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Man 03 Responsible construction practices

Number of credits available	Minimum standards
6	Yes

Aim

To recognise and encourage construction sites which are managed in an environmentally and socially considerate, responsible and accountable manner.

Assessment criteria

This issue is split in to four parts:

Environmental management (1 credit)
Sustainability Champion (1 credit)
Considerate construction (up to 2 credits)
Monitoring of construction-site impacts (2 credits).

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

Pre-requisite

All timber and timber-based products used on the project is 'Legally harvested and traded timber' (see Relevant definitions).

Note: For other materials there are no pre-requisite requirements at this stage.

One credit – Environmental management

The principal contractor operates an environmental management system (EMS) covering their main operations. The EMS must be either:
1. Third party certified, to ISO 14001/EMAS or equivalent standard; or
2. Have a structure that is in compliance with BS 8555:2003 and has reached phase four of the implementation stage, ‘implementation and operation of the environmental management system’, and has completed phase audits one to four, as defined in BS 8555:2003.
For Healthcare NHS buildings, see the pre-requisite for this issue in compliance note Man 03 Responsible construction practices
The principal contractor implements best practice pollution prevention policies and procedures on-site in accordance with Pollution Prevention Guidelines, Working at construction and demolition-sites: PPG61Working at construction and demolition-sites: PPG6, Pollution Prevention Guidelines. Environment Agency, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA); 2012. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business, www.sepa.org.uk..

One credit – Sustainability Champion (construction)

A Sustainability Champion is appointed to monitor the project to ensure ongoing compliance with the relevant sustainability performance/process criteria, and therefore BREEAM target(s), during the Construction, Handover and Close Out stages (as defined by the RIBA Plan of Works 2013, Stages 5 and 6).
To do this the Sustainability Champion will ideally be site based or will visit the site regularly to carry out spot checks, with the relevant authority to do so, and will require action to be taken to address shortcomings in compliance. The Sustainability Champion will monitor site activities with sufficient frequency (see compliance note CN3.3) to ensure that risks of non-compliance are minimised. They will report on progress at relevant project team meetings including identifying potential areas of non-compliance and any action needed to mitigate.
The defined BREEAM performance target forms a requirement of the principal contractor's contract (see Man 01 Project brief and design: CN3.2 and Man 01 Project brief and design – Relevant definitions).
To achieve this credit at the final post construction stage of assessment, the BREEAM-related performance target for the project must be demonstrably achieved by the project. This is demonstrated via the BREEAM assessor’s final post construction stage assessment report.

Up to two credits - Considerate construction

Where the principal contractor has used a ‘compliant’ organisational, local or national considerate construction scheme and their performance against the scheme has been confirmed by independent assessment and verification.
The BREEAM credits can be awarded as follows:
1. One credit where the contractor achieves ‘compliance’ with the criteria of a compliant scheme.
2. Two credits where the contractor significantly exceeds ‘compliance’ with the criteria of the scheme.
  Refer to the Relevant definitions section for a list of compliant schemes and therefore how performance, as determined by a compliant scheme, translates in to BREEAM credits.

Up to two credits - Monitoring of construction-site impacts

Responsibility has been assigned to an individual(s) for monitoring, recording and reporting energy use, water consumption and transport data (where measured) resulting from all on-site construction processes (and dedicated off-site monitoring) throughout the build programme.
To ensure the robust collection of information, this individual(s) must have the appropriate authority and responsibility to request and access the data required. Where appointed, the Sustainability Champion could perform this role.

First monitoring credit - Utility consumption

Energy consumption

Criterion 8 is achieved.
Monitor and record data on principal constructor's and subcontractors' energy consumption in kWh (and where relevant, litres of fuel used) as a result of the use of construction plant, equipment (mobile and fixed) and site accommodation.
Report the total carbon dioxide emissions (total kgCO₂/project value) from the construction process via the BREEAM Assessment Scoring and Reporting tool.

Water consumption

Criterion 8 is achieved.
Monitor and record data on principal constructor's and subcontractors' potable water consumption (m³) arising from the use of construction plant, equipment (mobile and fixed) and site accommodation.
Using the collated data report the total net water consumption (m³), i.e. consumption minus any recycled water use from the construction process via the BREEAM Assessment Scoring and Reporting tool.

