1. Simplification of BREEAM

The BREEAM Simple Buildings guidance has been created to simplify the assessment process for certain buildings. The guidance contains fewer assessment criteria than other BREEAM schemes. It also includes the simplification of a further 10 issues.

2. What does this means for us and our clients? 

The cost of undertaking a BREEAM Simple Buildings assessment will be less. Build costs will also be reduced as inappropriate criteria are not considered. It should be noted that these building types are inevitably cheaper as they do not include major renewables and air conditions systems.

The credits removed to make the scheme more cost effective include:

• No Acoustician or Ecologist needs to be appointed
• Costly testing requirements for formaldehyde have been simplified
• A travel plan is also no longer required

Simple Buildings will also get recognition for Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) and their use of recycled aggregates within the building.

As there is less evidence to gather the assessment costs and the certification fees to BREEAM are reduced.

3. Forms of Assessment

This scheme may also be used for Shell and Core units where design teams know the above systems will not be included. However, this may be difficult for areas where there is no tenant and therefore no fit out specifications are known other than the green building lease to confirm compliance with BREEAM issues. Where we know that the building use will be designed to utilise simple systems this can now be registered for the scheme.

Any scheme that changes at fit out stage to include more complex systems would then need to complete a full fit out assessment using the full BREEAM New Construction rather than BREEAM Simple Buildings.

4. Case study

The type of building that can be assessed by this new method has been highlighted by the front cover of the BREEAM Simple Buildings Manual which shows Bygrove Primary School. This was assessed by Samantha Lye of Richard Hodkinson Consultancy under BREEAM Education 2008, achieving Excellent. It was an extension to the school, to provide additional space.  The building was naturally ventilated and included a new boiler for heating using under-floor heating along with new lighting and power. The design of simple layouts with simple building services would now allow this school to be assessed under BREEAM Simple Buildings.

5. Simple Buildings Criteria

Any buildings that do NOT include the following ‘complex systems’ could be assessed as a BREEAM ‘Simple Building’:

• Air conditioning and refrigerant systems
• Mechanical ventilation (local toilet extract is allowed)
• Significant renewable energy sources
• District heating systems (connection to an existing system is allowable)
• Laboratories
• Major water consuming plant such as swimming pools or vehicle wash systems
• Cold storage plant
• Escalators

Changes

The 2013 Code of Considerate Practice will now be split into five sections:

• Appearance
• Community
• Environment
• Safety
• Workforce

 A copy of the 2013 Code of Considerate Practice can be found here.

The monitor’s checklist supports the Code of Considerate Practice and will consist of 5 sections; each section will include 10 questions comprising both open and closed questions.  The first four bold, closed questions are aligned to the four bullet points of the Code of Considerate Practice. The next six non-bold, open questions directly support the bold questions by asking ‘what’ is being done and ‘how’ things are being addressed to meet and exceed the required standards.  The five sections will be scored out of ten points and a total of 50 points can be achieved, a five point score in any one section indicates compliance; half point scoring will no longer be included. 

A copy of the 2013 site monitor checklist can be found here.

Scoring

Scores awarded reflects the monitor’s opinion on how the site is performing, this is based on what they see at the time of the visit and their discussion with the site manager.  Failure to address all bold compliance questions in a section will be awarded a non-compliant score for that section, regardless of any other positive activities or initiatives undertaken relevant to that section.

A copy of the site scoring system can be found here.

Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM Credits

The scheme has been liaising with the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM to recommend the following changes to their rating system to take into account the new scoring system:

Company Registration

Changes will also affect developers that have the company registration; where the Scheme previously had separate Codes of Considerate Practice for sites and companies, the new Code of Considerate Practice applies to both.  The Company Registration Monitor’s Checklist has been changed and this is currently being reviewed. This will be finalised and signed off in the coming weeks, and the final version will be sent to all registered companies as soon as it is available.

A copy of the Company Code of Practice and company scoring system can be found by clicking on the links.

 A flyer has been provided by CCS which gives a summary of the changes and can be found here.

