New Construction / International / V7 /
02 - Health and wellbeing
Information correct as of 20thAugust 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.
Appropriate project stage to appoint a suitably qualified acoustician - KBCN0256
BREEAM requires that a suitably qualified acoustician is appointed at an appropriate stage of the project, so as to ensure that early design advice on criteria of pre-requisition is met. The aim is to ensure that costly amendments to building designs are not made as a result of late appointment of the acoustician. Ultimately, it is for the assessor to determine at what stage of the project is deemed to be appropriate for this appointment to have taken place given the project specific circumstances and procurement type.
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.
Daylight – Shading devices - KBCN1815
If any of the assessed spaces are expected to contain moveable shading device (such as blinds), then a dynamic modelling of their use should be included in the calculation for options 2 and 3, consideration should be made to the shading guidance in EN 17037 or IES LM-83-23, respectively.
Option 1 does not have to include dynamic modelling of moveable shading devices. This will be updated in the next re-issue of the new construction version 7 schemes.
Definition of concourse - KBCN0386
A concourse is an open area within or in front of a public building which is used primarily for circulation, short term waiting, or incidental interaction, analogous to the concourse of a train station. It should not be considered occupied space.
Definition: cafe, canteen, catering kitchen, restaurants, bars - KBCN0691
For the purposes of the Acoustic Performance credit:
Informal cafés or canteen areas, catering kitchens are generally services provided by an organisation such as a college, factory, or company for it's students or staff.
Restaurants are places where food are served to the public on the premises. Compared to the examples above, restaurants can be independent and not ancillary, as per the BREEAM definition and scope.
Bars are establishment where soft drink/alcohol and sometimes other refreshments are served. They might be on their own or ancillary to other functions, e.g. hotels.
Emissions from construction products – Re-used and reclaimed products - KBCN1869
The Emissions from construction products criteria in BREEAM are intended to apply to newly manufactured construction products and materials.
Where a construction product can be robustly identified as previously used and is re-used or reclaimed, it may be considered as outside the scope of the Emissions from construction products criteria.
However, any new coatings, finishes, adhesives, sealants, or other chemical treatments applied for the product’s installation must be considered and assessed separately, where relevant.
Emissions from products – earlier versions of AgBB standard - KBCN0655
Guidance Note GN22 lists the standard AgBB (2015) as a recognised scheme for emissions from building products for pre-December 2015 launched BREEAM schemes.
Previous versions of the AgBB scheme are not listed as recognised schemes because earlier versions of AgBB did not include any requirement for the testing of Formaldehyde.
If an earlier version AgBB has been used, further evidence will be required to provide additional information on the required Formaldehyde testing.
10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to International NC V6.
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 KBCN871.
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:
- A category in Annex II of the EU Directive 2004/42/CE or,
- A category in the relevant product emission table of the technical manual,
then the paint or coating must be assessed.
Specialist paints and coatings are exempted from meeting the VOC content and 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.
02-Oct-2025 Reference to 'VOC content' added and KBCN applied to INC V7 to clarify CN2.1
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 – Recognition of carcinogen classifications from non-EU schemes - KBCN1879
Where BREEAM material emission criteria reference Category 1A and Category 1B carcinogens, these classifications are based on the EU CLP Regulation.
However, where a certification scheme or testing body does not work directly to EU CLP classifications, other recognised authoritative carcinogen classification systems may be accepted as an alternative basis for carcinogen identification. This can include:
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
• California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
Erratum – INC V7 Hea10 Natural hazards – CN3 - KBCN1833
CN3 incorrectly states- ‘Where flooding is the only risk identified, this issue will not be included in the assessment as flooding is addressed in Pol03 Flood and surface water management on page 381’
It should say - ‘Where flooding is the only risk identified, Criterion 2 is not applicable as flood mitigation is addressed in Pol03 Flood and surface water management on page 381’.
Criterion 1 must still be achieved where ‘Natural hazards’ has a >0% BREEAM weighting for the country/region. This can be viewed in the ‘Scoring and output’ section of the assessment.
If a risk assessment has been carried out and it identifies that flooding is the only risk – choose ‘Yes’ to all questions under this issue to award the credit.
The technical manual and the platform will be updated accordingly in the next re-issue.
