, not based on a by-floor-plate basis, would be acceptable provided that: - it provides an equivalent, or more useful level of detail than sub-metering by floor plate. - it divides the assessment in a logical manner which provides useful information to building management re: energy use. - the approach does not conflict with requirements for sub-metering other functional areas. The intent of sub-metering by floor plate is to allow a large homogenous function (such as office space) to be split up into smaller areas that will allow building management to monitor, identify and influence areas of high energy use. Alternatives that also meet this intent are also acceptable.

Accessibility of energy metering systems - KBCN0580

Energy metering systems should be accessible and the energy consuming end uses visible to building users, such as the facilities manager, where present, and/or other building occupants responsible for the management of the building.

Accreditation – sampling and testing laboratories - KBCN1337

Analysis / testing laboratory NC 2016 or newer: Where an organisation used for the analysis of indoor air or emissions from building products is not accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, the organisation must be accredited, either by a national accreditation body, or by a member of any one of the following accreditation groups: European Cooperation for Accreditation International Accreditation Forum International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation The accreditation must specifically cover the analysis of indoor air or emissions from building products. Other schemes: Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 is not required in the criteria. However, this KBCN has been applied to encourage a consistent approach towards accreditation. Accreditation by a national or internationally recognised organisation helps to ensure rigorous, consistent and reliable testing results. Sampling organisation If another organisation carries out sampling on behalf of the analysis / testing laboratory, this organisation does not need to be accredited to the above. However, they must provide a brief report justifying:

The sampling methodology used.
Appropriate environmental conditions during the sampling.
The number and location of samples taken.

This report is provided to the BREEAM assessor and submitted as supporting evidence for this issue.

31-Oct-2022 Wording clarified. Scheme applicability updated.
10-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Scheme applicability updated.
24-May-2022 Updated to differentiate between sampling and analysis requirements. 
07-May-2021 Added clarification regarding alternative qualifications. 
10-May-2021 Updated scheme applicability.

Accredited energy assessors – directories - KBCN1465

The directory of accredited energy assessors has moved. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, accredited energy assessors can be found here: https://getting-new-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/ For Scotland, accredited energy assessors can be found here: https://www.scottishepcregister.org.uk This will be updated in future manual re-issues.

24 Aug 2022 - Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

Achieving Exemplary level criteria using Route 2 - KBCN0928

The project’s appointed BREEAM assessor needs to submit a copy of the IMPACT file/model to BRE Global. Files/models should be submitted as a technical query entitled as ‘UK NC Mat 01 IMPACT model submission’, together with the completed IMPACT form (found on BREEAM Projects, under the UK New Construction 2014 ‘Supporting documents’) and with evidence demonstrating compliance with criterion 7 (demonstrate how the use of an IMPACT compliant software, or equivalent, has benefited the building in terms of measuring and reducing its environmental impact). Note that for IMPACT queries, we aim to provide the initial file/model review report within 4 weeks. Please allow for additional time for this in the process, as the BREEAM Assessor is likely to receive feedback regarding the file/model content, which will need to be addressed before submitting the BREEAM assessment report for Quality Assurance. When this review process is complete and the file/model is verified and approved by BRE Global, you will receive an approval confirmation for compliance with Route 2, which will allow the relevant exemplary credits to be awarded.

Acoustic performance in shell & core assessments - KBCN0235

The guidance below applies to all standard building types. For non-standard building types, a technical query should be submitted. BREEAM does not consider it appropriate to impose requirements on tenants in a shell and core development to carry out acoustic testing in accordance with the criteria, therefore this issue is to be assessed as follows: First credit: Indoor ambient noise level The focus of this criteria is to assess the acoustic performance of the external building fabric which is outside the control of the tenant. The criteria for indoor ambient noise level applies as normal. A Suitably Qualified Acoustician (SQA) must carry out an assessment of the built form specification, typical arrangement, and fit out specification for the building type and and any external factors that are likely to affect the indoor ambient noise levels. Where the layout is unknown, the acoustician must base their assessment on the most sensitive room type likely to be present in the building as a worst case. For example in a retail assessment where there are offices, the acoustician should make an assessment based the requirement for office buildings. Should the SQA determine that an augmented fit-out specification would be required to meet the BREEAM requirements, such details must be covered by one of the three Shell & Core options. First credit: Sound insulation This requirement does not apply to Shell and Core projects and the first credit can be assessed based on indoor ambient noise criteria only. Second credit: Reverberation time If it can be demonstrated that the building will not have any "areas used for speech" the second credit can be awarded by default. However, if this cannot be clearly evidenced due to the speculative nature of the development then this credit must be withheld.

09/06/2020: Reference to meeting rooms has been removed, in accordance with the content of the technical manual

Acoustic performance: Schools with no music accommodation or a multi purpose hall - KBCN0340

Acoustic performance standards: Where the building does not contain any music accommodation or a multi purpose hall etc, the 3rd credit for this building type can be awarded by default.

Acoustic requirements for care homes - KBCN1241

In order to meet compliance against issue Hea 05, assessment against Part E is necessary, even if compliance with Approved Document E is not required by Building Control. The multi-residential criteria are intended to reflect that the building occupants are comfortable and have an appropriate level of privacy. Although these are exempt from building regulations for care homes, for a development assessed as multi-residential, the criteria relevant to multi-residential buildings must be applied.

Acoustic standards for education buildings - KBCN0179

Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic design of schools, performance standards, February 2015 (BB93) contains revised acoustic standards for all school buildings so it can be used in lieu of earlier revisions/standards.

Additional default values for calculating DELC CO2e - KBCN0195

The following additional default values may be used, where system specific data is not available: Refrigerant recovery efficiency factor (%): - 95% Annual purge release factor (% refrigerant charge):- 0.5 (if the system does not require an annual purge, zero should be used).

Adoption of road in the development - KBCN0331

Where a development includes roads, these are often adopted by a statutory authority (for example the Highways agency or the local authority in the UK). Where the authority will be taking responsibility for the roads, the following guidance should be followed to determine if the water run-off from the roads needs to be considered as part of the assessment:

If the road drainage system bypasses the new development's network to connect directly to the local drainage network, then the water running off from the roads does not need to be considered for this assessment. Evidence will need to be provided to demonstrate if this is the case.
If the road drainage system connects to the development drainage network before connecting to the local drainage network, then the water run off from the roads must be considered for the assessment.

Where the authority will NOT be taking responsibility for the roads, the BREEAM criteria should be followed for all drainage on site.

AI calculation – changes to public transport services during the assessment - KBCN1527

The AI is calculated as part of the design stage transport analysis and its value relates to the site location and to informing transport-related design decisions. This must be based on current information, including any planned and publicly-notified changes at the time the transport assessment is carried out. This should be used as the AI benchmark for the assessment. Where later, unforeseen changes to public transport availability are implemented before post-construction certification, the AI benchmark should not be updated at post-construction stage. Assessments should not be disadvantaged by, or benefit from such changes.

Air-conditioned spaces - KBCN00035

Air-conditioned spaces are assessed to ensure appropriate thermal comfort levels are achieved. Cooling capacity should be sufficient to comply with the requirements of CIBSE Guide A, however providing sufficient space to install additional capacity to meet the requirements at a later date in line with projected climate change scenarios is also acceptable. In addition, if it can be demonstrated that the air-conditioning system can achieve the thermal comfort criteria in accordance with CIBSE Guide A, Table 1.5, thermal modelling does not need to be carried out. The “time out of range” (TOR) metric should be reported as 0%.

All life cycle stages EPDs - KBCN0822

A third party, independently verified EN 15804 EPD that includes life cycle stages A, B and C may be considered a tier 1 EPD in the MAT 01 issue.

Alternative acoustic standards - KBCN0130

If alternative standards are deemed more appropriate to the function than those specified in the criteria, these can be used if confirmed and justified by the 'suitably qualified acoustician' and such written confirmation is submitted as supporting evidence for QA purposes.

Alternative calculation method - KBCN0547

Where it is not possible to use the standard approach to determine the building’s total water consumption, the assessment can be completed on an elemental basis. This applies even in cases where the Wat 01 Excel calculator tool has a section for a broader building type, but the defined activity areas do not match the specific project under assessment. For example, although Wat 01 calculator includes a retail calculator, bars and restaurants should be assessed using the alternative calculation method, as no relevant data is available for the specific activity within retail. Where the activity areas of the building under assessment do not allow using the relevant building type’s calculator, then the alternative calculation approach should be used.

Alternative method performance levels and credits - KBCN1007

Specifying water component performance levels according to the levels of the alternative calculation method does not equate directly to the number of credits achieved. For example, choosing all components with a level 3 performance will not equate to the achievement of 3 credits.

Alternatives to BEMS - KBCN0149

It is acceptable for sub-meters to connect (or have potential to connect) to automated meter readers (AMR's) or similar systems, as an alternative to BEMS . The core intent of issue Ene 02 is the monitoring of energy use, therefore if an alternative system can achieve this,it would be considered acceptable provided this could be demonstrated.

Alternatives to composting - KBCN0465

In anaerobic digesters, organic waste is digested by micro-organisms which break down fats, oils and grease. Digesters where the only output is water that is safe to discharge into drains and sewers are acceptable alternatives to composting. Macerators which simply reduce solids into small pieces through a shredding or grinding process and flush the residue into the drainage system are not an acceptable alternative to composting.

Amenities – Access to cash - KBCN0359

An ATM inside a building would be acceptable provided that its opening hours are similar to those of the assessed building, regardless of whether there is a nominal charge for the service. Cash-back from the till in a retail outlet is not compliant. Access to cash should be available to the building users at all relevant times of the day. This should not require a prior purchase of goods and should provide access to other services, such as checking account balances.

Amenities – Assessed building is one of the listed amenities - KBCN0264

Where the assessed building is itself included in the list of amenities, that particular amenity criterion can be deemed to be met, e.g. a supermarket development itself meets the proximity to food outlet required for a Retail type building.

Amenities – Pharmacy within hospital - KBCN0321

A publicly accessible pharmacy would typically be required in order to constitute a suitable amenity. If it can be confirmed that an internal pharmacy (in Northern Ireland this may also include an onsite controlled medical dispensary) will provide prescribed medicines for building users, this is acceptable.

Amenities – Sandwich van as a food outlet - KBCN0557

A food truck/ mobile catering service would not be sufficient to meet the criteria for this issue. The aim of this Issue is to assess the location of the built asset relative to amenities.

Amenities – Vending machine as a food outlet - KBCN0653

A vending machine can be considered as a food outlet if a range of items, as can be reasonably expected, are for sale to meet the needs of the building users and it is confirmed to be a permanent fixture.

ANC membership/registration scheme compliance route - KBCN0246

The Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) registration scheme is only applicable to buildings covered in Approved Document E. It therefore covers Dwellings-Houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes and schools, and so would only apply to assessments that contain these room types. For these assessments, if the suitably qualified accoustician is a member of the ANC, they must also provide evidence to demonstrate that they are a full member of the ANC registration scheme. For all other building/room types, assessors can still demonstrate compliance by the other routes listed in the manual.

Applicability – industrial operational areas - KBCN1342

The aim of this issue is to encourage a healthy internal environment. For the operational areas of industrial buildings, the internal environment is dictated by health and safety requirements. This means that the BREEAM requirements should not be made applicable to them, and so the operational areas can be ignored in the assessment of Hea 02.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.

Applicability – retail and industrial office areas - KBCN00074

For industrial and retail buildings the 'potential for natural ventilation' requirements apply only to office areas. If a retail building does not contain any office areas, compliance is met by default. Whilst the requirements apply to permanently or semi-permanently occupied offices, small admin areas, which are used only occasionally, can be excluded. This also applies to shell only and shell and core projects, where it can be demonstrated that no office spaces will be provided, as part of the fit-out.

11-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity and consistency.
15-Sep-2017 IRFO scheme applicability removed - please refer to KBCN0531.
19-Oct-2016 Clarification note added in relation to shell only and shell and core projects.
25-Oct-2016 Distinction between offices and small admin areas added.

Applicability of flow control devices - KBCN00057

The criteria are applicable to the cold water supply only and include cold taps, WCs and urinals. Any solution implemented to achieve compliance with this Issue should effectively mitigate the risk of hot-water scalding in showers, in the event that the cold water supply is shut off.

06/03/18 - Wording amended to make the guidance more outcome-driven and to account for solutions other than not providing flow-control devices on the supply pipework to shower areas.

Applying internal partition sound insulation criteria to internal doors - KBCN0665

Where sound insulation criteria apply to internal partitions the calculations do need to include any doors which are part of the wall in question. While sound insulation performance of a typical door will be lower than for a typical wall, with careful design, specification and detailing, this can be overcome.

Apportioning foundations where not all floors are assessed - KBCN0643

Where a development does not include all the storeys of a building, not all of the aggregates used in the building foundations need to be included in the assessment. Any apportioning must be justified and calculated by a structural engineer, and it is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure that the process used is appropriate, robust and meets the aim of the credit issue.

Approach to thermal model when using BMS - KBCN0169

Where there are smart systems such as BMS in place, modelling must consider normal operating conditions, with the heating and cooling system in operation regardless of the control strategy. In order for the design team to size the heating/cooling plant, they will carry out modelling to calculate the heat/cold loss throughout the year. Results of these calculations must be submitted, with the heating/cooling plant specification which would demonstrate that the building has been designed to ensure internal winter/summer temperatures will not drop below an acceptable level, and that in effect the winter TOR is zero.

14 Apr 2023 Applicability to UK NC2018 and UK/Int V6 confirmed

Appropriate project stage to appoint a suitably qualified acoustician - KBCN0256

BREEAM requires that a suitably qualified acoustician is appointed at an appropriate stage of the project, so as to ensure that early design advice on criteria of pre-requisition is met. The aim is to ensure that costly amendments to building designs are not made as a result of late appointment of the acoustician. Ultimately, it is for the assessor to determine at what stage of the project is deemed to be appropriate for this appointment to have taken place given the project specific circumstances and procurement type.

Areas consuming less than 10% of the building’s total water demand - KBCN0662

Where water-consuming plants or building areas are required to be sub-metered as a minimum, the requirements apply even if those plant/elements consume less than 10% of the building's total water demand.

Areas in the public domain - KBCN0587

Where areas within the site boundary will be public domain after construction, and the design/specification has been determined by the local authority/statutory body/planning permission etc, they can be excluded from the assessment of the 'Safe Access' criteria. Evidence would be required to demonstrate that this was the case. Where the client/design team do not have control of the design of these areas, the development should not be prevented from achieving the credit.

Assessing basement external walls - KBCN0241

Only the external walls above ground level are required to be assessed under 'external walls'. The external walls below ground (i.e. within a basement area) perform a specialist function, these are not comparable with other external walls in a building. These are included in the 'basement retaining walls'.

20/08/2021 Scope clarified in accordance with the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Assessing furniture - KBCN00019

Fixed furniture within the building should be assessed. Examples of this include: built-in desks, kitchen units, toilet cubicles, any use which constitutes a significant fitting. Movable furniture which is not fixed to the building should be excluded from the assessment.

Assessing industrial spaces – exemptions - KBCN0734

The thermal comfort criteria do not apply to the operational or storage areas typically found in industrial assets or other similar asset types. The criteria is still be applied to the other parts of the asset as appropriate. Operational and storage areas often have function-related thermal requirements determined by operational or storage needs. These functional requirements override the needs of any occupants.

17-Jan-2024 - Scheme applicability updated.
03-Nov-2020 - Issue 2.0 of UK RFO technical manual updated with new CN detailing the above.

Assessing the roof of a car park that forms the ground floor of the assessed building - KBCN00080

The ground floor of the building above the car park should be assessed as an 'upper floor slab'. For the purposes of Mat 01 the ground floor slab, which is not assessed, is considered to be the floor which is in contact with the ground. HQM - Applies to HQM's Environmental Impact from Construction Products assessment issue.

Astroturf (artificial grass) - KBCN0106

This is not be considered as hard landscaping and should be excluded from the assessment of this issue.

Backup or emergency heating systems - KBCN0936

NOx calculations should be based on permanent heating systems and should not include backup systems used for maintenance or in emergencies. BREEAM assessments measure the as designed performance level of the building as it normally functions.

Boundary Protection - KBCN0753

Only boundary protection specifically forming the site boundary should be included in the calculations. This may not necessarily be located on the boundary of ownership, but is the physical barrier which ostensibly encloses the development. Any other freestanding walls or fencing within the site can be excluded.

BRE Environmental Profile certificates - KBCN0777

BRE Environmental Profile certificates are compliant EPDs and can be used as evidence for the purposes of Mat 01.

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) – Retrospectively applying AP status - KBCN0308

The AP status cannot be applied retrospectively. The purpose of using an AP on a project is that they can advise and steer the development from the outset to maximise its BREEAM and sustainability performance for the least cost/risk. If early AP appointment and involvement does not occur then the aims and criteria of this BREEAM issue are not being met.

BREEAM AP – Achieving the design credit at the Post Construction Assessment - KBCN0215

Where a project will be undertaking a post construction stage assessment only (no interim assessment), to demonstrate that the criteria were met at the design stage a "BREEAM credit monitoring report" should be provided when the assessment is submitted, which shows that at the design stage of the project the building was still on target for the proposed BREEAM rating. This could be an excel document showing the issues that the design is on target for achieving with a short summary of how the BREEAM AP is steering the project for the correct rating. As long as the criteria are met and the correct information can be gathered for your evidence, a design stage certification is not required.

BREEAM AP – Change of BREEAM APs/Sustainability champions during project - KBCN0295

Whilst it would generally be preferable to retain the same individual in the role of BREEAM AP/Sustainability champion throughout the design and construction of a particular project for the purposes of continuity, we appreciate that this may not always be feasible. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the three credits available for using BREEAM APs/Sustainability champions can still be awarded where the individual performing the role changes (provided the ongoing involvement of an AP/SC is maintained in accordance with the criteria).

BREEAM AP and BREEAM assessor – conflict of interest - KBCN0196

An individual can be appointed as a BREEAM/HQM Assessor and BREEAM AP/Sustainability Champion for the same project, where the Assessor also holds current and applicable AP/Sustainability Champion credentials. If this route is chosen, it must be made clear when submitting the assessment that both roles are being carried out by the same person and confirmed how potential conflicts of interest are identified and managed. This will mean, when appropriate, that the assessment can be escalated to a more detailed level of quality assurance checking.

BREEAM AP/Sustainability champion appointment timing - KBCN0419

It is acceptable for a BREEAM AP to be appointed in the early stages of RIBA Stage C/ RIBA Stage 2, if it can be demonstrated that the AP was appointed at the earliest appropriate time in the project and that the late involvement will not have a detrimental effect on the setting of BREEAM performance targets that need to be formally agreed no later than RIBA Stage 2.

Bristol Transport Access Level (BrisTAL) - KBCN1426

The Bristol Transport Access Level (BrisTAL) method provides a way of measuring the level of public transport connectivity within the city of Bristol. It is derived from the Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) approach used by Transport for London. As such, the ‘Access Index (AI)’ output from BrisTAL can be used as evidence of compliance against the BREEAM and HQM Accessibility Index requirements. Please note that project teams must ensure that they use the version of the BrisTAL that is current at the time the transport assessment is undertaken. This is available here: https://maps.bristol.gov.uk/pinpoint/

03 08 2022 - Updated to clarify that the dataset used must be current at the time of the transport assessment, but this does not need to be updated at post-construction stage

BS 8903:2010 superseded - KBCN0938

BS 8903:2010 Principles and Framework for Procuring Sustainably - Guide, has been superseded by BS ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable Procurement - Guidance.

This change will be updated in future re-issues of the manual.

Building elements’ Materials - KBCN0190

For each element, only the materials that make up a significant majority of the building element (up to 80%) need to be responsibly sourced. Any material which comprise the remaining 20% can be included at the discretion of the assessor if it contributes to achieving more points. It should be noted that including additional elements from a lower tier level may reduce the number of points scored. Criterion 2.b To achieve points for any given building elements, at least 80% of the materials that make-up that element must be responsibly sourced i.e. classified in tier 1-7.

Building LCA tools recognised by BREEAM - KBCN1118

The following document shows the building LCA tools that are recognised by BREEAM for each BREEAM scheme. Only submissions from the tools listed here will be accepted as part of a BREEAM assessment. These recognised tools may be either an IMPACT Compliant tool or another type of building LCA tool that has been evaluated by BREEAM and considered suitable for carrying out building LCA according to BREEAM’s scheme specific requirements. To apply for a new tool to be evaluated, please contact: [email protected] Where more than one version of the same tool is listed for a given scheme version, the most recent version of the tool (that is available at the point building LCA work commences on the project) should be used. It is acceptable to use subsequent, more recent releases/versions of a recognised tool (that have the same name as shown in the table). View Building LCA tools recognised by BREEAM.

Table updated to new downloadable format, with new layout and new recognised LCA tools and corrections added 01/03/2024
Table updated to include new recognised LCA tools and corrections 10/11/2023
Table updated to include new recognised LCA tools and corrections 22/07/2022
Table updated to include new recognised LCA tools 12/03/2021
KBCN updated for clarity regarding subsequent tool versions on 10/03/2021

Calculating EPR where multiple EPCs are required - KBCN0216

Where more than one BRUKL/EPC is produced for a development, which is registered as a single assessment, an area-weighted average should be used to calculate the number of credits to be awarded. This does not apply where the 'similar buildings' approach is used. The BRUKL.inp. files should be entered into the S&R tool (or for UK NC2011, uploaded to the Compliance Checker) and the three EPRs produced by the compliance checker, which must then be area-weighted to produce an average EPR for each metric. When applying this method, please include your area-weighting calculations and outputs as supporting evidence.

06/07/2023 - Applicability to UK RFO 2014 removed, as this methodology does not apply. For RFO 2014, a single, whole building EPC must be generated.
31/10/2018 wording clarified to apply to all relevant schemes.

Campus with multiple building assessments - KBCN0597

If a campus development project has multiple building assessments being built in conjunction with each other, each building should be assessed independently. Where there are noise sensitive buildings; including any new buildings in the process of being built, the criteria requirements must still be met.

Centralised air handling units (AHU) - KBCN0941

The requirements of the:

Second sub-metering credit (New Construction).
Issue (BREEAM In-Use).

do not apply to centralised AHUs, where it is not technically feasible to sub-meter energy use by separate functional, tenanted or floor areas. The credit(s) will be assessed based on the remaining applicable energy uses.

06-Mar-2024 - Scheme applicability extended to V6.

Change in ecological value- Larger post-development area - KBCN0299

Where the post-development area is larger than the pre-development area, for example due to green undercrofts or green facades, the extra area should be included as hard landscaping before development with no species present. Post development this area should be given its own habitat type with the species numbers verified by the suitably qualified ecologist.

Change in ecological value- non-native species - KBCN0221

Non-native species specified by the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) can be included in ecology calculations. There are no requirements set for LE 03 relating to the specification of non-native species (this differs from the requirements in LE 04). If an SQE specifies non-native plants for the development and confirms the species count pre and post development, then non-native species can be included in the ecological change calculation.

Change in main contractor - KBCN0645

In situations where the main contractor changes mid-project, for example where the original contractor goes into administration and is replaced by another main contractor, it is acceptable for the post-construction credits to be awarded based on the new contractor providing information on their activities. This is providing the project is yet to start on site. This is in effect assessing the issue using the Post Construction Assessment route instead of a Post Construction Review. However, if the project has already started on site and information about the site activities of the previous contractor is not available it would not be appropriate to award the credit solely based on the new contractor activities.

Changes to CCS – January 2022 - KBCN1500

UKNC2011, UKNC2014, RFO2014 and Domestic Refurbishment 2014 schemes: In response to the 2022 changes to the structure and scoring in the CCS, the adjusted points for credits are as follows for each of the three new sections (Community, Environment, and Workforce): One credit requires a minimum of 9 points per section and 27 overall. Two credits require a minimum of 11 points per section and 35 overall. Exemplary credit requires a minimum of 13 points per section and 39 overall. UKNC2018, UKNCV6 and HQM ONE schemes: No changes have been made to the criteria or the requirement to demonstrate compliance with items g, p and q for the exemplary credit. GN33 has been updated to demonstrate the mapping of the updated CCS to these schemes, see KBCN1215. For assessments not following CSS, the criteria remain unchanged. More information on the changes to the CCS scheme are outlined on the CCS website.

12-Apr-2023 - Updated to clarify the applicability of the new guidance.
28-Feb-2023 - Note updated to refer to the updated version of GN33.
29-Apr-2022 - Note added to clarify that this information supersedes the requirements in the technical manuals.
25-Mar-2022 - Updated to provide the new scoring requirements for BREEAM standards.

Changes to CCS scoring system – January 2019 - KBCN1271

In January 2019, the Considerate Constructors' Scheme (CCS) modified its scoring system, so that innovations are more easily recognised and rewarded. This change does not impact on the established score thresholds, for awarding credits in relevant BREEAM Schemes. For further information on CCS, please follow this link

08/10/21 CCS guidance on changes no longer available. Substituted for a link to main CCS website.

CHP NOx emission conversion - KBCN0592

If the CHP manufacturer cannot provide the NOx emissions in mg/kWh it is not possible to award any credits. The CHP manufacturer must provide the NOx emissions in mg/kWh, the conversion factors provided in the Technical Manual can only be used for boilers.

Classification of offices on education sites - KBCN0410

If an admin office situated on a higher or further education campus is used exclusively for admin and support services (i.e. it will not be used by teaching staff or students), then such offices must be assessed under the Offices scheme classification. Where a building is mixed use, containing multiple unrelated functions and user groups with no clear dominant function, separate assessments are required.

Combined sub-metering – electric space / water heating and small power - KBCN00068

For bedrooms and associated spaces in:

Multi-residential or residential institution building types (New Construction).
Hospitality or supportive housing asset types (BREEAM In-Use).

It is acceptable for an electric space or water heating system to be combined with lighting and small power, provided that sub-metering is provided for each floor plate or other appropriate sub-division. For these asset types, sub-metering electric heating in multiple bedrooms may be costly and technically challenging. Where occupants have individual control but are not responsible for paying the utility bills, the building manager may have little influence on their energy consumption. Therefore, sub-metering electric heating would provide little or no benefit in meeting the aim of the issue.

06-Mar-2024 - Scheme applicability extended to V6. 
15-Dec-2023 - Title updated to clarify that this approach can be applied to both space heating and domestic hot water heating, where appropriate.

Combined system for heating / cooling and domestic hot water - KBCN0329

It is permissible to have combined metering for a shared on-site or district system that combines heating / cooling, and domestic hot water generation. In all cases, justification is provided in the QA report for the combined metering, and explains why it is not technically feasible to provide separate meters.

21-Sep-2022 Applicability of KBCN added to BIU V6. Amended to include district heating and cooling networks.

Commercial dishwasher appropriate data - KBCN0687

If the component is present in the building but the appropriate data is unavailable from the manufacturer's product information i.e. uses a different unit of measurement, then the baseline performance level for the specified component should be used in the WAT 01 calculator. BRE Global is unable to provide a calculation method to convert data in to the correct unit for the WAT 01 calculator tool.

Commissioning – Fume cupboards approved standards - KBCN0111

The following standards have been approved and can be used to demonstrate compliance with the commissioning credit for fume cupboards: - BS 7989:2001 - CLEAPPS G9 Fume Cupboards in Schools - Revision of DfEE Building Bulletin 88 - BS EN 14175-4

Commissioning – Monitor and specialist commissioning manager - KBCN00051

The commissioning monitor is typically a project team member who will monitor the systems commissioning and testing programme for the building. The individual may combine that role with that of the specialist commissioning manager to deal with complex systems if they have the necessary knowledge. However, if the building has several specialist systems it is unlikely that the same person would be able to carry out all of the commissioning and more than one specialist would most likely be required.

Commissioning – Role of Specialist commissioning manager - KBCN0604

The specialist commissioning manager for a complex system must be a specialist contractor and not a general sub-contractor. They must be on hand to independently verify the work carried out by whoever installs the system. In principle, it is possible for the specialist commissioning manager to be from the same organisation as the main contractor provided any conflicts of interest have been declared and records show how they have been managed to provide confidence that commissioning will be carried out appropriately. The separate roles of the main contractor and specialist commissioning manager are so that the installation and commissioning are carried out independently by different parties.

Communal Laundry Facilities – Commercial Sized Tumble Dryers - KBCN0555

Tumble dryers should be taken in to account when calculating the total annual unregulated energy consumption of communal laundry facilities with commercial sized appliances. Heat recovery from a commercial sized tumble dryer exhaust can be used as an alternative to the solutions listed within the Ene 08 credit issue provided it will achieve a meaningful reduction of energy demand, and justification can be given as to why this method has been implemented over those recommended in the manual. The list of equipment types and compliance requirements is not intended to be exhaustive, however where alternative solutions are proposed, the design team must provide justification and evidence as outlined above, to the satisfaction of the assessor.

Communal Laundry Facilities – Domestic or Commercial Washing Machines - KBCN0613

The table provided in the manual highlights the criteria for an appliance to be considered domestic or commercial. However, for multi-residential projects (or other building types containing laundry facilities), the BREEAM assessor should use their judgement to determine whether the appliance is commercial or domestic, and justification of the category selected must be provided. For instance, commercial and domestic sized washing machines can be defined based on load size or power rating.

Community transport schemes in rural areas - KBCN00013

In rural areas, where scheduled public services are insufficient to gain credits via the calculation of the Accessibility Index, community transport schemes, including 'on-demand services', can be used to achieve the 'dedicated bus service' option. In such cases evidence must be provided to demonstrate:

It serves a rural area
It is available to all potential users
The service is established at the time of the assessment being submitted
The service is of an appropriate scale for the community it serves

Content reworded to highlight the availability of the on-demand service to all potential users. 24/04/2017

Compliance Checker - KBCN00023

The UK NC 2014 Compliance Checker is publicly available via the BREEAM Projects website. However, the use of this compliance checker for UK NC 2014 is not required in order to assess the issue and award credits. The figures required for the Scoring and Reporting tool can be taken directly from the BRUKL output. The function of the UK NC 2011 compliance checker was to apply translators to the energy consumption metric to allow this to be assessed in terms of primary energy. The purpose of the UK NC 2014 Compliance Checker will be to allow BREEAM assessors and other members of the design team such as energy specialists, to review the performance of servicing strategies against BREEAM targets without using the BREEAM Scoring and Reporting Tool. The compliance checkers for BREEAM UK NC2011 and UK NC2014 can be found on BREEAM Projects by following this link; NC2011/2014 Compliance Checker

02 08 2022 - Link updated
26 04 2019 - Link to compliance checkers added and applied to UK NC2011

Compliance: Applicability of criteria to subsequent schemes’ versions - KBCN0554

When assessing a project under a certain scheme, criteria or compliance notes from a previous scheme cannot be used to demonstrate compliance.

Compliance: Applicability of criteria to scheme’s previous versions - KBCN0430

Criteria set for a scheme version are not applicable retrospectively to previous versions.

Compliance: Conflicts of interest for the BREEAM assessor - KBCN0107

The assessor can be someone within the design team or work for the same company as the design team member(s) but the assessor must identify and manage any potential conflicts of interest. The assessor should also make BRE Global aware of the situation so that, should it prove appropriate, the certification report can be escalated to a more detailed level of quality assurance checking. If the assessor is a member of the company who are producing evidence to demonstrate compliance, there must be clear separation of the roles and the BREEAM/HQM assessor must not be personally responsible for producing such evidence. BREEAM/HQM is a 3rd party certification scheme. Therefore, it is important to avoid any conflicts of interest between those producing evidence and those awarding credits to ensure the robustness of the certification process.

