BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.
Our BREEAM assessors deliver assessments against this global standard – the foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for commercial and public buildings.
The Build Energy team is experienced in delivering accredited, quality assured BREEAM Assessments across a multitude of building types.
Want to know more? Check out What is BREEAM Assessment?
What is a BREEAM Assessor?
A BREEAM assessor uses recognised measures of performance to evaluate a buildings specification, design construction and use – these span:
- Energy and water use
- Internal environment (health & wellbeing)
- Management processes
- Pollution
- Transport
- Materials
- Waste
- Ecology
Why use BREEAM?
BREEAM addresses wide ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers, designers and building managers to demonstrate the credentials of their buildings to clients, planners and other initial parties.
In the UK, a BREEAM assessor will typically work across three main construction schemes:
- Commercial buildings (offices / industrial / retail)
- Public buildings (i.e schools, prisons, courts)
- Multi-residential accomodation (i.e student accomodation)
Assessment is also available for existing refurbishment schemes under BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment – this standard was formerly assessed under Ecohomes. See the Hoover Building project for more information.
Commercial Buildings
For examples of our work see:
- The Rowe, London
- CMR Surgical, Cambridge
- Royal Mail, Sheffield
- W&S Recycling, Dorset
Public Buildings
Many new public builds are subject to minimum BREEAM standards:
Healthcare
A number of government departments and other public bodies either encourage or require the use of BREEAM.
As of 1st July 2008, all health authorites (Department of Health, NHS Wales, Scottish Government Health Directives and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety of Northern Ireland) require that new healthcare buildings seeking Outline of Business Case (OBC) approval commit to achieving an Excellent rating and all refurbishments commit to achieving Very Good.
Education
There is also a BREEAM requirement set for schools depending on whether they are refurbishments or new builds and the value of the build.
For example secondary schools procured through the now defunct Building Schools for the Future capital programme were required to achieve a ‘Very Good’ rating. We expect the latest Priority Schools Programme to require a similar standard.
For examples of our work in the Education sector see:
- Stockport College, Greater Manchester
- Hollycroft Primary School, Leicestershire
- North Brent Secondary School, London
Can We Help With Your Project?
Build Energy can assist with the tender process for our clients – providing whatever help you need to effectively price and bid for public and commercial projects. Our BREEAM Assessors are certified, experienced, friendly and most of all passionate about the subject!
If we can help, just call us on 0330 055 34 05 , or email at be@buildenergy.co.uk.