BREEAM

Since it was established in 1990, BREEAM (Building Research Establishments Environmental Assessment Method) has become the most widely used environmental appraisal method for UK commercial buildings, and is also increasingly used for international projects.

The BREEAM Assessment looks at a broad range of environmental impacts across the property grouped under 9 headings:

  • Management – Encourages the adoption of sustainable management practices in connection with design, construction, commissioning, handover and aftercare.
  • Health and Wellbeing – Rewards building design and specification decisions that create a healthy, safe and comfortable internal and external environment.
  • Energy – The level of energy efficient building solutions, systems and equipment that support the sustainable use and management of energy during the building’s operation.
  • Transport – Encourages provision of and improved access to local amenities and to sustainable means of transport, i.e. public transport and other alternative transport solutions for building users.
  • Water – Review of water use in the operation of the building.
  • Materials – Considers the environmental and social impact of construction products used on a project, taking a ‘whole life cycle’ approach to construction product impacts.
  • Waste – Encourages the reduction of waste from construction and throughout the lifetime of the building, rewarding sustainable waste management, as well as waste reporting, reduction and diversion from landfill during construction.
  • Land use and ecology – Issues in this section relate to the reuse of brownfield sites or those of low ecological value, mitigation and enhancement of ecology, and long term biodiversity management. To maximise credits in this section it is strongly recommended to appoint an ecologist at the earliest stage possible.
  • Pollution – Addresses the prevention and control of pollution and surface water run-off associated with the building’s location and use.

For each element credits are awarded according to performance, and these credits are weighted and combined to calculate an overall score. The building will then be given a rating between ‘Pass’ (where this minimum is achieved) through to ‘Excellent’ and ‘Outstanding’.

We have inhouse accredited BREEAM assessors and Advisory Professionals (APs) to guide you through the assessment from project inception to completion, providing the assistance and guidance needed to maximise your rating. In addition we are able to produce a number of the studies and reports required under various headings.

ERS Consultants are specialists in BREEAM, please therefore, call us on 01865 378885 or complete the Contact Us form if you would like some advice for your BREEAM project.