Compliance: Manufacturer/supplier does not comply - KBCN0571

Where equipment is required to meet specific criteria to achieve compliance it is important to ensure the client seeks out manufacturers/suppliers that provide equipment which meets these criteria. If the chosen product / supplier cannot meet the criteria then the credit cannot be awarded. BREEAM seeks to recognise the use of equipment which offers the latest sustainable solutions.

Compliance: Statutory requirements - KBCN0395

BREEAM is an assessment method which promotes best practice in sustainable buildings. Matters critical to health and safety, as well as any mandatory requirements from statutory authorities which conflict with BREEAM criteria may take precedence over BREEAM requirements. In this instance, evidence would be required to demonstrate that this is the case. Note, this does not change the criteria requirements, and where BREEAM requirements are not met the design team must explore alternative options or specifications if the relevant credits are to be awarded.

17/04/18 Wording amended to clarify

Compliant attenuated noise levels - KBCN00047

BS 4142 noise level requirements can be used to demonstrate compliance provided the best practice testing methodologies for noise attenuation outlined in BS 7445 are followed.

Compliant test body – alternative compliance route using a Suitably Qualified Acoustician - KBCN1412

Where acoustic testing and measurement has not been performed by an organisation or individual that meets the definition of a compliant test body, compliance with this requirement can still be demonstrated where a Suitably Qualified Acoustician has reviewed the relevant test report(s). The test report must: a) Be countersigned or authorised by a Suitably Qualified Acoustician b) Include a clear statement that the acoustic testing and measurements have been carried out in accordance with the BREEAM or HQM testing requirements AND c) Include evidence that the verifier meets the definition for a Suitably Qualified Acoustician within the relevant BREEAM or HQM technical manual

Considerate construction – corporate registration - KBCN0905

Where credits are awarded for the assessment of the site against a compliant scheme, corporate registration, which assesses the contractor's overall operations and performance across multiple sites, is not in itself recognised. To award considerate construction credits, BREEAM requires the assessment of the specific assessed development, in line with the criteria.

Considerate Constructors Scheme – Phased developments - KBCN0328

The Considerate Constructors Scheme does make provision for phased developments within the registration process, allowing each phase to be registered separately. They make this provision to allow for very large developments that may go on over several years. It should therefore be possible for the developer to register the site in phases, so that CCS certificates can be submitted for BREEAM assessed buildings, without having to wait for the completion of the final phase.

Considering Sand and Cement Replacements - KBCN0181

Neither sand or cement replacements should be taken into account when assessing the percentage of recycled or secondary aggregate used in a project. The recycled aggregates issue only assesses the use of coarse aggregates.

29/03/2017 Title amended and additional reference to cement substitutes added

Contaminated Land- Presence of radon gas - KBCN0155

Naturally occurring radon is not considered as contamination in relation to BREEAM. However, where radioactive substances have been introduced as a consequence of human activities, that land would then be considered to be ‘contaminated with radioactivity’ and remediation of such contamination would fall under the scope of the relevant BREEAM issue.

Contractor not yet appointed at the design stage - KBCN000002

Where the contractor has not been engaged at the design stage certification, it is acceptable to award the credits based on a commitment. This commitment must be from a suitable member of the design team, and must detail the targets and criteria which must be met. Evidence must also confirm that the details in the commitment will form part of the contractual requirements. Note: This does not apply to the requirement for a pre-demolition/pre-refurbishment audit, which must be undertaken at Concept Design Stage.

12 Jul 2022 - Note added to clarify the scope of this guidance

Counterbalancing ratio fixed - KBCN0327

The requirement to analyse the counterbalancing ratio can be omitted if the project team can provide a statement confirming that it has been set by the manufacturer due to existing standards and to maximise efficiency. The remaining criteria must be met.

Cycle spaces – Minimum and maximum requirements - KBCN0637

These remain applicable where the 50% reduction allowed for building locations with a high level of public transport accessibility is in effect. This means that, for instance, a large retail will still need to provide at least ten customer cycle storage spaces and could meet compliance with a maximum of fifty.

22-Nov-2023 Scheme applicability updated.
18-May-2017 Previous KBCN on large retail adapted to include any minimum requirement for cycle storage spaces.

Cycle spaces – Compliant types of storage - KBCN0257

Due to the number of different types of cycle storage facility available and the variation in site conditions, BREEAM New Construction is less prescriptive about the dimensions and type of cycle parking which can be used to demonstrate compliance. The Assessor is expected to exercise their professional judgement to determine whether the cycle parking spaces meet the aims of the Issue and the requirements listed in the compliance notes. BREEAM is used to certify buildings, not products. Cycle parking systems cannot, therefore, be considered inherently 'BREEAM compliant'. These must be assessed in context with reference to their location and the intended user profile.

29/01/2024-made applicable to HQM

Cycle spaces – Folding bicycles and scooters - KBCN00024

The provision of cycle storage that is only suitable for folding bicycles or scooters is not compliant. Providing reduced storage space for folding bicycles or scooters in place of compliant cycle storage may limit future travel options.

14 03 2018 Wording clarified and reference to scooters included.

Cycle spaces – Maximum number of stadium visitors - KBCN0323

To calculate the required provision, the sliding scale of compliance should be used for the staff and up to 5000 stadium visitors.

Cycle spaces – Prominent location - KBCN00053

The requirement to provide cycle storage facilities in a prominent location on site, within view of building users, is intended to encourage use through advertising their presence to building users. Providing these facilities inside the assessed building, such as in the basement, may be compliant so long as there is prominent signage to indicate their location to all building users.

Cycle spaces – Provision for extensions - KBCN0707

When assessing an extension to a building, partial refurbishment or a stand-alone building, which extends an existing facility to be occupied by the same building users (such as a classroom block in an existing school), a site-wide approach should be used to determine the number of new, compliant cycle spaces required. In such instances a stand-alone approach cannot generally ensure that the new cycle spaces for the assessed extension would be dedicated and available to the occupants of the assessed extension, refurbishment or building. This can only be used where it can be demonstrated that the use of the new cycle storage can be effectively restricted to only those using the assessed extension, either by effective positioning and or management.

Cycle spaces – Provision for regular, large visitor numbers - KBCN0546

Where there are large numbers of visitors on a regular basis, provision of cycle storage for visitors should be based on the maximum number at any given time. This is to ensure that at peak times enough cycle storage is provided.

Cycle spaces – Public cycle spaces - KBCN1057

Existing public cycle spaces cannot contribute to compliance in BREEAM UK schemes These are outside the influence of the design team and building operator and it cannot, therefore, be guaranteed that these will be available to building users.

Cycle spaces – Similar buildings assessments - KBCN0570

Where cycle storage and/or facilities are provided for individual units, a site-wide approach cannot be used to include all units. If, however, these are a shared facility, provided in a suitably-located communal area, this may be acceptable. When assessing using the 'similar buildings' approach, each of the similar buildings has to be assessed separately and credits have to be awarded, based on the worst performing building.

14 03 2018 Clarified to account for suitable shared facilities

Cycle spaces – Small retail – multiple units - KBCN0187

In a development of multiple small retail units, to achieve credit, 10 compliant cycle storage spaces in total are required where it can be shown that these are accessible to all units. However, where such developments consist of multiple units over a large area or are separated by barriers such as roads, the assessor should ensure that the provision is both adequate and conveniently located for all units. The 50% reduction allowed for building locations with a high level of public transport accessibility is not applicable in this case.

17/11/2016 Note related to the 50% reduction added.
14/03/2018 Note added regarding multiple units over a large area or separated by barriers.

Cycle spaces – Timing of installation in phased projects - KBCN00015

Where cycle storage cannot be installed at construction stage, due to phasing and / or pending demolition works, compliance may still be demonstrated provided: - Clarification and justification is given for why the storage is not currently available. - A written contractual agreement is in place to provide BREEAM compliant storage within a clear timescale. - Alternative storage is provided in the meantime that allow bikes to be easily stored and removed, with the ability to be locked securely against a fixed structure. The methodology above applies to cycle storage only, and cannot be applied to provision of cyclist facilities (such as showers and lockers) which must be assessed as normal. This is to allow flexibility within the project programme for the installation of the final, permanent BREEAM-compliant cycle storage whilst still ensuring adequate cycle storage is available during the construction phase.

Cycle spaces and facilities – Rounding calculations - KBCN0445

The calculation for the required cycle spaces and facilities must always be rounded up. If the calculation works out as 5.3 cycle spaces, 6 cycle spaces must be provided. To determine the requirements for developments with multiple types of building user, calculate the requirement for each user group separately (rounding up to the determine the number of spaces) and then add the number of cycle spaces for each user group together.

04/10/2018 Wording amended to clarify the correct calculation method for developments with multiple user groups.

Cycle Storage – Electric cycle charging stations - KBCN1238

Electric charging stations can be considered as compliant, provided they also meet the criteria for cycle storage spaces. However, where these are dedicated spaces, (ie they are not available for non-electric cycles), these should not constitute more than 10% of the provision required for compliance.

Cycle storage – new spaces in the public domain - KBCN1410

Where it is not possible to locate short-term visitor/customer cycle storage spaces within the assessment boundary, these may be provided in a suitable and convenient location within the public realm. The assessor must be satisfied that there is legal agreement and a long-term commitment to the provision of the spaces. All relevant criteria must be met, however, where justified, the requirement for overhead covering can be waived. BREEAM accepts that for cycle storage spaces within the public realm, there may be restrictions on the ability to provide overhead covering.

Cycle storage accessible through staircase - KBCN0639

While BRE does not rule out the possibility for cycle storage to be accessed via a staircase, health and safety considerations must be made, especially with regards to wet, icy and dark conditions. On reflection of the above, the assessor should be satisfied that the cycle storage location is easily accessible.

Cyclist safe access - KBCN0188

Safe access for cyclists must be via a compliant cycle lane, unless it is demonstrated that it would be impractical to cycle for a short distance between the site entrance and cycle storage. For example, where a gate, door or barrier forces the cyclist to dismount and walk for a short distance to access the cycle storage and it would be impractical for cyclists to re-mount¹. Where it is not practical to provide compliant cycle lane from the entrance to the cycle storage, the safety of cyclists and pedestrians must be maintained. 1. The intent is that this be a short distance, over which cyclists would typically not choose to re-mount and is anticipated to be no greater than 10m. In order to be considered compliant for greater distances, evidence must be provided of effective additional physical measures to deter cyclists from re-mounting.

29/09/2021 - Additional note (1) added to provide further clarification of the intent
21/02/2020 Re-worded to clarify the intent
02 Jul 2021 - Applicability to UK NC2018 confirmed

Cyclists’ facilities – Adequately sized lockers - KBCN0961

The requirement for adequately sized lockers is so that cyclists have a dedicated space to store their cycling equipment and clothes. It is not compliant for the space requirement to be met by providing two or more inadequately-sized lockers for each cyclist. Requiring cyclists to separate their equipment into different lockers/storage spaces could create a barrier to uptake of commuting by bicycle.

Cyclists’ facilities – Combining different facilities - KBCN0683

Cyclists' facilities can be combined, provided that all relevant compliance requirements are met and it is demonstrated that there is no conflict impacting on their use. For example, compliant showers can be combined with compliant lockers in one room, subject to the principle below. For combined facilities to count as multiple facilities, they must be capable of being used independently of each other at the same time (where relevant) with reference to any space requirements, access, gender and privacy issues.

11 Jan 2023 - Applicability to BIU V6C confirmed
10 Feb 2022 - Updated to clarify that facilities can be combined where there is no conflict.

Cyclists’ facilities – Matching additional cycle spaces - KBCN00093

The minimum number of showers/lockers/changing facilities required for BREEAM compliance is determined by the minimum number of compliant bicycle spaces required, not by how many total compliant bicycle spaces have been provided. Where more than the minimum number of compliant cycle spaces has been provided, there is no requirement to provide more than the minimum number of showers/lockers/changing facilities.

01 Feb 2022 - Wording clarified and applicability to BIU V6C confirmed

Cyclists’ facilities – Provision of only one shower - KBCN0566

Where only one shower is provided, this needs to cater for users of both genders. For a changing facility to count as an additional amenity, it must be capable of being used independently of any showers, otherwise it could not be considered as two facilities. A shower which is a mixed gender facility must be capable of being used privately. As such, it requires adequate private changing space associated with it.

Amended to provide further clarification and to add the general principle.
10/11/2016

Cyclists’ facilities – Shower provision for male and female users - KBCN0536

Where a deviation from the guidance for a 50:50 split can be fully justified, (for example, based on actual occupancy data from a similar development of the same building type) this can be deemed as compliant by the assessor. If such justification cannot be provided but design teams wish to provide a flexible arrangement for showers to suit the anticipated building occupancy, providing unisex showers accessible to all building users would be acceptable.

Cyclists’ facilities – Visitors - KBCN00014

Where the cycle spaces requirement is based on the number of staff plus visitors, customers or patients, the number of cyclist facilities required to demonstrate compliance is based on the number of cycle spaces for staff only. Visitors, customers or patients would not be expected to have access to showers and lockers within a building.

Cyclists’ facilities – Within toilet facilities - KBCN00050

To comply with the criteria for cyclist facilities, showers should not obstruct the use of other facilities. Where a shower is located in a room with a WC, this cannot be considered compliant, unless it can be unequivocally demonstrated that the WC is provided over-and-above the requirements of relevant standards or regulations for general and disabled WCs.

To ensure that there is no conflict between the use of general or disabled WCs and the use of cyclist facilities.

25.10.18 KBCN reworded to improve clarity.

Daylighting – speculative building - KBCN0269

Where the building is speculative and therefore the final layout is not defined (e.g. only an open plan shell is provided in each tenanted space), the required percentage of each open plan shell should meet the daylighting requirements. However, where it is possible to designate separable ancillary areas that would be required in the space (such as toilets or server room), these can be excluded from the calculation. For daylight calculations in speculative projects where the layout and colours are unknown, a realistic notional layout may be used.

Daylighting – Changing rooms - KBCN1132

The daylighting criteria are not applicable to changing rooms.

Daylighting – communal kitchens (multi-residential) - KBCN0217

Communal kitchens should be assessed under 'Non-residential / Communal Occupied Spaces. Communal kitchens outside of self-contained dwelling units, for example a kitchen within a self-contained student flat shared between several students would be classed as a private kitchen for the purposes of this issue. However, if it was shared between rooms along a communal corridor it would be considered a communal kitchen, and assessed under 'Non-residential buildings - occupied spaces'.

Daylighting – Floor areas for average daylight calculations - KBCN0471

Where the room size is comparable and the function is the same, such as ‘kitchen’, the percentage rule needs to be applied to the total floor area. As the average daylight factor is a measure of daylight across the whole room, only whole rooms can be compliant. This is why we refer to rounding up the ‘80% of the floor area’ requirement to the rounded-up number of compliant rooms. This rule applies to rooms of a similar size and function and compliance note ‘percentage of assessed area’ includes a simple example, where all the rooms are the same size. However, this rule can still be applied to rooms of different sizes. Spaces whose size is substantially larger should meet the average daylight factor requirement on their own. In these cases, the percentage requirement is still applicable to the floor area of the remaining rooms. For example, where 80% of ‘teaching, lecture and seminar spaces’ need to comply with the average daylight factor, if we have a large lecture theatre of 200m² and 3 seminar spaces of 30m² each, the requirements for 80% would mean 232m² of the floor area need to comply. This would require the lecture theatre and two seminar spaces to comply. Where a building contains different area types, the 80% minimum floor area must be calculated by each separate building area type as defined in the table listing the average daylight factors required. For example, a multi-residential building that contains kitchen areas and living room areas, would need each one of these areas to comply with the 80% minimum floor area requirement separately. In schemes where dwellings are assessed separately, this is likely to result in 100% of the relevant dwelling areas complying. This is because in a typical house with one kitchen and one living room, an 80% requirement for the kitchen and an 80% requirement for the living room, would mean the whole kitchen and the whole living room need to comply (since only whole rooms can be compliant).

08/01/2021

Clarifications and example added.

Daylighting – requirements differing by area - KBCN0176

Where areas within a building have different daylighting requirements for the same credit, all relevant areas must meet the requirements to award the daylighting credit(s). The aim is to improve daylight conditions in all applicable area types of an assessed building.

Daylighting – retail cafe / dining areas - KBCN0968

Customer seating/dining areas in a cafe or restaurant should be considered as 'sales areas'. Sales counters, staff areas or food preparation areas, for example, should be assessed as 'Other occupied areas' in accordance with the definition of 'Occupied space'.. The requirements for 'Sales areas' are applied to transient spaces.

Daylighting – studio flats - KBCN0808

In the case of studio flats, the minimum area of compliance for the average daylight factor requirement is based on the combined area of kitchen, living room, bed and study area. Circulation areas do not need to be included in the calculation.

Daylighting – uniformity ratio applicability - KBCN0584

The uniformity ratio requirements apply to the percentage of the building’s relevant areas specified in the table. In the NC 2013 scheme, this is 80%.

Dedicated cycle lanes/paths - KBCN1384

The term 'dedicated' is not intended to preclude cycle routes which are shared with pedestrians or vehicles. The assessor may deem such arrangements compliant, provided that they meet the requirements of the approved external guidance referred to in the criteria.

Dedicated cycle paths in the absence of cycle facilities - KBCN00039

Safe cycle access needs to be provided even if there are no dedicated cycle facilities. The dedicated cycle paths will generally need to be provided to the main entrance(s) of the building along routes likely to be used by cyclists through the site. The design team are required to determine what is required to satisfy the intent of the criteria. Cycle access and cyclists' facilities are assessed independently of each other. Building users may cycle even if the building does not have cycle storage facilities and so safe and secure access to and from the building must be provided.

Deemed to comply solutions – alternative proposals - KBCN1214

The solutions listed for each category in the Table are examples deemed to comply with the requirements, without further justification or calculations to demonstrate a meaningful reduction in unregulated energy consumption. If an alternative solution is proposed, justification and/or calculations are required to demonstrate this.

Definition – Critical value - KBCN1006

Critical value aims to maximise whole life value of the building based on client requirements, and differs from minimising life cycle cost. This is a more specific analysis of how the building's ongoing maintenance and operation can impact business needs. For instance:

Where any disruption to business is costly, a specification with long periods between maintenance cycles and reduced maintenance time may be desirable.
Where maintaining aesthetics are important, a maintenance cycle may be based on aesthetic upkeep rather than functional lifespan.
Where maximum recyclability and re-usability is important, an alternative, costlier specification may be required.
Where capital costs are constrained, the specification with the lowest LCC may not be affordable, and instead, the best available option within the budget is chosen.

Definition – laboratory containment levels 2 and 3 - KBCN0903

Laboratory containment levels 2 and 3 are defined in: The Management, Design and Operation of Microbiological Containment Laboratories 2001, ACDP This was defined from BREEAM International NC 2016 onwards.

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Wording updated. Scheme applicability updated.

Definition – Project value - KBCN0552

The term ‘project value’ represents the total project cost, which includes all costs such as construction, design, land acquisition, etc.

Definition of Accredited Energy Assessor - KBCN0706

BREEAM recognise that CIBSE Low Carbon Design and Simulation consultants are qualified to confirm compliance with Part L Building Regulations and are therefore qualified to produce BRUKL reports demonstrating compliance with Ene 01.

Technical manual to be updated accordingly in next re-issue.

Definition of concourse - KBCN0386

A concourse is an open area within or in front of a public building which is used primarily for circulation, short term waiting, or incidental interaction, analogous to the concourse of a train station. It should not be considered occupied space.

Definition of NIA (net floor area) for assessment registration purposes - KBCN0569

Net Internal Area (NIA) is broadly the usable area within a building measured to the face of the internal finish of perimeter or party walls ignoring skirting boards and taking each floor into account. NIA will include:

Perimeter skirting, moulding, or trunking
Kitchens
Any built in units or cupboards occupying useable areas (subject to height exclusion below)
Partition walls or similar dividing elements
Open circulation areas and entrance halls, corridors and atria (but see 9 and 10 below)

NIA will exclude:

Toilets and associated lobbies
Cleaners' cupboards
Lift rooms, boiler rooms, tank rooms, fuel stores and plant rooms other than those of a trade process nature
Stairwells, lift wells, those parts of entrance halls, atria, landings and balconies used in common or for the purpose of essential access
Corridors and other circulation areas where used in common with other occupiers or of a permanent essential nature
Areas under the control of service or other external authorities
Internal structural walls, walls (whether structural or not) enclosing excluded areas, columns, piers, chimney breasts, other projections, vertical ducts etc
The space occupied by permanent air conditioning, heating or cooling apparatus and ducting which renders the space substantially unusable having regard to the purpose for which it is intended
Areas with headroom of less than 1.5m
Car parking areas

Source: Valuation Office Agency Therefore, the usable area within a building measured to the face of the internal walls should be provided. Whilst this is not expected to be accurate to the nearest 1m², the closest estimate possible for the NFA should be entered. This is to allow for any possible subsequent adjustment to the size of the development.

Demand-based bus services in AI calculation - KBCN1338

Demand-based bus services operated by public transport providers can be included in the calculation of the Accessibility Index. The project team will need to determine an average number of stops per hour to allow input into the AI tool.

Dementia care homes - KBCN0820

For dementia care homes, there may be instances where the resident profile, and hence design and use, result in some BREEAM criteria being considered inappropriate or not applicable. Where this is the case assessors should seek confirmation from BREEAM through the technical query service, providing a clear justification for why specific criteria cannot be met. Before submitting a query, however, please review the BREEAM Knowledge Base under the relevant Scheme and Issue, to check for a specific, published compliance note. Assessors will be required to provide evidence. This could be from suitable individuals/organisations regarding the specific project, detailing how the criteria is not relevant for the individual project.

Demolition – external guidelines (incl BS 6187) - KBCN0630

Independent standards exist and some are referenced in the BREEAM manual and can be used to provide additional guidance for clients/design teams. Unless explicitly stated they are not 'deemed to satisfy' BREEAM criteria and assessors must demonstrate that BREEAM criteria have been met in the usual way. One such standard is BS 6187:2011 which gives good practice recommendations for the demolition (both full and partial) of facilities, including buildings and structures. The standard is therefore applicable to demolition activities undertaken as part of structural refurbishment. It also covers decommissioning. Unless explicitly stated external standards do not automatically satisfy BREEAM criteria and assessors must demonstrate that BREEAM criteria have been met in the usual way.

Demolition records not available - KBCN1009

Where demolition records are missing, either wholly or in part, the credit available for diversion of construction and demolition waste from landfill cannot be achieved. This includes instances where demolition was conducted under a separate contract or by a third party on behalf of the developer.

Design stage requirements where specific product details are unknown - KBCN1483

The Mat 03 tool must be completed in accordance with the Methodology, providing all available details and submitted as evidence. Where products or materials are subject to a performance specification and a specific manufacturer and certificate reference cannot be provided, the missing details should be completed as 'tbc'. This ensures that a strategy for compliance can be demonstrated, even where some specific details are unavailable.

Design team meetings via conference call - KBCN0201

Design team meetings can be conducted via conference calls.

It can be difficult for design team members to be in the same place at the same time. Conference calls are a more sustainable way to conduct meetings.

Designed-out or integrated finishes - KBCN1066

The requirements for this credit are met when either:

No finishes within the scope of the issue have been specified, or
Finishes are integrated into the asset and designed in a way that the finish cannot be removed. For instance, a self-finished timber floor or exposed soffit which cannot be removed and does not require additional finishes when installed.

This issue recognises avoiding unnecessary waste of materials.

16-May-2023 - Merged with KBCN0046. Scheme applicability updated. Name updated for clarity.

Designing out crime officer (DOCO) - KBCN000005

As stated in the ‘Secured by Design (SBD) New Homes 2014 Application and Checklist’ form, the Crime Prevention Design Adviser (CPDA) or Architectural Liaison Officer (ALO) has been renamed to Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) therefore correspondence or a copy of the report/feedback from the DOCO is acceptable as evidence for this issue.

Deviation from SQSC recommendations - KBCN0211

Where the design team believes that a safe and secure site can be met through different solutions than those specified by the SQSC, these alternatives should be confirmed as appropriate by the SQSC and their agreement submitted as part of the evidence for this issue. If the design team has justifiable reason not to include all recommendations, the assessor should submit a technical query detailing this information for further review by BRE. Principle The intention is to guarantee some flexibility in case of conflict with planning conditions or other statutory requirements.

District cooling – Used in combination with local cooling - KBCN1634

Where district cooling can be considered outside the scope of the assessment, either in accordance with the Methodology section of the technical manual or in line with KBCN0759, compliance must be based on calculating the DELC for all systems. However, where the district cooling system is exempt from assessment, as described above, this should be based on a GWP of zero for the district cooling system.

District cooling systems - KBCN0759

Where a district cooling facility is servicing the assessed building, the building will have an environmental impact in terms of refrigerants, albeit in this case indirectly. As such the district cooling system must be considered against the BREEAM criteria for refrigerants. Where connection to an off-site district cooling system, over which the developer has no control, is mandated by a local authority or other statutory body, the maximum number of credits can be awarded for Issue Pol 01. However, where this is not mandatory and the developer has the option whether to connect, regardless of encouragement or incentives by the local authority, the district cooling system must be considered against the BREEAM criteria for refrigerants to award the credits.

07 Dec 2023 - This KBCN is not applicable to UK NC2018 or UK NC V6 - Guidance is provided in the Methodology section of the technical manual.
27/04/2017: Clarified the number of credits awarded

District heating systems - KBCN0979

District heating systems serving the assessed building must be assessed for NOx emissions.

Where the developer has no choice over this connection, the maximum number of credits available for the asset type is awarded for this issue. For instance, the connection is mandated by a local authority or other statutory body.
Where the developer has choice over their connection, the district heating system must be assessed against BREEAM criteria. This is regardless of any incentives to connect.

14-Dec-24 - Wording clarified.
07-Dec-17 - Reference to NOx emissions clarified

District heating systems – fuel mix - KBCN0885

Where the feasibility study is considering connection to a district heating system and this burns a mixture of fuels, only the proportion of output generated from second generation bio-fuels (or waste incineration that complies with BREEAM requirements) can be considered for this issue. For instance, a system burning a 25/75 mix of compliant biofuel vs fossil fuel can only count 25% of its output towards a meaningful reduction in CO2 emissions (where relevant to the BREEAM scheme) against the baseline building. As fuel mixes may vary over time, at least one year or more of historical information must be provided to balance out any seasonal variations. Where the system is new or proposed, robust evidence must be provided of the anticipated fuel mix. The fuel mix must be calculated based on the energy content of the input fuels in kWh.

19/12/2017 Wording clarified

District heating systems which off-set grid electricity - KBCN0857

District heating systems which incinerate waste usually have NOx emissions higher than the levels set to achieve any BREEAM credits. However, where a district heating system also generates electricity, this can be used to off-set NOx emissions from grid electricity. In such cases, the calculation methodology for CHP systems can be used to calculate NOx emissions for the district heating network.

Domestic hot water supplied by a circulation loop - KBCN1017

Where a circulation loop is used on the domestic hot water supply, it is acceptable to only sub-meter the cold water supply. Sub-metering such systems may be impractical and the occupant can use the cold water meter readings as a proxy for overall water usage in relevant areas.

Drying space in hotel/ hostel projects - KBCN0174

The Drying space issue is not applicable to projects where occupancy is transient, such as hotel or hostel type developments, but does apply to long term residential buildings. There is little potential in reducing the energy from drying clothes in hotel and hostel bedrooms compared to long term residential buildings.

Ecological enhancements – large mixed use/multi-building developments - KBCN0588

At the Post Construction stage of assessment, for large mixed use/multi-building developments, where the whole site has not been completed and ecological enhancements have not yet been added, or where features are being added at a later date in an appropriate planting season: evidence from the client or principal contractor confirming planting will be completed within 18 months from completion of the development is acceptable.

Ecological value – timing of planting - KBCN0479

Where the 18 month deadline for the completion of the planting is likely to be exceeded due to the timing or phasing of the construction, the project team will need to clearly justify the reason for this variation, and provide a written commitment to carry out the planting within a reasonable and justifiable timescale.

Education – Boarding schools - KBCN00089

The number of cycle spaces and facilities should be calculated based on the number of day pupils and boarders and these should be available to pupils and staff as appropriate. For boarders, the cycle storage and cyclists' facilities requirement may depend upon a number of factors, such as the age of the pupils/students, distance of the residential accommodation from the school buildings and the school’s policy on cycling. Therefore, the assessor is required to calculate the appropriate number of cycle storage spaces and facilities for pupils and staff based on the relevant criteria. Calculations, justification and supporting evidence should be provided in the assessment report.

14 03 2018 - Heading and wording clarified and amended to remove requirement for assessors to submit a technical query prior to certification.

Education – Different age ranges and/or non-acute SEN - KBCN0224

For a combined school campus the number of cycle storage spaces and compliant facilities will need to be calculated individually for each user-group of the building; e.g. the number of facilities for nursery schools, primary schools and secondary schools should be calculated as per the criteria defined for each of these education types and totalled. Where this includes non-acute SEN facilities and the unusual structure of the classes prevents standard assessment, the assessor should use their judgement to determine whether to apply the pre-school criteria or base on the total number of staff and students. While within the scoring and reporting tool the dominant education building type category will be selected, calculations need to be provided as supporting evidence, with the assessor's comments/notes used to clarify the calculation used to demonstrate compliance.

14 03 2018 - clarified and key information incorporated from KBCN0424

Education – Primary schools - KBCN1056

Cycle spaces: Cycle parking spaces are intended for the use of pupils and staff and are calculated based on the number of form groups per year as per the technical guidance. Additional facilities: Compliance for pupils can be based on the provision of adequate space in a cloakroom to store outdoor clothing and cycle helmets. The number of additional facilities for staff should be calculated based on 1 locker per 10 members of staff and 1 shower per 10 lockers’, subject to a minimum of one shower being provided. In a primary school, pupils are not expected to have access to private showers or other cyclists’ facilities.

22/11/2019: Clarification added regarding the number of additional facilities.

Education – Secondary schools - KBCN0119

Cycle spaces: Cycle parking spaces may be shared between students and staff, and are calculated based on the total number of staff and students as per the technical guidance. Students: Compliance for students can be based on the provision of compliant lockers only based on the following logic: • Where secondary schools have sports facilities, compliance shall be based on the provision of compliant lockers only. The provision of showers or changing spaces is assumed to be included with the sports facilities are do not need to be assessed. • Where secondary schools do not have sports facilities, cyclist facilities are assessed as per the technical guidance. Secondary schools will, in almost all cases, will already have sports facilities including enough showers and adequate changing facilities to meet the BREEAM requirements by default. For most students however, the most important facility is likely to be adequate locker storage rather than showers or changing facilities. Staff: Separate shower and changing facilities must be provided for staff. Locker facilities may be shared with students if appropriate, but staff lockers should be suitably located in relation to the other staff facilities. The number of showers for staff should be based on the total number of staff and one shower for every 100 staff*, subject to a minimum of one shower being provided. *This is based on 1 cycle storage space per 10 staff, and 1 shower per 10 cycle storage spaces.

10 03 2020 Further clarification of the intent
14 03 2018 Heading and wording clarified

Emergency lighting - KBCN0185

Maintained systems featuring emergency light fittings which are also used for normal operation, are assessed for this issue. Non-maintained lighting which is only activated in an emergency can be excluded from the assessment. NC / RFO / BIU V6 Ene 17: The aim of these credit(s) is to encourage and recognise energy-efficient fittings. Non-maintained emergency lighting will very rarely be activated and in such extremes the emergency requirements must not be compromised. BIU V6 Hea 05: Flicker is eliminated from maintained systems only.

24-Jan-2024 - Scheme applicability updated to include BIU V6.

Emissions – measuring heating demand - KBCN0182

Emissions for all heat sources should be measured under normal operating conditions which are when all heat sources from the building plant are operating to their maximum design heat outputs to meet the building's heating demands. Where plant is designed to operate below maximum capacity, for example multiple or modular systems or standby boilers,the emissions should still be calculated for the plant operating to meet the building’s heating demand. Any redundant capacity or standby plant should not be included.

