WST 04 - Speculative Floor and Ceiling Finishes

Designed-out or integrated finishes - KBCN1066

The requirements for this credit are met when either:

No finishes within the scope of the issue have been specified, or
Finishes are integrated into the asset and designed in a way that the finish cannot be removed. For instance, a self-finished timber floor or exposed soffit which cannot be removed and does not require additional finishes when installed.

This issue recognises avoiding unnecessary waste of materials.

16-May-2023 - Merged with KBCN0046. Scheme applicability updated. Name updated for clarity.

Part 2 and/or 3 assessment; floors and ceilings not affected by works - KBCN0682

For a Part 2 and/or 3 only assessment (i.e. Parts 1 and 4 do not form part of the assessment), where it can be shown that there are to be no changes or minimal reinstatement of the floor, ceiling and interior finishes, the credit can be awarded.

Speculative floor finishes – Take-back and re-use policy - KBCN1702

Where a developer has an established written policy whereby unwanted floor finishes will be removed for re-use elsewhere prior to the tenant taking possession, this can be considered as meeting the aim of this issue. This is only applicable to types of flooring which are suitable for re-use, can be easily removed and do not require the use of adhesives or other permanent means of fixing. Additionally, the tenancy agreement must otherwise prohibit the removal of the flooring by the tenant Evidence to support this approach would include: • A copy of the take-back policy • Details of the flooring type and material • A copy of the tenancy agreement

Speculative office including floor finishes/suspended ceiling - KBCN0259

The requirements can still be met where a speculative development includes the installation of floor finishes/suspended ceilings provided a Lease Agreement will be implemented to confirm that tenants are not permitted to remove these finishes. BREEAM recognises that incoming tenants may need to adapt ceiling or floor finishes to suit the requirements of their fit-out. Therefore, where these finishes are installed throughout, in line with Criterion 2, the following applies: A tenancy agreement, applied to the first tenancy, should stipulate that floor or ceiling finishes may only be modified where necessary, for example, to accommodate new partitions, lighting or other services, to replace worn or damaged components or to replace small, localised areas with a specialist floor or ceiling to account for abnormal conditions, such as wet areas. Documentary evidence of this must be provided as evidence for the credit to be awarded.

18/04/2017 KBCN made applicable to NC 2016 and IRFO 2015  
05/07/2018 Paragraph added to clarify the requirements of the tenancy agreement
27 Jul 2021 Clarified that the terms of paragraph 2 apply also to floor finishes

[KBCN withdrawn] ~ No floor or ceiling finishes fitted - KBCN00046

Where the developer has not specified or installed any floor or ceiling finishes, the requirements are met. This issue recognises where the potential for generating unnecessary waste of materials has been avoided.