We show below our recommended approach which should avoid any uncertainty:

• BREEAM New Construction Shell & Core Assessments are a less complex assessment specifically designed for later tenant fit out of commercial spaces.
• We recommend the use of this approach with tenants agreements on a fixed lease or a green lease of recommendations to the tenants.
• Get BREEAM Shell & Core certification early in the build process. Incoming tenants need to know what is ahead. With an initial BREEAM certificate and a tenants agreement this can allow them to plan the fit out to meet the final BREEAM certification requirements.
• As part of this process within BREEAM New Construction watch out for the mandatory credits.
• Extensive consultation being completed for the wider project at feasibility stage must be undertaken to be compliant with BREEAM requirements to achieve free credits.
• Use a BREEAM Accredited Professional for BREEAM advice and to obtain additional free credits.
• There is a mandatory 25% reduction over 2010 Building Regulation CO₂ emissions for BREEAM Excellent. Develop a strategy for meeting this difficult issue early in the design process.

The Code Assessor is an important member of the team, who will not only be responsible for completing the Code compliance requirements for the development, but can also assist on which credits should be aimed for and how they can be achieved. It is recommended that a core team is formed, to include the developer, architect, civil engineer, an ecologist and SAP assessor. By doing this at the planning application stage, easily achievable credits will not be lost and mandatory credits complied with. Some credits can be achieved more easily if they are integrated into the design at the earliest stage e.g. orientating roofs and living spaces to the south to make optimum use of solar energy.

2. TARGET THE ‘EASY-WIN’ CREDITS

Several credits can be achieved through measures which are independent of the design. This includes simple measures such as energy-efficient light fittings and a drying line. These will be cost-effective to specify in most developments. Ecological enhancements should also be promoted due to their credit weighting.

3. CONSIDER THE SITE SPECIFIC CREDITS

By considering factors such as flood risk and ecological value at an early stage, a baseline Code score can be assessed. Sites with a high ecological value or with a risk of flooding are likely to increase the cost of achieving a high Code rating. An ecological survey carried out in accordance with the Code Guidance will still be worthwhile as a means of improving the score for most sites, although the number of credits that can be achieved on Greenfield sites will be limited. Areas of flood risk or those on Greenfield will also determine the drainage strategy in meeting the Mandatory SUR1 Issue.

4. EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Implementing measures at the construction stage in relation to the monitoring of water and/or energy use and reducing the risk of pollution can be a cost-effective way to improve your Code score, but this does require preparation in advance of starting on site so that procedures are in place and the workforce are aware of them. In particular, a Site Waste Management Plan is a mandatory requirement (for developments costing more than £300,000.00) that must be given early consideration. Modern Methods of Construction using offsite construction can help make this process easier.

5. FACTOR IN THE SUR1 ISSUES AT PLANNING

Paying early attention to the potential incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems can be cost-effective and provides amenity value through the use of water features such as ponds and swales. The mandatory SUR1 requirement to reduce runoff volumes, and not just peak runoff rates, is an important one to get right, necessitating full consideration of infiltration and rainwater harvesting opportunities, particularly on Greenfield sites. Rainwater harvesting can contribute to reducing surface water runoff and reduce internal water consumption, but this needs very careful design to meet the requirements of both.

6. PLAN THE LAYOUT TO PROVIDE THE SPACE YOU NEED

Considering the site layout from an early stage offers the best opportunity to include the space requirements for highly weighted Lifetime Homes credits, and a design that enables direct access to rear gardens ensures that garden sheds can be used for cycle storage facilities.

7. CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF YOUR MATERIALS

Looking at the proposed construction materials means that most construction types can perform well . there are many equivalent products with low environmental performance. There is a mandatory requirement for at least 3 building elements to achieve at least a D rating under the BRE Green Guide to Housing Specification.

8. MAXIMISE YOUR MANGEMENT CREDITS

High levels of credits (possible 10) should be sought in the Management Category. This involves the provision of Home User Guides to the occupants, meeting Part 2 (Physical Security) of Secured by Design award and developing site principles to reduce pollution and nuisance to the area in close proximity to the development during construction. This Category can actually provide cost savings to the developer, and real and tangible benefits to the new occupants and exisiting residents in the surrounding area.

 9. INSULATE TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE CONSUMPTION

Designing the building fabric to achieve good sound performance and air tightness and to avoid thermal bridges requires many of the same principles and can help achieve credits in several different areas. Building fabric with a high thermal performance will help reduce carbon emissions and provide benefits to residents for the full lifetime of the building.