Emissions from products – ‘no formaldehyde’ declaration - KBCN1137

Where a product manufacturer’s declaration confirms that a product contains no formaldehyde, this can be used to demonstrate compliance with both the standard and exemplary level criteria. However, where a manufacturer has made a declaration of formaldehyde class E1 without testing, this can only be used to demonstrate compliance with the standard criteria. An E1 declaration only confirms that emissions of formaldehyde are ≤0.12 mg/m3, so this would not be valid evidence to demonstrate compliance with the exemplary level criteria emission limits. The manufacturer would need to provide additional information (e.g. test report) to show that emissions from the product meet the exemplary level emission limit.

11-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity and consistency.

Emissions from products – absence of regulated / prohibited wood preservatives - KBCN0740

This requirement for wood panels means that PCP (pentachlorophenol, a regulated / prohibited substance) must be absent. In this case, 'absent' is defined as <5 parts per million. This must be verified by testing.

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended to standard naming format for clarity and consistency. Wording clarified.

Emissions from products – BS EN ISO 12460-5 standard - KBCN0118

Products tested to the BS EN ISO 12460-5 standard can show compliance with the BREEAM 'emissions from products' criteria only for the following products:

Wood panels.
Suspended ceiling tiles.

These products must be made from unfaced particle board, unfaced OSB or unfaced MDF. Factory production control testing must demonstrate that the product has a formaldehyde content of ≤ 8mg/100g oven dry board.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Wording clarified.
01-Dec-2017 - Previously referenced standard EN 120 superceded by BS EN ISO 12460-5 Wood-based panels. Determination of formaldehyde release. Extraction method.

Emissions from products – checking against BS EN 13300:2001 - KBCN0355

BS EN 13300:2001 is used to classify paint types. This then allows the appropriate VOC content limit to be identified in Decorative Paint Directive 2004/42/CE (Phase 2). The product supplier will need to confirm the paint type according to BS EN 13300. You can then refer to Decorative Paint Directive 2004/42/CE (Phase 2) to check that the correct VOC content limit has been complied with.

11-Oct-2022 - Title updated for clarity and consistency.

Emissions from products – earlier versions of AgBB standard - KBCN0655

Guidance Note GN22 lists the standard AgBB (2015) as a recognised scheme for emissions from building products for pre-December 2015 launched BREEAM schemes. Previous versions of the AgBB scheme are not listed as recognised schemes because earlier versions of AgBB did not include any requirement for the testing of Formaldehyde. If an earlier version AgBB has been used, further evidence will be required to provide additional information on the required Formaldehyde testing.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to UK and International NC V6.

Emissions from products – installations manufactured off-site - KBCN0137

Internal finishes to installations manufactured off-site such as elevators need to be assessed for the emissions from products criteria. The specification of internal finishes (regardless of whether they are installed on site or in the factory) will impact on VOC emissions. By specifying low VOC finishes, design teams will be encouraging manufacturers to consider the environmental impacts of their products.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to UK and International NC V6.

Emissions from products – manufacturers’ calculations for paints and varnishes - KBCN0452

Manufacturers' calculations of VOC content, based on the constituent ingredients, can be used to demonstrate compliance with the testing requirement for paints and varnishes.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.

Emissions from products – paints and varnishes – historic buildings - KBCN1041

Scope This KBCN covers the use of paints and varnishes for the 'emissions from products' criteria. These are paints that:

May contain high VOC content exceeding BREEAM limits or
Falls within the scope of 'Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Vanishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2012'.

These paints may be used in new extensions to historic buildings (this KBCN is a manual compliance note in RFO 2014). Exemptions for use The use of such paints is allowable if:

There is an explicit requirement from the local authority conservation officer or the national conservation body to use specific paints and varnishes and
The building is listed and protected under a historic buildings register.

Localisation National conservation bodies and accepted grade listings applicable to this KBCN are:

England: English Heritage - Grade I and II*.
Wales: Cadw - Grade I and II*.
Scotland: Historic Scotland - Grade A and B+.
Northern Ireland: Department for Communities (HIstoric Environment) - Grade A and B+.

Remedial actions In all cases, procedures are in place to flush the building out for a sufficient period before occupation. This is to reduce the risks associated with VOCs in accordance with the criteria.

11-Oct-2022 KBCN restructured for clarity. Title amended for clarity. National conservation body for NI updated. Scheme applicability updated.

Emissions from products – resin flooring - KBCN0980

Resin flooring products (such as epoxy floor coating) are assessed as ‘Resilient textile and laminated floor coverings’.

11-Oct-2022 Title updated for clarify and consistency. Wording simplified.

Emissions from products – rigid wall covering adhesives - KBCN00076

Rigid wall covering adhesives need to meet the standard listed for flooring adhesives.

11-Oct-2022 - Title renamed to standard naming format for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.
16-Jun-2015 - Published pending reissue of the technical manual UKNC2011/REISSUE UKNC2014/REISSUE UKRFO2014/REISSUE.

Emissions from products – scope of assessment - KBCN0212

General This issue covers any product installed or applied inside the inner surface of the building’s infiltration, vapour or waterproof membrane. Where this membrane is not present, it applies to the inside of the building envelope’s interior-facing thermal insulation layer. Only products that are installed or applied in parts of the building where their emissions are likely to affect indoor air quality need to be assessed. Paints and coatings Any decorative paints and varnishes that occupants are exposed to should be assessed. This is likely to include paints and coatings applied to walls, ceilings, floors, doors, etc. Whole products A finish applied to a product in the factory is assessed as a whole product, and not separately as a paint or coating. For instance, a wood panel has a finish applied in the factory. The whole panel, including all the elements that make up that panel, would need to comply with the requirements set for wood panel products in this issue. The finished product as a whole must meet the performance requirements / emission limits set in the manual.

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Content merged with KBCN0871.
10-Oct-2022 - Wording simplified. Scheme applicability updated.
16-Jun-2017 - Title and general principle amended to extend the applicability of the KBCN to all finishes. Paints specified for specialist applications covered in KBCN0872.

Emissions from products – specialist paints and coatings - KBCN0872

Where a paint or coating falls within:

A category in Annex II of the EU Directive 2004/42/CE or,
A category in the relevant product emission table of the technical manual,

then the paint or coating must be assessed. Specialist paints and coatings are exempted from meeting the emission limits where there are no alternative products available that can perform the function, and still meet the emission limits. This must be clearly evidenced.

27-Oct-2022 Wording clarified. New compliance principle added from UKNC V6.
10-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Scheme applicability updated.
13-Mar-2020 KBCN amended to clarify exceptions and applicability.
16-Jun-2017 Content merged with KBCN0212.

Emissions from products – testing to ISO 16000-10 - KBCN1134

Results of testing to ISO 16000-10 can be considered compliant with the relevant testing requirements of the emissions from construction products credit where the product manufacturer can demonstrate the results generated by testing to ISO 16000-10 correlate to results that would be achieved using EN 16516 or ISO 16000-9. This is because EN 16516 classifies ISO 16000-10 as an ‘indirect method’, which means “any simplified, screening, secondary, derived or alternative method. An indirect method can be applied if it provides a result that is comparable to or that correlates with the result of the reference method under the conditions applied. The validity of the correlation with the reference method is limited to the field of application for which it has been established.”

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.

Emissions from products – updated VOC standards - KBCN0138

As new VOC standards are updated and adopted by the wider industry, new projects registered under older schemes can achieve compliance through both the latest standards (as listed in the current UK manual) as well as the ones listed in the original manuals.

11-Oct-2022 - Title updated for clarity and consistency.
10-May-2019 - Wording clarified.

Emissions from products – wall covering fabric - KBCN0724

For the 'Volatile Organic Compound emissions levels (products)' criteria: Any fabric specified as part of a wall covering should be assessed as part of the 'wall covering' requirements. It should not be assessed as part of the 'resilient textile and laminated floor coverings' requirements.

11-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity and consistency. Wording clarified.

Emissions from products – alternative testing standard for paints - KBCN1003

Where stated in EU Directive 2004/42/CE, ASTMD 2369 can be used as an alternative the testing standard for paints where reactive diluents are present.

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Wording simplified.

Ene 01 Baseline- BREEAM UK NC 2014 Vs 2011 - KBCN0489

The methodology for assessing energy within Ene 01 is unchanged, however the means of defining the baseline for assessing the performance of a new building in each UK territory has changed. In the 2011 version the England and Wales building regulation for energy (Part L 2010) was used to calibrate the Ene 01 translators in the UK scheme, and therefore all buildings assessed in the UK used the same baseline, regardless of location. In the BREEAM UK NC 2014 version, the energy related building regulation local to each UK territory is used to set respective baselines for the Ene 01 issue. BREEAM Guidance Note 12 provides a more in-depth explanation of the Ene 01 methodology.

Energy consumption and carbon emissions of untreated spaces - KBCN00049

Where the assessment contains a mix of treated and untreated spaces, untreated spaces can be excluded and the performance based on the treated spaces only. Where the entire assessment is untreated, the whole of the structure(s) must be assessed on the basis that this issue is critical for certification. BREEAM is primarily designed to assess permanent, treated and occupied structures. Untreated structures are unlikely to gain many credits when being assessed.

24/08/2022 - Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

Energy modelling not required for Building Regulations compliance - KBCN0487

For the purposes of demonstrating BREEAM compliance, it is still necessary to undertake energy modelling to generate the required performance data.

24/08/2022 Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

Energy performance assessment for part of a whole building - KBCN0596

If the assessment is only covering part of a whole building, the energy performance assessment must be representative of the part of the building being assessed. Simply taking the energy performance assessment of the whole building would not therefore comply, especially if the non-assessed parts of the building were of a different use. A separate energy assessment of the part of the building is likely to be required. The energy performance assessment must be representative of the parts of the building being assessed. This also applies to the predicted energy performance and all energy modelling for the prediction of operation energy consumption.

24/08/2022 - Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed
Amended 01/09/2020 to cover UKNC2018 - Prediction of operational energy consumption

Energy Savings Trust website criteria - KBCN0140

In previous versions of BREEAM New Construction 2011, compliance with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) criteria for domestic scale appliances was required for credit Ene 08 Energy Efficient Equipment. As this information is no longer readily available from EST, compliance can be demonstrated where domestic scale equipment meets the requirements for the EU Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme as outlined in the latest BREEAM New Construction 2011 manual.

Energy sub-metering – Single occupancy & function - KBCN0491

In large buildings of single occupancy/tenancy where there is only one homogeneous function (e.g. hotel bedrooms, offices), sub-metering should be provided per floor plate.

Environmental Checklist section 2.2.5 - KBCN0225

In May 2013 the Environment Agency updated their guidance document "Building A Better Environment" and Checklist 2.2.5 is no longer included. However, the EA have allowed the continued use of Checklist 2.2.5 from the original 2006 guidance for the purposes of demonstrating compliance with Man 03. It can be found on the extranet: Home » Extranet » BREEAM 2011 UK New Construction » BREEAM 2011 New Construction Technical Guidance » Supporting Documents

Environmental management – no principal contractor - KBCN1213

In order to achieve compliance where there is no principal contractor, the criteria must be met by the party which fulfills an equivalent role in managing the construction. The intent of the criteria is to ensure that the site is managed in accordance with demonstrably sustainable principles by the party having overall control of site management and operations.

Environmental management – Timing of obtaining ISO 14001/EMAS certification - KBCN0229

The contractor must be in possession of the ISO 14001/EMAS certification prior to starting works on the development under assessment. This is to ensure that the aim of the issue, to ‘encourage construction sites managed in an environmentally sound manner’, can be achieved. To uphold the robustness of BREEAM, the date of certification to ISO 14001/EMAS must be prior to initial works starting on the site.

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)- Calculating the percentages of materials - KBCN00070

When calculating the contribution of EPDs to an element's point score in the Mat 01 tool, the percentage of material in an element should be based on its mass.

EPDs’ validity - KBCN0798

EPDs which have expired or are pending verification at the time the relevant product was specified, cannot contribute to awarding credits. However, it is not necessary that they are valid at the time of the design or post-construction stage submissions. BREEAM is primarily trying to encourage designers to take EPDs into consideration when specifying products.

04/11/2019 Confirmed applicability to UK NC2018
27/03/2020 Added applicability to Green Guide ratings and ISO 14001 certificates
27/05/2020 Reference to ISO 14001 removed - Whilst the same principle applies, the wording relating to product specification does not - See KBCN1401.
12/08/2021 Clarification regarding the validity of EPDs during QA submission and removal of reference to Green Guide ratings

Equipment types not included in relevant schemes - KBCN0387

Equipment types not covered by the relevant schemes in the criteria do not need to be assessed.

Escalators or moving walks – variable speed drive - KBCN1621

The requirements refer to 'a load sensing device that synchronises motor output to passenger demand through a variable speed drive'. The intent is that the inverter must operate full-time to moderate output based on passenger demand.

Evacuation lifts - KBCN0437

Evacuation lifts, which will be used during an emergency only, can be excluded from the relevant BREEAM criteria. However, if these lifts are used during the normal operation of the building, then they still need to be assessed.

Evidence requirements – responsible sourcing of materials at post-construction - KBCN1599

Whilst the UK BREEAM manuals are less prescriptive in the evidential requirements to allow flexibility, to ensure consistency across the schemes, it is expected that robust evidence should be provided to verify the source of any certified materials and how the assessor has confirmed the products and manufacturers used. Evidence supplied at post construction stage must reflect the completed building and confirm the responsibly sourced materials that have been procured and installed on the project. Supporting documentation is required to validate letters of confirmation or schedules of materials. Evidence provided could include proof of purchase, for example, invoices, delivery tickets, purchase orders or correspondence from suppliers. This may be an example for each material sourced, rather than every delivery ticket for instance. Alternatively, evidence of the use of the responsibly sourced materials may include as-built drawings, O&M documentation or site photographs.

Evidence: Final design/’as-built’ drawings as evidence - KBCN0393

Where drawings are not clearly marked to indicate their 'as-built' status, additional evidence would need to be provided by the design team to confirm the drawings represent the completed development and that there have been no changes relevant to the BREEAM/HQM assessment. This could, for example, be a written confirmation from the architect or the contractor, as appropriate.

Evidence: Post construction assessment evidence - KBCN0407

For the purposes of robustness and completeness, both design AND post-construction stage evidence is required for a post construction assessment. However, it is possible to provide only post construction stage (PCS) evidence where it is clear that this completely supersedes the design stage (DS) evidence and renders it unnecessary.

Excluding applications from assessment - KBCN0875

Where a structural engineer has determined that recycled or secondary aggregate cannot be used in line with the criteria for a particular application, or where they will not allow the minimum BREEAM level to be used, that application can be excluded from the assessment. Where the engineer allows some content to be used, this percentage must still be specified in the excluded application. The engineer's decision must be suitably justified (for example following the BS8500 series and associated standards) and must be provided as evidence for the BREEAM assessment.

Excluding excavation waste from ‘Diversion of resources from landfill’ - KBCN0226

Excavation waste should not be included and assessed against the requirements under ‘Diversion of resources from landfill’. This also applies to BREEAM Communities RE05 - 3rd/4th credits.

Exclusions when calculating the uniformity ratio, minimum point daylight factor, and minimum daylight illuminance - KBCN0348

The uniformity ratio calculation, minimum point daylight factor and minimum daylight illuminance can exclude areas within 0.5m of walls. Areas within 0.5m are not regarded as part of the working plane for this purpose, although they are included in the average daylight factor and average daylight illuminance calculations.

Exemptions from hard landscaping and boundary protection - KBCN00062

Where a third party, such as the local authority, enforces strict constraints on the materials that can be used by the project for hard landscaping or boundary protection, and these materials do not achieve a Green Guide rating of A/A+, it is possible to exempt these materials from the assessment of this issue, on the condition that robust evidence confirming this is given. In this instance the developer does not have control over the materials specified, therefore it is not appropriate to include them in the assessment.

Existing materials recycled on site - KBCN0813

When existing elements are recycled (ie crushed and used as aggregate) on site, they can contribute to awarding credits as recycled aggregates. This issue aims to recognise and encourage the use of recycled and secondary aggregates and addresses waste rather than materials. It refers to recycled aggregate obtained on-site or off-site, based on materials identified as waste and removed during construction works.

Previous incorrect KBCN text amended. CN 'Aggregates in existing applications' to be amended accordingly in next reissue of the RFO Technical manuals.

Extending a lift shaft - KBCN0802

Where the scope of works regarding a lift only includes extending the lift shaft to other floors, then assessment of this lift is not appropriate. Where changes are made to the lift system, then assessment is required. Where changes to lift systems are made, these lifts need to be included in the assessment to encourage specification of energy efficient transport systems.

Extension using existing building services - KBCN0914

When assessing an extension, which is served by existing building plant, the existing plant, should be considered as contributing to the existing pre-development background noise level. Any additional plant or changes to the operation of the existing plant should be considered as a new noise source. This Issue seeks to address any increase in background noise levels which result from the assessed development.

22/02/2018 Wording amended to clarify how existing plant should be considered

^{Superseded wording}^: ^{Existing building services serving a building extension have to be included in the assessment of this issue.} ^{Issue Pol 05 is applicable to all treated buildings, even where existing building services are used for an extension building, without being upgraded. The issue assesses the impact on any nearby noise-sensitive buildings of existing and newly specified plant and the effectiveness of any fabric measures to reduce this.}

Extensions – Retaining existing heating plant - KBCN0336

When assessing an extension where existing heating plant is retained, the current emissions output should be used to determine compliance. The emissions should not be taken from the original manufacturers information at the time of installation.

External lighting – architectural façade lighting - KBCN0650

Architectural façade (or other decorative) lighting, which does not provide users with lighting to perform tasks outdoors, does not need to be included in the assessment of external lighting. This Issue seeks to ensure that lighting levels are appropriate for tasks which building users will be undertaking outdoors.

External lighting – High frequency ballasts - KBCN0278

The requirement for all fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps to be fitted with high frequency ballasts does not apply to external lighting.

External works – waste reporting requirements - KBCN1379

Waste arising from external works does not need to be included within the calculations for construction resource efficiency. To do so would be incongruous with reporting waste relative to the building's floor area. This follows the logic of excluding excavation waste from this criterion. However, waste from external works should be addressed in the RMP and should also be reported in the calculations for the Diversion of resources from landfill credit, which is not reported relative to the building's floor area.

Feasibility study – comparison with connection to existing LZCs - KBCN0563

In carrying out a feasibility study (covering all the areas required as stated in the manual) the primary intent is to demonstrate to a reasonable level of certainty that the chosen LZC is the most appropriate of all those available. Some of the options (for example community heating/cooling schemes) may not allow for a simple like for like comparison but a comparison can be made overall across many factors. For example in a community heating scheme the life cycle costing estimate might need to be simply the cost of using and maintaining the system for the measuring period, if upfront costs and payback period information is not available. Similarly for an existing community scheme, planning would not be a barrier but land use and noise impacts could be compared. The feasibility study must include a comparison of all criteria and for it to show that each has been factored into the final option being made. While some options may provide information in different formats and differing levels of detail making direct comparisons not straightforward, a comparison can still be made and this should aim to be as comprehensive and representative as possible. This will serve to demonstrate with reasonable certainty that the chosen option is the most appropriate.

Fewer than four cycle spaces - KBCN0134

The minimum number of compliant cycles spaces is always four. To ensure that an adequate minimum number of spaces are provided, where the 50% reduction is applicable, it cannot be used to reduce the number to fewer than four spaces.

Fire hydrants and sprinklers - KBCN0680

To meet BREEAM compliance, emergency systems such as fire hydrants and sprinklers need also to be covered by a leak detection system. The leak detection system must cover all mains water supply between and within the building and the ‘site boundary'.

Fit-out level – Selecting the appropriate assessment type - KBCN1627

Projects designed and constructed as fully fitted should not be evaluated as ‘Shell and core’ or ‘Shell-only’ where the intent is to limit the scope of the BREEAM assessment without further justification. Where the fit-out level of a project is not consistent, the BREEAM assessment type should be considered in line with KBCN0702

Fitting elements in Shell and Core assessments - KBCN0835

All elements present in a building need to be assessed. Therefore, where fitting elements are included in a development being assessed as shell and core, they need to be included in the BREEAM assessment.

Flexibility of acoustic requirements for naturally ventilated buildings - KBCN0219

When the Design Capability Supply Rate of 8 l/s per person is provided by natural ventilation, the design can achieve the BB93 performance standards for the indoor ambient noise levels in Table 1.1 of BB93 then the requirements can be increased by 5 dB LAeq,30min. This approach can be followed where BB93 is applicable.

Flood risk – Site situated across numerous flood zones - KBCN0532

Where a site is situated across more than one flood zone, the flood zone with the highest probability of flooding, i.e. the worst case scenario, must be considered for the purpose of the BREEAM assessment. An exception to this would be where the areas in the higher probability zone include only soft landscaping and it can be demonstrated that access to the building will be maintained in a flooding event. This is to ensure that the site has adequately managed the worst case scenario level of flood risk associated with the site's location.

22/07/2022 Applicability to HQM One confirmed
07/03/2018 Updated to include circumstances where an exception may apply.

Flood risk – Using PPS25 to carry out a FRA - KBCN0252

Although the government has scrapped PPS25, assessors can continue to use either this guidance or the more recent online guide, 'Flood risk and coastal change' - http://planningguidance.communities.gov.uk/blog/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-change/ The PPS25 document referred to in the manual is still considered good practice

Flood risk assessments to National Planning Policy Framework - KBCN0901

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is made up of a number of Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) documents. This means that flood risk assessments that confirm they follow the NPPF can be accepted as being compliant to all relevant PPGs (for example PPG Flood Risk and Coastal Change).

Flow control devices – Use of devices on individual sanitary fittings - KBCN1550

The intent of the requirement for flow control devices is to minimise the impact of undetected wastage and leaks from sanitary fittings and supply pipework. The use of flow control devices on individual sanitary fittings alone does not, therefore, fully meet this aim.

Flow control devices for multiple blocks - KBCN1186

The criteria are set to encourage isolation of the water supply to each WC block when it is not being used. If a single flow control device, for example one programmed time controller, is adequate to switch the water on at predetermined times that suit the usage patterns of more than one WC blocks or facilities, this can be used to demonstrate compliance. Please note that if only one timed controller is used for a large area/number of facilities, the assessor must justify that this is appropriate to the usage patterns within the building and confirm that multiple timers would be redundant (i.e. they would all be set to the same time). Consideration should be given of any facilities that may be open longer than others, requiring these timers to be programmed differently in different areas. As long as the aim of the credit (‘to reduce the impact of water leaks that may otherwise go undetected’) can be achieved through the specification of an appropriate number of flow control devices, the credit may still be achieved if timers cover more than one WC area/facility to prevent minor water leaks.

14 Apr 2023 - Applicability to BIU V6 Commercial confirmed.

Flow control devices on rainwater supply for toilets - KBCN0868

Flow control devices will be required on water supplied from rainwater and serving the toilet facilities. Rainwater tanks are topped up by mains water and leaks could reduce levels of stored water and hence increase the use of mains water. The leak detection requirements apply to all relevant water systems, regardless of the water source.

Flow control on cold water supply - KBCN0417

A shut-off on the cold water supply to the whole WC facility provides a simple and effective way of reducing potential water loss. Taps which contain built in shut-off valves will not prevent any water leaks from the supply to the tap and so do not fulfil this intent. The intent of the flow control criteria is to prevent minor water leaks occurring within the pipework of WC facilities.

Flow rate for ‘click’ taps - KBCN0543

The flow rate for click taps should be taken as the maximum flow rate, as quoted by the manufacturer, of the lower range before the water break or 'click'. All water consumption is based on 'typical' use patterns and it is assumed that most operations of 'click' taps will be at the lower level.

Flow rate for a mixture of taps - KBCN0173

Whichever is the higher of the 'average flow rate' or the 'proportionate flow rate' should be used within the Wat 01 Calculator.

Flow restrictors - KBCN0976

If a flow restrictor can be demonstrated to effectively reduce the flow of water and it is integral to the fitting or supply pipework (ie not easily removed by the building occupant), this can be accounted for in calculations for this Issue. Such devices must be fit-for-purpose. Proprietary flow restrictors, therefore partly-closed isolation valves, for example, are not an acceptable solution.

Flushing control – patients with frail or infirm hands - KBCN0414

When determining whether the WC fittings in healthcare facilities are suitable 'for operation by patients with frail or infirm hands', the assessor should be satisfied that this requirement has been met, as it will be product type dependent. If unclear to the assessor, evidence obtained from the relevant manufacturer confirming that their product is specifically designed, and has been tested and approved, for this purpose would be acceptable.

16/04/2018 Rewritten for clarity

Free-standing recycling bins - KBCN1359

Free-standing internal recycling bins may be acceptable to demonstrate compliance for this Issue. These are not required to be built-in or fixed, as long as all the criteria are met, such as the provision of sufficient space in a suitable location. In cases where the recycling bins cannot be placed in the kitchen, but are located in a nearby store cupboard, for example, signage must be provided, to indicate the location of the recycling bins.

Freestanding commercial fridges and freezers - KBCN0577

Freestanding commercial fridges and freezers must be included in the assessment of the Pol 01 issue, even when they are not connected to the building cooling system. Only domestic white goods are excluded from the assessment of this issue.

FSC and PEFC Mixed Sources certified timber - KBCN00091

Products labelled:

FSC Mix or
PEFC Mixed Sources

Meet the BREEAM responsible sourcing requirements. This means any such products:

In HQM, and in BREEAM NC 2016 or older schemes: meet the prerequisite for legally harvested and traded timber.
In BREEAM NC 2018 or newer schemes: meet the prerequisite for legal and sustainable timber.
In all schemes: can be used to demonstrate responsible sourcing.

Products carrying the FSC Mix label contain at least 70% FSC certified and recycled material. These products may contain a small proportion of FSC Controlled Wood (KBCN00054). However for BREEAM compliance, the FSC Mix label is sufficient to meet our requirements.

14-Mar-2024 - Wording clarified and expanded. Relevant prerequisites and requirements clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

FSC Controlled Wood - KBCN00054

The FSC Controlled Wood label minimises the risk that wood comes from illegal or controversial sources, however it does not eliminate this risk. Therefore, products which are:

Labelled as FSC Controlled Wood or,
Where the majority of material in a product is comprised of FSC Controlled Wood,

Do not meet the BREEAM definition of responsibly sourced. Where FSC Mix labelled products contain FSC Controlled Wood, see KBCN00091. This means that any such products:

In HQM, and in BREEAM NC 2016 or older schemes: do not meet the prerequisite for legally harvested and traded timber.
In BREEAM NC 2018 or newer schemes: do not meet the prerequisite for legal and sustainable timber.
In all schemes: cannot be used to demonstrate responsible sourcing.

14-Mar-2024 - Wording clarified and expanded. Relevant prerequisites and requirements clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

Fully-fitted assessments with shell & core areas – 75% GLA guidance - KBCN0379

Where a single assessment of a fully-fitted development, with a small proportion of shell and core has been permitted, the guidance relating to 75% of the floor area being covered by a GLA (see Appendix D) must be 75% of the shell & core area, excluding the fully-fitted area.

13/01/2017 - Re-formatted and amended for clarity.

Future transport nodes - KBCN0966

Where a transport node is currently inactive but will become active soon after project completion, it can be included when calculating the existing AI. To demonstrate this, confirmation of the start of service date and service frequency from the appropriate public transport authority or company will be required.

Gabion as boundary protection - KBCN000008

A gabion can be excluded from the assessment if it acts as a retaining wall or any other form of a supporting structure. If it acts purely as a boundary and a generic Green Guide rating cannot be found for a specification, the BREEAM assessor will need to submit a Bespoke Green Guide Query proforma detailing the specification details.

Glare control – adjacent buildings - KBCN1211

It is acceptable to account for surrounding buildings, structures or other permanent environmental features when using simulation modelling to assess the risk of glare, provided this accounts for both direct sunlight and reflected glare from glazing or reflective surfaces.

Glare control – alternative measures - KBCN0139

Alternative forms of glare control to those listed in the guidance can potentially be accepted, if it can be justified to the BREEAM assessor that the proposed system will effectively eliminate disabling glare and the assessor accepts this.

Glare control – blackout blinds - KBCN0447

Blackout blinds can be used to meet the glare control requirements. Where the criteria set an upper limit for transmittance value, but no lower limit, blackout blinds will meet this requirement.

Glare Control – no relevant areas - KBCN0429

If the scope of the assessment does not include any relevant building areas, as defined within the manual, the criteria for Glare Control can be considered as met by default. Only spaces that fall within the definition of relevant areas and are within the assessment's scope need to be assessed.

22/06/17 Wording clarified

16/06/17 KBCN amended to exclude content of KBCN0146.

Glare control – no windows in relevant areas - KBCN0146

Where a ‘relevant area’ as defined in the manual does not include any windows, the glare control criteria can considered as met for this area. Note that the view out and daylight criteria would not be achieved in rooms with no windows. Where there are no windows in a room there would be no potential for disabling glare, so the aim of the credit would be achieved.

Glare control – residential institution and multi-residential bedrooms - KBCN0666

Assuming that occupants are generally elsewhere during daylight hours, lighting and resultant glare are not considered to be problematic for bedrooms in residential institution and multi-residential assessments. The only exception to this is where designated additional office working space is provided. In these circumstances it is the role of the assessor to determine if individual spaces should be determined as 'relevant building areas' in accordance with guidance provided. Glare control criteria apply to building areas where lighting and resultant glare could be problematic for users.

Glare control – use of tinted windows - KBCN0862

Solar control or 'tinted' glazing could potentially support the attainment of this requirement. However, the assessor must be satisfied and provide evidence to demonstrate that the particular glazing type, when used on the assessed building for a given location, is meeting this overarching aim of preventing disabling glare. It should be noted that whilst certain types of glazing, such as low emissivity glazing, may be slightly tinted, they may not necessarily be effective in reducing disabling glare. For facades receiving direct sunlight, tinted windows alone are unlikely to be sufficient in the majority of situations.

Glare control for roof lights - KBCN0319

Where roof lights are present, they must be considered when demonstrating that the glare control strategy provides adequate control/measures for minimising glare in that space. All sources of glare need to be considered when designing out the potential for disabling glare.

Glare control in residential areas - KBCN00040

Glare control criteria apply to building areas such as study bedrooms or facility management offices, where work or study will be carried out and where glare would hinder such activities. It does not apply to other residential areas.

GN01 NC 2011 Assessment Reporting - KBCN0610

Introduction This guidance is intended to clarify the procedure for producing assessment reports for certification using the BREEAM New Construction 2011 assessment scoring and reporting tool and assessment references tab. View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

GN02 BREEAM 2011 Ene 01 - KBCN0614

This guidance note is withdrawn.

