Hea 01 - Visual comfort

BREEAM Daylighting – Alternative methods - KBCN1821

Within the BREEAM daylight criteria, there are two detailed calculation options of either using the average daylight factor method or average and minimum daylight illuminance method. The use of the standards within the table below, can now be used as approved alternative calculation methods. The performance requirement must be met in line with either the standard or exemplary criteria as set out in the table below: To use either the EN 17037 or IES-LM-83-23 option, the methodology within Guidance Note 50 must be followed. In addition, the minimum percentage area to comply, dependant on the building type and space type, must be met in accordance with the criteria within the relevant BREEAM issue. To calculate the percentage of assessed area that complies, follow KBCN0471 or KBCN1081. Example: A school using the International New Construction V6 scheme, has used the IES-LM-83-23 sDA method to calculate the daylight performance. The nominal level is achieved in all occupied spaces. The minimum area to comply is set at 80% as per table 10 and 12. As 100% of occupied spaces meet the nominal level, 2 credits can be met.

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Glare control – Modelling - KBCN1800

The ‘Glare control’ criteria do not require a specific methodology to be used to identify areas at risk of glare, and in most situations, a simple solar path analysis would be suitable. Alternatively, detailed hourly modelling methods, such as DGP and ASE, may be more appropriate. However, in either case, compliance cannot be assumed. Regardless of the methodology used, the modelling must be supported by robust reporting to demonstrate that each aspect of the criteria has been met.

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Pods or privacy booths used as workstations – Impact on view out - KBCN1697

Provided the space or room itself is compliant based on a more traditional furniture arrangement, the enclosure of workstations in booths or pods can be disregarded when considering compliance with the ‘View out’ criteria.

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View out – Bedrooms in Residential and Residential institutions - KBCN1798

The 'View out' criteria are generally not applicable to bedrooms in assessments of Residential and Residential institutions (long-term stay and short-term stay), where the occupants are likely to be elsewhere during the daylight hours. Although a multi-purpose desk or work surface may often be provided in bedrooms for short-term working, study and other uses, this would not normally be considered as a dedicated workspace. An exception to this would be where a separate dedicated office or study space is provided, for example within a bedroom suite. Please also refer to any building-type-specific guidance, as bedrooms in sheltered housing, for example, may be considered differently. It is the role of the assessor to determine whether individual spaces should be determined as ‘relevant building areas’ in accordance with guidance provided.

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View out – communal lounges, living rooms and bedrooms - KBCN1828

The default criteria for these space types requires relevant positions to be within 5m of an opening. Where larger spaces are ≥ 50m2 NIA, the standard view out criteria for the relevant scheme is applied instead. The 5m rule is intended for small scale domestic spaces where proximity to a view out is beneficial. This KBCN recognises that for larger relevant spaces in Residential, Multi-Residential and Residential Institution asset types, a scalable approach in line with commercial buildings is more appropriate.

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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.

09-Oct-2025 - Applicability to INC V6 standard confirmed. 
14-Feb-2017 Wording amended to clarify that the percentage must be achieved for each 'relevant building area'.

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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 generally 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.

11-Jun-2026 - Scheme applicability updated.
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.

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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.

19-Feb-2025 - Scheme applicability updated. 
06-Mar-2018 - Published.

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