New Construction / UK / 2018 / 07 Waste /
Wst 04 Speculative finishes (Offices only)
Information correct as of 17thMarch 2025. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.
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.
Speculative ceiling finishes – Substantial alterations - KBCN1141
The aim of this Issue is to avoid the unnecessary waste of materials, therefore the installation and subsequent removal of speculative finishes should not be permitted. However, BREEAM recognises that incoming tenants may need to adapt ceiling finishes to suit the requirements of their fit-out. Therefore, where ceiling finishes are installed throughout, in line with Criterion 2, the following applies:
A tenancy agreement, applied to the first tenancy, should stipulate that 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 ceiling to account for abnormal conditions, such as wet areas.
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
[KBCN withdrawn] ~ No floor or ceiling finishes fitted - KBCN00046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.
16-May-2023 - Merged with KBCN1066. Withdrawn.
20-Dec-2017 - KBCN wording simplified to add clarity.
Information correct as of 17thMarch 2025. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.