GN03 Scheme classifications of developments with domestic elements – BREEAM New Construction 2011 - KBCN0615

Scheme classifications of developments with domestic elements - BREEAM New Construction 2011 Introduction This document provides guidance for BREEAM scheme classifications of developments with domestic elements and reflects where buildings consisting of self-contained dwellings and/or rooms for residential purposes are suitable to be assessed under the BREEAM New Construction scheme 2011 version. View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

GN04 BREEAM 2011 Ene 01 Calculation Methodology Review - KBCN0616

Introduction This guidance details the analysis of and subsequent changes made by BRE Global Ltd to the BREEAM New Construction 2011 version of the Ene 01 assessment issue methodology and benchmarks. View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

GN05 Considerate Constructors Scheme and the BREEAM schemes - KBCN0617

Introduction This guidance note applies to all BREEAM UK versions and schemes including New Construction, Domestic Refurbishment and EcoHomes. Up and coming changes to the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) will have an impact on the performance levels required under all schemes and versions of BREEAM, EcoHomes1 and BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment2 i.e. issue Man 02. This guidance note outlines the changes to the CCS and how this will affect BREEAM assessments View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

GN08 – Scope of IMPACT compliant tools and data submission requirements - KBCN0621

Scope of IMPACT Compliant (or equivalent) Tools and Data Submission Requirements - BREEAM UK New Construction 2011 and 2014 Introduction This Guidance Note relates to complying with the exemplary level criteria for route 2, as defined under the Mat01 issue of the BREEAM New Construction 2011 and 2014 versions. It provides information about IMPACT and the level of detail (the Quality Requirements) and file transmission requirements for the Building Information Model (BIM) from IMPACT compliant (or equivalent) tools. It also outlines criteria for demonstrating the equivalence of a proposed alternative to IMPACT compliant tools for BRE Global approval. View full Guidance Note (licenced assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licenced assessors only)

GN10 Assessing mixed use developments and multiple buildings (or units) of similar function - KBCN0623

Summary The purpose of this Guidance Note is to assist BREEAM assessors with scheme classifications and the application of BREEAM for mixed use developments and developments with multiple buildings or units on the same site. Note: This guidance note has been revised to v1.0 April 2018 View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

17/04/18 Wording clarified
04/06/18 Note added regarding revision and hyperlink updated

GN17 Bespoke Green Guide Specifications - KBCN0633

Introduction This Guidance Note provides advice for BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessors where a Green Guide rating cannot easily be found or matched on the online Green Guide. View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

GN18 BREEAM Recognised Responsible Sourcing Certification Schemes and BREEAM Scheme Applicability - KBCN0723

Latest version: v3.7, May 2023 BREEAM awards credits for responsibly sourcing construction products (typically under the Mat 03 issue) to encourage responsible product specification and procurement in construction. To achieve these credits, applicable specified products (as listed in the relevant technical manual) must be covered by an Environmental Management System (EMS) or a responsible sourcing certification scheme (RSCS) recognised by BREEAM. Guidance Note 18 lists the responsible sourcing certifications schemes recognised by BREEAM along with the relevant summary scores to be used in BREEAM assessments. Download Guidance Note 18 Download Guidance Note 18 v2.0 (licensed assessors only - optional for projects registered prior to release of v3.0 in September 2016) View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

GN19 BREEAM UK New Construction 2011 scheme assessment timeline - KBCN0716

The assessment timeline has been produced to assist with optimising project sustainability performance. It outlines at which RIBA stage credits should be addressed and ideally when these should be considered by the design team, planner, contractors, owners/occupiers and other members of the project team to achieve the highest possible BREEAM rating at the minimum cost. It demonstrates that where BREEAM advice is taken on too late within the design and construction phases a number of BREEAM credits may not be achieved. View full Guidance Note (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

Granular fill and capping - KBCN1378

Granular fill and capping only refers to roadworks and not building foundations.

Greater Manchester Accessibility Level (GMAL) - KBCN1394

The Greater Manchester Accessibility Levels (GMAL) method has been created to provide a way of measuring the density of public transport provision at any location within the Greater Manchester region. It is derived from the Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) approach used by Transport for London. As such, the Greater Manchester Accessibility Index (GMAI) scores generated by the GMAL method can be used as evidence of compliance against the BREEAM and HQM Accessibility Index requirements. Please note that project teams must ensure that they use the version of the GMAL dataset that is current at the time the transport assessment is undertaken. This is available from the data.gov.uk website (https://data.gov.uk/dataset/d9dfbf0a-3cd7-4b12-a39f-0ec717423ee4/gm-accessibility-levels-gmal).

02 08 2022 - Updated to clarify that the dataset used must be current at the time of the transport assessment, but this does not need to be updated at post-construction stage

Green Guide – Updated validity requirements - KBCN1466

It has been recognised that, due to the withdrawal of the Green Guide methodology in the current version of BREEAM UK New Construction, some manufacturers are not updating their product certifications against this environmental profiling scheme. Therefore, where robust evidence can be provided that the composition and properties of such products or materials have not changed since they were certified, the expired Green Guide Rating may be used, where available. This supersedes the guidance previously provided in relation to Green Guide validity in KBCN0798

Green Guide Rating of raised access flooring - KBCN00016

There are currently no Green Guide ratings available for raised access floors, therefore the components making up the raised floor element itself should be excluded from the assessment of this issue.

24 01 18 Wording clarified to refer to raised floor components only

Green Lease Agreement – reference to the technical manual - KBCN0881

The technical manual includes criteria, intended for the guidance and interpretation of licensed BREEAM assessors. It does not generally provide detailed practical solutions to meet the criteria. In the BREEAM UK New Construction 2011 and International New Construction 2013 schemes, Shell only/Shell & core assessments included provision for demonstrating compliance for fit-out items using a Green Lease Agreement (GLA). The future tenant and their design team should not have to rely on a licensed BREEAM assessor to assist them in interpreting the GLA to achieve a compliant fit-out. Specifications for achieving compliance must therefore be explicitly included within the GLA, with reference to the relevant BREEAM criteria, to allow the fit-out team to understand exactly what is required. A compliant Green Lease Agreement must be a robust alternative to the actual implementation or installation of fit-out measures. A Green Lease Agreement which relies solely on reference to the BREEAM Technical manual is not considered a robust solution.

Green Lease Agreement: an alternative to - KBCN0378

A legally binding lease agreement between the developer and tenant which requires tenants to use a fit-out guide with mandatory BREEAM requirements can be considered a Green Lease Agreement. Green Lease Agreements refer to the mandatory BREEAM requirements. If the fit-out guide refers to non-mandatory BREEAM requirements, this can be considered a Green Building Guide.

Green lease agreements – developments with multiple tenants - KBCN0411

The 75% rule only applies to the floor areas of the building which are subject to a Green Lease Agreement. Areas of the building which are fully fitted or subject to any of the other shell and core options cannot contribute towards this rule.

Green walls – recognition of ecological value - KBCN0869

Green walls cannot be considered compliant for the, 'Minimising impact on site ecology' Issue due to concerns over high maintenance requirements, whereby the plants are not self-supporting and cannot, therefore, be considered as a sustainable solution in themselves or in mitigating the impact of the loss of ground-based planting. In terms of 'Enhancing site ecology', however, where a specific green wall system and species mix are supported by the SQE's recommendations and there is evidence that a comprehensive on-going maintenance strategy will be in place, this can be recognised. In such cases, a separate calculator tool may be completed for this Issue to demonstrate the species richness of the site, including the contribution of the green wall. The following methodology may be used:

Make a copy of your completed calculator tool for LE 03 to create a separate LE 04 calculator.
Add the species numbers from the green wall to the total species for the site, keeping the site area the same.
Use the resulting increase in species richness as evidence to award the relevant credit for LE 04.

30/11/17 Guidance on methodology added

Green-roofs - KBCN0263

When assessing green roofs, only the structural elements of the roof construction need to be considered i.e. the waterproof layer and above can be excluded. Where Green Guide is being used to assess the issue, it is likely that the online Green Guide Calculator will need to be used to provide a rating for the roof construction. HQM - For the purpose of HQM, green roofs fall under 3.3 Specialist roof systems therefore should be included in the IMPACT model.

Greenfield/Brownfield site – Definition - KBCN1259

For the purposes of this Issue, the following definitions apply: Greenfield site A site which has never been built on, includes minimal development or which has been substantially cleared of all buildings and associated fixed surface infrastructure* and has subsequently remained undisturbed for five years or more. * Typically, the site includes less than 5% residual development by area. This supersedes the definition of 'Greenfield' for this Issue in the technical manual. Brownfield site Any site which does not fall within the above definition of 'Greenfield site'

Grid NOx emission factors - KBCN0151

The Grid NOx emission factors should be compliant and relevant to the scheme of the development under assessment i.e. BREEAM NC 2011/ 2014 or BREEAM 2008. In the same way that we do not apply the more stringent requirements of some BREEAM NC 2011 / 2014 Issues retrospectively to 2008 schemes, for a BREEAM 2008 scheme, the emission figures stated in the relevant manual must be used.

09 Aug 2023 - Applicability to IRFO 2015 removed due to conflict with the guidance.

Habitat management plan – Level of detail required - KBCN0132

The level of detail required in the landscape and habitat management plan needs to be commensurate with the complexity and extent of the landscaped areas. If there is a limited amount of landscaping, then a simple plan would be acceptable, commensurate with the significance of the area assessed. Where the suitably qualified ecologist, appointed prior to commencement of activities on site, confirms that a landscaping and habitat management plan is not applicable due to the nature of the site and its surroundings, such as being nearly all or entirely hardstanding or having little or no external space, then full credits can be awarded for demonstrating that the relevant legislation has been followed.

21 Feb 2023 - Applicable to UK NC2018/V6

Head-end systems for smart meters - KBCN0933

As the central component in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), head end systems allow data communication and collation from a large and disparate set of smart meters. Where smart energy meters and sub-meters are to be installed, a head-end system is required for any strategy utilising this technology to be considered for compliance.

Healthcare: BREEAM requirement - KBCN0472

From 1 July 2008, all health authorities in the UK (Department of Health, NHS Wales, NHS Scotland and the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety of Northern Ireland) require new healthcare buildings seeking Outline of Business Case (OBC) approval to commit to an EXCELLENT rating (assessed against BREEAM New Construction) and all refurbishments (assessed against BREEAM Non-Domestic refurbishment and fit-out) to commit to a VERY GOOD rating. In Scotland, project specific requirements in relation to the BREEAM assessment will be dealt with by Health Facilities Scotland as part of the NHS Scotland Design Assessment Process. UK health authorities capital cost thresholds below which a BREEAM assessment is not required: England: where capital cost¹ is <£2M. Scotland: where capital cost¹ is <£2M. Note: For NHS Scotland Boards, reference should be made to the Scottish Capital Investment Manual (available on http://www.scim.scot.nhs.uk/), especially the business case guide, which sets out the BREEAM requirements for Healthcare buildings. Northern Ireland: where capital cost¹ is <£2M. Note: In Northern Ireland, listed buildings do not require assessment. Wales: No minimum capital cost¹ thresholds, however the Welsh Governments Planning Policy for all non-residential development applies. All Countries: Where the capital cost falls below the relevant threshold, a Pre-Assessment should still be undertaken (at the OBC stage) to determine whether BREEAM certification is appropriate to that project. _{1. Total Capital Cost for Publicly Funded Build Schemes includes all the items contained in the Capital Investment Manual Cost Forms OB1/FB1 (i.e. Construction Works, Fees, Non-Works Costs, including Land Purchase, Statutory and Local Authority Charges, Decanting, Enabling and Temporary Works etc., Equipment, Contingencies, including Optimism Bias, and VAT, as applicable). The Total Capital Cost for Privately Funded Schemes includes all the same items as for Publicly Funded Schemes plus the cost of Financing the Capital (i.e. rolled up Interest, Banking Fees - Arrangement, Due Diligence, Lawyers etc.} _{– Third party Equity Costs).}

Healthcare: Privately owned healthcare developments - KBCN0481

Where the project goes through outline business case approval, the development will be expected to also comply with the requirement for BREEAM (where the ‘thresholds’ outlined in KBCN0472 are met). This is in line with the fact that all UK health authorities support the Governments’ commitment to the sustainable development agenda and recognises the importance of delivering on this agenda through the design and build process. In Scotland, project specific requirements in relation to the BREEAM assessment will be dealt with by Health Facilities Scotland as part of the NHS Scotland Design Assessment Process.

Healthcare: Reasons to achieve a BREEAM rating - KBCN0474

There are many reasons why organisations wish to achieve the required BREEAM rating:

BREEAM has a positive influence on the design, construction and management of buildings, demonstrating a good management approach with efficiency and effectiveness at its heart
It provides a tool to help design buildings with reduced running costs and improved working and living environments.
Demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to sustainable building practices and its interest in the local community, staff, patients and the general public
The BREEAM rating provides a transparent reflection on the performance of the building to denote those buildings that have performed better than the regulatory baseline
BREEAM addresses a wide-range of environmental and sustainable issues to enable designer, developers and building managers to demonstrate their environmental credentials to clients, planners and other parties.

Healthcare: Related publications/reports - KBCN0477

The following publications/reports might help in addition to the BREEAM New Construction Manuals to support in the understanding of BREEAM and sustainability in the NHS:

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 07-07 ‘Sustainable health and social care buildings: Planning, design, construction and refurbishment’ answers the why/when/who/what/how of sustainable development by taking key issues through a building’s life highlighting key actions, commitments and responsibilities at every stage. It also explores early consideration of reuse of existing buildings and provides advice on possibilities for sustainable refurbishment.
HTM07-02 EnCode 2015 also provides guidance on managing responsible energy use within the health sector, outlining any mandatory requirements and best practice in energy efficiency.

Healthcare: Required stages of assessment - KBCN0478

The requirement from the Department of Health (and other health authorities) embeds BREEAM in the design from the beginning of the design process: the target rating demonstrated in a Pre-Assessment for the Outline Business Case (OBC) approval or at RIBA stage 1 (Preparation and Brief). Appointing a licensed assessor early will ensure the assessment process is well planned and proceeds smoothly. Appointing a Sustainability Champion at this stage can also add credits. This will ensure sustainable buildings are delivered without resorting to ‘engineering fixes’ that are often a very expensive last resort. The Design Stage assessment should be carried out by a licensed assessor and the report submitted to BRE Global for Interim certification. This Interim certification would be used for Full Business Case (FBC) approval, or equivalent. The mandatory Post Construction Stage report has to be completed after practical completion and final certification demonstrated as part of the Post Project Evaluation (PPE).

Healthcare: The NHS & BREEAM - KBCN0475

The Department of Health supports the Government’s commitment to the sustainable development agenda and recognises the importance of delivering on this agenda through the design and build process. As the successors to NEAT BREEAM Healthcare 2008, and going forward with BREEAM New Construction (which incorporates Healthcare buildings), supports that process to ensure standards continue to improve. This is further reinforced through HTM 07-07 Sustainable health and social care buildings: Planning, design, construction and refurbishment. BREEAM is a Government requirement under:

Government Construction Clients- Achieving Sustainability in construction procurement- Sustainability Action Plan 2012-2015, November 2012
UK Government Sustainable Procurement Action Plan
BERRs (now BIS) Strategy for Sustainable Construction
Government Buying Standards
Common Minimum Standards for the procurement of built environments in the public sector
Sustainable Procurement in Government: guidance to the flexible framework
Scottish Capital Investment Manual
Planning Policy Wales

Heat pumps powered by renewable energy - KBCN0422

Where renewable energy is used partially to offset grid electricity in heat pumps, this can contribute towards a reduction in equivalent NOx emissions. To account for seasonal variations in renewable energy generation, this must be calculated over the course of a year.

HEEPI Labs 21 programme Commissioning - KBCN0248

The weblink provided in the BREEAM 2008 and NC 2011 (issue 2.0 and 3.0) scheme documents for 'HEEPI Labs 21 programme Commissioning theme section' is no longer current. Updated link to direct access the design guide: http://www.i2sl.org/documents/toolkit/bp_commissioning_508.pdf Updated link to access the commissioning section of the design guide (relative to Man01): http://ateam.lbl.gov/Design-Guide/DGHtm/commissioning.htm

High frequency ballasts - KBCN0284

Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps are the only types of lighting where high frequency ballasts are required. The requirement does not apply to any other type of lamps.

Home composting – Multi-residential - KBCN1004

The requirement to provide home composting facilities and an information leaflet applies to both multi-residential developments with only self-contained units and those with individual bedrooms and communal facilities.

Home composting facilities – clarification - KBCN0927

Home composting facilities are individual composting containers placed within the kitchen area or communal space for each self-contained dwelling, bedsit or communal kitchen. These containers are either emptied into local on-site communal facilities or are collected by composting collection services run by the waste collection authority. Individual composting containers should be:

Located in a dedicated, non-obstructive position.
Easily accessible to all users.
Durable, low maintenance and cleanable.
Enclosed to manage odour and pest issues.

Hot water supplied by grid electricity - KBCN0549

Where grid electricity is used to supply the hot water heating system, the NOx emissions will be the same as that stated in the guidance for any other heating systems.

Hotels – acoustic performance standards - KBCN0644

As hotels fall under the BREEAM Other/Residential Institutions building type, they need to be assessed against the ‘Office, Industrial, Prisons, Courts and other building types’ criteria, for which two credits are available.

Hotels – calculating the required number of water coolers in public areas - KBCN0184

The number of building users should be based on the maximum number likely to be using the public areas of the hotel, such as the gym or bar area, at any time during a typical day. Hotel bedrooms can be excluded from the calculation.

ILP Guidance Note 1 updated - KBCN1385

Pol 04 references the ILP Guidance notes for the reduction of obtrusive light 2011. This has now been updated to the ILP Guidance note 1 for the reduction of obtrusive light 2021. This is available for free from the ILP website. Requirements Table 2 of the guidance note classifies different lighting environments into Zones E0 to E4. Use this table to define which sets of requirements apply to the assessment. Tables 3-8 of the guidance note define the requirements for criterion 2. For cut-off type luminaires which (by design) block out light in obstructive directions, calculations are not required for meeting requirements relating to:

Vertical illuminance (Table 3), and
Luminous intensity (Table 4).

This update will be reflected in the future revisions of the relevant manuals.

02-Nov-2021 Applicability to all UK BREEAM schemes confirmed.
27-Sep-2023 Updated for ILP Guidance Note 1 2021. Requirements clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

IMPACT Compliant (or equivalent) Tools - KBCN0929

The following are IMPACT compliant tools

IESVE
eTool LCD
One Click LCA

The following are equivalent to IMPACT compliant tools:

Sturgis Carbon Profiling LCA Tool

IMPACT compliant software - KBCN0809

For a list of all IMPACT compliant software please see How to get IMPACT on the IMPACT website.

Impact of refrigerant – Refrigerants with low GWP - KBCN1472

Where systems only use refrigerants with GWP ≤ 10 The Pol 01 calculator does not have to be completed. Providing evidence of the compliant systems and refrigerants used is enough to award maximum credits for impact of refrigerant. Mix of systems with GWPs below and above 10 The Pol 01 calculator does have to be completed. The calculator must include systems with GWP ≤ 10 to ensure credits are based on the average value across all systems.

20-Dec-2023 Updated to include scenarios where there is a mix of systems with GWP above and below 10.

Inclusive and accessible design – TAN 12 in Wales - KBCN0324

For buildings in Wales, ‘TAN 12: Design' can be used to support the design of the building so that it is inclusive and accessible. However, the document 'Design & Access Statements in Wales - Why, what and how' (referenced within TAN 12) will need to be used in addition to TAN 12 in place of the CABE publication as this gives specific guidance for writing the access statement itself.

Independent party - KBCN00058

The client/design team carrying out the consultation/post-occupancy evaluation can demonstrate compliance with the requirement for an independent third party in two ways: 1) An independent third party, not involved in the design or development of the building, has conducted the necessary consultation exercise using a compliant method. 2) If the evaluation is carried out by an organisation involved in the design of the building, evidence demonstrating the party's independence of the design process must be provided. The design team or relevant individual must demonstrate a credible level of independence to meet the requirement.

Individual and shared drying facilities in larger developments - KBCN0260

Individual bedrooms: an adequate internal or external space with posts and footings, or fixings capable of holding:

Two metres of drying line per bedroom where drying facilities are provided in each room, OR;
Two metres of drying line per bedroom for the first 30 bedrooms, plus one metre of drying line for each additional bedroom where drying facilities are shared.

This is to avoid over-provision of shared drying facilities in larger developments.

Indoor air quality plan – Guidance Note 6 - KBCN0618

Latest version: v2.1 August 2022 Guidance Note 6 provides guidance to assessors and project teams regarding the content and rigour of an Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP) as required by the Hea 02 Indoor air quality criteria in the BREEAM New Construction and Refurbishment schemes. It should not be interpreted as BREEAM criteria. It is intended to provide assessors and project teams with further, flexible information and guidance regarding the rigour, content and tasks of an IAQP. Download Guidance Note 6 (licensed assessors only) View all Guidance Notes (licensed assessors only)

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency.

Indoor air quality plan – later consideration - KBCN1544

Where BREEAM has been engaged at a later stage in the project (for instance, at the beginning of a Post-Construction Assessment) the IAQ plan must still be produced. The late stage plan must clearly identify opportunities to improve indoor air quality that:

Were lost during design and construction.
Remain before hand-over and occupation.
Can be applied during operation.

The plan is focused on decisions and actions that can still be practically carried out. The indoor air quality plan is an on-going consideration that extends into the operational life of the asset.

Indoor air quality plan – scope - KBCN0294

Where possible, the indoor air quality plan must cover all items in the criteria. This means the plan must be completed for:

Situations where BREEAM has been engaged later in the project (see KBCN1544).
Shell only / shell and core projects - the plan must be completed for the scope of works being assessed.
Refurbishment projects with a limited scope of works.

Within these requirements, there is flexibility for the design team to use their professional judgement to determine what is appropriate to meet the criteria. Any exclusions must be clearly evidenced and justified. As the basis for effective asset management, the indoor air quality plan must be written in a consistent and comprehensive manner. The report must address relevant aspects as fully as possible within the scope of the development.

11-Oct-2022 Title updated for clarity. Wording clarified. Content merged with KBCN0556. Reference to KBCN1544 added. Scheme applicability updated.

Instant hot / cold drinking water systems - KBCN0136

In principle it is acceptable to use instant hot / cold water systems (for example zip taps) to meet the drinking water requirement, provided that their use is appropriate for the building type and user profile.

Kitchen and catering facilities – CIBSE TM50 (2021) - KBCN1474

The BREEAM guidance refers to TM50: Energy efficiency in commercial kitchens. The BREEAM guidance refers to TM50: Energy efficiency in commercial kitchens. The 2009 version has now been superseded by TM50 (2021). The updated version may be used to demonstrate compliance, however a number of the relevant section numbers have changed. These relate to the current BREEAM guidance, which is based on TM50 (2009) as follows:

	TM50 (2009)	TM50 (2021)
1	Section 8 – Drainage and kitchen waste removal	Section 9
2	Section 9 – Energy controls – specifically controls relevant to appliances	Section 8
3	Section 11 - Appliance specification – excluding fabrication or utensil specifications	Section 13
4	Section 12 – Refrigeration	Section 14
5	Section 13 – Ware-washing: dishwashers and glasswashers	Section 15
6	Section 14 – Cooking appliance selection	Section 16
7	Section 15 – Water temperatures, taps, faucets and water-saving controls	Section 10

17 Nov 2021 - Re-formatted and applicability to BREEAM International schemes confirmed

Labelling and signage – Where provision of waste bins is out of scope - KBCN1380

Where the provision of waste bins is outside the scope of the developer, it is clearly not possible to label the bins. In this situation, the following compliance options are available:

Provide compliant signage to the storage area and label bin spaces within the storage area according to the relevant waste streams.
Where future waste streams are unknown, provide compliant signage to the storage area and a written commitment from the developer to ensure that the bins and/or bin spaces are labelled.

See also KBCN1577 It is recognised that the bins may be provided by the tenant, local authority or waste management company after the time of certification.

22 Mar 2023 - Updated to align with KBCN1577 and to clarify applicability to all assessment types where providing bins is out of scope.

Laboratory containment level category definitions - KBCN0943

BRE does not designate or define containment levels for laboratories. The categories listed in the manuals are based on industry standard definitions. For further information, please refer to HSE/COSHH or DEFRA definitions, depending upon the hazard type.

Land reclaimed from the sea - KBCN0558

Land reclaimed from the sea cannot be considered as previously developed land. It has not been occupied by a permanent structure and any associated fixed surface infrastructure (please refer to the Additional information section).

Landscape and Habitat Management Plan – SQE involvement - KBCN0564

Even if not stated explicitly, it is implied and expected that the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) does verify the content of the Landscape and Habitat Management Plan to ensure that it is consistent with the whole site ecological strategy.

19 Nov 2021 Applicability to UK NC2018 confirmed

Late appointment of SQSC/SQSS - KBCN0339

Provided the appropriate security specialist confirms that the implementation of security measures has not been restricted due to the later stage at which their involvement was sought, i.e. everything that would have been recommended can be still be implemented, then the credits can still be awarded (provided all other compliance requirements met). Considering the security requirements at an early stage of a project should ensure that the full range of security options is still available to the project, leading to the best solution. If advice is sought later but this does not restrict the options available, then the intent of the issue can still be met.

Late appointment of the Suitably Qualified Ecologist - KBCN0603

If the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) is appointed after the commencement of activities on-site and if the other requirements of this issue are met, then credits can still be awarded, provided that:

the SQE confirms that all relevant UK and EU legislation relating to the protection and enhancement of ecology has been complied with during the design and construction process
the SQE confirms that their late appointment has not compromised the adoption of any measures to improve the assessed site's long term biodiversity.

13th Jul 21 Correction - applied to UK NC2018 LE05

Late confirmation of site boundary - KBCN0307

The ecologist must be appointed and engaged early on (equivalent RIBA Stage 1) so that they are able to inform the design brief. For projects where the site boundary is only confirmed at the next design stage (equivalent RIBA Stage 2), it would be acceptable to delay the full ecology survey until this time. In these circumstances, the ecologist's input at design brief may be based on a desk study or initial viewing of the site and its potential boundaries. The aim of early engagement with an ecologist is to facilitate and maximise potential ecological enhancement, exact boundary definition does not negate this.

LCA modelling for multiple BREEAM assessments - KBCN0960

Multiple buildings' assessments Site-wide approaches are not acceptable and each BREEAM assessment needs to have its own Life Cycle Assessment model (using an IMPACT compliant software tool or equivalent). This applies in all cases, including when the buildings are on the same plot and are built to the same specifications. Developing assessment-specific LCA models ensures that material quantities are accurate, refer to the actual building (and building type) and account for external works included within the scope of the specific assessment. Single building with multiple assessments within it Where multiple assessments are conducted for different parts of a building, it is acceptable to have a single LCA model covering all assessments. In this case, an explanation of the allocation process used should be provided and the following guidance applies:

Common elements (e.g. roof, foundations, external walls etc): apportion a percentage of the total impact of the element to each assessment based on their percentage share of the total GIFA (e.g. if an assessment accounts for 10% of the total GIFA, 10% of the element’s impact is apportioned to that assessment).
Elements that are only in a given assessment (e.g. internal partitions, internal finishes etc): 100% of the impact is allocated to the assessment they are in.

LCC – LZC energy sources discounted - KBCN0606

When sufficient information can be provided to justify that LZC energy sources are not appropriate for the development, the LCC analysis, for those LZC sources, do not need to be included in the feasibility study. The feasibility study (covering all the areas required as stated in the manual) intends to demonstrate, to a reasonable level of certainty, that the chosen LZC is the most appropriate of all those available.

LE03 / LE04 calculator – number of habitat types rows - KBCN0880

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the calculator tool it takes a significant amount of time to add additional rows, but in cases where there are more than 20 habitat types, the following method can be followed to calculate the overall ecological value and number of credits achieved:

Open two LE03&LE04 calculator tools (LE03&LE04 Ecology Calculator 2)
Enter 20 habitat types into the first tool
Take the total Ecological Value for pre-development (cell H51) from the first tool and enter this into the first habitat row of the second tool (cell F8 in NC 2011 v1.10 and cell F9 in NC 2014 v.2.0)
Take the total site area for pre-development (cell H49) from the first tool and enter this into the first habitat row of the second calculator (cell H8 in NC 2011 and H9 in NC 2014)
Take the total Ecological Value for post-development (cell K51) from the first tool and enter this into the second habitat row of the second calculator (cell F10 in NC 2011 and cell F11 in NC 2014)
Take the total site area for post-development (cell K49) from the first tool and enter this into the second habitat row of the second calculator (cell K10 in NC 2011 and cell K11 in NC 2014)
This will combine 20 species types into 2 rows, leaving space for a further 18 habitat types
Send in both tools as evidence at QA, including this compliance note.

For a project which needs even more rows, this process can be repeated using a third tool if required. In this case all tools need to be send as evidence to QA, including this KBCN.

Leak detection – extent of responsibility - KBCN0688

For the credit to be awarded, all the pipework in a development that the owner/occupier has responsibility for must meet the leak detection criteria. In situations where third party organisations place restrictions on the pipework that can be metered, the scope of works (and hence placement of a meter for the use of leak detection) will start immediately after this point. For instance where the utility company's meter is placed midway between the boundary and the building, the scope of leak detection for BREEAM purposes will be between utility meter and the building, not to the boundary (as stated in the guidance). The scope of the BREEAM criteria is only on pipework that the owner/occupier has control over.

Leak detection – inseparable building and site boundary - KBCN0388

Where there is no distinction between the site boundary and the building; the utility meter being either located on the boundary or within the building, the leak detection criteria apply to the mains water supply within the building only. The BREEAM criteria apply to the pipework that the owner/occupier has responsibility for.

Leak detection – recycled water use - KBCN0433

The leak detection requirements still apply to all relevant water systems where water recycling systems are specified for WCs and urinals. Recycled water should be considered as a valuable resource as it replaces potable water use and, in many instances, recycling systems will still incorporate a mains-water back up.

Leak detection – shell-only projects - KBCN0900

For shell-only projects, where no internal plumbing works are within the scope of work and the developer is only providing a capped-off water supply, it is acceptable to demonstrate compliance using one of the shell & core options 1-3. The assessor must also demonstrate that the developer has, within the base-build, provided the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the future installation and connection of a leak detection system which complies with criteria 1 and 2. Where the scope of the developer's work does not allow the installation of a leak detection system, the shell & core options provide a route to compliance.

Leak detection – using a BMS - KBCN0439

A BMS can be used for leak detection purposes if it can be demonstrated that its integrated or add-on features meet all the requirements for a leak detection system.

07 Feb 2022 - Applicability to BIU V6C confirmed

Leak detection between building and utilities meter - KBCN1116

For all pipework which is the responsibility of the building owner or occupier leak detection is required between the building and the utilities water meter. This requirement is applicable regardless of the length of the pipework. Where it can be demonstrated that it is not physically possible for a meter to be installed on the pipework, the requirement for leak detection between the building and the utilities meter can be considered not applicable, and the credit awarded based on the leak detection within the building.

Leak detection system based on pressure changes - KBCN0326

A system that uses pressure changes to detect leaks is not necessarily compliant. To be deemed compliant the leak detection system would need to monitor the refrigerant pressure and the operating conditions to address the problem of natural fluctuation.

Leak detection system notification - KBCN0245

So long as the compliant system alerts the appropriate person to the leak so they are able to respond immediately, the assessor can judge if the aim of the issue is being met by a reliable, robust and fail-safe means of notification.

Leak detection technologies – Compliance Principle - KBCN1566

Where it can be demonstrated that alternative water leak detection technologies can meet or exceed the capabilities of systems set out in the BREEAM guidance, subject to approval, these can also be considered compliant. It is the role of the Assessor and the project team to provide evidence and justification in a compliance principle query (see KBCN1555). The following alternative solutions are currently recognised:

Smart leak detection systems that are based on 'self-learning' (machine learning) to determine normal water use patterns are an acceptable alternative to systems that require manual pre-sets or manual programming.

Legally harvested and traded timber – Examples - KBCN0956

The following examples are considered compliant for BREEAM purposes. Legally harvested:

Evidence of compliance with the CPET (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
FSC, PEFC or SFI certification
Evidence of compliance with the EUTR (timber bought inside the EU only)
Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally harvested’ requirements given in the manual.

Legally traded:

Evidence of compliance with the CPET (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
FSC, PEFC or SFI certification
Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally traded’ requirements given in the manual.

