• BREEAM
•  

BREEAM

How can you meet your sustainability objectives?

BREEAM (the BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the UK's most popular method for environmental assessment of buildings.  It recognises a better quality environment for staff and visitors and provides independent verification of performance against sustainability targets.

BSRIA has a team of licensed assessors to cover all non-dwelling buildings.  BSRIA's assessors, Colin Pearson and James Parker, have also achieved BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) status through demonstrated specialist skills in sustainability and environmental design combined with a high level of competence in the BREEAM assessment process.

BSRIA also provides Code for Sustainable Homes, to cater for the assessment needs of a large mixed development as well as a single building.

BREEAM is a credit based assessment system covering the following aspects of a building and the construction process:

• management 
  A high BREEAM rating can help get planning permission, finance and enhanced rental income
• health and wellbeing
• energy
• transport
• water
• materials
• waste
• land use and ecology
• pollution

Assessments can be made on the following types of project:

• whole new buildings
• development of similar buildings such as shops
• shell and core buildings
• major refurbishments of existing buildings
• new build extensions to existing buildings
• existing building fit-out

The assessment is carried out in two stages, a design stage assessment leading to an interim rating, and a post construction stage assessment after which the final certificate and rating is awarded. There is also the optional pre-assessment report, which is a useful tool when developing your initial designs, showing you where you need to improve to get the required rating.

Buildings are rated on a scale of Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding. All government-funded buildings require a rating of Very Good, and some local authorities now require a BREEAM rating for planning permission.

In addition to BREEAM Assessments we offer consultancy on how to get a good rating, ideal for those with little experience of working with BREEAM or those who simply want to maximise the environmental potential of their design.

BREEAM In-Use

BSRIA can also assess the operational rating of a building or portfolio of buildings using BREEAM In-Use. This scheme is slightly different to the other BREEAM schemes, as it is a self-assessment with an independent auditor confirming the assessment to allow a certificate to be awarded.

For more information on the different BREEAM schemes and to download the manuals visit the BREEAM website.

Useful articles:

• BREEAM v LEED
• BREEAM 2011 - summary of changes
• BREEAM 2011 & Soft Landings