New Construction / UK / 2011 / 02-Health and Wellbeing /
Hea 04 - Water Quality
Information correct as of 13thOctober 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.
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.
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.
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.
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DDA guidelines superceded by the Equality Act 2010, therefore title and text updated.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 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.
Information correct as of 13thOctober 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.