Legally harvested and traded/Legal and sustainable timber – Reclaimed/recycled timber - KBCN0654

Timber should, wherever possible, be sourced in accordance with the UK Government’s Timber Procurement Policy. However, if for reclaimed timber the original procurement details are unobtainable, robust evidence to demonstrate it has been reclaimed can be acceptable. The government UK Government Timber Procurement Policy Timber Procurement Advice Note (6th edition) states: As an alternative to demanding timber and wood-derived products from a Legal and Sustainable source, Contracting Authorities can demand ‘recycled timber’. Documentary evidence and independent verification will also apply to recycled timber and recycled wood-derived products but will focus on the use to which the timber was previously put rather than the forest source. And defines ‘recycled timber’ as: “…recovered wood that prior to being supplied to the Contracting Authority had an end use as a standalone object or as part of a structure and which has completed its lifecycle and would otherwise be disposed of as waste. The term ‘recycled’ is used to cover the following categories: pre-consumer recycled wood and wood fibre or industrial by products but excluding sawmill co-products (sawmill co-products are deemed to fall within the category of virgin timber), post-consumer recycled wood and wood fibre, and drift wood. It also covers reclaimed timber which was abandoned or confiscated at least ten years previously.” As per the above policy, BREEAM requires “Documentary evidence and independent verification” that all reclaimed/recycled timber products meet the definition of ‘recycled timber’ given above.

01/06/2020: Amended to clarify and extended applicability to Mat 03

Life Cycle Cost - KBCN0385

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is a methodology that aims at selecting the optimal option amongst a number of option appraisals. An LCC should therefore consider:

At least two design option appraisals and,
Each design option appraisal includes at least two cash flow scenarios. For example, best case, worst case, and most likely case.

This allows project teams and clients to make informed choices about the long term financial implications of different design decisions.

27-Mar-2024 - Wording and requirements clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

Life cycle cost (LCC)- QS change - KBCN0605

If a Quantity Surveyor (QS) changes during a project, the new QS must demonstrate that subsequent criteria are met in order to gain the 2nd and 3rd credits. While the initial modelling data may not be available, the results and outputs given to the client team will be and can be used to remodel the LCC at the later stages of development using the new QS's data. Provided the new QS can model and determine the best option based on the latest project information, the 2nd and 3rd credits can still be attained. It may be necessary to repeat modelling where there has been a change of QS however, provided the intent of the issue and criteria are met, the credits can still be awarded.

Life cycle cost – Multiple assessments on the same site - KBCN000003

Where there are multiple assessments on a site and a single life cycle cost (LCC) plan will be carried out, it is acceptable to use this plan as evidence provided that the results of the LCC plan can be applied to all of the assessed buildings and therefore may have a positive influence on the material specification of such buildings. Where the design of some assessments differ to the extent that the LCC plan cannot reasonably be applied, a separate LCC plan is necessary to achieve credits for this issue. Where multiple assessments are covered under a single LCC plan, there must be sufficient detail for each building to enable them to be adequately assessed.

Life cycle environmental impact of curtain walling - KBCN0178

Curtain walling performs two functions – the provision of windows and the provision of external walls. Specifications performing the same function are grouped together in the Green Guide to Specification. This means that curtain walling needs to be modelled as two separate building elements (external walls and windows). The overall performance of the curtain wall will combine the ratings for the two parts according to their areas. It will depend on the curtain walling system selected, the choice of internal lining and the relevant proportion of glazed and opaque elements.

For the opaque area of the external wall (Area A in the figure below):
1. Select the relevant generic specification from the Green Guide (element category – External walls / Curtain walling, then either aluminium or timber framed and the internal skin specification) and note the rating and element number. If your specification is different from all of the generics, please submit a request for a bespoke rating.
2. Enter the rating into the BREEAM Materials calculator with the area for the opaque section of the curtain wall (Area A).
For the glazed (window-like) area of the curtain wall (Area B):
1. Select the relevant specification from the Commercial window element category of the Green Guide. There are two specifications: Aluminium curtain walling system (Element no: 831500016) and Laminated timber curtain walling system (Element no: 831500015)
2. Enter the rating into the BREEAM Materials calculator with the area for the glazed (window-like) section of the curtain wall (Area B).

The BREEAM Materials calculator will calculate the overall performance for the curtain walling system. It will also calculate the performance of the building elements and the overall number of credits to be awarded.

Lifts with speeds 0.15m/s or less - KBCN1146

Lifts with speeds 0.15m/s or less fall outside the scope of ISO 25745 and can, therefore, be excluded from the assessment of this Issue. This applies, for example, to lifts in single dwellings or those installed in other low-rise buildings, specifically for the use of persons with impaired mobility.

Lighting zones and control - KBCN0131

Where the occupancy density is known to be greater than 1 person/workspace per 10sqm, justification for the zones to be greater than every four workspaces, for example to fit with the adopted lighting strategy, is acceptable. The assessor must be satisfied that the aim of this criterion is upheld, i.e. that there is suitable zoning/control of lighting to enable a reasonable degree of occupant control over lighting in their personable work area. The relevant design team member, e.g. lighting consultant, should set out how this is to be achieved in such an instance.

Louvered panels/facades on Green Guide - KBCN1252

The BRE Green Guide defines the 'functional unit' for applicable materials, which may be assessed under the Mat 01 Issue:

Functional unit for External Walls: 1m² of external wall construction, to satisfy current Building Regulations, and a U value of 0.3 W/m²K. Where relevant, the specification will also include an internal wall finish.
Variation for retail/industrial: 1m² of external wall construction, to satisfy current Building Regulations, and a U value of 0.3 W/m²K.

Louvres on a facade provide a role outside of the 'functional unit' and hence can be excluded from the calculations for the external wall. Only elements forming part of the 'functional unit' need to be included in the external wall.

LZC technologies – energy centre or other LZCs connected at a later stage - KBCN0267

If a project specifies LZCs that have been proposed in the feasibility report which reduce emissions, and/or will be connected to a site-wide energy centre operational at a later stage of the phased development, after the Post Construction Stage review has been submitted, the Energy and Pollution issues can be assessed as follows: In a phased development where the primary heating system will be upgraded at a later stage than the building being assessed, a commitment to install the new heating source must be made in the General Contract Specification (as per the BREEAM requirements). BREEAM does not specify a particular time for phasing as it is difficult to set parameters, however as a rule building users should have to wait the least time possible before they can use the upgraded heating source. For the quality audit, two Energy model outputs/EPCs must be produced at the final stage - one with the actual interim system installed for building control, and one for the BREEAM assessment which can include the predicted energy from the proposed energy centre. Additionally, the legally binding general contract specification for the new heating source must be submitted with details of the timescales proposed for the completion of the second phase of work. Where this approach is to be followed BREEAM must be consulted in each case to ensure that the arrangements are sufficiently robust to award the credits. BREEAM seeks to recognise the environmental impacts of a building's energy use throughout its life, therefore temporary arrangements can be accommodated, provided there is robust evidence on future connection to the permanent systems.

24/08/2022 - Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

LZC technologies – planning conditions and restrictions - KBCN0535

Where a mandatory planning condition exists (eg to attach to a District Heating Scheme), this will clearly affect the number of options available in a feasibility study. In such cases, compliance can still be achieved where evidence on the planning condition restrictions is provided, and it is clarified how this excludes other technologies from being considered. The feasibility study will still need to be carried out to cover the remaining energy needs of the building (eg Electrical and lighting load in the case of a district heating scheme).

LZC technologies – shell only feasibility study - KBCN0409

For a shell only project, compliance may be assessed on the built form only i.e. demonstrating that sufficient space and clearance for the installation of future LZCs has been considered, the built form is suitably sited, and that massing and orientation are optimised for the future systems.

Majority of water demand from rainwater harvesting - KBCN0860

If the majority of water use is supplied by sources other than mains or private water, for example rainwater harvesting, and this use will be monitored, additional metering of the smaller water demand that is masked by the larger demand is not necessary.

Manufacturer’s information – system specific data - KBCN0926

The BREEAM technical manual provides a set of default figures, for use within the DELC calculation. Where available, system-specific data, provided by the manufacturer, can be used in the calculation where this is more representative. Any such system-specific figures used must be supported by publicly available, published data, which substantiates the manufacturer’s figures.

Master plans with multiple stakeholders - KBCN0953

Assessment of a building forming part of a master plan co-ordinated by a third party (developer or local authority) In such cases, it may not be possible for the design team to control elements affecting issues such as land use and ecology, access, external lighting and surface water pollution. It is therefore acceptable for the assessor to define the assessment boundary according to one of two following options:

Restrict the boundary only to what the design team can control.
Extend the boundary to include elements of the master plan, assessing any associated benefits or disadvantages that arise. Relevant Knowledge Base Compliance Notes should be reviewed, and BREEAM Technical contacted for additional guidance if required.

The assessment boundary must remain consistent throughout all issues. Facilities outside of the boundary but serving the assessment (i.e. cycle facilities, parking etc) can be assessed as standard. Assessment of a building forming part of a master plan co-ordinated by the design team with third party elements Where there are third party elements in the master plan which are not BREEAM compliant (e.g. external lighting by local authority), evidence should be submitted to QA that efforts have been made with the third party to align these elements with BREEAM criteria. Where this is not possible, these elements can be excluded. Full justification should be provided when submitting the assessment for certification.

Mat 01 / Mat 03 calculator not big enough - KBCN0647

If a project has more specifications than there is rows available in the tool you can group specifications that have the same green guide rating/responsible sourcing level with each of the specifications with the same rating listed in the same row. The proportion that they contribute to the overall area is also combined. For example where a project has 30 different upper floor specifications, if 10 upper floor specifications are A+, 10 are A, 5 are B and 5 are C then you would only need to use 4 lines.

Mat 03 calculator – combined elements - KBCN1245

Where a building element acts as two or more of the building elements combined (e.g. reinforced concrete slab that acts as substructure and ground floor), the assessor has a choice between two methods for inputting the elements into the Mat 03 calculator tool: Method 1: The entire element specification can be entered into one of either element. This produces the worst case scenario. Method 2: The element specification can be split into notional specifications as if the elements act independently. Example: a reinforced concrete slab that acts as foundation and ground floor Method 1: The element specification is input as one of either the foundation/substructure OR ground floor Method 2: The notional specification as if the slab acts solely as ground floor is entered under ground floor (components of the specification that are 'added' to the slab so that it also acts as foundation are removed) AND the notional specification as if the slab acts solely as foundation is entered under substructure/foundation (components of the specification that are 'added' to the slab so that it also acts as ground floor are removed)

Material not listed in the Green Guide calculator - KBCN0377

Please refer to Guidance Note GN17 'Bespoke Green Guide Specification Guidance' available from the BREEAM Extranet under 'Green Guide to Specification - Assessor information'

Measuring the flow rate of domestic components - KBCN0641

On site testing can be carried out by an appropriate professional to determine the flow rate and capacity of domestic components. This must be overseen by the client’s facilities manager and as-built drawings must be provided to confirm the presence and location of the components and any flow restrictors. Note that the conditions under which the testing is completed must be recorded, e.g. the pressure and the temperature of the water for taps. The assessor could conduct the test provided they are able to carry it out accurately.

15/02/2021: amended to cover all component types.

Metering recycled water - KBCN0658

Water-consuming plant or building areas consuming 10% or more of the building’s total water demand need to be sub-metered. This applies to recycled water, such as rainwater, grey water or process water as well as mains water. The aim of the Issue is to encourage reductions in water consumption, which is beneficial, regardless of its source. Monitoring the use of recycled water, may also help to reinforce the benefits of doing so and encourage further reductions.

Minimising water course pollution – no water courses present - KBCN0550

The credit for 'minimising water course pollution' has to be assessed even in cases where no water courses are in close vicinity to the site under assessment. This is because the aim of this credit is to encourage developments to minimise water course pollution by restricting the discharge of potentially contaminated water from entering the public sewer. Minimising water course pollution does not focus on water directly entering water courses.

Modelling basecase for Low/Zero carbon technology – efficiency of gas boiler - KBCN0297

Assume the worst acceptable efficiency permitted by the relevant Building Regulation or, the efficiency that would be required to ensure the Buildings Emission Rate (BER) is the same as or better than the Target rate (TER) so that it is compliant with Part L2 of the Building Regulations. Note: Low or Zero Carbon (LZCs) technologies may have been specified to help a building achieve its TER; replacing the LZCs with a gas boiler results in the BER failing to achieve or better the TER and as such, the building is theoretically not compliant with Building Regulations. Under these circumstances, it is not considered robust for BREEAM compliance to account for the carbon dioxide emissions savings delivered by the specified LZCs in bringing the building's BER up to the TER. Thus, where the BER is worse than the TER (for the purpose of this analysis) the percentage reduction in regulated CO2 emissions as a result of specifying an LZC technology should only account for CO2 savings made on the TER and not the BER.

Multi-Residential: Internal recyclable waste container if waste is sorted off site - KBCN0354

Where the Local Authority or waste management company for the scheme provide evidence confirming that recyclable waste will be sorted after they have collected it from site, it is acceptable to provide one internal storage bin of a minimum capacity of 30 L rather than 3 separate internal bins. The relevant recycling scheme must collect at least 3 of the following materials; paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, metals or textiles.

Multi-residential: Waste storage shared by more than six bedrooms - KBCN0856

Where multi-residential buildings contain communal facilities shared by more than six bedrooms, the requirement for total waste storage can be increased on a pro-rata basis to demonstrate compliance. For instance, if the standard requirement is 30L for six bedrooms, this equates to 5L per bedroom. Where assessing a flat with eight bedrooms, this requirement increases to 40L (8 x 5L). The minimum size of individual containers remains unchanged as per the criteria.

Multi-storey car parks - KBCN0729

The hard landscaping requirements of this BREEAM issue do not apply to a multi-storey car park. The aim of the issue is to encourage the specification of new materials with low environmental impact to external hard surfaces only.

Multiple buildings on the same site - KBCN0559

The areas of hard landscaping and boundary protection that need to be assessed on a site that contains several developments/buildings depends on the scope of works and scope of the assessment(s) being undertaken. Essentially, the areas that need to be assessed are all the areas of hard landscaping (as defined within the relevant definitions of the credit issue) and boundary protection within the construction zone (again defined within the relevant definitions) that are within the scope of works of the building under assessment. Therefore, if all buildings on one site are being assessed in one BREEAM assessment, then the hard landscaping and boundary protection related to all of these building's scope of works will need to be assessed. If there are several buildings with individual assessments and their own defined scope of works, then the hard landscaping and boundary protection applicable to the scope of works of each individual building will be assessed for each associated assessment. The assessment is concerned with the hard landscaping and boundary protection associated to the project under assessment, i.e. the areas under the control of the project under assessment.

Multiple developments monitoring construction waste on a site - KBCN00036

Where the same contractor is working on a site with more than one development, a single Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP)/Resource Management Plan (RMP) can be produced to demonstrate compliance, if it can be justified that separation of the waste would be impractical. Where the developments are of a similar nature, such as all new-build or all refurbishment with similar scope, the results from the whole development can be apportioned on the basis of floor area to derive the figures upon which the separate developments will be assessed. Where the buildings are not similar, the design team will need to provide calculations to demonstrate that the waste has been apportioned as accurately as possible according to the project types.

21/11/16 Clarification added in relation to dissimilar projects on the same site.

New build extension using existing lifts - KBCN0444

Where the assessment is only of a new build extension (and not the existing building), lifts present in the existing building fall outside the scope of Ene 06 and do not need to be assessed. The applies only when the lifts are not being renewed or undergoing a major refurbishment.

New EU energy labels - KBCN1445

Background

In recent years, the market for domestic-scale appliances has seen excellent progress, with increasingly energy-efficient products becoming widely available. Consequently, the A-rated category was extended over time to include A+, A++, and A+++ ratings. Meanwhile, the lower ratings, such as E, F and G have become increasingly rare. It was clear that an adjustment to a new, simpler set of ratings was required.

Statutory Changes

From 1^st March 2021, the European Commission requires new, updated energy labels of A to G for dishwashers, washing machines, fridges and electronic displays. Lamps will require the new ratings from 1^st September 2021 and requirements for re-labelling tumble dryers are yet to be confirmed. This means:

A+ to A+++ will transition mainly to C through to F
A and B will initially apply to very few products
G ratings will be phased out, with F ratings to follow

Changes for BREEAM and HQM

As a result of the introduction of the new EU ratings and in order to maintain the original intent of the BREEAM criteria, the approach for our schemes has had to change. It is not possible to establish direct equivalence between the old and new energy labels, therefore the updated approach will be to recognise the best-performing 25% of each appliance type, based on a comprehensive market sample. The table below shows how this translates into the new EU Energy Labels for different appliance types.

Appliance type	Rating required
Fridges, fridge-freezers, freezers	E
Washing machines	B
Dishwashers	D
Washer-dryers	D - D

This approach will ensure that BREEAM continues to drive the energy efficiency of appliances by demonstrating a meaningful reduction in energy consumption. Note that these new requirements will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change. Where assessments have already specified (and can procure) products bearing the old labels, it is acceptable to follow the previous criteria. However, where products bear the new label and for all assessments registered after 31/05/2021, the new criteria must be met.

17 Apr 2023 - Applicability to NC2013 confirmed.
21 Mar 2022 - Confirmation added that washer-dryers require a D rating for both cycles
23 Nov 2021 - Reference to 'freezers' added to appliance types
12 May 2021 - Guidance updated and applicability to HQM One and BREEAM NOR confirmed

No acoustically sensitive areas or rooms used for speech - KBCN0660

If written confirmation is provided by the Suitably Qualified Acoustician that there are no acoustically sensitive rooms or rooms used for speech (as defined in the technical guidance), the credits can only be awarded based on achieving all the remaining, applicable credit(s). Where compliance with criteria for this Issue cannot be demonstrated due to the nature of the development, the credits are not awarded by default, but by demonstrating that the acoustic performance has been addressed by meeting the available criteria.

16/12/16 - Clarification added for situations where there are no acoustically sensitive rooms and/or rooms used for speech.

No car parking provision - KBCN00059

Where the assessment criteria are applicable to a building that has no car parking spaces and where there are no parking spaces accessible to building users, the benchmarks can be considered to be met. If, however, parking is shared with other buildings or parking spaces are available on a campus-type site then the provision must still be assessed.

No data for AI at Design Stage - KBCN0551

If there is insufficient data for a future transport service to include this in the calculation of the AI at the Design Stage, it should not be accounted for. If at Post Construction stage the data is available, this can be incorporated. Whilst certain Design Stage requirements can be based on commitments to achieve a certain performance, this must be based on verifiable data.

16/04/18 Wording amended to clarify that this applies to future services and to allow applicability to UK NC 2018

No discharge for up to 5mm rainfall - KBCN0599

The criterion requires no run-off to leave the developed site into the local watercourse(s) for a storm event that results in rainfall depths up to 5mm. It is not acceptable to collect the rainfall within an attenuation tank and allow the runoff to be released from the site at a restricted rate. This simply slows the rate at which it is released to the watercourse(s). The 5mm rainfall event is considered one of the most common rainfall events and, therefore, a system should be designed to prevent this run-off leaving the site thus protecting a receiving watercourse from pollution.

No external plant specified - KBCN0931

Where there is no external plant specified and the acoustician confirms that there is no significant noise source, it is acceptable for the acoustician to provide a formal statement in lieu of the noise impact assessment. All other evidence for this issue must be provided as listed in the Evidence table. The formal statement should be produced by a 'suitably qualified acoustician' (as defined in the Relevant Definitions for this issue) and should justify this approach with reference to the specific internal plant to be installed and the proximity of any noise sensitive areas or buildings. The statement must explain clearly how the aim of the issue is being met.

No refrigerant use – shell & core assessments - KBCN1058

The credits for Pol 01 can be awarded if the asset requires no refrigerants as per the criteria. In speculative assessments, future tenant systems are unknown. To award the credits, evidence must show that the asset has been designed to operate without the need for air-conditioning or comfort cooling for the conditioning of occupied spaces. One way to demonstrate this is to achieve the ‘Free cooling’ credit. Only refrigerants used for occupant comfort are assessed. Do not assess any refrigerant use for process-related functions.

21.09.2021 Wording amended for clarity

Not enough rows in the Pol 01 calculator - KBCN1274

If additional rows are required in the calculator, it is acceptable to add the specification of multiple models together in one tool, provided they are the same model and have all the same inputs for columns F to M. The weighting of the systems across the building is done by the System Capacity and Total Refrigerant Charge (columns E and F), so you would multiply each of these two figures by the total number of the system specified. This gives the contribution of the systems to the building's cooling capacity and charge. If further rows are still required please submit a query using the webform in BREEAM Projects, attaching a copy of the tool and specify the number of additional rows required.

08/10/21 link to webform added

Obligation to provide a minimum number of car parking spaces exceeding BREEAM requirements - KBCN0401

Where it can be demonstrated (by documentary evidence) an obligation to meet a ’minimum car parking requirement’ which exceeds the BREEAM benchmarks is imposed by the planning authority, as long as no more than the stipulated minimum spaces are provided, a single credit can be awarded.

Occupancy calculation – Buildings with shift patterns - KBCN0431

In buildings with shift patterns, as shifts may overlap, the building users calculation should be based on the maximum occupancy of the building at any given time.

Occupancy rates – 24-hours consulting or treatment rooms - KBCN1258

The default occupancy rate for 24-hour consulting or treatment areas in hospitals and care homes is 0.07.

Published pending reissue of the technical manual UKNC2014/REISSUE UKNC2018/REISSUE
03.11.2021 Issue 2.0 of the UK RFO technical manual amended.

Occupant control – BMS and degree of control - KBCN0175

A Building Management System controlled set point with local override controls limited to a set range would satisfy the occupant control requirement so long as the temperature range available to building users is confirmed as appropriate for the building type and user profile.

Occupant control – spaces requiring user controls - KBCN0170

This guidance is intended to clarify the types of area for which user controls are required or would be considered beneficial. Zoning is required in all areas of the asset where specified in the assessment criteria. Please refer to the specific requirements of the applicable BREEAM standard to interpret this guidance appropriately. User controls required Spaces where users are expected to have independent control over their environment.

Owned spaces: small rooms for a few people. For instance, cellular offices, owned spaces in residential assets.
Temporarily owned spaces: where occupants expect to operate the environmental controls while they are there. For instance, meeting rooms and hotel bedrooms.
Shared spaces. For instance, multi-occupied areas such as open-plan offices or workshops.

User controls not required Spaces where users are not expected to have independent control over their environment.

Managed spaces: where environmental control is expected to be centrally managed. For instance, atria, circulation areas, concourses, entrance halls, function halls, restaurants, libraries, and shops.
Occasionally visited spaces. For instance, storerooms, bookstacks in libraries, aisles of warehouses, toilets.

14-Dec-2022 - KBCN applicability updated to include BIU. Wording clarified, and amended for compatibility with BIU criteria.

Off-site ecological enhancement - KBCN0651

BREEAM does not recognise enhancements which are not within the boundary of the site being assessed, as the aims of the land use and ecology section relate to the ecological value and biodiversity of the specific site under assessment. However, off-site ecological enhancement can be accepted where:

It is within the wider site, surrounding or adjoining the development.
The land is currently under the ownership of the developer and intended to remain so (i.e. there are no immediate plans to sell);
The Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) confirms that the proposed ecological enhancements are appropriate and more effective than can be done solely within the red line boundary;
The owner remains responsible for the on-going maintenance of the land.

Full justification and robust evidence must be submitted when relying on this approach. BREEAM recognises that the red-line boundary drafted for planning purposes may not reflect the entire site within the control of the developer or building owner.

Off-site waste sorting - KBCN0696

All schemes Where a building's recyclable waste is collected regularly and sorted off-site, the aim of this issue can be met by:

Providing evidence of a robust off-site waste management strategy and,
Proof of future convertibility for on-site waste storage if required in future.

This means providing evidence for all of the following:

A waste management plan which provides on-site storage between collections, adequately sized based on the frequency of collection.
An on-going waste recycling contract.
The typical recycling rates from the waste management company.
A permanent structure (or internal space) within the asset site boundary that can be converted to comply with all criteria requirements. Layout drawings must be provided showing how this space could be converted in future, including meeting all relevant criteria for: • User and vehicle access, • Area requirements for waste storage, • Appropriate size and number of containers for the expected waste streams, and • Space allowance for any additional waste processing requirements e.g. compactors, composting containers, water outlets etc.

BIU only This KBCN applies to off-site sorting for construction waste arising from fit-out activities (Answer E, BIU V6, Rsc 02). It does not apply to the storage of reusable construction products (Answer F, BIU V6, Rsc 02). This must be a permanent structure or space currently in the asset. BREEAM assesses the sustainability of the intrinsic asset. Where robust management practices may be accepted as an alternative, BREEAM still requires that the asset's facilities have the potential for future conversion to achieve compliance.

09-Feb-2024 - Requirements clarified. Applicability updated to include construction waste storage for BIU V6 Rsc 02.
17-Jan-2024 - Scheme applicability updated.
16-Apr-2018 - Wording clarified.

Office equipment – mobile devices - KBCN00041

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, which are generally used without connection to an electrical power source, should be excluded from the assessment of the energy efficient equipment issue. Devices which are not generally connected to an electrical power source when used are excluded from the 'office equipment' definition as they do not directly affect the unregulated energy consumption of the building.

On site fabrication - KBCN1292

Where concrete (or another construction product) is produced on site, there is no requirement to provide responsible sourcing certification for the end product. As in this case fabrication on site is effectively part of the onsite building process, the certification of the individual products (e.g. aggregates, cement), as delivered to site, shall be used in the assessment instead.

On-demand public bus services - KBCN1404

These can be recognised as follows:

The location of the transport node should be determined as the nearest available pick-up point to the assessed building
The frequency of the service should be considered as the published maximum wait time (or actual average wait time, if the service is established and this data is available)
Such services, whilst they may serve multiple destinations, should be considered as a single route
It must be demonstrated that information on the availability and how to access the service is made available to building users

This is limited to genuine on-demand bus services, which are operated as public transport with multiple pick-up and drop-off points and does not extend to private hire, taxi or other similar operations.

Only lifts in building are for persons with impaired mobility - KBCN1330

Where the only lifts, escalators or moving walkways in the assessed development are for persons with imparied mobility with speeds no greater than 0.15m/s, and there are no lifts which fall within the scope of the criteria, the Issue should be filtered out of the assessment. Credits cannot be awarded by default.

Operational waste requirement for catering – applicability - KBCN1162

The additional operational waste storage requirement for developments which include catering is generally only applicable where a commercial scale kitchen is present. Where the design team can justify that there will be no significant waste streams from a modest facility, such as a small cafe, selling only drinks and pre-prepared snacks, the additional waste storage area identified in the default values does not need to be provided to meet compliance.

Operational waste storage sizing - KBCN0560

The dedicated space requirements given in the technical manual are default guidance, for situations where it is not possible to demonstrate the required size based on known waste streams. Compliance can, therefore, be achieved provided that it is clearly demonstrated and evidenced that there is adequate justification for the type of facilities & size of waste storage provided, and that the assessor is satisfied that the sizes and facilities meet the criteria based on the building type, occupancy and the likely waste volumes generated as a result of these.

Other buildings specified fittings worse than baseline - KBCN00021

Where the performance of a sanitary fitting is worse than the baseline level, the baseline level as specified in the manual should be input as the level of performance in the Other Buildings calculator tab of the Wat 01 tool.

Outdoor foundations - KBCN0787

Outdoor foundations for lighting poles, bike racks, charging stations, etc., need to be included under hard landscaping, provided they are above the cut-off volume.

Park and Ride Schemes - KBCN0754

'Park and ride' bus services run from one or more car parks to a city centre or other destination to allow travellers to park their car at a convenient location and complete their journey by bus. These generally stop at transport nodes en route to allow passengers to board or alight. Provided the service meets the aim of the Issue with reference to the guidance, they can be considered for this Issue in the same way as any other bus service.

Parking integral to development’s use - KBCN1145

Dedicated on-site parking which is integral to the function of the development can be excluded from the calculation of parking capacity. Examples could include, but are not limited to:

Dedicated bays for police vehicles at a police station
Parking for delivery vehicles at an industrial warehouse
Holding bays for damaged vehicles at a vehicle repair centre

The spaces are only to be used for this purpose, and must have appropriate signage and / or markings.

Parking spaces with electric car recharging stations - KBCN00044

Electric car spaces should be included in the total number of car parking spaces calculation for maximum car parking capacity. Whilst electric cars provide benefits in terms of reduced emissions, they do not directly reduce congestion which is one of the aims of this issue.

Part Shell and Core Part Fully Fitted assessment - KBCN0426

This CN has been suspended and is currently undergoing technical review.

Partial assessments - KBCN1001

Where the assessment covers only some of the floors in the building, the roof must still be assessed as it is protecting the assessed building below. If the roof is directly above domestic accommodation (e.g. flats), the equivalent domestic Green Guide rating for the roof must be used, as opposed to the ratings for non-domestic roofs. Roof areas not protecting parts of the assessed building or space can be omitted from the assessment.

Performance standards of BB101 - KBCN0249

The Compliance Note ‘appropriate industry standards and criteria for schools’ must be followed, which states that Requirement a) of BB101 must be improved upon. Therefore if this improvement is achieved for performance standard a) then it is sufficient, for BREEAM compliance, for EITHER b) or c) of BB101 to be achieved.

Playground or other specialist surfaces - KBCN0694

Where the hard landscaping surface is specified to meet safety related performance (e.g. non-slip or soft surfaces for playgrounds) or particular performance related requirements (e.g. specialist sports performance surfaces such as astro-turf, netball courts and running tracks), then these surfaces can be omitted from the assessment. The standard specification of surfaces for multi-use areas (e.g. cement, tarmac, asphalt) must still be assessed.

Point of use water heaters - KBCN0773

Small 'point of use' water heaters can be excluded from the sub-metering requirements. Only major energy consuming systems that have a measurable impact on the operational energy consumption need to be included.

Pollution Prevention Guidance documents - KBCN1051

On 17 December 2015, the Pollution Prevention Guidance documents (PPGs) published by the Environment Agency were withdrawn. These can be found in the National Archives or on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website where they are still current documents. Many BREEAM schemes and the Home Quality Mark refer to these PPG documents as they are still considered to be best practice even though they have been withdrawn. Projects should continue to use the PPGs referenced in the relevant manuals. BREEAM will continue to review this situation and provide an update as and when appropriate.

26 09 2018 Made applicable to Man 03 and Pol 03 in UK NC2018 and Man 03 in UK NC 2011, UK NC2014 and UKRFO 2014

Portable clothes drying racks - KBCN0164

Portable clothes drying racks are not compliant. These are not a fixed feature of the built asset and could be removed or moved to rooms which are not sufficiently ventilated.

Post construction noise level testing - KBCN00043

Noise level measurements do not need to be taken at the post construction stage if the acoustician has accurately modelled the noise level from the plant, using manufacturer's literature, and site measurements taken at the design stage. Any attenuation measures specified by the acoustician in their report must be confirmed as being present post construction. If the acoustician has been unable to model the noise level accurately, post construction measurements are needed to demonstrate compliance. Calculations and recommendations from the acoustician are relied on to be accurate and in keeping with best practice; attenuation measures are assumed to be specified and installed correctly.

Post Occupancy Evaluation – Bespoke - KBCN0678

It is acceptable to use a bespoke POE providing that the assessor is satisfied that the methodology covers all relevant aspects of a compliant POE. The assessor should therefore refer to the further guidance on POE provided in the BREEAM technical manual for information on what a compliant POE methodology should contain, as copied below:

The BCO guide to Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), British Council for Offices, 2007
BRE Digest 478, Building performance feedback: getting started, Building Research Establishment, 2003
Guide to Post Occupancy Evaluation Report and Toolkit, HEFCE, AUDE & University of Westminster, 2006

Post-construction measurement – formaldehyde / VOC levels exceed limits - KBCN0258

If the measured formaldehyde / VOC concentrations were above the prescribed limits, the appropriate remedial action must be taken, as described in the IAQ Plan. The criterion requires confirmation of 'the measures that have or will be undertaken' however it does not specifically address re-testing. We would expect, however that the IAQ Plan should outline what remedial measures are appropriate depending upon the severity and type of the non-compliance with prescribed limits. Such measures may include re-testing as a matter of 'best practice'. Where levels are found to exceed these limits, the project team confirms the measures that have, or will be undertaken in accordance with the IAQ plan, to reduce the TVOC and formaldehyde levels to within the above limits.

