Hea 07 - Safe and accessible design

Areas in the public domain - KBCN0587

Where areas within the site boundary will be public domain after construction, and the design/specification has been determined by the local authority/statutory body/planning permission etc, they can be excluded from the assessment of the 'Safe Access' criteria. Evidence would be required to demonstrate that this was the case. Where the client/design team do not have control of the design of these areas, the development should not be prevented from achieving the credit.

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Inclusive and accessible design (non-residential only) - KBCN0863

Shared and accessible facilities are applicable where relevant. For office, retail and industrial buildings, if there are no spaces suitable to be shared with members of the public or community, this can be justified and the ‘inclusive and accessible design’ credit met by demonstrating compliance with the other criteria. Commercial buildings are unlikely to provide spaces that are suitable to be shared with members of the public/community.

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Restricted movement within a secure perimeter - KBCN000009

Where the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles is tightly controlled within a secure perimeter due to security considerations, these areas do not need to strictly meet the safe access criteria. However, justification and evidence provided by an appropriate member of the project team must demonstrate how the layout, measures and secure nature of the site result in a safe environment for cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicle access, in line with intent of each criterion. Where a criterion is not applicable due to the secure nature of the site, this should be noted and justified in the assessment report.  

24 May 2024 - New guidance introduced to ensure that safe pedestrian, cycle and vehicle movement is considered, even on secure sites with restricted movement.
* As this is a significant change, for any registered assessments where the assessor demonstrates that they have already advised the project team based on the previous guidance, the assessment can continue on that basis. 

08 Jun 2022 Applicability to UK NC2018 confirmed

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Safe access criteria requirements – Small infill developments and extensions - KBCN0810

For smaller infill developments (typically those with a total gross floor area of less than 1,000m²) where there is no opportunity to make changes to the surrounding site or access to the building itself (other than those directly related to connecting building access points to existing pathways etc.), it is recognised that full compliance with the BREEAM criteria for safe access may not be achievable.  This applies to developments where either:

• the assessed building lies within an existing site or campus under single ownership or
• the assessed building is an extension to existing buildings within an existing site or campus

In such instances the existing site layout should undergo a risk assessment against the BREEAM 'Safe Access' criteria to identify areas where there is potential for enhancement across the site.  The findings should be reported to the client and design team and any non-compliant aspects should be resolved as far as practically possible within the scope of the project, however there is no express requirement to achieve full compliance in every respect.  Where the assessor is satisfied that the above requirements have been met,  the credit for 'Safe access' can be awarded.

31/03/17 Reference to achieving 'Security' credit removed
17/12/24 Applicability updated to include UKNC 2018 and V6

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Verification of Security Needs Assessments/Security Risk Assessments - KBCN1770

Where the author of a Security Needs Assessment [‘Security Risk Assessment’ in BIU] does not meet the BREEAM competency requirements, compliance can still be achieved where the report is reviewed and verified by a qualified SQSS [‘Competent Person’ in BIU], who confirms in writing that it is accurate, appropriate and in line with industry best practice. In these circumstances, the SQSS or ‘Competent Person’ is expected to verify and take ownership of the report and accept professional responsibility for its content.

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