Domestic Refurbishment / 2012 /

02 - Health and Wellbeing

Information correct as of 28thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.

Assessing new dwellings built above or below an existing dwelling - KBCN0318

A new build dwelling above or below an existing dwelling is considered to be a new space and therefore criterion 2 of Hea 01 should be followed to assess the minimum daylighting levels. The whole dwelling, whether above or below the existing one, is a new space and has more stringent criteria than for existing spaces.

Carbon monoxide (CO) detector and dwellings - KBCN0272

A carbon monoxide detector is not needed in dwellings supplied only by electricity or communal/district heat. Centralised plant rooms would nonetheless require appropriate detection systems. CO detectors are only required in line with the criterion where there is combustion of relevant fuels within the dwelling . 

Communal CHP or boilers - KBCN0310

In a block of dwellings where the heating and hot water are supplied from a communal CHP or boiler there does not need to be a carbon monoxide detector in each invidual dwelling. However, there does need to be one in the plant room where the CHP unit or boiler is located. There is only a risk from Carbon Monoxide when fossil fuels are being burnt, with such communal systems this is in the plant room rather than the individual dwellings.

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

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

Erratum – References to Part F sections 5 and 7 - KBCN1607

In BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment we refer to the 2013 version of Part F where the section numbers differ from the current version of Part F. Please follow the following updated criteria which has the correct references to Part F: One credit — minimum ventilation requirements One credit can be awarded where the following whole dwelling is brought up to the following ventilation requirements: 1          A minimum level of background ventilation is provided (with trickle ventilators or other means of ventilation) for all habitable rooms, kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms compliant with Section 3, Building Regulations Approved Document Part F, 2010. 2          A minimum level of extract ventilation is provided in all wet rooms (e.g. kitchen, utility and bathrooms), compliant with Section 1, Building Regulations Approved Document Part F 2010. 3          A minimum level of purge ventilation is provided in all habitable rooms and wet rooms, compliant with Section 3, Building Regulations Approved Document Part F, 2010. 4          The building is a historic building (CN4) and meets the requirements for historic buildings below. Two credits — advanced ventilation Two credits can be awarded where: 5          Ventilation is provided for the dwelling that meets the requirements of Section 1 of Building Regulations Part F in full. 6          Where the building is a historic building and meets the requirements for historic buildings (CN4). This is correcting the references within Part F which were not updated in the manual when Part F was updated.

[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] ~ 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.

Information correct as of 28thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.