10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to UK and International NC V6.

Post-construction measurement – sampling methodology and KPIs - KBCN0380

When testing for VOCs post-completion and pre-occupancy, a representative sample of the building needs to be carried out. Each sample TVOC and formaldehyde measurement needs to achieve the threshold levels individually, either in the initial testing or after remedial measures have been implemented. This ensures that all tested areas of the building are below the limits, and that areas of non-compliance are not ‘averaged out’. 'When providing KPI test results for air quality post-construction / pre-occupancy within scoring and reporting tool, where the limits are exceeded and remediation and re-testing are carried out, the figure should be an average for the whole building post-remediation, as this is the key figure that reflects the building at its certified state'. Where testing is not a requirement of the IAQ Plan and this is not carried out, the original testing figures should be entered and the assessment report should provide details of the remediation measures undertaken to reduce these to within the prescribed limits.

10-Oct-2022 Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.
06-Dec-2017 Amended to account for situations where re-testing is not required by the IAQ Plan.

Post-construction measurement- TVOC concentration using BS ISO 16000-6: 2021 VOCs in air by active sampling - KBCN1642

Where BS ISO 16000-6: 2021 VOCs in air by active sampling is used, the TVOC concentration measurement can be performed over a 40-60 minute period.

Postal pick up service - KBCN0303

An organisation's postal pick up service would not be sufficient to meet the criteria for this issue, even if the organisation guarantees a regular post picked up service equivalent to a post box. The aim of BREEAM is to assess performance of the built asset not necessarily the operational procedures of the organisation that will occupy the building. The operational procedures for the building's post service are reliant on the management of that building and can be altered at any time.

Potential for natural ventilation – areas exempted - KBCN0806

For projects where the majority of a building's occupied spaces will meet the criteria to achieve the potential for natural ventilation credit, but a relatively small area will not comply due to functional requirements of the space, (e.g. a lecture theatre), the credit can be awarded where this approach can be justified. The intention is to encourage the design of buildings where a strategy of (potential for) natural ventilation has been implemented as far as practically possible, given functional constraints.

Potential for natural ventilation – mechanically ventilated and mixed mode assets - KBCN1533

Scope of KBCN This KBCN clarifies the associated compliance note for this credit.

NC 2011 & 2013 - No CN, but the principle of this KBCN can be applied.
NC 2014 v5.0 - CN 3.1
INC 2016 v2.0 and INC V6 - CN 3.11
RFO 2014 v2.0 - CN 7
RFO 2015 v1.4 - CN 5.2

Clarification Mechanically ventilated and mixed mode assets can potentially achieve the 'potential for natural ventilation' credit by:

Meeting the relevant criteria for room depth and glazing area OR, where this is not possible:
Show through modelling that the building has the potential to be ventilated entirely via a natural ventilation strategy.

For 2. the second paragraph of the CN allows flexibility in demonstrating adaptability to an entirely natural ventilation strategy. An asset can allow for mechanical ventilation for ≤ 5% of its annual operating hours to boost ventilation rates, and (for this credit) can still be considered to be a fully naturally ventilated strategy. ≤ 5% mechanical ventilation requirement The focus of this credit is to demonstrate future adaptability to introduce fresh air into the asset for occupant comfort, so this requirement relates only to the time that mechanical systems are used to drive air through the asset. The use of active heating / cooling is not considered in this calculation. Natural Ventilation Heat Recovery Units (NVHR) systems can also be used, provided it meets this ≤ 5% requirement. ≤ 5% is a weighted average over all of the asset's occupied spaces. The basis for the weighting will be determined by the modelling software used. Scope and time scale of modelling The modelling covers all occupied spaces. Where relevant, exclusions are allowed - see related KBCNs for details. The modelling period is one year, during the asset's operating hours. The modelling must be based on a plausible scenario that is realistic. This means that:

Potential changes can be practically and reasonably achieved by future occupants. For example, the adaptation strategy must not require new or modified openings in the building envelope or include significant or disruptive changes to the internal layout.
The changes do not compromise the intended function or operation of the asset.
For speculative assets, a realistic notional layout can be used. See KBCN0408.
The modelling assumption does not need to factor in climate change. The aim of the credit is prove the validity of a future naturally ventilated scenario - if and when this is carried out is outside the scope of the certification.

22-Oct-2022 Content from KBCN1126 merged to this KBCN.

Potential for natural ventilation – shell only assessments - KBCN0408

Where compliance depends on a speculative layout which is unknown, it is the responsibility of the design team to demonstrate that it is feasible for a future tenant to achieve compliance in the relevant areas via the use of a notional layout. This ensures that the shell allows the potential for compliance, and if this can be demonstrated the credit may be awarded.

Potential for natural ventilation – use of doors to comply - KBCN0690

Doors can only be used to demonstrate potential for natural ventilation where:

They can be used to achieve at least 2 levels of ventilation control as required in the criteria AND,
Using them does not cause accessibility or security issues during asset operation.

In all cases, the use of doors must be clearly and robustly justified by the Assessor.

19-Oct-2022 - Wording clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

Pre-demolition audit & diversion of resources from landfill - KBCN00025

There is currently no requirement to carry out a pre-demolition audit to allow the award of the credit for diversion of resources from landfill.

Pre-demolition audit – demolition in a later phase - KBCN1012

Where the demolition of an existing building forms part of the works to enable the assessed development, a pre-demolition audit must be carried out to comply with the criteria, even if the demolition occurs as part of a later phase.

28/02/2018 Wording amended for clarity

Pre-demolition audit requirement - KBCN0243

Where the site demolition/clearance does not form part of the principal contractor’s works, but has been undertaken by the developer for the purposes of enabling the assessed development, a pre-demolition audit must be carried out and referenced within the SWMP as per the guidance. Where justification and robust evidence can be provided, the following exceptions may apply:

Where it can be demonstrated that demolition/clearance was carried out prior to the developer acquiring the site and no pre-demolition audit is available.
Where the demolition was expedited for health and safety reasons.
Where the demolition has been carried out by the same developer, but as part of a significantly earlier site clearance, occurring prior to RIBA stage 0 and no less than 12 months ahead of the requirement being set to carry out a BREEAM assessment. In such cases it must be clearly demonstrated that the demolition was unrelated to the current re-development.

This requirement seeks to encourage good practice by developers and design teams in relation to previously developed sites.

28.03.2022 Reference to pre-refurbishment audit removed, and separate KBCN1504 drafted for pre-refurbishment audit exemptions.

11.12.2019 Additional exception added to align with KBCN1257 and guidance re-structured for clarity

22.11.2017 Reference added to the pre-refurbishment audit for RFO assessments.

15.11.2017 Wording amended for clarity

Pre-demolition audit/(pre-refurbishment) on other structures and hard surfaces - KBCN00045

A pre-demolition/(pre-refurbishment) audit is required where any existing buildings, structures or hard surfaces are present on a development site. The intent of the pre-demolition/(pre-refurbishment) audit is to ensure that any potentially useful materials are considered for re-use or diversion from landfill, not just materials resulting from buildings.

22.11.17 Reference added to the pre-refurbishment audit for RFO assessments.

Pre-payment systems - KBCN0293

Pre-payment systems do not meet the criterion for a cash machine and therefore cannot be used as an alternative. Cash machines provide additional services for building users, such as cash to use in other shops, the checking of bank balances, which a pre-payment system would not provide.

Pre-requisite compliance at post construction - KBCN0667

Criterion 1 is a pre-requisite, requiring early design advice to be given by a suitably qualified acoustician. For the post construction review/assessment, evidence must confirm that this advice was given at the correct time, with the credits awarded based on the test results and performance of the building. Where the pre-requisite requirements have not been met no credits can be awarded.

Previously developed land – temporary structures - KBCN0659

The presence of concrete and hardstanding areas established as temporary structures for enabling works are not considered to be previously developed land on a site. The nature of enabling works are temporary; with the purpose of enabling the delivery of a development and are not constructed to be permanent. Temporary structures of this kind are not included in the definition of previously developed land no matter how long they have been present on a site.

Previously developed land- Definition of ‘Curtilage’ - KBCN0148

Although the local authority may determine the buildings curtilage in relation to planning matters, in relation to BREEAM, curtilage is considered as the small area immediately surrounding the building which comprises of hard landscaping and / or permanent fixed structures and minor areas of soft landscaping. Large expanses of soft landscaping should be excluded from the calculations.

Previously occupied land – Fixed surface infrastructure - KBCN1140

Car parks and other hard-landscaped areas often incorporate small pockets of soft landscaping. Where these are integral to the hard landscaping and constitute a small proportion of the total area, these areas can be considered as part of the fixed surface infrastructure.

Previously occupied land – multi-use games areas (MUGAs) - KBCN1464

For education assessments, playing fields are considered previously occupied land if an equivalent area of playing field is reinstated on land of low ecological value within one year of completing the construction works. Multi-use games areas (MUGA) or similar are also acceptable as replacements for playing fields.

Previously occupied land – multiple assessed buildings - KBCN1093

For sites with multiple assessed buildings, where it is not possible to clearly define separate development footprints for each building, the assessment can be done on a site-wide basis. In this approach, the boundary of the development footprint is considered to be the whole site. This overall result is used to assess compliance for each included BREEAM assessment.

20-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Wording clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

Process Notes - KBCN0611

Process notes can be accessed by licensed assessors here. When a new process note has been released, you may be required to tick the box to confirm you have read the note to be able to access other documents in BREEAM Projects. To do this scroll to the bottom of the Process Note index page and tick the box and click next.

Process water to offset potable water demand - KBCN0586

Where it is demonstrated that it is safe to do so, process water resulting from the building under assessment, can be considered for off-setting potable water demand from components that would otherwise be supplied using potable water, when in line with the criteria requirements for greywater systems. Process water resulting from the building under assessment can be considered as a form of greywater for the purposes of off-setting potable water demand.

21 Dec 2021 Additional wording added, requiring it to be demonstrated that process water is safe to use and KBCN applied to BIU standards.

Process: Project team member no longer operational - KBCN0590

In situations where a member of the project team is no longer operational, for example where a company has gone in to liquidation or administration, and the assessor is unable to obtain the required evidence to meet the requirements of BREEAM schemes and HQM, any credits affected must be withheld. Whilst BRE appreciate and sympathise with the circumstances surrounding these types of situations, BREEAM schemes and HQM rely upon an auditable trail of evidence with which to award credits. This trail of evidence is used to demonstrate how criteria have been met. BREEAM standards and HQM must be applied consistently to all developments undertaking assessment to ensure that certificates issued provide an accurate and consistent representation of the level achieved. If the necessary evidence cannot be presented and the assessor deems it insufficient to demonstrate compliance in accordance with the schedule of evidence then credits should not be awarded.

Process: Registration date and applicable scheme manual issue - KBCN0708

Typically the scheme technical manual issue which is current when a project is registered should be used for the assessment. For example, if a BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 development was registered on 01/07/2016, the current issue of the scheme technical manual at that point would be issue 4.1, which was published on 11/03/2016 (the next issue 5.0 of the technical manual was published on 05/09/2016). However, it is permissible for the assessor to decide to use a later issue of the technical manual. The scheme technical manual version and issue used for the assessment should be clearly referenced within the assessment report. Note that in any case, the same technical manual version and issue should be used for the entire assessment. It is not acceptable to assess different credits based on different issues of the technical manual and it is not acceptable to change issues between submissions of the assessment.

26 09 17 Clarification added that the 'Issue' of the technical manual may not be changed between assessment submissions

Protecting vulnerable parts of the building from damage – underground car parks - KBCN1331

Exposed elements, such as columns in an underground car park, should have been designed against structural damage from minor vehicle collision and, therefore, do not require any additional protection to meet compliance for this BREEAM Issue. Assessors should, however, consider whether additional protection is required at the vehicular entrance to underground car parks. The requirements are intended to address the issue of damage to vulnerable parts of the facade, which would require repair/replacement in the event of minor vehicular collisions.

Provision of fresh drinking water – risk of contamination - KBCN0302

Mandatory requirements relating to microbial contamination must be met for all buildings, however, the provision of fresh drinking water only applies where there are relevant areas in the building types. It may be justified that the drinking water requirement is not applicable to achieve the credit.

Proximity to amenities – Multi-residential assessments - KBCN0357

The single credits are awarded independently of each other i.e. you may have the three amenities within 500m but not the eight within a 1000m or vice versa.

PTAL report supporting evidence - KBCN0230

For developments in Greater London where a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) report is provided, this report does not need to be supplemented by additional evidence to demonstrate compliance with criteria. The assessor should be satisfied that the PTAL report is current and accurately relates to the assessed site.

PTAL web-links - KBCN0705

For a detailed description of the PTAL methodology, see the 'Assessing transport connectivity in London' document at the following link: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/connectivity-assessment-guide.pdf The link to calculate your PTAL score is: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/urban-planning-and-construction/planning-with-webcat/webcat

UK NC2014 Technical manual - hyperlinks to be updated accordingly in next re-issue.

Public car parks - KBCN00092

Any public car parks in the vicinity of the assessed building, for which the building owners/operator are not providing some form of subsidy or an agreement with the car park operators to provide priority spaces for building staff, can be excluded from the assessment.

Rainwater harvesting standard – BS 8515:2009 replacement - KBCN1179

BS 8515:2009 (+A1:2013 where relevant) has been withdrawn and replaced by BS EN 16941-1:2018, which can be used for new assessments. The basic approach in BS EN 16941 is equivalent to the intermediate approach in BS 8515 is. The detailed approach is still described in the same way.

The relevant schemes will be updated in the next reissues.
03.11.2021 Issue 2.0 of the UK RFO technical manual amended.

Raised access floors - KBCN00018

For the purposes of Mat 03, raised access floors should be considered as part of the floor structure. HQM - Applies to HQM's Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products assessment issue.

Re-used electrical equipment - KBCN0325

BREEAM does not currently recognise the reuse of electrical equipment as the most energy efficient option for compliance with this issue. If it can be demonstrated that such existing electrical appliances meet the criteria for inclusion in the relevant national or international energy efficient equipment schemes, these can be considered compliant. If new equipment is procured in addition to the re-use of the old equipment, the existing equipment may be excluded from this assessment. In these situations the assessor must be satisfied that the new equipment would make a meaningful reduction to overall unregulated energy consumption. This issue assesses the reduction of unregulated energy consumption in operation and does not currently assess embodied energy in the manufacture of equipment.

Recyclable, general and organic waste storage – Space, labelling and segregation - KBCN1577

Strategies may vary according to the specifics of each project, their waste streams and collection arrangements.

Any reference to ‘labelling’ refers to permanent markings or fixed, robust and weatherproof signage.
Colour coding of bins to identify waste streams is not in itself compliant labelling.

The aim of these requirements is to encourage recycling, ensuring that it is correctly sorted and to prevent cross-contamination of waste streams. Labelling the recycling area This is required to alert building users and collection agencies to the location of the recycling facility. Labelling each recyclable waste stream This can be done by labelling the bins or their dedicated space within the recycling facility, or both. Co-mingled recyclable waste This must be labelled, as above. See also additional requirements outlined in KBCN0696 General or organic waste Sufficient space for general and, where relevant, organic waste is required in addition to meeting the requirements for recyclable waste. This does not have to be within a separate facility, but if combined with recyclable waste storage, there is greater risk of cross-contamination. The following requirements therefore apply in this situation:

For organic waste, see also additional hygiene-related requirements within the technical manual.
In line with the requirement for the recycling area to be clearly labelled, general or organic waste must be stored in labelled bins and in a labelled, dedicated space within the combined waste facility.

Shell only/Shell and core projects Please also refer to KBCN1380

Recycled aggregate evidence prior to contractor’s appointment - KBCN0231

If the contractor has not been appointed at the time of submitting the Design Stage assessment, whilst it is imperative for the design team to demonstrate a firm commitment to meet the criteria and award the credit at this stage, a letter from the design team or developer to confirm that no contractor has been appointed should be submitted in lieu of the stated letter of confirmation. This should also be clarified in the Assessment Report. BREEAM recognises that it may not be desirable to confirm the specification, source and availability of a particular recycled aggregate for a project where the contractor has not been appointed yet. This would restrict the contractor's ability to source the most economically viable recycled aggregate to meet the BREEAM criteria.

Recycled aggregates requirements - KBCN0343

The amount of recycled and/or secondary aggregate must be greater than 25% of the total amount of high-grade aggregate specified for the development. In order for the recycled/ secondary aggregate in each high-grade application to be included in the calculation of the 25% amount, the minimum percentages in the relevant table must first be met. Note: not all high-grade applications must meet the percentages in the table in order to award a credit, however all high-grade aggregate must be included in the total. The following example is taking figures from UK NC 2014. The applications and percentages vary with each scheme version. If only Structural Frame, Building foundations and Granular fill/capping are present. The following calculation would be carried out to confirm compliance:

Structural Frame = 50 tonnes of aggregate; of which 5 tonnes is recycled/ secondary aggregate

Building foundations = 50 tonnes of aggregate; of which 8 tonnes is recycled/ secondary aggregate

Granular fill/capping = 80 tonnes of aggregate; of which 80 tonnes is recycled/ secondary aggregate

Table 54 minimum percentages are:

Structural Frame must have 15% recycled/ secondary aggregate for 1 credit, i.e. at least 15% of 50 = 7.5 tonnes. In our example we have 5 tonnes, therefore this amount cannot be included in the total calculation, and all 50 tonnes must be considered as primary aggregate.

Building foundations must have 20% recycled/ secondary aggregate for 1 credit, i.e. at least 10 tonnes. We have 8 tonnes, so again, this must all be considered as primary aggregate.

Granular fill/capping must have 100% recycled/ secondary aggregate for 1 credit. In our example all 80 tonnes is, therefore this amount can be considered as recycled/ secondary aggregate.

To determine if a credit can be awarded, the following calculation is then carried out:

Total aggregate; 50 + 50 + 80 = 180 tonnes Aggregate to be included in calculating % = 80 tonnes (Granular fill/capping only) % therefore is 80/180 = 44% which exceeds the 25% minimum

This shows that despite two high-grade applications not meeting the minimum threshold percentages, the overall % is sufficient to award the credit. The same principle applies to the calculation of the Exemplary level criteria.

Recycled materials in hard landscaping - KBCN0975

When recycled material is to be used for hard landscaping, the Green Guide rating will depend on whether the material comes from the same site or from another location. Typically, on-site recycled material is treated with very little impact, or ignored, as there is little or no energy/material input in putting it in place. When recycled material is brought in from elsewhere, transport, as well as any processing the material has gone through to make it fit for purpose, will be taken into account. If the assessor is in doubt, they need to submit a landscaping proforma along with any supporting documentation on the materials and their use and BRE will provide a rating and/or guidance.

Reduction of night time light pollution – Night-time operation - KBCN0697

Note: This KBCN supersedes INC 2016/INC V6 Pol 04 CN3.1 During hours of operation between 23:00 and 07:00, lighting required for operational reasons does not have to be modified for BREEAM compliance. The aim of this Issue is to reduce light pollution by automatically switching off the external lighting or by complying with lower levels when the building is not in use.

23 Jan 2023 - Note added to address conflict with INC Pol 04 CN3.1. KBCN title updated for consistency - The technical manual will be updated accordingly in the next re-issue
008 Mar 2018 Wording amended to add clarity.

Regenerative drives – requirement for specification - KBCN1253

Requirements for the specification of a regenerative drive for lift installations are subject to an analysis of resultant energy savings. However, where it can be demonstrated that this is not financially viable, accounting for payback over the service life of the installation, this option can be discounted. Please also refer to other scheme-specific guidance relating to this requirement.

Responsible construction practices – Multiple contractors on the same project - KBCN0352

It is the site that must comply with BREEAM issues rather than any individual contractor. Several different contractors may have obligations to meet compliance criteria. One of the contractors and/or site managers may have responsibility for ensuring compliance during site operations. It is ultimately the client/project team's responsibility to determine and demonstrate compliance.

Restricted movement within a secure perimeter - KBCN000009

Where the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles is tightly controlled within a secure perimeter due to security considerations, these areas may be excluded from the safe access criteria. Where the whole assessment is within such a zone, the credit may be awarded by default.

08 Jun 2022 Applicability to UK NC2018 confirmed

Retaining wall acting as site boundary protection - KBCN0304

Where a retaining wall also acts as the site boundary protection it must be excluded from assessment in this issue as boundary protection is not its primary function.

Reversible heat pump (VRF) providing both heating and cooling - KBCN0735

Where a reversible heat pump, which provides heating and cooling on reverse cycle with heat recovery, is used, the cooling capacity only should be used for the Direct Effect Life Cycle CO_2e emissions (DELC) calculation. The cooling capacity of heat humps is normally less than the heating capacity, so compliance against the criteria will be based on the more challenging DELC value calculated.

RGB LED lighting - KBCN0986

RGB LED lighting must be assessed against the average external lighting efficacy benchmark. The current criteria do not completely rule out the use of RGB LED lighting as it can potentially be combined with other types of external lighting to meet the average efficacy benchmark.

RIBA Stages 2007/2013 - KBCN0404

RIBA has published guidance on equating 2007 RIBA stages to the revised Plan of Work 2013. Please see publication 'RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Overview' which can be downloaded from the RIBA website www.architecture.com.

Risk to Ecologist’s safety - KBCN0704

In some situations a significant safety risk may prevent a suitably qualified ecologist from attending the site to undertake a site survey. In these cases a desktop study can be used to demonstrate compliance, where the ecologist confirms that it is an acceptably robust substitute. In these cases, the assessor must provide evidence to confirm the type of significant safety risk present.

Rounding the number of parking spaces - KBCN0602

Where the calculated number of car parking spaces is a fraction of a whole number, this should be rounded down to the next whole number to assess the issue. Fewer parking spaces are preferable as the more sustainable solution.

RSCS summary score level for BES 6001 products - KBCN0955

For products certified under BES 6001, the rating score (between 5 and 7) can be found in the Green Book Live. This is the rating that needs to be entered in the Mat 03 calculator. The RSCS score that is entered into the Mat 03 calculator comes from the relevant table in Guidance Note 18. However, for BES 6001, the score is per certificate because 6001 works at different levels of rigour. Once you have found the product, by searching on the page below, click 'More..' on the right-hand side to reveal further details, including the BREEAM score level. GreenBookLive Responsible Sourcing

Safe access – vehicle delivery routes - KBCN1046

Vehicle delivery routes which cross cycle or pedestrian routes may be acceptable provided there are adequate physical control measures in place to ensure safe access and thus minimise the possibility of delivery vehicles coming into conflict with cyclists and pedestrians. Examples of such measures could be vehicle barriers or retractable vehicle bollards, which only allow access to delivery vehicles when required and whose operation and controls account for cycle and pedestrian movements.

18 Mar 2021 wording clarified

07.06.2018 Intent and wording clarified.

Safe access criteria requirements for small infill developments and extensions - KBCN0810

For smaller infill developments (typically those with a total gross floor area of less than 1,000m²) where there is no opportunity to make changes to the surrounding site or access to the building itself (other than those directly related to connecting building access points to existing pathways etc.), it is recognised that full compliance with the BREEAM criteria for safe access may not be achievable. This applies to developments where either:

the assessed building lies within an existing site or campus under single ownership or
the assessed building is an extension to existing buildings within an existing site or campus

In such instances the existing site layout should undergo a risk assessment against the BREEAM 'Safe Access' criteria to identify areas where there is potential for enhancement across the site. The findings should be reported to the client and design team and any non-compliant aspects should be resolved as far as practically possible within the scope of the project, however there is no express requirement to achieve full compliance in every respect. Where the assessor is satisfied that the above requirements have been met, the credit for 'Safe access' can be awarded.

31/03/17 Reference to achieving 'Security' credit removed

Safe pedestrian routes: definition, measurement and verification - KBCN0238

Definition Safe pedestrian routes include pavements and safe crossing points, which may be controlled or, for example, be identified by tactile paving, a crossing island or a dropped kerb. An element of judgement may be required, in which case justification should be provided. Measurement Distances could be measured, for example, along a pavement, across a road at a safe crossing point and along the pavement on the other side. The distance should not be measured diagonally across a road, following the most direct route. Evidence from Google Maps or other digital sources may be used to indicate routes and distances, provided that the scale is appropriate and clearly indicated. Verification The assessor’s site inspection is an important aspect of the assessment of this issue as it must confirm that all relevant information is current and should include photographs of any key areas. This may also help to identify safe crossing points or hazards which may not be apparent from a desktop study. For BREEAM NC and RFO assessments, Google Streetview may be acceptable as evidence to demonstrate safe pedestrian routes and the presence of key features or amenities at Design Stage only. Such information must be verified as above for Final Certification.

07 Mar 2024 - No changes have been made. This appears as 'updated' due to an administrative error.
11 Jan 2024 - Wording re-structured for clarity
19 Dec 2023 - Applicability to BIU V6 confirmed

Safety and security lighting – definition - KBCN0888

BRE does not provide a specific definition of safety and security lighting, as this could vary, depending on the project and location of the lighting. Together with the design team, the assessor is required to determine which lights are provided purely for safety and security purposes and which should be considered as general lighting.

Sanitary fittings used in religious practices – updated - KBCN1624

Such fittings should not be included in the scope of this Issue. Please refer also to KBCN0418 This guidance relates to fittings and facilities used in some religious practices, for example, for washing before prayer.

03 Nov 2023 - Updated. Previous guidance was incorrect and contradicted the approach outlined in KBCN0418

Scheme classification – Education - KBCN0398

The Education scheme classification criteria is tailored to the requirements of buildings that are likely to be used by large numbers of students, whose requirements differ slightly from the general population. Where a building on an education campus, or owned by an educational institution: - is not used for teaching / study - is primarily used by staff or other non-students - and transport requirements differ from a standard Education building The building may be assessed under a different, more appropriate scheme classification. Where it is unclear how this building should be assessed, a scheme classification query should be submitted.

Scheme classification based on anticipated occupancy & building use - KBCN0421

In the instance where there is potential for the building occupancy and use to change during the building lifetime, scheme classification should be based on the most likely occupancy and use of the building as anticipated at the time of the assessment. Please refer to Guidance Note 10 (GN10) for further details

Scheme classification queries - KBCN0540

As the Operational Guidance clarifies ‘…A scheme classification requires the assessor, client or design team to submit floor plans showing the layout of the building(s) along with its intended functional areas and any other relevant information. BRE Global will then confirm the appropriate means of assessing the development, using either one or more standard schemes or by developing project-specific bespoke criteria…’ BREEAM Technical cannot definitively confirm a scheme classification in the absence of drawings. Relevant information could also include specification of the scope of works, clarification of general building functions, spaces within them, as well as their management and access to the public.

Scope of construction works included - KBCN0642

Only the scope of works the principal contractor is responsible for needs to be considered in the assessment of this Issue. This also includes works carried out by sub-contractors that are engaged by the principal contractor.

03.11.2021 Above text added to issue 2.0 of the UK RFO technical manual. Text remains applicable to all previous issues of the manual.

Scope of energy efficient cold storage - KBCN00029

Technical guidance The intent of the following wording in the technical manuals is to exclude self-contained refrigeration units. NC 2018 Ene 05: “The scope of this issue covers freezer or cold storage rooms which are integral to the building and served by the building’s own refrigeration systems.” NC 2016 Ene 05: "If the building contains no refrigeration systems or only refrigeration systems which stand-alone, i.e. are not integral to the building and served by the building services, this issue is not applicable to the assessment. Clarification The scope of this issue covers freezer or cold storage rooms which are integral to the building, and includes cooling systems that require commissioning and optimisation for the specific requirements of the cold storage space. This applies whether the cold storage space has a dedicated cooling system serving this space, or one which is connected to wider building cooling services. "Kitchen and catering facilities", are excluded from this issue. They refer to commercial-sized, but self-contained, off-the-shelf units - these include large freezers, fridges, or stand-alone self-contained walk-in cold storage units. These types of units are manufactured as a self-contained product, and contain their own integral cooling systems - they operate according to manufacturer pre-sets, and do not require commissioning of the cooling system. For this reason, these are not assessed under this issue, but they may still fall within the scope of the 'Energy efficient equipment' issue. The guidance will be clarified in future reissues or updates of the technical manuals.

22-Feb-22 Wording clarified.
02-Jun-17 Wording clarified.
02-Dec-16 Wording clarified - no change to approach.

Scope of hard landscaping - KBCN0634

For the purpose of assessment, hard landscaping includes (but is not limited to) parking areas (including manoeuvring areas, lanes, roads within the parking area), pedestrian walkways, paths, patios. The definition excludes basement parking, access or approach roads and designated vehicle manoeuvring areas, balconies, roof terraces,specialist sports areas (running tracks, netball areas etc.) and retaining walls.

Scope of issue – clarification – fixed installations - KBCN1660

The scope of this issue covers noise from external building services (or 'fixed installations' as written in the manual) serving areas designed for human comfort. The noise impact assessment excludes:

Noise from process-related plant.
Noise from emergency or back-up plant which are not used during normal operation.

Scope of the criteria for lifts – Small service lifts (dumbwaiters) - KBCN1589

Small service lifts, of the type typically used to transport prepared food and crockery in restaurants (sometimes referred to as 'dumbwaiters'), fall outside the scope of this assessment issue.

Scope of the refrigerant leak detection system - KBCN0530

The refrigerant leak detection system is required to cover any part of the plant or pipework which contains refrigerant.

21/08/17 KBCN amended to include pipework containing refrigerant.

Scope: Assessment of apart-hotels - KBCN0396

Where the apart- hotel has been classed as ADL2a by building control and therefore not considered as 'self -contained dwellings', BREEAM Other buildings Residential Institutions assessment should be used to assess it. However, if the building is classified by building control as ADL1a (‘new dwellings’) and therefore considered as 'self-contained dwellings' then it would not be appropriate to use BREEAM New Construction Other buildings Residential Institutions. Where this is the case floors plans and details of the operation of the building (e.g. management of apart/hotels, cleaning and other services, etc.) should be submitted to BRE for confirmation.

Scope: Mixed BREEAM CSH/HQM developments - KBCN0383

In general terms, any relevant areas or facilities which serve the building should be included in the BREEAM assessment, regardless of whether they are also assessed under CSH/HQM. Whilst CSH is a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) scheme, it was developed by BRE Global and the requirements are generally aligned with BREEAM. This should not, therefore involve the duplication of work, but means that the same evidence can be applied to each scheme as appropriate.

Seasonal commissioning evidence - KBCN0818

Where the criteria require that seasonal commissioning activities are to be completed over a minimum 12 month period following the occupation of the building, it is accepted that completed records may not be available at the time of Final Certification. In such cases, evidence of the appointment of a seasonal commissioning manager and schedule of commissioning responsibilities which fulfils the BREEAM criteria are acceptable to demonstrate compliance.

Seasonal commissioning of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) - KBCN0244

Solar PVs can be excluded from the requirements for seasonal commissioning. This is because commissioning at a particular time of the year will not affect the original commissioning of the system.