Glare control – Venetian blinds - KBCN1867
Venetian blinds must demonstrably meet the openness factor and transmittance value for blinds, where specified within a BREEAM manual. If the specification data for Venetian blinds is not available, evidence of the two points below can be provided instead:
1. The blind slats can be fully closed and overlap so there are no gaps between them.
2. The slat material clearly transmits no light, for example solid and opaque plastic, wood or metal.
If the slat material is not solid and opaque, and is for example, perforated or made from woven fabric, the openness and transmittance values must be demonstrated in line with the criteria.
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.
GN06 Indoor air quality plans - KBCN0618
Latest version: v2.3, July 2026
Guidance Note 6 (GN06) provides guidance to assessors and project teams regarding the content and rigour of an Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP) as required by the indoor air quality criteria in BREEAM New Construction and BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out.
It should not be interpreted as BREEAM criteria. It is intended to provide assessors and project teams with further, flexible information and guidance regarding the rigour, content, and tasks of an IAQP.
Download Guidance Note 6
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v2.3)
GN22 Recognised schemes for emissions from construction products - KBCN0719
Latest version: v3.2, July 2026
Within the Health and Wellbeing category of several BREEAM schemes, credits are awarded for specifying materials that minimise emissions from building products of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The criteria involve meeting emission level performance requirements in accordance with compliant performance and testing standards.
Guidance Note 22 (GN22) lists schemes that show equivalent or better performance than the current BREEAM and HQM criteria and therefore can be used to demonstrate compliance with the criteria. This document should be read in conjunction with the relevant assessment issue guidance provided in the appropriate BREEAM or HQM technical manual.
The guidance note contains two tables:
- Table 1 is for use with BREEAM schemes that were first released before December 2015.
- Table 2 is for use with BREEAM (and HQM) schemes that were first released from December 2015 onwards (post-November 2015).
Download Guidance Note 22
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
Applying for inclusion in GN22
The list of approved schemes is based on those which have made a successful application to BREEAM. As such, there may be other operational schemes that could potentially be recognised.
To be considered for inclusion, the scheme operator must complete an application form, providing full details of the scheme, and submit this to BRE Global for technical approval. A flat rate charge is payable to cover the costs of administering and reviewing the application. GN22 will be updated following the approval of any schemes via this process.
The application form (BF1648) provides full details of the application process, and licensed BREEAM assessors can request a copy by submitting a technical query using the
webform. Other parties may request a copy by contacting:
breeam@bregroup.com
15-Jul-2026 - Release of GN22 3.2
25-Mar-2026 - Release of GN22 3.1
30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
25-Sep-2025 - Updated to provide details of the approval process and title updated.
30-Jan-2025 - Release of GN22 3.0
30-Sep-2024 - Release of GN22 2.9
01-Feb-2024 - Release of GN22 2.8
31-Jan-2023 - Release of GN22 2.7
10-Oct-2022 - This KBCN merged with KBCN0646. Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to UK and International NC V6.
25-Jan-2019 - Link to Guidance Note updated
12-Mar-2018 - Link to Guidance Note updated
GN50 Natural light calculation methodology for Hea 01 in BREEAM V7 - KBCN1683
Latest version: v1.0, July 2026
Guidance Note 50 (GN50) describes the calculation methodologies that underpin the natural light issue (Hea 01) within BREEAM V7. Guidance is provided for methodologies relating to the daylight criteria and the evaluation of glare from daylight criteria. All the calculation methods outlined in the technical manual for these criteria are described in this guidance note.
Download Guidance Note 50
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v1.0)
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.
Indoor air quality plan – scope - KBCN0294
Where possible, the indoor air quality plan must cover all items in the criteria. This means the plan must be completed for:
- Situations where BREEAM has been engaged later in the project (see KBCN1544).
- Shell only / shell and core projects - the plan must be completed for the scope of works being assessed.
- Refurbishment projects with a limited scope of works.
Within these requirements, there is flexibility for the design team to use their professional judgement to determine what is appropriate to meet the criteria.
Any exclusions must be clearly evidenced and justified.
As the basis for effective asset management, the indoor air quality plan must be written in a consistent and comprehensive manner. The report must address relevant aspects as fully as possible within the scope of the development.
11-Oct-2022 Title updated for clarity. Wording clarified. Content merged with KBCN0556. Reference to KBCN1544 added. Scheme applicability updated.
