Overview
This guide explains how to use One Click LCA to achieve the "Mat 01: Life Cycle Impacts" credit in BREEAM UK NC 2018 assessments. This can earn you up to seven credits.
Before you begin
Confirm this applies to you: This guide is specifically for BREEAM UK NC 2018
Choose the right tool: One Click LCA offers two tools for Mat 01:
"LCA for BREEAM UK": Suitable for most building types.
"LCA for BREEAM UK IMPACT-compliant": Required for offices, industrial, and retail buildings to perform the necessary benchmarking.
Know your submission stage: Determine the RIBA stage at which you'll submit your calculations.
Life-Cycle & Results Scope
The BREEAM UK calculation tool includes the life cycle modules A1-A5, B1, B4-B7, C1-C4, and D.
The displayed results include Global Warming Potential (GWP kg CO2e), Acidification (kg SO2e), Eutrophication (kg PO4e), Ozone Depletion (kg CFC11e), Formation of Ozone of Lower Atmosphere (kg Ethenee), Non-hazardous Waste Disposed (kg), Biogenic Carbon Storage (kg CO2e bio), and Social Cost of Carbon (in desired currency format).
Data Scope
The data scope of the LCA for BREEAM UK is data that is compliant with CML (EN15804+A1).
Assessment Scope
Refer to tables 9.1-9.3 on page 217 of the BREEAM scheme document to identify the mandatory elements that must be included in your assessment. Ensure you report materials as separate building elements if required.
Guidance
Create a Project
Start a new project in One Click LCA and select the appropriate tool based on your building type.
Name Your Designs
Create new designs and use the BREEAM-specific naming conventions below.
Concept Design
Superstructure options:
Mat01_CD_SuperS_Opt1,Mat01_CD_SuperS_Opt2, etc.Substructure and hard landscaping options:
Mat01_CD_SubS_HL_Opt1,Mat01_CD_SubS_HL_Opt2, etc.Building services options:
Mat01_CD_BdServ_Opt1,Mat01_CD_BdServ_Opt2, etc.Superstructure benchmark comparison (IMPACT-compliant tool only):
Mat01_CD_SuperS_B
Detailed Design
Superstructure options:
Mat01_DD_SuperS_Opt1,Mat01_DD_SuperS_Opt2, etc.Superstructure benchmark comparison (IMPACT-compliant tool only):
Mat01_DD_SuperS_B
Input Material Data
Enter your design details into One Click LCA. You can do this manually or import your data (see import options and data import guidance).
Use net quantities of materials (accurate to +/- 10%).
Adjust the service life for each material as needed.
Use the "Comment" field to add extra information (e.g., specify the construction element where the material is used).
Use clear names for report grouping and easy tracking.
IMPACT-compliant tool: This tool has an exclusive database of average building materials and uses automatic grouping.
LCA for BREEAM UK tool: Select the appropriate RICS category for each resource and verify the on-site wastage share. You can filter resources by country.
Set Calculation Period (IMPACT-compliant tool only)
In the "Calculation Period" section, input 60 years. (For the "LCA for BREEAM UK" tool, the service life is automatically set to 60 years).
Enter Building Area
Provide the Gross Internal Floor Area (GIFA) in the "Building Area" section.
Exclude Energy and Water
For BREEAM UK NC 2018 Mat 01, energy and water consumption are not included in the LCA scope.
BREEAM UK tool: Leave the energy and water consumption sections empty.
IMPACT-compliant tool: Enter ZERO for energy consumption and leave the water questionnaire empty.
Conduct Options Appraisal
To submit an Options Appraisal, copy your initial design and modify the materials for the elements you want to compare. Ensure all options meet the same functional requirements. Analyze your results (see instructions) and create a summary document.
Download Results
Export your LCA results as a spreadsheet ("Export multiple designs to Excel"). Use the correct file naming conventions (see below). Input your results into the Mat 01/02 Results Submission Tool, including construction and product descriptions, quantities, service lives, transportation distances, classifications, and reasons for design choices. If benchmarking applies, select the "One Click LCA (IMPACT-compliant)" option in the tool for automatic credit calculation.
Submit to BRE
Submit the completed Mat 01/02 Results Submission Tool and your options appraisal summary document to BRE. If you need to resubmit at the Technical Design stage, repeat this process.