10. EMPLOY STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE ENERGY SOURCES

Developers should ensure that a strategy is in place for the incorporation of low and zero carbon technologies. Almost all developments will need these technologies to meet Code Level 3 or higher, and the mandatory requirements for carbon dioxide emissions can be very expensive or impractical to achieve unless their integration is planned from the start.

CONSIDERATE
This section is intended to discover whether the site is fully aware of all those who may be affected by the work and thereafter to see what efforts are made to minimise any nuisance or inconvenience.

Communication

• Preparing a public relations plan for engagement with the local community
• Arranging out of office meetings and open days for residents, schools, businesses etc.
• Inviting neighbours to advise of any special requirements that they may have during the construction process
• Holding meetings with neighbours before major deliveries and site activities
• Providing for disabled visitors to the site e.g. site notices in Braille

Site Parking

• Renting a car park for the duration of a project with site operatives brought to site by minibus
• Promoting and monitoring an operatives’ car share scheme
• Allocating cycle parking spaces
• Providing a designated disabled parking bay
• A yellow card system in place for operatives who parked inconsiderately. Banning anyone from the site with two yellow cards.

Diversions

• A small gantry built over works to prevent an excessive diversion for pedestrians
• Providing local residents affected by a road diversion with a lift to the local bus stop
• Leasing a strip of land to provide a better, safer route for pedestrians

Deliveries

• Agreeing the most appropriate routes to the site with the local highways authority
• Restricting deliveries to site to certain set times.
• Asking delivery drivers to contact the site when they are close to allow appropriate measures to be taken to enable wagon access, minimising traffic delays.

Perimeter

• Escorting a partially blind neighbour of the site around the site boundary to allow her guide dog to become accustomed to the changes
• Designing all access and boundaries in conjunction with the Disability Access Advisory Group.
• Erecting fences, higher than required, to avoid overlooking neighbours’ gardens
• Discouraging smoking on the boundary of the site through the provision of a dedicated smoking area

ENVIRONMENT

This section examines how aware the site is of its impact on the environment (energy, waste, pollution, resources, ecology etc) and examines what is done to minimise this and make a positive contribution.

Policies

• Requiring all site operatives to pass an environmental test as part of their induction
• Assigning a manager as an ‘environmental manager’ on site
• Producing a ‘Save Energy in Our Office’ policy document
• Holding an environmental awareness  training day every month

Waste

• Making every effort to reuse materials on site e.g. salvaged timber for shuttering
• Retaining and crushing some of the demolition waste to form hard-standing
• Displaying information about the site’s environmental performance on site hoardings
• The off-site fabrication of as many components as possible to limit waste and speed up the build process

Ecology

• Developing a new site entry point where there was concern that the current access route would disturb tree routes
• Producing A3 laminated sheets regarding local wildlife and displaying around the site
• Introducing a ‘tree sponsorship’ scheme
• Excavating large swards of local flowers and transplanting in a local park

Hazardous Materials

• Setting up a bunded area within the compound for all refuelling
• Training two site operatives to deal with any spillages
• Removing hydrocarbons from the site using a vacuum method
• Creating a paint brush cleaning point

Energy Efficiency

• Collecting, storing and reusing rainwater on site to reduce mains water usage
• Providing toolbox talks regarding the importance of energy efficient behaviour on site
• Providing a cycle loan scheme to encourage operatives to cycle to work
• Piloting renewable energy sources, wind turbines and solar panels on the site accommodation buildings

Pollution

• Using energy efficient lighting with sensors
• Using directional ‘white noise’ reversing warning systems on all vehicles
• Researching and implementing a ‘silent’ piling technique to reduce noise
• Forming a fenced exclusion zone to prevent any pollution entering an adjacent canal

CLEANLINESS

Is this site doing all it can to appear clean, tidy and well presented? Are the facilities clean and of a standard of which the industry should be proud?

