BREEAM Compliant Water Coolers

What is BREEAM?

BREEAM was first introduced in 1990 and is the leading environmental assessment rating system in the world. According to statistics from BREEAM, there are more than 2 million commercial buildings such as offices and retail developments globally that have achieved this status.

The Benefits of a BREEAM Rating

There are many reasons why a commercial building might want to achieve a BREEAM rating: it can reduce the running costs and energy bills of an organisation, enhance productivity among staff, improving sustainability and demonstrate the organisations dedication to the environment, thus improving the company’s image in the eye of the consumer.

Among other factors, the rating puts the focus on:

• Low carbon
• The use of energy efficient technologies
• Low impact design and
• Reduction in energy demands to protect the environment

Assessment and Credits

To achieve BREEAM status, an assessment will be carried out and credits awarded for various elements of the premises including air quality, thermology and water quality; installing a BREEAM compliant water cooler can help a commercial building or college/university to gain the all-important BREEAM rating.

Water Quality Standards

In order to receive a credit for water quality, the people that occupy the premises must have a constant supply of fresh drinking water and it must adhere to the following standards as set out on page 119 of the BREEAM Manual.

a) Educational buildings and community use / centres:

i. Chilled, mains fed point of use water coolers accessible to pupils /students/ users / staff (as applicable throughout the day.

ii. Provision in safe and convenient locations e.g. dining / assembly halls, classrooms / common rooms, wide corridors, indoor social areas, changing rooms / gymnasia, concourse.

iii. One compliant point of use water cooler is provided for every 200 building users, subject to a minimum of one water cooler being provided for any building with less than 200 users.

iv. All coolers must be attached to both the wall and the floor to prevent vandalism, and contain security covers to protect all water and electrical connections.

b) Permanently staffed buildings / office areas:

i. Chilled, mains fed point of use water supply or point of use water coolers.

ii. Provision in each staff kitchenette, or in a suitable location on each floor level, and in a staff canteen (if provided).

c) Sports / fitness and recreational areas / buildings / office areas:

i. Chilled, mains fed point of use water coolers.

ii. Provision in each changing area or a public concourse

iii. Where point of use coolers are provided they must be attached to both wall and the floor to prevent vandalism, and contain security covers to protect all water and electrical connections.

Applying for BREEAM status

Any company can request an assessment, but before they do, they’ll need to make sure that they have all of the relevant measures in place such as a BREEAM compliant water cooler to help ensure they will be accepted.

^{BREEAM is a registered trademark of BRE (the Building Research Establishment Ltd. Community Trade Mark E5778551). The BREEAM marks, logos and symbols are the Copyright of BRE and are reproduced by permission.}