BREEAM provides clients, developers, designers and others with:

• market recognition for low environmental impact buildings
• assurance that best environmental practice is incorporated into a building
• inspiration to find innovative solutions that minimise the environmental impact
• a benchmark that is higher than regulation
• a tool to help reduce running costs, improve working and living environments
• a standard that demonstrates progress towards corporate and organisational environmental objectives

BREEAM addresses wide-ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients. It:

• uses a straightforward scoring system that is transparent, easy to understand and supported by evidence-based research
• has a positive influence on the design, construction and management of buildings
• sets and maintains a robust technical standard with rigorous quality assurance and certification

In the assessment procedure, credits are given for performance indicators in a range of areas. Aquilar can supply a range of products to help with two areas within the assessment:

Water and Pollution, each area is summarised below –

WATER

Wat 03 Water Leak Detection and Prevention – No. of credits available: 2

Aim – To reduce the impact of water leaks that may otherwise go undetected

One Credit – Demonstrate compliance for a leak detection system which is capable of detecting a major water leak on the mains water supply within the building and between the building and the utilities water meter.

One Credit – Demonstrate compliance for one of the following flow control devices fitted to each WC area/facility to ensure water is supplied only when needed (and therefore prevent minor water leaks):

a. A time controller i.e. an automatic time switch device to switch off the water supply after a predetermined interval
b. A programmed time controller i.e. an automatic time switch device to switch water on and/or off at predetermined times.
c. A volume controller i.e. an automatic control device to turn off the water supply once the maximum preset volume is reached.
d. A presence detector and controller i.e. an automatic device detecting occupancy or movement in an area to switch water on and turn it off when the presence is removed *
e. A central control unit i.e. a dedicated computer-based control unit for an overall man-aged water control system, utilising some or all of the types of control elements listed above.

(* The Aquitron AT-PIR-SOV complies with item d.)

POLLUTION

Pol 01 Impact Of Refrigerants – No. of credits available: 3

Aim – To reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions arising from the leakage of refrigerants from building systems.

One Credit – 5. Demonstrate where systems using refrigerants are contained in a moderately air tight enclosure (or a mechanically ventilated plant room), and an automated permanent refrigerant leak detection system is installed covering high-risk parts of the plant OR where a refrigerant leakage/charge loss detection system is specified, which is not based on the principle of detecting or measuring the concentration of refrigerant in air.

Relevant definitions

Refrigerant leak detection: An automated permanently installed multi-point sensing system, designed to continuously monitor the atmosphere in the vicinity of refrigeration equipment and, in the event of detection, raise an alarm. The system may be aspirated or have multiple sensor heads linked to a central alarm unit or BMS. Various sensor types are available including infra-red, semi-conductor or electro-chemical *

* All Aquitron refrigerant leak detection systems are either aspirated or are based on infra-red, semi-conductor and electro-chemical sensor technologies.

To see the range of Aquilar Products and Systems can help achieve BREEAM credits for water leak detection or refrigerant leak detection click here

BREEAM is a registered trade mark of the BRE Group and is used by permission. Aquilar Ltd and its products are not affiliated, endorsed or certified by BRE Global or its affiliates. All rights are reserved.