The release of BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Version 7 (V7) represents the most significant update to the scheme since the 2014 edition. The new framework introduces a wide range of changes, from a revised scheme structure to updated technical requirements across carbon, resilience and building performance.

Rather than covering every amendment, this article highlights the changes most likely to influence the planning and delivery of refurbishment and fit-out projects.

A New Structure for Refurbishment and Fit Out

A key change in Version 7 (V7) is the introduction of two separate assessment standards: BREEAM Refurbishment and BREEAM Fit Out.

The Refurbishment standard continues to apply to projects involving wider upgrades to an existing building, including the building fabric, structure and core services. The new Fit Out standard has been developed for tenant-led or interior-focused projects where the wider building remains largely unchanged.

Selecting the correct assessment route at project inception will therefore be an important early decision, helping to ensure that the project scope, evidence requirements and assessment methodology are aligned from the outset.

Carbon, Performance and Resilience Take Centre Stage

The updated framework places greater emphasis on demonstrating measurable building performance throughout the life of an asset.

Whole-life carbon assessment has been expanded, with increased focus on embodied carbon reporting, benchmarking and predicted operational energy performance. These changes encourage project teams to consider the long-term environmental impact of refurbishment decisions at an earlier stage in the design process.

Alongside this, Resilience has been introduced as a standalone assessment category. Flood risk, climate adaptation, fire, security and surface water management are now considered within a single framework, recognising the growing importance of designing buildings across all sectors that can respond to future environmental and operational challenges.

Taken together, these changes reflect a broader shift towards delivering buildings that are both lower carbon and also more resilient and capable of maintaining performance over the long term.

Earlier Planning and Clearer Evidence Requirements

Version 7 also introduces more robust evidence requirements and greater emphasis on early project planning. Carbon modelling, resilience strategies and operational performance assessments all benefit from specialist input during the early design stages.

At the same time, evidence requirements have become more clearly defined, meaning existing RFO 2014 templates and assessment processes should be reviewed before being carried forward to new projects.

For project teams, early coordination between designers, sustainability consultants and building services engineers will be increasingly important in achieving successful BREEAM outcomes.

Other Notable Updates

Version 7 also includes changes across several other assessment categories, including:

• Revised Health and Wellbeing criteria, including lighting and indoor air quality
• Consolidated Transport requirements and updated EV infrastructure guidance
• Operational water consumption prediction
• Enhanced Materials assessment, including life cycle assessment and embodied carbon reporting
• Updated Waste requirements aligned with BREEAM New Construction V7
• New Land Use and Ecology measures
• Revised Pollution criteria covering refrigerants, local air quality and noise

Final Thoughts

BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out V7 update represents a revised approach to assessing refurbishment and fit-out projects, with a stronger emphasis on measurable performance, resilience and long-term sustainability. Understanding these changes at an early stage will help project teams plan effectively and deliver buildings that meet both current requirements and future expectations.

For further updates on BREEAM and building services engineering, browse the latest articles in the Cudd Bentley news feed.