Post-construction measurement – formaldehyde / VOC levels exceed limits - KBCN0258
If the measured formaldehyde / VOC concentrations were above the prescribed limits, the appropriate remedial action must be taken, as described in the IAQ Plan. The criterion requires confirmation of 'the measures that have or will be undertaken' however it does not specifically address re-testing. We would expect, however that the IAQ Plan should outline what remedial measures are appropriate depending upon the severity and type of the non-compliance with prescribed limits. Such measures may include re-testing as a matter of 'best practice'.
Where levels are found to exceed these limits, the project team confirms the measures that have, or will be undertaken in accordance with the IAQ plan, to reduce the TVOC and formaldehyde levels to within the above limits.
10-Oct-2022 - Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to International NC V6.
Post-construction measurement – sampling methodology and KPIs - KBCN0380
When testing for VOCs post-completion and pre-occupancy, a representative sample of the building needs to be carried out. Each sample TVOC and formaldehyde measurement needs to achieve the threshold levels individually, either in the initial testing or after remedial measures have been implemented. This ensures that all tested areas of the building are below the limits, and that areas of non-compliance are not ‘averaged out’.
'When providing KPI test results for air quality post-construction / pre-occupancy within scoring and reporting tool, where the limits are exceeded and remediation and re-testing are carried out, the figure should be an average for the whole building post-remediation, as this is the key figure that reflects the building at its certified state'.
Where testing is not a requirement of the IAQ Plan and this is not carried out, the original testing figures should be entered and the assessment report should provide details of the remediation measures undertaken to reduce these to within the prescribed limits.
10-Oct-2022 Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Scheme applicability updated.
06-Dec-2017 Amended to account for situations where re-testing is not required by the IAQ Plan.
Prerequisite – Users with special hearing and communication needs - KBCN0969
Intent
Criterion 1c ensures that the suitably qualified acoustician has influenced the design of the asset to:
- Meet the acoustic requirements of users with special hearing and communication needs.
- Ensure that accessible acoustic design is considered where this is not adequately covered by local legislation.
What this should cover will depend on the asset type and expected users.
Asset users
The UK Department for Education document BB93
Acoustic design of schools: performance standards building bulletin 93 (February 2015) defines users with special hearing or communication needs as those with any of the following:
- Speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Visual impairments.
- Fluctuating hearing impairments caused by conductive hearing loss.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- An auditory processing disorder or difficulty.
- Being on the autistic spectrum.
This list is not exhaustive, and the suitably qualified acoustician must consider typical asset users, along with the other points a-d when giving early design advice regarding room layout, sound insulation and reverberation times.
Accessibility features
The principles of accessible design are universal and could be applied in a wide range of assets. Additional features that could be relevant to accessible acoustic design include, but are not limited to:
- Designation of quiet zones.
- Hearing assistive technologies.
- Induction loop systems.
- White noise machines.
- Infrared and FM systems to provide direct audio to individuals with special hearing needs.
- Noise barriers.
The suitably qualified acoustician must use their professional judgement to determine the scope of any such features as part of the design. Where no features are applicable this must be clearly justified.
04-Sep-2024: Wording and intent clarified. Information on additional accessibility features added. Scheme applicability updated. Title updated.
01-Mar-2019: Amended to clarify that this is a 'typical' list of users, but does not impose a new requirement.
Provision of fresh drinking water – risk of contamination - KBCN0302
Mandatory requirements relating to microbial contamination must be met for all buildings, however, the provision of fresh drinking water only applies where there are relevant areas in the building types. It may be justified that the drinking water requirement is not applicable to achieve the credit.
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 may be excluded from the safe access criteria. Where the whole assessment is within such a zone, the credit may be awarded by default.
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 1,000m
2) 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
Studio Bedroom Daylighting Calculations - KBCN0733
Where studio rooms in multi-residential projects include multiple area types (e.g. A kitchen and lounge area), compliance can be achieved where either:
1. The entire studio room meets the more onerous requirements
or
2. The room is nominally divided into the relevant spaces and the requirements are applied to each as appropriate.
Ventilation – filtration – non-residential assets - KBCN0797
Relevant specialist required
The design and specification of air filtration for mechanical ventilation requires the input and review of a relevant ventilation designer or specialist. It is their responsibility to interpret the requirements of this KBCN to align with local conditions.