Perimeter

• Inspecting the site boundary first thing every morning and removing all graffiti, dirt and litter immediately
• All vehicles leaving the site having to pass a cleanliness check with the banksman
• Repainting hoarding regularly to look clean and new
• Cleaning the nearby public park during a neighbourhood clean-up day

Facilities

• Providing a changing room with boot cleaners next to the welfare facilities and site offices to encourage the removal of wet/muddy clothes and boots
• Displaying a cleaning schedule in the facilities to indicate that cleaning had been carried out
• Carrying out hourly checks on the toilets and facilities

Site

• Allocating all roads on the site hard surfaces from the start
• Using an effective wheel wash for all vehicles leaving the site
• Adopting a training and enforcement scheme to achieve a litter free site
• Training one of the site operatives and giving them the job of ‘dust champion’

Vehicles

• Cleaning all the site vehicles inside and out to promote the positive image of the company

GOOD NEIGHBOUR

How well is this site communicating with those that may be interested or affected? When the project is complete, what impression will the contractor leave behind?

Site Presentation

• A local artist was invited to paint site hoardings to resemble the look of a finished building
• Providing excellent viewing facilities, including an observation cabin
• Enhancing site presentation by clear signage, excellent ramped paving, an attractive fence and colourful plant tubs

Communication

• On completion of the work, the contractor sent a questionnaire to  all affected neighbours, requesting
  comments and feedback
• Adopting a comments box for the neighbours of the site
• Distributing key fobs to all locals affected by works on site which included a 24 hour contact number
• An online video diary was made to inform neighbours about site activities
• When trees had to be removed, the site was open and transparent regarding details of the permission granted and reasons, including action that would be taken to plant replacements

Goodwill

• Employing a full time Tenant Liaison Officer on the site
• Donating surplus materials
• Providing sponsorship to local charities, schools and clubs
• Offering use of the site to emergency services for training purposes

Complaint Handling

• Maintaining and displaying a complaints log in the site office
• Pre-empting complaints by analysing neighbours’ feedback at the pre-commencement stage
• Setting up neighbours’ meetings with the local council, businesses and residents on sites where there are numerous objections

Avoiding Nuisance

• Using silent security alarms to avoid the disturbance of false alarms
• Creating a separate compound within the site for all cutting and grinding, well away from neighbours and the public
• Adopting off-site construction methods to reduce noise and time spent on site
• Where a site was adjacent to a school, carrying out noisy work during the lunch hour to avoid disturbing lessons

RESPECTFUL

Does every person on the site create a positive image of their company and the industry? What does the site and its accommodation say about what is important to the contractor?

Operatives

• Colour coordinating all hard hats on site with clear charts displayed showing the colour designations
• Running an ‘operative of the month’ award  to recognise good conduct and personal presentation
• Including photographs and videos at induction to deal with neighbours and passers-by
• Providing free internet access in the site canteen

Facilities

• Including a dedicated disabled toilet with separate access
• Providing a prayer room and appropriate facilities for those that required it
• Giving site operatives company branded kit bags to encourage them to use the showers provided
• Providing battery charging lockers
• Including a recreational room within the site

SAFE

What is the impression you get regarding safety on this site? Is it promoted clearly and strongly to operatives, visitors and the general public? Is there a proactive approach to driving up standards?

General Public and Neighbours

• Providing open safety sessions for the neighbours
• Where the site had made a temporary crossing, it was not only ramped but tactile paving was used
• Inviting the HSE to  site to review specific and innovative site practice
• Designating one way traffic routes through the site with clearly signed speed limits

Operatives

• Removing all trip hazards from the emergency exits to the extent of ramping all steps
• Selecting site operatives at random and asking them a series of site safety related questions
• Displaying safety reports and the minutes of meetings in the site office and canteen
• Operating a safety league table to find the safest contractor/operative
• Drawing up a colour coded scheme to indicate which operatives are permitted to work in each zone and what level of PPE is required

Visitors

• Including a bell on site hoarding to attract the attention of the Site Manager
• Holding a stock of clean PPE at the site entrance for visitors

RESPONSIBLE

As an employer, is the site ‘responsible’ to the operatives on site and to the public in general? Is the contractor also playing a role in the recruitment and training of the industry’s future workforce?