Secure Government sites – Security criteria (2011-2014 schemes) - KBCN0785

Government security procedures, such as those for MoD sites, may take precedence in dealing with security risk. Therefore, the Secured by Design criteria under which this issue is assessed may not be appropriate. However, BREEAM requires that a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist/Consultant (SQSS/C), such as the MoD security consultant, should be consulted during or prior to the Concept Design stage or equivalent, and the final design must embody the recommendations / solutions of the MoD security consultant, in line with the security criteria. Evidence requirements Where it is confirmed that, due to security issues, the assessor cannot provide complete evidence of the security assessment and implementation of the recommended measures, the following can be accepted: A written statement or report from the SQSS confirming:

Justification of why the evidence requirements cannot be met
Details confirming their status as SQSS for the project
Dates of their consultations and inspections
Confirmation that all the recommended security measures have been implemented

06/07 Mar 2024 - Title updated and minor clarifications to wording. Additional paragraph on 'Evidence requirements' added

Secured by Design certificate - KBCN0772

The Secured by Design (SBD) consultation process, when undertaken in-line with the BREEAM criteria, may provide an appropriate framework for demonstrating compliance, however achieving SBD certification is not a specific requirement of BREEAM.

27/02/17 Amended to clarify that SBD framework may comply but BREEAM criteria must be met

Security – Change of SQSS and recommendations - KBCN1044

If the SQSS working on the project changes during the assessment, the recommendations of the original SQSS can be modified if the new SQSS can provide justification for this.

Self-contained dwellings or units with individual utility meters - KBCN0199

Where self-contained dwellings or units covered by the assessment have their own individual energy supply and utility meter (e.g. water, gas or electricity), this supply can be excluded from the scope of the issue. All shared energy supplies and common areas under the responsibility of building management are still included in the assessment. For example, if self-contained flats in an assisted living development have individual gas supplies with their own utility meter, this supply will be excluded from the assessment. However, the lighting and small power comes from a shared distribution board on each floor, in which case this shared supply will need to be sub-metered in accordance with the criteria. This same principle applies to scenarios involving speculative industrial or retail units with capped services, where these units have their own utility meter.

12/09/2018 Applicable to Water Monitoring Issue where appropriate
27/09/2017 The word 'units' added to include a wider range of scenarios falling under this principle.
17/06/2022 Added other industrial / retail situations for further clarity on the applicability of this KBCN.

Shared ecological enhancements - KBCN0656

A site-wide approach to ecological enhancements can be used on sites where multiple buildings share areas of soft landscaping. The enhancement benefits are applied to the individual building assessments within the site. Similarly, where a building comprises more than one assessment, eg different floor assessments, a green roof on top of that building can be used to award credits for each assessment for which the Land use and ecology issues apply. The benefit can be applied on a site-wide basis provided all developments are completed within the appropriate timeframe of a valid ecological survey.

Shell & Core – ‘Condition of sale agreements’ as evidence - KBCN0485

A 'condition of sale agreement' provides a less robust solution than a 'green lease agreement' and cannot be used to demonstrate compliance under Option 1. Conversely, a Green Building Guide (Option 2) whilst considered less robust than Option 1, would be equally likely to be implemented, whether the building were leased or sold. Where a shell & core building is being developed for sale, it is therefore acceptable for half credits to be awarded on the basis of a Green Building Guide. This includes mandatory credits/minimum standards, but only for Issues where a green Building Guide is a recognised route to compliance as indicated in the guidance.

Shell & core assessments – elements outside the scope of the base-build - KBCN0167

For shell & core developments, all building elements which fall within the developer's scope of work should be assessed as set out in the technical manual. For any aspects which can be justifiably considered as falling within the future tenant's scope of work, compliance can be demonstrated using Shell & Core Option 1 or Option 3. Where relevant building elements are not within the scope of the base-build, but are required to ensure the robustness of the completed building following fit-out, the developer is not expected to install these. These options cannot, however, be used to impose onerous requirements on the future tenant, which could reasonably have been included in the base-build.

05 07 2017 - Wording amended to clarify and principle expanded to explain the limitations on the applicability of this CN

Shell & core options where tenants become known before final certification - KBCN0858

In such situations the route to demonstrating compliance may change from that at design stage certification. The following approaches to some possible scenarios should be followed:

Where tenants become known and a Green Building Guide (Option 2) is supported by the tenants' own compliant fit-out specification, full credits can be awarded on the basis of Option 3.
Where tenants become known and the developer has fulfilled their obligation in producing a compliant Green Building Guide (Option 2) at the appropriate time and provided this to the prospective tenant, half credits can be awarded regardless of whether the tenant follows the guide.
If the tenants become known and a Green Lease Agreement (Option 1) will not be signed and complied with in full, the GLA is no longer valid. Where relevant, a revised GLA document must be produced, signed and enforced for credits to be awarded. No recognition can be given for any Issues in the original GLA which will not be complied with as the superseded GLA cannot be retrospectively considered as a Green Building Guide.

Shell & core project: Completing as fully-fitted - KBCN0394

It is possible to complete an assessment as fully fitted following a design stage certification as a shell & core project. Whilst the assessment will reference much of the same evidence gathered for design stage, it must be re-registered and may be submitted as a fully-fitted Post-construction assessment.

17/04/18 Wording clarified

Shell and Core – Green Lease Agreements – 75% rule - KBCN0392

The 75% rule, referred to in Appendix D Option 1, only applies to the floor areas of the building which are subject to a Green Lease Agreement. Areas which are fully fitted or subject to either of the other shell and core options cannot contribute towards this.

Shell and Core Floor Finishes – Mat01 Calculator - KBCN0593

Floor finishes are always applicable, however if they are not specified due to the speculative nature of the building and therefore CN11 is applicable you should select 'Shell Only Applicable' in the drop-down list in the Floor Finishes section of the Mat 01 tool.

Shell and Core Options – Change option between Design Stage and Post Construction - KBCN0595

It is acceptable for the Shell and Core option to change between Design Stage and Post Construction Review. For example, Option 1 (Green Lease Agreement) could be used to award credits in the Design Stage assessment. As a project progresses, if a tenant was found, Option 3 (Tenant collaboration) could then be used to award credits in the Post Construction stage assessment.

Shell and core – option 2 for floor finishes - KBCN0877

If Option 2 ‘Green Building Guide’ is selected to demonstrate compliance, the Mat 01 calculator will halve the points achieved for this element type rather than the credits, as stated in the relevant Compliance Note. Only the contribution of the element type assessed under this option should be halved.

Shell only/shell and core assessments and applicability of minimum standards - KBCN0612

For BREEAM Issues where the Minimum Standard refers to work which falls outside the scope of a shell only/shell and core assessment, as noted in the technical manual, the Minimum Standard is not applicable. This affords shell only/shell and core projects the potential to achieve their target BREEAM ratings.

Shower with multiple shower heads - KBCN0855

To calculate the water use of a shower with more than one shower head, one of the following should be done:

If all of the shower heads can be turned on at once, the flow rates should be added up.
If the shower heads can only be used one at a time, the highest flow rate should be used

22 Feb 2024 - Applied to BIU, BREEAM NC and RFO standards

Simple Buildings – definition - KBCN0448

The building services are predominantly of limited capacity and local in their delivery, largely independent from other systems in the building fabric and avoid complex control systems. The building can be classified as any of the building types within the scope of the scheme, including mixed use developments or building types. For UK NC 2011 assessments please refer to the Simple Buildings Guidance on the Extranet. For UK NC 2014, 2018 and UK RFO 2014 please refer to Appendix E within each technical manual.

Simple Buildings – Additional training - KBCN0464

The Simple Buildings technical guidance does not constitute a separate BREEAM scheme. It is an approach which can be applied to developments which meet the relevant BREEAM definition. This means that a suitably trained, qualified and licensed assessor can conduct a Simple Buildings assessment without further training.

Simple Buildings – Category weightings - KBCN0458

Category weightings are the same for standard and Simple Buildings assessments.

Simple Buildings – connecting to existing services - KBCN00037

Where a building extension will connect to existing building services, a Simple Buildings assessment can be carried out if the total services systems is of limited capacity and complexity conforming to the definition and scope of a Simple Building. Refer to the Applicability of Simple Buildings assessments for more detailed information. For example, the total capacity, when assessing the space and/or hot water heating services, must be less the 100kW. Compliance would be met by any of the following:

A standalone system serving the extension only with a capacity of <100kW
Connection to an existing system in the rest of the building with a capacity of <100kW
A standalone system and existing system with a combined capacity <100kW

The assessment (in this case, extension) cannot be assessed against the Simple Buildings methodology if the definition of a Simple Buildings is not meet.

Simple Buildings – Introduction and robustness of Simple Buildings criteria set - KBCN0454

Simple Buildings criteria have been developed to meet the need expressed by stakeholders for a simplified and cost effective approach for the assessment of less complex buildings. The standards and robustness of a BREEAM rated building have not been compromised by the development of Simple buildings criteria. The criteria have been carefully reviewed to be more in line with and relevant to simpler buildings and servicing strategies.

Simple Buildings – No size or cost limits - KBCN0451

Variations in project specification make setting limits on the size or the cost of simple buildings problematic. Therefore, no limits have been set.

Simple Buildings – Quality Assurance (QA) - KBCN0459

The process and rigor of quality assurance does not change for Simple Building assessments. As with any assessment, the correct classification of the development will be checked. Where a project is incorrectly classified, the project will require re-assessment against the correct BREEAM criteria before the QA and certification process can progress. There may be additional charges associated with this process. Due to Simple Buildings not being a separate scheme, the audit level assigned to the assessment (Admin, Partial or Full) will follow the standard approach, i.e. previous audit records for that building type will be reviewed. Also, QA response times are the same as for other assessments of the same building type.

Simple Buildings – Use of BMS - KBCN0948

Where a building does not require complex controls, but a BMS is installed primarily for its monitoring capabilities, this does not preclude assessment using the simple buildings criteria set. Buildings which require complex control systems cannot be considered as simple.

Simple Buildings: Applicability of Shell & Core - KBCN0397

Shell and Core options cannot normally be applied to Simple Buildings with the following exception; - The Simple Buildings classification must be based on the full fit-out of the speculative building. This may be achieved through Shell and Core Option 3 (developer-tenant collaboration) only. If the project team is unable to demonstrate this (for example where the end-user is unknown or the end-use is uncertain) the full version of BREEAM New Construction must be used. Shell and Core Option 3 ensures a collaborative process between the developer and tenant which allows the assessor to be certain of the end fully-fitted specification. Thus the assessor can be certain that, in its fully-fitted state, the building will still fall within the remit of a 'Simple Building'.

Simplified transport analysis - KBCN0562

Where a single lift is provided in a low rise building for the purpose of providing disabled access only; or where a goods lift is selected based on the size of the goods it is intended to carry, a simplified transport analysis can be provided in the form of a written statement from the appropriate member of the design team.

Single functional area and no tenanted areas – operational energy monitoring - KBCN00056

Where the building has a single functional or tenanted area for sub-metering, with no other significant energy uses that must be separately metered, then:

The sub-metering of functional and tenanted areas credit can be awarded by default if,
The sub-metering by end use credit is achieved.

26-Mar-2024 - Wording clarified. Scheme applicability updated.

Sites with multiple assessed buildings - KBCN0920

For sites with multiple assessed buildings, where it proves difficult to clearly define separate construction zones for each building, the assessment of this Issue can be done on a site-wide basis where the boundary of the construction zone is considered to be the whole site. Similarly, when it is difficult to define the proposed development footprint for each assessment, the issue can be assessed on a site-wide basis. This can be applied to each BREEAM assessment.

Small retail stores not meeting the definition of ‘baseline supermarket’ - KBCN0214

Where the design team can confirm that the 'baseline supermarket' defined in the Refrigeration Road Map does not provide an appropriate benchmark for the small retail store (i.e. it is below 2,000m2 as specified in the Road Map and the store has proportionately higher energy per sq m delivered values) then it would be appropriate to comply with the guidance on 'Non retail buildings and the Carbon Trust Refrigeration Road Map Action Plan' and generate a more appropriate baseline. Typical installations and technologies should be proposed for this baseline where the systems being compared should have the same duty/service conditions and include relevant consumption from the refrigeration systems’ ancillary equipment.

Solid concrete washout - KBCN00063

Solid concrete washout waste should be included in the waste resource efficiency benchmarks.

Space heating as major energy use - KBCN0939

Where possible, space heating should always be considered as a major energy use for sub-metering purposes. Where space heating cannot be separated from hot water, this must be fully justified by the design team at QA. See KBCN0329: Combined system for space heating/cooling and domestic hot water. Where electric space heating is used, this in itself cannot be used as justification for combining the space heating along with lighting and small power unless there is a clear justification for doing so. See KBCN00068: Combined sub-metering of electric heating and small power equipment.

Specialist assisted baths in care homes - KBCN0228

Specialist assisted baths in care homes or similar specialist applications can be excluded from the assessment of this issue. Due to the specific access and care needs of users, it may not be possible to reduce the volume of specialist assisted baths.

Speculative office including floor finishes/suspended ceiling - KBCN0259

The requirements can still be met where a speculative development includes the installation of floor finishes/suspended ceilings provided a Lease Agreement will be implemented to confirm that tenants are not permitted to remove these finishes. BREEAM recognises that incoming tenants may need to adapt ceiling or floor finishes to suit the requirements of their fit-out. Therefore, where these finishes are installed throughout, in line with Criterion 2, the following applies: A tenancy agreement, applied to the first tenancy, should stipulate that floor or ceiling finishes may only be modified where necessary, for example, to accommodate new partitions, lighting or other services, to replace worn or damaged components or to replace small, localised areas with a specialist floor or ceiling to account for abnormal conditions, such as wet areas. Documentary evidence of this must be provided as evidence for the credit to be awarded.

18/04/2017 KBCN made applicable to NC 2016 and IRFO 2015  
05/07/2018 Paragraph added to clarify the requirements of the tenancy agreement
27 Jul 2021 Clarified that the terms of paragraph 2 apply also to floor finishes

Stakeholder consultation – Building occupier unknown - KBCN0227

Where the building occupier is unknown, it is still possible to achieve the credit. The end user requirements must be assumed and considered by other project parties (e.g. client, design team, etc.) using their experience and judgement until such time as the occupier is known.

Stakeholder consultation – Definition of “independent third party” - KBCN0428

The definition of independent third party should be taken to mean that the party i.e. the individual(s) rather than the organisation undertaking the consultation is independent of the design process. BREEAM is not prescriptive about how to evidence this. It is the assessor's responsibility to collect robust evidence which proves this to be the case.

Stakeholder consultation – Existing shared facilities - KBCN0360

The consultation must include any existing shared facilities relied on to achieve compliance as well as the new facilities. To ensure the shared existing facilities are appropriate and in line with the users' requirements.

Statutory requirements for energy modelling differ from BREEAM - KBCN0127

For the purposes of BREEAM, Issue Ene 01 should be assessed using a BRUKL output based on the prevalent UK country Building regulations applicable to that scheme. This applies even when the building does not need to undertake energy modelling to comply with Building Regulations.

Where a different analysis is required for statutory compliance, due to the location of the project or registration to an earlier or later version of Part L, a different output must be produced for this purpose.

Alternatively, where applicable, the BREEAM registration could be updated to the latest version, so the same energy model output can be used for both purposes. To maintain consistency and comparability for all assessments registered to a scheme.

24/08/2022 Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

Sub-metering at least 90% of each fuel - KBCN0657

In a scenario whereby several energy consuming systems are not sub-metered because they account for less than 10% of the annual energy consumption (see Ene 02 methodology), and this results in less than 90% of the estimated annual energy consumption of that fuel being metered, the M&E consultant should review the metering strategy and advise which of these energy consuming systems would most benefit from sub-metering to make up the 90%. This may be based on which of the energy consuming systems has the highest annual energy consumption, or which has the most potential for reducing energy consumption as a result of sub-metering. This will not necessarily have to mean that the energy consuming systems chosen have to have their own sub-meter, the M&E consultant may decide they would most benefit from metering alongside another consuming system. However ultimately 90% of each fuel must be metered. Justification should be given within the metering strategy and the BREEAM assessment report as to which lower energy consuming systems were chosen to be sub-metered to make up the 90%, and how this was done to best suit the development (i.e. individual sub-meters or paired with another consuming system).

Sub-metering by calculation - KBCN0700

For simple sub-metering strategies, it is acceptable to calculate a single end-use by subtraction of known, sub-metered end-uses from the relevant main utility meter reading. For more complex strategies, where a BMS/BEMS is used, the software should be capable of calculating and displaying all required end-uses in line with the criteria.

Sub-metering technologies – Compliance Principle - KBCN1561

Where it can be demonstrated that alternative sub-metering technologies can meet or exceed the capabilities of systems set out in the BREEAM guidance, subject to approval, these can also be considered compliant. It is the role of the Assessor and the project team to provide evidence and justification in a compliance principle query (see KBCN1555). The following metering standards or technologies are currently recognised as alternatives to pulsed output meters:

M-bus. I.e. systems that comply with the EN 13757 series of standards. Also includes systems complying with the OMS (Open Metering System) standards.

Submitting aftercare & post occupancy evaluation data - KBCN0589

Where credits have been awarded which require post-occupancy evaluation or an element of aftercare data collection (according to scheme requirements) from the building once operational and occupied, the data gathering must take place at the specified time and the findings reported to BRE. The timing of this evidence gathering depends on the criteria of the BREEAM scheme having been undertaken. However, for all schemes, once the evidence is due for submission, it should be sent to [email protected] with the following title; 'BREEAM Assessment Type Building Data BREEAM Assessment Reference' For example, a BREEAM 2011 New Construction assessment would use the following title when submitting their evidence; 'BREEAM NC 2011 Building Data BREEAM-1234-5678'

This KBCN replaces KBCN0695 for HQM.

Suitability of waste storage facilities - KBCN0186

In situations where direct vehicular access to the recyclable waste store is limited by logistics or if size is a problem, for example inner city locations, some flexibility to the application of the criteria is allowed. The assessor can use their judgement on whether the storage space is appropriately sized and if the distance and changes in level via lifts or steps are acceptable. Convenience, H&S issues and the volume and type of waste likely to be generated must be considered. Where the assessor deems the arrangement to be satisfactory this would be acceptable. Typically ‘accessible’ is defined as being within 20m of a building entrance. In some circumstances site restrictions or tenancy arrangements could mean it is not possible for the facilities to be within 20m of a building entrance. If, in the opinion of the BREEAM assessor it is not feasible for the facilities to be within 20m of a building entrance, their judgement can be used to determine if the facility is deemed to be ‘accessible’ to the building occupants and for vehicle collection.

Suitably Qualified Acoustician – Associate membership of the Institute of Acoustics - KBCN00064

Associate membership of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) can be considered to demonstrate that the individual is a member of an appropriate professional body. This supersedes previous guidance on this matter, which has been updated following confirmation from the IOA that ‘Associate members’ are bound by the same Members’ Code of Conduct as ‘Full members’.

06/06/2022 - BRE stance on this has been revised - Title also updated for clarity
13/01/2020 Wording clarified and confirmed applicability to Issue Pol 05

06/01/2020 Clarification that this applies to BREEAM UK NC2018

Suitably Qualified Ecologist – Other recognised organisations - KBCN0192

With regards to the definition of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist, in addition to the organisations already listed within the manual, full members of the following organisations are also deemed SQE's;

Royal Society of Biology
Institute of Environmental Sciences

Provided the individual meets all other requirements as outlined in the definition of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE).

Suitably Qualified Ecologist – Professional membership - KBCN0743

With reference to the definition provided in the technical guidance, where requirements 1 and 2 are met, full members of the named organisations can be considered as a SQE for BREEAM on the basis of their membership. Those who meet requirements 1 and 2 who are not full members may be considered, however the assessor must ensure, and be able to demonstrate, that the ecologist is covered by a professional code of conduct, subject to peer review and that their expertise and experience is appropriate for the assessed project.

Surface water run-off not flooding property - KBCN0565

Where parts of a site may flood in the event of local drainage system failure, it is still possible to demonstrate compliance if the building itself will not be at risk of flooding.

Technical: Scope of BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 versus 2011 - KBCN0494

Under BREEAM UK New Construction (NC) 2014, building types fall within four broad sector categories; commercial, public sector, multi-residential and ‘other buildings’; each sector containing a sub-group of buildings which can be assessed using the 2014 version e.g. commercial sector includes offices, retail and industrial types. In addition to the building types covered by the BREEAM UK NC 2011 scheme, fire stations and visitor centres are included within the scope of the BREEAM UK NC 2014 scheme. Also, the criteria for Simple Buildings are fully integrated in the BREEAM UK NC 2014 scheme, whilst revised guidance is included for the assessment of shell only and shell and core projects.

Temporary Car Parking - KBCN0751

The number of car parking spaces should be based on the permanent parking spaces provided specifically for the development once fully operational. Assessors should determine whether parking spaces should be considered 'permanent' or 'temporary', based on evidence provided by the design team.

Temporary ecological enhancements prior to development - KBCN00065

Where a site has been acquired but development is not scheduled to start immediately, it is possible to determine the baseline ecological value of the site at this point. Furthermore, to recognise where positive measures to enhance ecology have been taken to manage the site until development starts, these enhancement measures will not impact on the baseline value for the purposes of the BREEAM assessment, provided that the following have been met:

Following acquisition of the site and prior to any site clearance which involves the removal of any relevant features, the ecological value of a site is recorded in accordance with the relevant BREEAM methodology by a suitably qualified ecologist (SQE) to establish the baseline.
The SQE confirms and records details of the temporary ecological enhancement and management strategy being implemented on the site for the period prior to scheduled development.
For a period of up to 10 years, the initial baseline determined for the site is valid for the purposes of BREEAM assessment.
Any enhancements prior to scheduled development that are not being carried forward into the design, construction and operational phases can be disregarded for the purposes of establishing the baseline ecological value at development.
The assessment report shall provide documentary evidence of the above for certification.
Any enhancement and management practices implemented prior to scheduled development that will be maintained and continued through the design, construction and into the operational phase can contribute toward the awarding of credits via the BREEAM calculator tools.

Clarification: This guidance is currently under development. Please contact BRE Global with specific project details for confirmation of whether this approach may be used. The aim of these issues is to demonstrate the impact that a project has had on the site ecology, but comparing the site pre and post development. BREEAM does not want to penalise sites that have put in temporary ecological enhancements that enhance the ecology while waiting for development to begin.

Temporary irrigation systems - KBCN0147

Temporary watering arrangements set up purely to allow plant species or a green roof to establish are acceptable for plants relying on natural precipitation during all seasons of the year. Where this is the case, the ecologist's report must confirm the plant species and the expected time for recommended plant species to establish themselves i.e. time period for temporary watering arrangements.

Temporary power solutions in noise impact assessments - KBCN0171

Plants such as standby generators that are only used temporarily are excluded from the noise impact assessment.

Tenant fit-out of asset prior to PCR, where DS compliance is based on Option 2 - KBCN0412

If a tenant begins the fit-out in line with the Green Building Guide before the post-construction report submission, the assessor can award full credits for criteria met based on 'Option 3 Developer/Tenant Collaboration'. The assessor would need to collect evidence of the fit-out as normal for a post-construction assessment or review. If a tenant chooses not to follow the Green Building Guide provided to them, the assessor can still award half credits in accordance with Option 2. In order to provide transparency to future occupants of the building, the assessor's post construction report must record where the tenants have chosen not to follow the Green Building Guide.

While it is recognised that the tenant is not following the Green Building Guide, the developer has fulfilled their obligations in providing the necessary documentation for the Shell and Core assessment and has influenced the tenants' decisions as far as possible.
05/04/2018 Wording clarified

Testing and inspecting building fabric – Untreated spaces - KBCN0972

Untreated spaces, which are not subject to compliance with statutory energy performance regulations, can be excluded from the scope of the 'Testing and inspecting building fabric/thermographic survey/air pressure testing' criteria.

The importance of EPDs - KBCN0895

The publishing of a third party verified EPD by a manufacturer indicates a transparent, robust and credible step in the pursuit and achievement of real sustainability in practice. While an EPD in itself is not proof that a product is sustainable, it is a public declaration of the environmental impacts associated with specified life cycle stages of that product. A manufacturer or group of manufacturers, who carry out life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on their product(s) and publish the results in verified EPDs, help to create a knowledge base and an awareness of the environmental impacts quantified using standardised metrics. This allows benchmarking and the identification of improvement opportunities for the product’s environmental credentials. By implication, there are also opportunities for economic and social benefits to the manufacturer, such as the reduction in resource wastage through improvements in product design and manufacturing efficiency. The reward for EPDs in BREEAM schemes promotes the above, while encouraging designers, procurers and other stakeholders to make decisions on the basis of robust and credible environmental data. This is one of the markers of BRE’s strategic approach to the selection and procurement of construction materials and products. We recognise that there may be steep costs at the moment to small manufacturers wishing to publish verified EPDs for their products. This is a result of the maturity of the market and it is anticipated that as the awareness of the benefits of EPD increases, the increased uptake of EPDs will drive costs down.

Thermal comfort – Changing rooms - KBCN1133

Whilst thermal comfort in changing rooms may be considered as significant, such spaces are, generally, outside the scope of this Issue, as they would not fall within the definition of an 'occupied space'.

17/06/2019 - This supersedes the advice previously provided in this KBCN, which was published in error on 13/06/2018

Thermal modelling for large scale projects - KBCN1171

In cases where the scale of the project makes it unfeasible to provide thermal modelling for every space, it is acceptable to demonstrate compliance with a representative sample of floors or rooms, ensuring any worst case scenarios are included.

Thermographic survey – Seasonal constraints - KBCN00031

Where seasonal constraints prevent the thermographic survey from being completed prior to certification at the post construction stage, the requirements can be satisfied with:

Evidence that a Suitably Qualified Professional (SQP) has been contractually appointed
Written confirmation by the SQP that the seasonal constraints prevent the survey at an appropriate time before certification
The survey is scheduled to take place at the earliest opportunity after the handover, and
There is a specific contractual agreement in place to remedy any identified defects before the defects liability period expires.

Thermographic surveys are designed to map the thermal efficiency of buildings and to detect areas where there are breaches in the thermal envelope. Surveys need to be conducted when temperature differences between the external areas of the building and surrounding air can be detected after the envelope is sealed. There may will be instances where the survey cannot be done before certification after the envelope is sealed and as such, the survey would take place after certification.

Thermographic survey – Shell & Core - KBCN0198

Generally it is most appropriate to carry out a thermographic survey once the thermal envelope is complete and the building services have been installed. Where this is not the case, an appropriate professional should be consulted to confirm a suitable way forward for individual projects at the shell and core stage. Subject to the paragraph below, if it is not possible to undertake a full and accurate survey at this stage, the credit must be withheld. Imposing the requirement for a thermographic survey on an unknown future tenant by using a green lease agreement or green building guide is not acceptable as it may be difficult and unreasonable to expect the tenant to remediate any defects revealed by the survey. If the future tenant is known and there is a robust arrangement and contractually binding agreement in place to undertake a thermographic survey and remedy any defects, Shell & Core Option 3 may be used, subject to the submission of appropriate evidence.

Thermographic survey and report – UK qualifications - KBCN0322

The UKTA (UK Thermography Association) defines what is currently accepted as a suitable qualification for building thermography in line with ISO 18436-7 (Building or Civil), PCN CM/GEN Appendix B Civil, and ISO 6781-3. As of 6th June 2014, the PCN (Civil) Level 2 and ABBE Level 4 Building Thermographer qualifications are recognised by the UKTA as suitable for BREEAM thermographic surveys. Work is underway to align these requirements with other qualification routes and these will be reviewed by the UKTA on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please contact the UKTA directly (www.ukta.org). It is acceptable for the survey to be undertaken by other appropriately qualified building thermography professionals provided the analysis and report is undertaken or overseen, quality checked and signed by an appropriately qualified professional as defined by the UKTA.

07-Mar-2023 - Updated title to clarify that this KBCN relates to UK qualifications.

Thermographic survey for large and complex buildings - KBCN0405

In the case of large and complex buildings, it may be impractical for the thermographic survey and air-tightness testing to cover 100% of the building. The level of the survey should be decided by a Level 2 qualified thermographic surveyor. This could include, for example, airports, large hospitals and high-rise buildings.

Thermographic survey – Standards for qualification of personnel - KBCN0689

Assessors can accept reports from thermographers who hold a suitable Infrared Thermographic Testing (TT) qualification under one of the following standards, depending on which one was current at the time of the thermographer's qualification:

ISO 18436-7:2008
ISO 9712:2012
ISO 18436-7:2014
ISO 6781-3:2015

13-Mar-2017 - Compliance note amended to allow the applicability of standards based on the time of the thermographer's qualification, rather than the BREEAM scheme version.
03-Nov-2021 - Above text added to issue 2.0 of the UK RFO 2014 technical manual. The text is still relevant to previous issues of the manual.
07-Mar-2023 - Updated title to clarify that this KBCN relates to standards for the qualification of personnel.

Third party licensing or registration scheme - KBCN0902

A specialist registered with a BREEAM recognised third party licensing or registration scheme for security specialists can be considered a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist for the purposes of compliance with BREEAM Hea 06. The following are currently recognised as a third party licensing or registration scheme for an SQSS; • SABRE Registered Professional Only SABRE Registered Professionals holding the designation ‘SQSS’ are recognised. A live list of SABRE Registered Professionals and their designations can be found on www.redbooklive.com. Further information regarding the SABRE Registered Professional can be found on the SABRE website (www.bregroup.com/sabre).

(21/03/2018) Updated to include applicability to BREEAM UK NC 2011
(19/07/2018) Updated to clarify recognition of SABRE
(03/11/2021) Issue 2.0 of the UK RFO technical manual has be amended to include this information. The information is still relevant to previous versions of the manual.

Time critical BREEAM requirements – reference to RIBA (or equivalent) work stages - KBCN1156

As a building design process passes through successive work stages, increasingly more aspects of the design become fixed. BREEAM criteria often require actions at, before or after specific project work stages, as these are the optimal stages to achieve the required sustainability outcome. When undertaken at a different stage, the criteria may be difficult to comply with, opportunities may be missed, options limited or costs may become prohibitive. Knowing which stage your project is at Where possible, BREEAM refers to industry-standard work stages, for example the RIBA plan of work stages. However different project teams can interpret these referenced stages differently. Furthermore, many projects do not follow these stages in a simple linear fashion for all aspects of the design at the same time. For instance, the envelope design may be well advanced even to the point where installation has commenced before any specification decisions have been made on some interior finishes. As such, a project may not be at one project stage for all elements of the design at any one point in time. This Knowledge Base compliance note is intended to provide supplementary information to enable projects to determine what stage they are at with respect to time critical BREEAM requirements, including where different elements are at different stages. Although project team members may be willing to offer their opinion on the stage the project has reached, this will often be subjective and hence inconsistent. Therefore, the process set out here looks at the currently available design information for the project (e.g. drawings, specifications) to determine the current work stage in relation to the issue under consideration. This provides a more objective, demonstrable approach for the assessor to follow. Concept Design Stage The RIBA definition of ‘Concept Design’ (RIBA stage 2) can be found here https://www.ribaplanofwork.com/PlanOfWork.aspx . The core objective given is ‘Prepare Concept Design, including outline proposals for structural design, building services systems, outline specifications and preliminary Cost Information along with relevant Project Strategies in accordance with Design Programme. Agree alterations to brief and issue Final Project Brief.’ Table 1 and table 2 (in the link below) provide further guidance, specific to BREEAM, to help determine whether a project, or part of the project relevant to the issue/credit, is at ‘Concept Design’ stage. If there is ambiguity or uncertainty about the stage of the project, the assessor should check with the design team whether the design documentation (drawings, specifications, BIM etc.) currently being produced by the design team will generally include the information listed. It is possible for different aspects of the project to be at different stages in terms of how progressed the design is. For example, the substructure design may be at technical design or even installed while the internal partitions are still at concept design. Whether this matters depends on the issue/credit being pursued. The following steps take this into account. Step 1 First, for the issue/credit being pursued, determine which of the relevant assessment scope items in table 1 and 2 are relevant. For example, if the issue/credit only relates to substructure, then only the substructure assessment scope items shall be considered. If the issue/credit is of a general nature concerning the whole project, then all the assessment scope items shall be considered. Step 2 For the relevant assessment scope items from step 1, decide which of the following applies the most: -

Where the items listed are in the process of being included in the design documentation, this indicates that the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at the ‘Concept Design’ stage.
If items listed are not in the process of being included, the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at an earlier stage.
If the existing design documentation already includes the items listed the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at a later stage.

