BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a well-known system of evaluation, Rating, and Certifying to know a building’s environmental performance. BREEAM authentication is proof of the sustainable approach to a building of various types. In other words, it is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master-planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings. From new construction to in-use and renovation, it recognizes the value of high-performing assets across the lifecycle of a built environment. Using this method, it is also possible for building occupants to be more productive, comfortable, and healthy.
Framework | BREEAM
Before knowing its history we need to know about BRE (Building Research Establishment) which is the base for BREEAM. BRE was established in 1921 as the first organization for building research. It includes building materials, heating, ventilation, and insulation, research on war effort (explosion-resistant concrete, repairing damaged structures, landing conditions on beaches), and post-war research (construction efficiency). It is a private organization. During the year 1990, Building Research Establishment launched its Environmental Assessment Method. BREEAM began in the UK but is now used in many countries around the world.
Procedure
By using standards developed by BRE, BREEAM provides third-party certification that assesses an asset’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. As a result, BREEAM-rated developments are more environmentally sustainable, contributing to the health of the people who live and work in them, helping protect natural resources, and making for more desirable property investments.
BREEAM ratings can be obtained in two steps. The first principal stages occur from registration to pre-evaluation, and the second from pre-evaluation to final assessment. To begin with, applicants need to decide which scheme they want to apply for. In the same vein, there is the BREEAM Communities scheme for the planning stage, the BREEAM New Construction scheme for the design and construction phase, BREEAM In-Use available for in-use assessment, and BREEAM Refurbishment available for refurbishment. On GreenBookLive, applicants can contact a licensed BREEAM assessor after applying. It is even possible to take advantage of the BREEAM Accredited Professional (BREEAM AP) to gain more ratings. During the third stage, the applicant carries out a pre-assessment, which does not provide a final score but can provide a rough impression of it. Once these three primary stages are completed, Assessors will register your project for an assessment. Following that, the Assessors submit evidence to BRE Global for QA and Certification, after which BRE Global issues a certificate. Eventually, that building will be listed in GreenBookLive, and you can search for it by location, scheme, and rating.
Categories
BREEAM assesses the long-term impact of a variety of factors, from energy to ecology. Low-impact design and carbon emissions reduction are addressed in each of these areas, such as design durability and resilience, climate change adaptation, and ecological value and biodiversity conservation. In further illustration, various categories include energy-efficient solution systems and equipment that support the effective use of energy in the building; the Health and Wellbeing category to encourage the comfort, safety, and health of the building users; Innovation includes exemplary performance credits for the invention of a new system within a building; Land use looks at habitat protection, ecology and long term biodiversity management; Materials category for taking care of the embodied impact over their life; Management category focus on sustainable actions through foundation stages of design; Reduction of building impact in environment and control of pollution there is the category of pollution; Transport taking care of the accessibility of public transports and alternative sustainable facility; To reduce the waste and to reuse there is the waste category; To ensure the minimal loss of water through leakages and for sustainable water use there is the category name as water. These categories also help to create a sustainable building from the beginning.
BREEAM’s benefits
BREEAM has had a significant impact on the environment because of the measures it has taken. Focusing on the environmental aspects of development strategies has improved the quality of the environment for wildlife as well as reducing construction waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from that, there are many government project construction strategies where the environmental assessment is necessary and part of that rating is proven helpful. Not only limited to necessity but also this acquisition of these credentials helps to a rise in demand for the building, benefiting both the landlord and the property’s user as sustainability takes a place as the main factor in today’s time.
It also attracts the users by showing the less building running costs as BREEAM evaluation included the factors such as effective heating system, low water consuming components, and energy-efficient lighting. It has sociological advantages. Over 71 % of persons who utilized BREEAM evaluations as part of their building development, believed that it was socially advantageous to their project, according to the UK Green Building Council. The better image as a result of getting BREEAM certification for both the organization and the building was one of the most cited justifications.
Future
The increase in developers and investors indicates that BREEAM is getting closer to establishing sustainability as a quality. For buildings to be attractive, they must also be high-quality. As a framework that can rapidly adapt to the transition to net-zero energy while maintaining adaptability and social awareness, it’s future will be shaped. Additionally, BREEAM certification will be a crucial factor in securing sustainability evidence for the building as part of its benefits and will become a necessity as time passes.
References:
Online sources
BREEAM_Main website, Available at:
https://www.breeam.com/
https://www.illuminei.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-breeam
https://www.sgbc.se/app/uploads/2018/11/Ana-Mendonca-BRE-mingel.pdf
https://jostec.co.uk/what-is-breeam-and-why-is-it-important/
Image sources
01_BREEAM_breeam.com
https://www.breeam.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/Store-1.jpg
02_Flow diagram_breeam.com
https://www.breeam.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/Flow-diagram-Pre-approvals.svg
03_BREEAM Categories_breeam.com
https://www.breeam.com/discover/how-breeam-certification-works/
