HEA 03

Adaptability for a projected climate change scenario – Winter conditions - KBCN1715

Where future climate change scenario projections in winter indicates a higher temperature and, therefore, more thermally comfortable climate compared to the current winter temperatures, it can be assumed that the winter conditions within the climate change scenario are met based on the thermal modelling of current winter conditions. Justification must be provided for each project confirming that the future winter conditions will be met with the current heating system. In a warming climate the heating system needs to be sized for the beginning of its lifespan, whereas the cooling systems need to be sized for the end of their life span (Ref: CIBSE TM55: 2014)

Assessing industrial spaces – exemptions - KBCN0734

The thermal comfort criteria do not apply to the operational or storage areas typically found in industrial assets or other similar asset types. The criteria is still be applied to the other parts of the asset as appropriate. Operational and storage areas often have function-related thermal requirements determined by operational or storage needs. These functional requirements override the needs of any occupants.

17-Jan-2024 - Scheme applicability updated.
03-Nov-2020 - Issue 2.0 of UK RFO technical manual updated with new CN detailing the above.

Occupant control – BMS and degree of control - KBCN0175

A Building Management System controlled set point with local override controls limited to a set range would satisfy the occupant control requirement so long as the temperature range available to building users is confirmed as appropriate for the building type and user profile.

Occupant control – spaces requiring user controls - KBCN0170

This guidance is intended to clarify the types of area for which user controls are required or would be considered beneficial. Zoning is required in all areas of the asset where specified in the assessment criteria. Please refer to the specific requirements of the applicable BREEAM standard to interpret this guidance appropriately. User controls required Spaces where users are expected to have independent control over their environment.

Owned spaces: small rooms for a few people. For instance, cellular offices, owned spaces in residential assets.
Temporarily owned spaces: where occupants expect to operate the environmental controls while they are there. For instance, meeting rooms and hotel bedrooms.
Shared spaces. For instance, multi-occupied areas such as open-plan offices or workshops.

User controls not required Spaces where users are not expected to have independent control over their environment.

Managed spaces: where environmental control is expected to be centrally managed. For instance, atria, circulation areas, concourses, entrance halls, function halls, restaurants, libraries, and shops.
Occasionally visited spaces. For instance, storerooms, bookstacks in libraries, aisles of warehouses, toilets.

14-Dec-2022 - KBCN applicability updated to include BIU. Wording clarified, and amended for compatibility with BIU criteria.

PMV and PPD reporting for mixed mode ventilation buildings - KBCN0632

When assessing buildings where both naturally ventilated and air conditioned spaces are included, reporting the PMV and PPD indices is required.

Thermal comfort – Changing rooms - KBCN1133

Whilst thermal comfort in changing rooms may be considered as significant, such spaces are, generally, outside the scope of this Issue, as they would not fall within the definition of an 'occupied space'.

17/06/2019 - This supersedes the advice previously provided in this KBCN, which was published in error on 13/06/2018

Thermal modelling for large scale projects - KBCN1171

In cases where the scale of the project makes it unfeasible to provide thermal modelling for every space, it is acceptable to demonstrate compliance with a representative sample of floors or rooms, ensuring any worst case scenarios are included.

Weather files – 50th percentile - KBCN0117

For the thermal simulation of climate change environments, where this not specified in the manuals, the 50th percentile weather file is used in all cases. This applies also to the use of any alternative weather files or formats which are not listed in the manual. See KBCN1182.

18-Dec-2024 - Title updated for clarity. Scheme applicability updated. Link to KBCN1182 added.

Weather files – alternative format or location - KBCN1182

If they achieve the aim of the credit, alternative weather file formats not listed in the manuals can be used instead of those referenced in the manual. Format - current climate The alternative weather files must include same variables as the specified weather files for each hour of the year e.g.: - Dry bulb & wet bulb temperature, - Wind speed & direction, - Solar altitude & azimuth, - Cloud cover etc. For example, TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) is an accepted alternative format for BREEAM, meeting the requirements above. The assessor or design team must verify this and ensure that meeting the BREEAM criteria does not become easier by using the alternative weather file. Format - projected climate These alternative files must be based on climate projections with equal or higher temperatures than those specified in the relevant criteria, setting an equally or more robust standard for overheating. Where there are no suitable weather files available for projected climate change, use any one of the following:

To modify weather data for existing climates into the relevant future climate change scenarios required in the criteria. Alternative location Where the weather file for the nearest location for the project is not representative of the actual location’s climatic conditions, the project team can use the weather file from another nearby location which is more representative. This can take account of the climatic influences of altitude, prevailing wind, proximity to climate-moderating features, or heat island effect.

19-May-2025 - Added example alternative format. Added links to future climate change resources.
18-Dec-2024 - Merged with KBCN1013. Scheme applicability updated.

New Construction / NOR / V6 / 02 - Health and Wellbeing /