Please note that the items listed are indicative of the typical information produced at ‘Concept Design’ stage. Technical Design Stage The RIBA definition of ‘Technical Design’ (RIBA stage 4) can be found here https://www.ribaplanofwork.com/PlanOfWork.aspx . The core objective provided is ‘Prepare Technical Design in accordance with Design Responsibility Matrix and Project Strategies to include all architectural, structural and building services information, specialist subcontractor design and specifications, in accordance with Design Programme.’ The following provides further guidance, specific to BREEAM, to determine whether a project is at the ‘Technical Design’ stage: The RIBA plan of work definition of ‘Technical Design’ clearly states that it should ‘…include all architectural, structural and building services information, specialist subcontractor design and specifications…’. Therefore, it is a simpler task to determine whether the project, or part of the project relevant to the issue/credit, is at this stage. If there is ambiguity or uncertainty about the stage of the project, the assessor should check with the design team whether the design documentation (drawings, specifications, BIM etc.) currently under production by the design team (and the contractor’s specialist sub-contractors, if applicable) will, when finished, generally include all the final design information required for the construction works on-site. Like concept design, it is possible for different aspects of the project to be at different stages in terms of how progressed the design is. The following steps take this into account. Step 1 First, for the issue/credit being pursued, determine which of the relevant assessment scope items are relevant (the assessment scope items given in table 1 and 2 may be used, but the rest of the information in these tables relates to concept design). Step 2 For the relevant assessment scope items from step 1, decide which of the following applies the most: -

Where all the final design information required for the construction works on-site is in the process of being included in the design documentation, this indicates that the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at the ‘Technical Design’ stage.
If it is not in the process of being included, the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at an earlier stage.
If the existing design documentation already includes all the final design information required for the construction works on-site the project, or part of the project being considered, is likely to be at a later stage.

KBCN1156_IndicatorTables

17/06/2019 KBCN updated to provide additional guidance

Timing of Ecological survey/report - KBCN0292

If the ecologist's site survey and/or report is completed at a later stage than required, the assessor would need to be satisfied that it was produced early enough for the recommendations to influence the Concept Design/design brief stage and leads to a positive outcome in terms of protection and enhancement of site ecology.

21/02/2017 Wording clarified.

Timing of Ecological survey/report - KBCN0292

If the ecologist's site survey and/or report is completed at a later stage than required, the assessor would need to be satisfied that it was produced early enough for the recommendations to influence the Concept Design/design brief stage and leads to a positive outcome in terms of protection and enhancement of site ecology.

21/02/2017 Wording clarified.

Tools: Assessment details tab in reporting tool – heating type info unavailable - KBCN0406

While the Assessment details tab asks for heating and cooling types your selection for the type of heating or cooling system does not affect the number of credits. The number of credits are influenced only if heating or cooling systems are applicable or not. Therefore, for a situation where the design is in early stages and the building services details have not been decided, your selection simply needs to confirm whether or not the building is heated and whether or not the building is cooled using the drop down menus for “Building services – heating system type” and “Building services – cooling system type”. This must be completed for the assessment tool to function.

Tools: Tracker+ - KBCN0760

Please note that Tracker+ is not a BRE-owned or managed reporting tool. For issues concerning Tracker + please contact the provider (Southfacing) as the BRE cannot advise on technical issues relating to Tracker+.

Tools: Use of reissued tools - KBCN0384

The most up-to-date version of an excel tool should be downloaded from the BREEAM Assessor's Extranet when a new assessment is started. If an updated tool is subsequently released then it will not be necessary to use the updated tool instead of the version already being used. The assessor can choose to use the updated tool if they wish. When new tool versions are released, assessors are notified through the monthly Process Note. We would expect Assessors to review the 'Schedule of Changes' tab when an updated tool is released. If fundamental changes have been made to the tool and they will affect the results for the issue in question please contact BRE for guidance.

TOR for schools - KBCN0172

The 'time out of range' (TOR) requirement is satisfied when a significantly better performance is justified to have been achieved in comparison to the appropriate industry standard. Where there is no appropriate industry standard available or TOR recommendation, the building services engineer needs to confirm the TOR is acceptable for the specific building. Where there is a reference to 60 hours TOR in relation to Building Bulletin 101 recommendations, this is purely for illustration and not a compliance requirement.

Towel rails - KBCN00081

Towel rails cannot count towards the drying line requirements. Clothes drying lines are provided to reduce the need to tumble drying clothes, which uses a lot of energy. Using towel rails to dry clothes would require the potentially damp towels to be stored while the clothes dry. This is inconvenient and therefore means the aim of the credit is less likely to be met.

Tram services - KBCN000004

Tram services are classified as train services when assessing transport accessibility.

Transport of construction materials – Data and methodology - KBCN0413

To ensure comparability across assessments, the information completed in the scoring and reporting tool should be restricted to the minimum data specified in the technical manual. For the purposes of this BREEAM Issue, the distances reported should be calculated from the point from which the products or materials were sourced, whether this be directly from a manufacturer or from a builders' merchant/distributor:

For products or materials purchased directly from a manufacturer or quarry, for example, the distance should be calculated from the ‘factory gate’, including any intermediate transport.
For products or materials, which are purchased from a merchant or distributor, only the distance from their depot should be reported.

Where products cannot be sourced locally, for example on small islands, the transport required to import the materials or products can be discounted, and only the local onward transport to the site recorded. The aim of this requirement is to encourage developers to consider the impacts of transporting products and materials to site. As such, the criteria seek to address only those impacts, which can be influenced by the developer.

27.07.2018 Wording amended to add clarity.

Transportation analysis carried out by the lift manufacturer - KBCN0232

BREEAM recognises that lift manufacturers / suppliers are often engaged to provide such specialist advice. Where the assessor is satisfied that the analysis has been carried out correctly, the analysis can be submitted as compliant evidence.

Unexploded ordnance - KBCN0775

Unexploded ordnance can be defined as a contaminant as they are objects which can be classed as a hazard to health and/or the environment. Therefore, if the contaminated land specialist confirms that leaving the ordinance on the site would lead to a serious risk to human health and the environment, the site can be defined as “contaminated land” (please see the definition within the 'additional information' section of the manual). However, the credit can only be awarded where all criteria have been met, and therefore the site investigation, risk assessment and appraisal must determine that the site is “significantly contaminated” i.e. without remediation, development of the site is not possible. Also, it should be noted that decontamination needs to occur specifically for the purpose of re-development of the site, as detailed in the compliance notes “Prior Decontamination” and “Health and Safety related decontamination.”

Unlodged or ‘draft’ EPC - KBCN0262

Where a building is being assessed against Part L 2006, an unlodged or 'draft' EPC can be submitted as evidence, where it is only possible to lodge against the current Part L of the Building Regulations. In particular for Design Stage Evidence, draft EPCs are acceptable as a forecast of the buildings thermal performance. In such circumstances, these will also be accepted as evidence for the BREEAM Post Construction Review provided they are accompanied by additional evidence demonstrating that they accurately reflect the 'as-built' scheme. This could be in the form of a written statement from the Energy Assessor or by providing a copy of the lodged EPC for the scheme which shows identical input figures. This only applies to BREEAM 2011 pre-June 2012 update.

Urinals – calculation of litres/bowl/hour - KBCN1010

A flushing frequency of two flushes per hour is used in the Wat 01 tool and should be applied when calculating the volume of water dispensed by urinals and compared against the water efficient consumption levels by component type for the Wat 01 issue. This method should be applied to calculate litres/bowl/hour. For example, a 13.5 L cistern feeding 3 bowls which is flushed 2 times per hour: (13.5 L / 3 bowls) x 2 times an hour = 9 litres/bowl/h.

Use of as-designed BRUKL output for post-construction submission - KBCN0889

Where it is not possible to produce an as-built BRUKL output for the post-construction assessment, it is acceptable to produce an updated as-designed BRUKL output that accurately reflects the constructed building as evidence for the post-construction submission. A justification should be issued to QA clarifying why an as-designed BRUKL was submitted, along with confirmation from the relevant specialist that the model is an accurate representation of the final, as-built specification of the building.

24/08/2022 Applicability to UKNC V6 confirmed

Users with special hearing and communication needs - KBCN0969

Criterion 1c aims to ensure that the acoustician has considered designing the building to better meet the acoustic requirements for users with special hearing and communication needs. The extent and scope this should cover will depend on the building type. The following information, taken from The UK Department for Education ‘Acoustic design of schools: performance standards building bulletin 93' (February 2015) provides clarity as to the type of users typically to be considered: Users with special hearing or communication needs includes, but are not limited to, people with permanent hearing impairment or with severe or complex needs, including:

speech, language and communication difficulties
visual impairments
fluctuating hearing impairments caused by conductive hearing loss
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
an auditory processing disorder or difficulty
being on the autistic spectrum

Such users should be considered by the suitably qualified acoustician, along with the other points a-d when giving early design advice regarding room layout, sound insulation and reverberation times etc.

01/03/2019: Amended to clarify that this is a 'typical' list of users, but does not impose a new requirement.

Using BRE SMARTWaste tool - KBCN0236

BRE SMARTWaste may be helpful in demonstrating the construction waste benchmarks; however its use is not compulsory to achieve the credits. Reference to the SMARTWaste tool has been included in the issue as an example of a tool that can be used to manage and monitor waste generated during construction.

Using water from natural underground sources to offset water consumption - KBCN00094

Water from natural underground sources (for instance aquifer water accessed via boreholes) cannot be used to offset:

NC / RFO: potable water consumption.
IU: utility supplied water consumption.

A significant amount of water used for public consumption is already drawn from aquifers. Private boreholes may be drawing water from the same sources as public utility companies.

27-Mar-2024 - Title and text updated to broaden definition. Scheme applicability updated.

Ventilation – distance between air intakes and exhausts - KBCN0638

The minimum distance required between the building's air intakes and exhausts is described by r.

Where the exhaust is below (A), or at the same level (B) as the intake, r is a horizontal distance.
Where the exhaust is above the intake (C), r is a 3-dimensional distance.
r will vary depending on the scheme and criteria being assessed, and whether the exhaust is part of the assessed building or an external source of pollution.

Where the distance does not meet r, the design team must either:

Design in accordance with the relevant standard listed in the manual, which allows distances smaller than r in certain circumstances or,
Use modelling to demonstrate no intake of exhaust air.

12-Jan-2023 - Value r clarified to account for different requirements in applicable schemes.
18-Nov-2022 - Requirements clarified. Title amended for clarity.
11-Oct-2022 - Scheme applicability updated. Wording clarified. Reference to EN13779 removed for international assessments, see KBCN1054.

Ventilation – school office areas - KBCN0223

Office areas in schools should comply with listed office ventilation rates set in 'BB 101: Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality in schools'.

19-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Scheme applicability updated.

Ventilation – single room MVHRs - KBCN1042

Single room mechanical ventilation heat recovery units do not need to show that the air intake and exhaust are a suitable distance apart. However, the air intakes of these units must be located to minimise intake of other potential external pollutants.

11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Wording simplified. Scheme applicability updated.

Verification of measurements undertaken by non-SQA - KBCN1661

It is acceptable for individuals who do not meet the BREEAM definition of a suitably qualified acoustician (SQA) for Pol 05 to undertake the testing for this issue, provided the measurements or calculations are verified by a SQA. The SQA must review the report and confirm in writing that they have found it to:

Represent sound industry practice
Be appropriate given the building being assessed and scope of works proposed
Avoid invalid, biased and exaggerated recommendations

Additionally, written confirmation from the SQA how they comply with the definition of a SQA is required.

View out – alternative method of compliance for fixed workstations - KBCN1484

In relevant spaces that include fixed workstations* (such as a built-in cash registers or reception desks) an alternative method can be used. This is based on the number of compliant workstations. For instance, where the requirement is for 95% of the relevant area to comply, 95% of the fixed workstations must have a compliant view out, rounded up to the nearest workstation. Example A retail assessment has 35 built-in cash registers, 95% of which must comply with the view out criteria. 35 x 0.95 = 33.25, rounded up to 34. The requirement is met for this area if 34 registers comply with the criteria. Where an asset includes a mix of relevant areas; both fixed workstations and flexible areas, compliance for the whole assessment must be demonstrated for all areas, as appropriate, based on either area or number. *freestanding desks and other items of moveable furniture cannot be considered as fixed workstations, regardless of whether their locations are pre-determined.

View out – Calculating the glazing to wall ratio - KBCN1506

This should be calculated based on the glazed area of window, expressed as a percentage of the area of the external wall in which the window sits. Where the ceiling height of the room is unusually high, relative to the window height, the wall area can be calculated based on a standard ceiling height for the building type.

View out – eye level - KBCN0581

BREEAM defines an adequate view out as being at seated eye level (1.2 – 1.3m) within the relevant building areas. However, where occupants will not have the option to be seated, for example in some industrial operational areas where the work being undertaken requires occupants to remain standing, the height of the view out can be changed accordingly to suit the eye level of occupants. All other view out requirements have to be met and clear justification provided for changing the height/level of the view out. In some relevant building areas, occupants may not be sitting down to undertake tasks. Allowing the view out height requirements to be changed accordingly ensures building occupants gain maximum benefit from the view out.

View Out – First Aid Rooms - KBCN1104

The view out criteria do not apply to dedicated first aid or medical rooms in non-healthcare projects. BREEAM recognises the need for user privacy in such areas and that these are intermittently occupied.

View out – internal view within an atrium - KBCN1240

Where the criteria are otherwise met, an internal view across an unobstructed atrium void can be considered compliant. Internal views are generally not acceptable, however where it is physically impossible to obstruct the view with partitions, equipment or furniture, this can be accepted at the discretion of the assessor.

View out – no relevant areas - KBCN0876

If the scope of the assessment does not include any relevant building areas, as defined within the manual, the criteria for 'view out' can be considered as met by default. Only spaces that fall within the definition of relevant areas and are within the assessment's scope need to be assessed.

View out – percentage area - KBCN0166

For the view out credit, compliance must be demonstrated for the percentage of the floor area in each relevant building area, rather than the percentage of the total relevant building area in the building.

14/2/17 Wording amended to clarify that the percentage must be achieved for each 'relevant building area'.

View out – relevant areas - KBCN0268

The aim of the View Out criteria is to allow occupants to refocus their eyes from close work. Relevant areas are spaces where close work in a fixed position is carried out for sustained periods of time. The view out criteria are therefore not applicable to occupied areas such as meeting rooms, or other spaces where such close work is not being carried out. Where rooms contain areas of different functions, only relevant areas should be assessed. In this case a notional line can be drawn on the plans and calculations made based on these relevant areas only. However, spaces such circulation routes or other transient spaces within a relevant area can only be excluded if the route or area is clearly defined by the building layout. If this is arbitrary or based solely on a proposed furniture layout, it cannot be excluded. Features of the building layout which may be considered as dictating a function area would include, for example, the position of doors or fixed furniture such as a reception desk or canteen servery.

07-Oct-2022 Additional paragraph added to clarify how function areas must be defined. 
21-Sep-2022 General principle of 'relevant area' added, and applicability of KBCN extended to BIU V6 Commercial.

View out – rooms used for security or other critical functions - KBCN1040

The View out criteria are not applicable to rooms containing security or critical systems or sensitive material, such as CCTV monitoring rooms. Where it can be demonstrated that the presence of compliant windows would compromise a critical function of the space, the criteria can be considered not applicable.

View out for commercial kitchens - KBCN1216

It is not necessary to provide a view out for commercial kitchens. This is because in such a space it is likely that kitchen staff will move around, doing various tasks. This makes the requirements for the view out to rest the eyes unnecessary.

View Out – Rooms over 7m deep - KBCN1227

Where the room depth exceeds 7m, compliance can be demonstrated for the prescribed relevant areas by meeting the room depth and window/wall area ratios provided in Table 1.0 of BS 8206. This route replaces the criteria relating to the specific maximum room depth of 7m, stated in the technical manual.

Visitor car parking spaces for Other Buildings (Transport type 2) - KBCN0242

For developments such as hotels and visitor centres, which have a relatively small number of staff and large visitor numbers, the guest/visitor car parking spaces do not need to be assessed for this Issue where these are separate from the staff parking spaces. However, if the staff and visitor’s spaces are combined (and not clearly segregated) then all spaces must be accounted for within the calculation for maximum car parking capacity. The aim of this Issue, 'To encourage the use of alternative means of transport...' is intended to apply to those commuting to the building on a regular basis.

21 06 2017 Wording amended to clarify the type of building and building-user covered by this KBCN.

Washer dryers - KBCN0699

Where a washer dryer is specified, the water consumption figure for the wash and dry cycle should be used. The drying cycle of a washer dryer is taken into account because it usually uses water during this drying process (e.g. for cooling during the drying cycle) and in some cases, this water usage can be significant.

18-Nov-2022 - Updated to apply to BREEAM In-Use Version 6

Washing machines and dishwashers – Water consumption data - KBCN1571

The water consumption data used to demonstrate compliance may be based on the lowest full wash cycle (i.e. not a pre-wash cycle, for example).

Waste management practices - KBCN0247

16/04/2018 This compliance note is no longer valid as it does not fully explain how to approach this Issue. Please refer to the technical guidance and other compliance notes, such as KBCN0696, which deals with co-mingled recyclable waste. ^{The requirement to provide a dedicated space for the segregation and storage of operational recyclable waste, as well as relevant facilities (e.g. for large amounts of packaging and/or compostible waste), relates to the building, not the occupier or the local authorities. A dedicated space and facilities must be provided irrespective of the waste management practices of the relevant stakeholders.} ^{The BREEAM certification relates to the building, not the occupier's or the local authorities' waste management practices. Therefore, the provision of a dedicated space and the relevant facilities is required to ensure the building's operational recyclable waste streams is diverted from landfill.}

^{22/02/2017 Amended to include facilities (in addition to dedicated spaces)}

Waste storage provision for catering - KBCN0755

As the manual states, the additional 2m2 per 1000 m2 of waste storage area provided for catering is measured against the "net floor area where catering is provided" and NOT the floor area of the catering facility. Generally, a catering facility will serve building users throughout the building. If it can be demonstrated that this is not the case, for example if part of the development is subject to a separate tenancy, not served by the catering facility, the area calculation can be adjusted accordingly. Where the net floor area is not indicative of the actual occupancy, the default values may not be appropriate. In such cases, the predicted waste streams should be calculated based on the actual occupancy and waste streams generated. This requirement accounts for the increase in waste produced by building based on the likely number of building users served by the catering facility. Please note that these default calculations are only intended for use where it is not possible to determine accurately what provision should be made based on predicted waste streams.

15 06 2017 Wording updated to clarify

Water consumption calculation for push and automatic shut-off taps - KBCN00052

The water consumption of push and automatic shut-off taps can be calculated for input into the Wat 01 calculator using the following steps: Step 1: Calculate the water consumption per person per use. If a tap runs for less than 20 seconds per activation, assume it will be activated twice per person for the timed duration. For example, for a tap with a flow rate of 9 litres/min and a 15 second usage duration, the water consumed per person would be: 9 x 15/60 x 2 = 4.5 litres/min. If a tap runs for 20 seconds or more per activation, assume one activation per person for the timed duration. For example, for a tap with a flow rate of 9 litres/min and a 20 second usage duration, the water consumed per person would be: 9 x 20/60 x 1 = 3 litres/min. Step 2: Multiply the water consumption figure per person by 1.5 and enter this figure into the calculator tool. Multiplying by 1.5 adjusts the consumption figure to compensate for the typical non times tap use of 40 seconds that has already been taken into account in the tool. Taking the first example above, if we multiply 4.5 litres/min by 1.5 we get 6.75 litres/min. When this is used in the tool as the flow rate specification, the consumption is 4.57 litres/person/day which more closely reflects the true level of water consumption for the push tap.

Water consumption calculation for sensor taps - KBCN0180

The water flow rate of sensor taps can be entered directly into the flow rate cells of the Wat 01 tool. The amount of water dispensed by sensor taps for each use is determined by occupant demand in the same way as normal taps. Therefore, the default frequency of use will be applied in the Wat 01 tool and no adjustment calculation is needed for sensor taps.

Water coolers for mobility impaired users - KBCN0255

Point-of-use water coolers must be attached to both the wall and the floor to prevent vandalism, and contain security covers to protect all water and electrical connections. Where a wall mounted point-of-use water cooler is specified which is designed to be accessible for wheelchair users, or users with other mobility impairments, this could still be deemed acceptable to meet this requirement provided the security and stability principle is still achieved in line with the aim of the issue.

23/08/2017 Title updated from "DDA compliant water coolers"
DDA guidelines superceded by the Equality Act 2010, therefore title and text updated. 
Applicability to International schemes removed.

Water fittings specification evidence at design stage - KBCN0420

For a design stage assessment, it is acceptable to provide data based on reasonable assumptions if the final specification of fittings is not yet available.

Water fittings used for a process related function - KBCN0418

Water fittings used for a process related function, e.g. low level ablution taps, laboratory / classroom taps, scrub-up taps, cleaners' sinks etc., should be excluded from the assessment of regulated water consumption. Only kitchen taps and those used for general hygiene washing are to be included in the assessment of regulated water consumption.

04/08/17 Added low level ablution taps (typically used for religious purposes) to exemptions.

Water Fountains - KBCN0648

Water fountains are generally not accepted to demonstrate compliance with Hea 04 on the basis that a typical water fountain (of the type which projects a jet of water upwards towards a user's mouth) does not allow a water bottle to be filled, and therefore does not encourage adequate fluid intake. However, if it can be demonstrated that a particular type of water fountain is specified that addresses the issues of bottle filling, such as a water fountain with an additional bottle-filler, this can be considered acceptable.

Water monitoring when only part of a building is under assessment - KBCN0548

When only part of the building is under assessment, there are two cases for achieving compliance with the requirement to specify a water meter on the mains water supply of the building: If the whole building is under the same tenancy or ownership and management, then a meter monitoring the entire building is acceptable. However, if the floors subject to assessment are separately tenanted, then a meter at the point of entry to the assessed areas is required. Assessed areas have to be monitored separately for water consumption when only part of the building falls within the scope of assessment and where the assessed areas are separately tenanted.

Watercourse pollution from indoor parking - KBCN0545

If the design team can demonstrate that there will be absolutely no run-off from the indoor parking then the intent of the credit will be met. However, such proof would also have to demonstrate that no hydrocarbon spillage from vehicles found its way into the watercourse/sewer. It is likely that there would be water ingress from outside or that internal parking areas would have drains fitted and be cleaned regularly. In such conditions, the criteria are still applicable. The intent of this criteria is to ensure no hydrocarbons run off to any watercourse.

Zoning and control – dimming - KBCN1018

Localised dimming controls installed in line with the criteria, along with a master on/off switch, can be considered as meeting the aim of the requirement for 'controls' in open plan offices. The aim is for occupants to have local control over their lighting and maintain comfortable lighting levels.

Zoning and control – PIR in circulation spaces - KBCN0332

PIR controls can be deemed compliant in circulation spaces such as corridors. In this instance 'separate occupant controls' are not required. The requirement for user control is so that the building users can have direct control over their immediate work environment to ensure it is suitable for their personal needs. In circulation spaces, occupancy is transient and PIR control in these spaces is acceptable.

Zoning and occupant control – access to lighting controls - KBCN00032

The relevant areas for the criteria apply only to areas where users are expected to have control. For instance, this means that areas intended for the general public, or a shop floor would not be expected to have lighting controls. The general principle which applies to user access to general environmental controls (heating, cooling, ventilation) may also apply to access to lighting controls. See KBCN0170. However, the the exact approach may differ between the two types of systems and assessor judgement must be used to determine compliance. In all cases zoning is required in all areas of the asset where specified in the assessment criteria. Please refer to the specific requirements of the applicable BREEAM standard to interpret this guidance appropriately.

14-Dec-2022 - KBCN applicability updated to include BIU. Wording updated. Link to KBCN0170 created.

Zoning and occupant control – control via BMS - KBCN0703

Occupant control via a BMS is not normally considered a compliant BREEAM solution. Any solution that requires the action of a third party (eg facilities manager) is not considered under the control of the occupant. Solutions where all relevant building occupants have control via a user-interface via BMS may be considered compliant where the assessor is satisfied that the aim of the criteria are met. User-control must be available directly to the occupant.

01/08/2017 - KBCN applicability to Thermal comfort Issue removed.

Zoning and occupant control – PIR detection systems - KBCN0335

The aim of the Health & Wellbeing category is to recognise ways to benefit occupants through giving them control of their lighting environment. Without manual overrides, presence or absence detection lighting controls (such as PIR detection systems) are not compliant with the criteria. BREEAM recognises the energy efficiency benefits of detection systems in buildings through the Energy category. In some cases, the design team may have to prioritise one particular lighting strategy to the detriment of achieving a credit elsewhere.

28 04 2021 Wording amended to include absence detection systems.
18 09 2017 Wording amended to clarify the meaning.

Zoning and occupant control – whiteboards and display screens - KBCN1433

Whiteboards and display screens in dedicated teaching or presentation spaces require separate zoning and control for lighting, as specified in the criteria. Lighting around whiteboards and display screens which are typically found in general office areas, meeting rooms, or in other generic spaces do not require separate zoning and control to meet the criteria. In such cases, the assessor should provide justification. Whiteboards and display screens in dedicated teaching / presentation spaces are likely to be used frequently, and require appropriate zoning and control. An increasing number of offices and meeting rooms now include display screens - however separate zoning and control may not be appropriate.

Zoning and occupant controls – handheld remote controls - KBCN1243

Remote control light switches can be considered as compliant, on the basis that these are provided in sufficient numbers/locations to meet the aim of the criteria.

Zoning of lighting – speculative buildings - KBCN0197

Compliance note CN1 confirms that in speculative buildings, the lighting control system must have the capacity to be zoned as required, once the final tenant is known and occupancy patterns/layout are agreed. Alternatively compliance can be demonstrated using Shell and Core options 1-3.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Areas assessed for formaldehyde and TVOC - KBCN1008

This KBCN is no longer applicable. Please refer to KBCN0871 for scope of 'Emission levels (products)' and 'Other information' section of the technical manual for scope of 'Emission levels (post-construction)'. Superseded text: ^{Products applied or installed in parts of the building likely to affect the indoor air quality and impact the wellbeing of building users need to be assessed. Areas are not excluded on the basis of how long building users are present in those areas.}

27-Feb-2018 - KBCN N/A due to ambiguity of applicability to criteria

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Cycle storage spaces for all range schools and non-acute SEN - KBCN0424

This KBCN has been withdrawn and is no longer valid. Please see KBCN0224 for relevant guidance. This is due to duplication of guidance.

KBCN withdrawn 14 03 2018:

Where assessing an all range school, the appropriate criteria should be applied for each age range. Where this includes non-acute SEN classes and the unusual structure of the classes prevents standard assessment, the assessor should use their judgement to determine whether to apply the pre-school criteria or base on the total number of staff and students. The approach taken should be fully justified.

To encourage a sensible application of the criteria in meeting the aim of the Issue

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Erratum – Table 1 in GN22 v2.5 - KBCN1436

Table 1 in V2.5 of GN22 has two footnote symbols missing: • Product Type column – Paints and varnishes should read Paints and varnishes* • Product Type column – Wood panels should read Wood panels^

10-Oct-2022 KBCN withdrawn as GN22 has been re-issued with fixes.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Exemplary credit – software output figures - KBCN0265

This KBCN has been withdrawn and is no longer valid.

KBCN withdrawn on 21/07/2021:

In order to demonstrate that up to four exemplary level credits can be awarded for Ene 01, the primary energy generated by the carbon neutral technologies will need to be calculated by applying the relevant primary energy factor.
These figures are taken from the approved building energy calculation software output.
For guidance on completing this calculation and to obtain primary energy factors please contact BRE Global.

Please note that this is applicable only to BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 and 2011 Issue 3.0, and more recent issues.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Flood risk – Environment Agency (EA) confirm the site is in ‘low flood risk’ area This KBCN has been withdrawn and is no longer valid. This is because its content was created on the basis of a very specific case and should not be applied generally. EA confirmation is no more robust or detailed than reference to flood maps, which are not in themselves compliant without a FRA.

KBCN withdrawn on 17/03/17:

If the EA have confirmed, in writing, that the site has a low flood risk and that a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is not required then this is acceptable and the two credits can be awarded. The EA's written confirmation is a sufficient indication that an appropriate level of flood risk assessment has been completed. Please note that the use of the EA flood maps without this additional confirmation is not acceptable.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Indoor air quality plan for shell only and shell and core assessments - KBCN0556

The indoor air quality plan must be completed for the scope of works being BREEAM assessed. This applies for shell only and shell and core assessments, as well as fully fitted. Assessors should use their judgement to determine the applicability of each aspect of the requirements for IAQs and ensure that the report addresses relevant aspects as fully as possible within the scope of the development.

11-Oct-2022 KBCN withdrawn. Content merged with KBCN0294.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Natural Ventilation Heat Recovery Units - KBCN1126

Natural Ventilation Heat Recovery Units (NVHR) systems can be used to support a natural ventilation strategy where it can be demonstrated that openable windows provide sufficient fresh air to the building for the significant majority of the time that the space is occupied. The assessor will need to use their professional judgement to determine a 'significant majority of time' and be able to justify this within the assessment report.

22-Oct-2022 Content merged with KBCN1533 and clarified with additional guidance on mixed mode systems. This KBCN withdrawn.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ No floor or ceiling finishes fitted - KBCN00046

Where the developer has not specified or installed any floor or ceiling finishes, the requirements are met. This issue recognises where the potential for generating unnecessary waste of materials has been avoided.

16-May-2023 - Merged with KBCN1066. Withdrawn.
20-Dec-2017 - KBCN wording simplified to add clarity.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ Scope of product assessment for VOCs - KBCN0871

For the purpose of this Issue, this covers any product installed or applied inside of the inner surface of the building’s infiltration, vapour or waterproof membrane or, where not present, inside of the inner surface of the building envelope’s interior facing thermal insulation layer. Only products that are installed or applied in parts of the building where their emissions are likely to affect indoor air quality need to be assessed.

11-Oct-2022 - Content merged with KBCN0212. KBCN withdrawn.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ VOC product types – other - KBCN0698

Where a product does not appear to fit into any of the defined VOC product types listed in the manual this does not mean it is automatically exempt from being assessed. If it is similar to one of the listed product types and clearly could have an impact on VOC levels it should normally be assessed. In such cases the supplier/manufacturer should seek to demonstrate that their product meets the equivalent standards required for the closest matching product type.

19-Oct-2022 - KBCN replaced by KBCN0872.

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ VOC testing – alternative methods for compliance for paints and varnishes - KBCN0492

Manufacturers' calculations of VOC content, based on the constituent ingredients, can be used to demonstrate compliance with the testing requirement for paints and varnishes instead of ISO 11890-2:2013.

11-Oct-2022 - KBCN is withdrawn because it is a duplicate of KBCN0452.

[Withdrawn] – multiple assessments – site-wide certificate - KBCN0874

Where developments on a site are assessed under multiple BREEAM registrations, but there is a requirement for an overall, site-wide BREEAM rating, an additional certificate can be produced for the whole development. For further details of this service and applicable fees, please contact the BREEAM technical team.

04-Dec-2023 - Withdrawn.
17-Apr-2018 - Amended to clarify.

New Construction / UK /