In-Use / BIU 2015 / BIU 2015 Part 1 /

04 - Water

Information correct as of 29thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.

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'.

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.

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 – 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 – 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

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.

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:
Information correct as of 29thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.