In-Use / BIU USA 2016 / BIU USA 2016 Part 1 / 03 - Transport /
TRA 03 - Proximity to amenities
Information correct as of 13thOctober 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.
Amenities – Postal facility - KBCN0114
The wording ‘post box’ is intended to allow greater flexibility than previously given, to recognize the changing nature of postal services in the US and internationally.
For example, in the US it would now be considered compliant for a building operator to have an in-house postal delivery and collection service provided by the US Postal Service, where this is available to all building users. External post boxes and post offices are also still compliant.
Amenities – Postal facility - KBCN0114
The wording 'postal facility' is intended to allow greater flexibility than previously given, to recognise the changing nature of postal services in the UK and internationally.
For example, in the UK it would now be considered compliant for a building operator to have an in-house postal delivery and collection service provided by the Royal Mail, where this is available to all building users. Naturally, post boxes and post offices are also still compliant.
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.
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.
Safe pedestrian routes: definition, measurement and verification - KBCN0238
Definition
Safe pedestrian routes include sidewalks and safe crossing points, which may be controlled or, for example, be identified by tactile paving, a crossing island or a dropped curb. An element of judgement may be required, in which case justification should be provided.
Measurement
Distances could be measured, for example, along a sidewalk, across a road at a safe crossing point and along the sidewalk 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
Information correct as of 13thOctober 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.