Second monitoring credit - Transport of construction materials and waste

Criterion 8 is achieved.
Monitor and record data on transport movements and impacts resulting from delivery of the majority of construction materials to site and construction waste from site. As a minimum this must cover:
1. Transport of materials from the factory gate to the building site, including any transport, intermediate storage and distribution, (see Relevant definitions).
2. Scope of this monitoring must cover the following as a minimum:
  1. Materials used in major building elements (i.e. those defined in BREEAM issue Mat 01 Life cycle impacts), including insulation materials.
  2. Ground works and landscaping materials.
3. Transport of construction waste from the construction gate to waste disposal processing/recovery centre gate. Scope of this monitoring must cover the construction waste groups outlined in the project's waste management plan.
Using the collated data, report separately for materials and waste, the total fuel consumption (litres) and total carbon dioxide emissions (kgCO₂ eq), plus total distance travelled (km) via the BREEAM Assessment Scoring and Reporting tool.

Exemplary level criteria

The following outlines the exemplary level criteria to achieve one innovation credit for this BREEAM issue:

With reference to the considerate construction criterion 7, in addition to meeting the criteria for two credits, the contractor achieves compliance with the criteria of the compliant scheme to an exemplary level of practice.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – BREEAM UK New Construction and Shell and Core Project Assessments for a more detailed description of the above shell and core assessment options.
Simple buildings
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria	Environmental management (1 credit) Criteria 1 to 3 Considerate construction (up to 2 credits) Criterion 7 Monitoring of construction-site impacts Utility consumption (1 credit) Criteria 8 to 14 Exemplary level performance (1 credit) Criteria 15, 16a, 16b and 17 Criterion 16c. As a minimum, this must cover inert materials, metals and mixed waste groups. Exemplary level criteria – Considerate construction (1 credit) Criterion 18
General
CN3	Site clearance	The scope of this issue applies to the principal contractor and their scope of works. If the scope of their works includes demolition and site clearance then this stage of work falls within the scope of the assessment and therefore the issue criteria.
CN3.1	Site timber and reusable formwork See criterion 2.	Reusable timber formwork itself does not automatically comply. All timber used in the manufacture of the formwork must be either initially reclaimed, or 'legally harvested and traded' (see Mat 03 Responsible sourcing of materials, Relevant definitions section).
CN3.2	Target setting	At present data from construction-sites do not generally exist in enough detail to set benchmarks and targets. BREEAM therefore does not set any requirements at present in terms of specific targets for reducing energy, water and transport consumption resulting from the construction process. While BREEAM does not require them, it is strongly recommended that site specific targets are set and reported against. Following adoption of widespread and consistent measurement and reporting protocols for construction-site impacts and collation of construction-site data, BREEAM is likely in future to establish consistent and complimentary targets as part of demonstrating compliance with this BREEAM issue (see also Man 03 Responsible construction practices).
CN3.3	Frequency of site monitoring See criterion 4.	In this context, visits should occur at key stages of the construction process, at times where: works can be observed before they are covered up or new works or trades start; where significant risks of conflicts or errors could occur; where timing is critical to demonstrating compliance; where key evidence is required to be produced at specific times including, but not limited to photographic, delivery notes and other documentary evidence; and where different trades and systems come together and one could harm the integrity or compliance of another system's performance against BREEAM requirements.
Building type specific
CN4	Healthcare (NHS sites) See criterion 2.	As a pre-requisite of awarding any of the available credits for this issue, the principal contractor must achieve the measure requiring operation of ‘An Environmental Management System’ (as defined in criterion 2 One credit – Environmental management).

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post construction stage
All	One or more of the appropriate evidence types listed in The BREEAM evidential requirements section can be used to demonstrate compliance with these criteria.
1	Refer to generic evidence requirement above	A copy of the principal contractors EMS/EMAS certificate or for BS8555, evidence of their status, e.g. a copy of their phase 4 audit.
2	Refer to generic evidence requirement above	Where certified materials were used, copies of all relevant certificates/chain of custody evidence.
7	Refer to generic evidence requirement above	Scheme certificate and/or compliance report.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Compliant organisational, local or national considerate construction schemes

The following are defined as compliant schemes for the purpose of this BREEAM issue:

Considerate Constructors Scheme.

To achieve BREEAM credits using the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) and its Code of Considerate Practice, the principal contractor must achieve scheme certification and a CCS score as follows:

One credit: a CCS score between 25 and 34*
Two credits: a CCS score between 35 and 39**
Exemplary level performance: a CCS score of 40 or more**.

* A score of at least 5 in each of the five sections must be achieved.
** A score of at least 7 in each of the five sections must be achieved.
A site can be visited by a CCS Monitor more than once and the CCS Certificate will be awarded based on the results of the CCS Monitor’s final visit. At the final stage of the BREEAM assessment, the number of BREEAM credits awarded should therefore be based on the final visit and the subsequent Monitor’s report and certified CCS score.

