BREEAM Acoustic Assessments
BREEAM Hea 05, Hea 06 and Pol 05 Acoustic Assessment
Kimber Acoustics provides BREEAM acoustic assessment and design advice for Hea 05, Hea 06 and Pol 05 requirements, supporting projects from planning stage through design, construction and commissioning.
At planning stage, an acoustic assessment can help the design team understand whether the proposed development is capable of achieving the relevant BREEAM acoustic credits. This can also support the wider planning merits of the scheme by demonstrating that noise, vibration and acoustic design risks have been considered at an early stage, rather than left until construction or completion.
During the design stage, our role is to reduce acoustic risk before it becomes a construction issue. We review the relevant BREEAM requirements, identify the acoustic criteria that apply to the building type, and provide proportionate advice to help the design team meet the required performance standards. This can simplify the commissioning and testing process by making sure the design has been coordinated before the building reaches completion.
Our Hea 06 acoustic design advice, previously known as Hea 05 in BREEAM V6, can include sound insulation between spaces, room acoustic treatment, reverberation control, indoor ambient noise levels, building services noise and noise intrusion from environmental sources. Where ventilation or cooling strategies are relevant, we also consider the effect of mechanical ventilation, natural ventilation, overheating mitigation and external noise sources on the internal acoustic environment.
Our Pol 05 assessment work considers the potential noise impact of the completed development on nearby noise-sensitive receptors. This can include assessment of building services plant, ventilation systems, external equipment, operational noise sources and other relevant emissions from the site. Where required, we carry out baseline noise surveys, review source noise data, predict noise levels at nearby receptors and advise on mitigation measures needed to support compliance with the relevant BREEAM pollution criteria.
The exact acoustic requirements vary depending on the building type, the BREEAM scheme and the version of the assessment being used. The available credits and evidence requirements are not the same for every project. Kimber Acoustics carries out BREEAM design reviews, assessments and testing as a suitably qualified acoustician, helping the project team understand what is required and what evidence is likely to be needed.
Robert Kimber MIOA has achieved BREEAM acoustic credits on a wide range of building types, including education, healthcare, offices, law courts, other building types and residential institutions. This experience includes both design-stage acoustic advice and completion-stage testing or verification.
We are familiar with different editions of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, including the 2025 published Version 7 and previous assessment versions. This is important where projects are registered under an earlier scheme, or where the design team needs to confirm which version of the criteria applies.
Although Kimber Acoustics provides the acoustic design advice, assessment and supporting evidence, the BREEAM Assessor is ultimately responsible for reviewing the evidence and awarding the credits. We therefore encourage early liaison between the BREEAM Assessor, design team and acoustic consultant so that the assessment route, evidence requirements and commissioning strategy are clear from the outset.
Relevant standards and guidance
Relevant BREEAM schemes, standards and acoustic guidance include:
BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 / V6 / V6.1 | BREEAM New Construction V7 | BS 8233 | BS 4142 | ISO 16283 | ISO 3382 | HTM 08-01 | BB93 | Approved Document E | Court and Tribunal Design Guide
The applicable criteria depend on the BREEAM scheme, building type and assessment version, so we confirm the relevant acoustic requirements at the start of each appointment.
Typical deliverables
Typical BREEAM acoustic assessment work can include:
Planning-stage noise surveys and acoustic assessments to support BREEAM credit strategy and planning submissions
Design-stage advice on sound insulation, room acoustics, indoor ambient noise, building services noise and environmental noise intrusion
Commissioning-stage acoustic testing to confirm performance and provide evidence for the BREEAM Assessor
Assessment-only reports using suitable third-party measurement data, where the existing survey data is appropriate
Review of drawings, specifications, room data sheets, ventilation strategies and relevant design information
Clear reporting for the BREEAM Assessor, setting out the criteria, assumptions, evidence, limitations and conclusions