BREEAM

Curent: March 2012

BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) was established in 1990 by the Building Research Establishment (now a commercial entity). It is a measure of a building's environmental performance, based on benchmarks relating to each stage of its life cycle from conception, through construction to eventual everyday use.

Factors affecting a BREEAM rating include use of energy and water, pollution, materials, transport, waste, habitat and management processes. However, because it encompasses a very wide range of parameters (such as the provision of facilities for cyclists), its use as an indicator of good energy performance is not recommended.

The BREEAM assessment process uses specially trained assessors and is taken out at various points in the building's development and use. It provides a way of recognising low impact buildings that improve on regulation standards. Achieving a high rating can help both to keep low running costs and give the building a good market image.

For more information visit the BREEAM website.