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What does BREEAM stand for?
BREEAM, or the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is an international building standard around the energy performance and sustainability of new non-domestic buildings.
BREEAM Assessments are primarily carried out on new non-domestic construction projects, but can also be carried out on domestic refurbishment projects.
Since launching in 1990 to be the first building environmental impact of its kind, BREEAM has become a highly regarded building standard in over 50 countries. Since launch, BREEAM’s aim has been to ensure there is a positive social and economic impact of a building whilst limiting the environmental impact of its construction and use. BREEAM also enables buildings to be recognised for the commitment to sustainability in their design, materials, and construction.
Why is BREEAM important?
BREEAM is an internationally recognised standard for building sustainability. Clients who demonstrate that their projects have a commitment to sustainability in their design and construction by scoring highly through BREEAM’s assessment criteria will receive the benefits of lower running costs, higher property market value, and a more desirable place to live and work for tenants.
What does BREEAM cover and how is BREEAM rating calculated?
BREEAM assessed buildings will receive a benchmark score based on a number of factors, such as:
- The BREEAM rating level benchmarks
- The minimum BREEAM standards
- The environmental section weightings
- The BREEAM assessment issues and credits
BREEAM Assessment Categories
When one of our accredited assessors is calculating a build project’s BREEAM rating, they will focus on calculating the building’s sustainability and environmental impact based on the following categories:
- Energy
- Land use and the building’s ecological impact
- Water usage
- Pollution
- Materials
- Management
- Health and wellbeing
- Waste
- Transport
Each category has its own sub-category, standards, and sustainability targets that are used to calculate the score for each category.
These are all used to calculate a building’s BREEAM rating, which is graded in order of Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Pass, and Unclassified.
What is the BREEAM Assessment rating process?
1. Decide which BREEAM Standard applies to your building project
There are multiple BREEAM Schemes that can apply to different types of building projects. The different schemes and their applications are:
- BREEAM Communities – for the planning stage of your project
- BREEAM New Construction 2011 – for design and construction
- BREEAM in-use – for currently in-use buildings
- BREEAM Refurbishment – for existing building refurbishment
2. Appoint a licensed and approved BREEAM Assessor and register your project
You can use BREEAM’s finding tool to find an approved assessor, or you can contact one of our qualified experts about your building project. Briary Energy is a very experienced approved BREEAM assessor who have helped many client in the past. Your project will be registered through your appointed assessor to the BREEAM assessment body.
3. BREEAM pre-assessment
By working closely with you, your assessor will calculate a provisional score of what your building project is likely to achieve.
4. Gather necessary information
Collate together any necessary information related to your project and pass this on to your assessor.
5. Assessor review
Your assessor will review your building project and will submit your assessment to the BREEAM Certification body for rating.
6. Receive your BREEAM score and certificate
How Briary Energy Can help With Your BREEAM Assessments
Briary Energy are experienced in carrying out BREEAM Assessments that have helped our clients increase market value and reduce running costs on their new buildings. Our expert team will work with you to make the BREEAM assessment process quick and easy.
Contact us about our BREEAM Assessment.
We also provide SAP calculations for new buildings. Contact us to find out how we can help you save around £800 per plot.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