Referenced standard
The requirements for air filtration in mechanical ventilation systems follows EN 16798-3:2017 Section B4.2. This standard replaces EN 13779:2007. See
KBCN1054.
Supply air quality
- For assessments using current standard EN 16798-3:2017 Section B4.2: The minimum supply air quality required is SUP2.
SUP 2 applies unless the asset’s function dictates even higher supply air quality. Please refer to a relevant specialist for further advice.
- For assessments using legacy standard EN 13779:2007 Annex A3: The default minimum indoor air quality category required is IDA2.
For international assessments where there is no relevant local guidance in the ASWL, the default non-domestic ventilation rates stated in the ASWL equate to an EN 13779 indoor air category of IDA2.
Outdoor air quality
The filtering required to achieve SUP2 is affected by outdoor air quality. Outdoor air quality (ODA) in both EN 16798-3:2017 and EN 13779:2007 are defined as:
- ODA 1: outdoor air that meets World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines or national air quality standards.
- ODA 2 exceeds ODA 1 levels by factor of ≤1.5.
- ODA 3 exceeds ODA 1 levels by factor > 1.5.
As ODA definitions are relative to national air quality standards, these will depend on local regulations and the location of the asset. Please refer to the relevant specialist on how to correctly classify ODA for your asset.
18-Nov-2022 Title amended to differentiate between residential and non-residential filtration KBCNs.
06-Sep-2022 KBCN re-written and re-named to clarify BREEAM ventilation filtration requirements in relation to new ventilation standards.
Ventilation – Single room MVHRs - KBCN1042
Single room mechanical ventilation heat recovery units do not need to show that the air intake and exhaust are a suitable distance apart.
However, the air intakes of these units must be located to minimise intake of other potential external pollutants.
11-Oct-2022 - Title amended for clarity and consistency. Wording simplified. Scheme applicability updated.
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.
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.
View out – eye level - KBCN0581
BREEAM defines an adequate view out as being at seated eye level (1.2 – 1.3m) within the relevant building areas. However, where occupants will not have the option to be seated, for example in some industrial operational areas where the work being undertaken requires occupants to remain standing, the height of the view out can be changed accordingly to suit the eye level of occupants. All other view out requirements have to be met and clear justification provided for changing the height/level of the view out.
In some relevant building areas, occupants may not be sitting down to undertake tasks. Allowing the view out height requirements to be changed accordingly ensures building occupants gain maximum benefit from the view out.
VOC credit issues – Clarification of scope - KBCN1797
The scope of these requirements does not include furnishings or moveable furniture, e.g. desks, seats or shelving.
It includes fixtures and fittings that are integral to the building, such as kitchen units and toilet cubicles. However, bespoke fixtures, such as purpose-made items of fixed furniture, can be excluded, as the specified compliance testing is not appropriate for such items.
Zoning and occupant control – access to lighting controls - KBCN00032
The relevant areas for the criteria apply only to areas where users are expected to have control.
For instance, this means that areas intended for the general public, or a shop floor would not be expected to have lighting controls.
The general principle which applies to user access to general environmental controls (heating, cooling, ventilation) may also apply to access to lighting controls. See
KBCN0170.
However, the the exact approach may differ between the two types of systems and assessor judgement must be used to determine compliance.
In all cases 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.
14-Dec-2022 - KBCN applicability updated to include BIU. Wording updated. Link to KBCN0170 created.
Zoning and occupant control – control via BMS - KBCN0703
Occupant control via a BMS is not normally considered a compliant BREEAM solution. Any solution that requires the action of a third party (e.g. facilities manager) is not considered under the control of the occupant. Solutions where all relevant building occupants have control via a user-interface via BMS may be considered compliant where the assessor is satisfied that the aim of the criteria are met.
User-control must be available directly to the occupant.
21-Jul-2026 - Applicability updated
01-Aug-2017 - KBCN applicability to Thermal comfort Issue removed.
Zoning and occupant control – PIR detection systems - KBCN0335
The aim of the Health & Wellbeing category is to recognize ways to benefit occupants through giving them control of their lighting environment. Without manual overrides, presence or absence detection lighting controls (such as PIR detection systems) are not compliant with the criteria.
BREEAM recognises the energy efficiency benefits of detection systems in buildings through the Energy category. In some cases, the design team may have to prioritize one particular lighting strategy to the detriment of achieving a credit elsewhere.
Information correct as of 20thAugust 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.