Pollution category
The POL category aims to prevent and control pollution and surface water run-off in association with a building’s location and use. By following the parameters in this category, you reduce your building’s impact on surrounding communities and the environment. Possible pollution includes light-pollution as well as noise, flooding and emissions to air, land and water. The Pollution category accounts for 10% of the total BREEAM International evaluation.
POL1 – Impact of refrigerants– max 3 credits AIM - To reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions arising from the leakage of refrigerants used to heat or cool the building.
Assessment criteria: Leak detection:
- A permanent automated refrigerant leak detection system is installed
- Isolating and containing remaining refrigerant in response to a leak
ABB Smart Buildings Solutions
(*) Part of leak detection system.
Refrigerant metering could be an input into a controller but this is not normally a category considered as part of a BEMS control system.
POL4 – Nighttime light pollution – max 1 credit AIM - To ensure that external lighting is concentrated in the appropriate areas and that upward lighting is minimized, reducing unnecessary obtrusive light pollution, energy consumption and nuisance to neighbouring properties.
Assessment criteria:
- All external lighting (except for safety and security lighting) can be automatically switched off between 23:00 and 07:00
ABB Smart Buildings Solutions
(*) Applicable for the devices that can switch external lighting
(**) All Metering products (except CMS and EV meters) have digital outputs that can act for controlling an on/off switch, Control can be carried out by timers (AG timers, DBT timers) and by twilight switches (TL line). Dimming is not possible