Considerate Constructors Scheme

The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is a national initiative set up by the UK construction industry to improve its image. The scheme is a self-financing, independent organisation owned by the Construction Umbrella Bodies (Holdings) Ltd (made up of the Construction Products Association and the Construction Industry Council). Sites and companies that register with the scheme sign up and are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

Construction processes

The construction process includes the enabling works, assembly, installation and dis-assembly activities necessary for servicing the construction and completion of a new building.

Dedicated off-site manufacturing or fabrication

Production of a component or material carried out in an off-site manufacturing or processing facility specifically set up for the development project.

Factory gate

For the purposes of this issue, the factory gate is defined as being the product manufacturer gate (i.e. where manufacture and pre-assembly finishes and the material is in its final product form).
Examples might include:

Steel/concrete/glass manufacturers for cladding, windows and beams etc.
Quarry gate for aggregate and sand
Concrete plant for concrete
Saw mill and timber processing plant for timber.

Legally harvested and traded timber

Refer to BREEAM issue Mat 03 Responsible sourcing of materials .

Sustainability Champion (Construction)

Members of formal schemes approved by BRE Global in connection with the provision of design advice. At present the following schemes are deemed to satisfy this requirement:

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) Membership Scheme
BRE Site Sustainability Manager Membership Scheme.

Sustainability Champions are trained and qualified to provide BREEAM-related advice to the design team to facilitate timely and successful target setting, scheduling, prioritisation and monitoring of BREEAM compliance relating to the design of the building. They will be subject to ongoing training and competency requirements to ensure that their knowledge is maintained. Providers of schemes/qualifications not listed, who feel their members meet this definition and who would like to be listed as approved membership schemes, should contact BRE Global.
Note: The aim of the Sustainability Champion credits is to encourage an integrated design and construction process that uses BREEAM as a framework for establishing, agreeing and achieving the desired level of sustainability performance for the project. The Sustainability Champion credits in this BREEAM issue focus on achieving this objective through the provision of appropriate expertise during the Construction, Handover and Close Out stages of the project.

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP)

Refer to Man 01 Project brief and design.

Site Sustainability Manager

An individual qualified by BRE to help to ensure quality in project delivery and to minimise the environmental impacts of the construction process, as well as achieving the intentions of the building designers. They are based on-site and ensure that the construction site is managed in an environmentally efficient manner and that the site teams are confident in achieving the exacting regulations and requirements of environmental certification schemes, for example BREEAM. Only qualified individuals who are members of BRE's associated membership scheme and are registered to the scheme throughout the period of construction comply with the BREEAM requirements. This membership ensures an adequate level of competence is maintained through regular continuing professional development (CPD) in key relevant areas.

Other information

CO₂ reporting protocols

At time of publication, the following guidance is available for CO₂ measuring protocols.

Encord: http://www.encord.org. They have launched a CO₂ reporting protocol.
GHG Protocol - http://www.ghgprotocol.org.
DECC guidance for business: https://www.gov.uk/measuring-and-reporting-environmental-impacts-guidance-for-businesses.

Tools for monitoring and targeting construction-site impacts

BRE’s online environmental reporting tool, SMARTWaste, enables users to capture, monitor and target a project's on-site energy consumption and produce a CO₂ footprint, water consumption and responsible sourcing of timber. Transport and CCS data can also be collected. The system can be used as a tool to help meet the criteria of this issue and as a source of evidence for demonstrating compliance. It is available through the SMARTWaste Membership scheme by developing tailor-made versions of SMARTWaste. More details on the tool and membership are available at www.smartwaste.co.uk

Compliant organisational, local or national considerate construction schemes

Where a considerate construction/constructors scheme exists and is not listed as a BREEAM-compliant scheme, the scheme administrator/operator should apply to BRE Global Ltd for details on how to achieve recognition as a compliant scheme.

Constructing Excellence and reporting of construction site impacts

Constructing Excellence publishes the construction industry key performance indicators (KPIs) based on data collected by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills via a voluntary quarterly survey returned by contractors throughout the UK. The Office of National Statistics also reports the annual results in the Construction Statistics Annual. One of the key performance indicators is the ‘amount of CO₂ emissions caused by the energy used during the construction process per £100,000 of project value (kgCO₂/£100k).

Information collated by contractors as part of their voluntary submissions to Constructing Excellence may also serve to help demonstrate compliance with this BREEAM issue.