Occupational Health and First Aid

• Due to the site being spread over a large area, all operatives were issued with a handout giving details (including maps) of local A&E facilities
• Extending occupational health facilities to include stress, debt and relationship counselling advice
• Carrying out random drug and alcohol tests on site
• Providing water dispensers throughout the site
• Promoting a blood donor campaign with operatives encouraged to take part

Security

• Providing operatives with a ‘passport’ and helmet stickers as evidence of having successfully undergone the contractor’s induction
• Providing site operatives, including all sub contractors, with plastic photo ID cards
• Where operatives worked in occupied residential properties, safes were provided for the valuables of concerned residents

Educational Visits

• Developing a site safety board game to instruct and entertain children visiting the site
• Training staff as ‘Young Ambassadors in Construction’ which promotes confidence in young professionals to visit schools to talk about careers in construction
• Site arranging visits to the local school
• Site hosting three events during National Construction Week

Equal Opportunities

• Following Site Manager’s active encouragement, two disabled site operatives were employed on site – one as a painter and one as a cleaner
• Carrying out a special needs survey prior to works starting on site
• Allocating a designated female changing room
• Putting measures in place to allow the employment of disabled persons and talks were held with local Disability Employment Advisers during site set up

ACCOUNTABLE

In addition to familiarising all those involved in the project, what is being done to promote the Scheme to the wider public? Is the contractor accountable and accessible? What is being done to create a sense of pride in working in construction?

To the Considerate Constructors Scheme

• An on-site CCS champion was appointed to set targets and monitor performance against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice
• CCS posters were displayed in frames
• Awareness of the CCS promoted through briefings by Directors and Managers to subcontractors
• Site maintaining a file detailing what it had done in relation to the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice and what it intended to do

To the General Public

• Providing, at the site entrance, a covered board giving the names and photos of key site personnel, as well as an overview of site progress
• Encouraging all operatives and delivery drivers to point out visual changes that could be made to the outside of the site to improve its image
• Carrying out ongoing customer satisfaction surveys aimed at achieving 100% neighbourhood satisfaction

To Operatives

• Distributing Scheme leaflets to all sub-contractor companies that were not fully aware of the Scheme
• Updating a weekly display board in the canteen showing selected bullet points taken from the CCS ‘Site Manager’s Terms of Reference’
• Issuing all operatives with the CCS Operatives Handout as part of their induction
• Displaying and monitoring Site Monitors’ Reports as the basis of toolbox talks

Training

• Holding careers advice sessions for site staff
• Training staff to identify and manage a ‘bomb discovery’ incident
• Site holding a full record of operatives’ training and other certification, as well as their photographs, and information about medical conditions
• Putting the Site Manager forward as a mentor for students of the local construction college
• Maintaining a photographic record of examples of good and bad practice, and discussing these with operatives

GENERAL

What measures, if any, have been implemented on this site that could be classed as exceptional and unique?

Examples of above best practice are site specific for this section.

Note: Recommendations for above best practice behaviour are correct as of 20th March 2010. Further recommendations and advice can be found at:
http://www.ccscheme.org.uk/index.php/site-registration/site-managers-information/examples-of-good-practice

• Fulfil all of the elements within Checklist Man1 of the Code Technical Guidance
• Be fully researched to ensure accurate information
• Describe specifications for all house and flat types
• Is made available in alternative formats (e.g. Braille) upon request
• Is signed off by the developer

The aim of this section of the Code is to encourage and reward the provision of guidance to occupants for them to understand and operate their home efficiently and make best use of local facilities.

]]> http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2011/03/21/home-user-guides-and-the-code-for-sustainable-homes/feed/ 0 http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2009/11/23/code-checklist-for-site-managers/ http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2009/11/23/code-checklist-for-site-managers/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:59 +0000 Michael http://www.geeksareforlife.net/?p=528 A vital part of the Code for Sustainable Homes is that the final certificate is only achieved after a check at completion. Site Managers therefore need to ensure that evidence is available showing all the measures to obtain Code points.

Our download shows the actions needed during construction.

We recommend that at the start of construction a filing system divided into the Code sections is set up on site to collect the required information. It is fundamentally important that the on site team are aware of the Code issues to ensure a smooth post construction assessment process.

The download provides a checklist of services that can be offered for Code evidence.

Our attached Tracker Tool takes forward the Pre-Assessment process by providing a greater level of detail as to what is required, as well as using a traffic light system for the supply of information from design team members.