Amenities – Pharmacy within a hospital or health centre - KBCN0321
To meet the requirements of 'Over the counter services associated with a pharmacy', a dispensary within a health centre or hospital can be considered as meeting the intent, provided it is publicly accessible and also offers the type of over-the-counter services associated with a stand-alone pharmacy, such as non-prescription medication and health products.
Note: This is a change to the approach outlined in the previous KBCN wording, therefore, for assessments registered before this update, where it can be demonstrated that the the assessor has advised the project team based on the previous wording, this can be accepted:
Superseded guidance:
A publicly accessible pharmacy would typically be required in order to constitute a suitable amenity. If it can be confirmed that an internal pharmacy (in Northern Ireland this may also include an onsite controlled medical dispensary) will provide prescribed medicines for building users, this is acceptable.
18 June 2025 - Title updated and wording amended to clarify the intent. Applied to NC V6 standards.
Safe pedestrian routes: definition, measurement and verification - KBCN0238
Definition
Safe pedestrian routes include pavements and safe crossing points, which may be controlled or, for example, be identified by tactile paving, a crossing island or a dropped kerb. An element of judgement may be required, in which case justification should be provided.
Measurement
Distances could be measured, for example, along a pavement, across a road at a safe crossing point and along the pavement on the other side. The distance should not be measured diagonally across a road, following the most direct route.
Evidence from Google Maps or other digital sources may be used to indicate routes and distances, provided that the scale is appropriate and clearly indicated.
Verification
The assessor’s site inspection is an important aspect of the assessment of this issue as it must confirm that all relevant information is current and should include photographs of any key areas. This may also help to identify safe crossing points or hazards which may not be apparent from a desktop study.
For BREEAM NC and RFO assessments, Google Streetview may be acceptable as evidence to demonstrate safe pedestrian routes and the presence of key features or amenities at Design Stage only. Such information must be verified as above for Final Certification.
07 Mar 2024 - No changes have been made. This appears as 'updated' due to an administrative error.
11 Jan 2024 - Wording re-structured for clarity
19 Dec 2023 - Applicability to BIU V6 confirmed
Information correct as of 25