{"id":837,"date":"2024-12-06T05:38:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T05:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qebimservices.co.uk\/blog\/?p=837"},"modified":"2024-12-06T12:45:51","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T12:45:51","slug":"breeam-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-for-modern-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qebimservices.co.uk\/blog\/breeam-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-for-modern-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"BREEAM: What It Is and Why It Matters for Modern Construction?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sustainable design and environmentally responsible construction practices have gained a significant momentum over the past few decades. Among various standards and assessment methods available, BREEAM stands out as one of the most influential. But what exactly is BREEAM and why is it important for modern construction and development projects? Let\u2019s explore.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Key Concept of BREEAM<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

BREEAM acronyms for <\/span>Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method<\/b>. It is an internationally acknowledged method for evaluating sustainability in master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. Established in 1990 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the United Kingdom, it was the first of its kind and remains as one of the most widely used certification systems worldwide. BREEAM provides a framework for measuring the sustainability performance of new as well as the existing structures. This covers various aspects such as energy use, environmental impact along with the occupant well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

As of recent years, over <\/span><\/i>600,000 buildings have been certified under BREEAM<\/i><\/b>, with more than <\/span><\/i>2.3 million registered for assessment<\/i><\/b> across <\/span><\/i>80 countries<\/i><\/b>. This widespread adoption highlights the global reach and influence of BREEAM in promoting sustainable building practices.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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The Working of BREEAM<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

BREEAM functions as an independent certification system that evaluates a building\u2019s environmental performance during its design, construction as well as the operational phases. Projects are assessed by licensed BREEAM assessors who review the design documents, building materials along with the management practices to ensure the compliance with the standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

The assessment process begins when a project team registers for a BREEAM certification and continues through a series of evaluations. These evaluations measures the sustainability performance against the predefined benchmarks. Integrating advanced technologies like <\/span>6D BIM Services<\/b><\/a> can further enhance the project management and help teams to meet the BREEAM requirements efficiently by providing a comprehensive data for the life cycle analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The BREEAM Criteria<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

BREEAM evaluates the buildings based on a comprehensive set of criterias. Each criterion contributes points which are known as credits. These credits collectively determine the building\u2019s final score. Key assessment categories include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Energy<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Examining energy efficiency, incorporating renewable energy sources, and lowering the greenhouse gas emissions. For example, BREEAM-certified buildings can achieve energy savings of <\/span>up to 30%<\/b> compared to the standard buildings.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Water<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Assessing water efficiency measures and technologies that reduce water consumption thereby leading to a potential water use reduction of <\/span>up to 50%<\/b> in some certified projects.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Materials<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Focusing on the use of sustainable and responsibly sourced materials. Some reports have shown that BREEAM encourages the use of materials with <\/span>low embodied carbon<\/b> ultimately promoting a circular economy.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Waste<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Fostering waste minimization and promoting recycling throughout the construction as well as the operational phases.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Health and Well-being<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Examining factors that contribute to the comfort, health along with the productivity of the occupants such as air quality, lighting and thermal comfort.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Transport<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Assessing the building\u2019s connectivity to public transport networks and facilities that promote sustainable transportation.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Pollution<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Reducing pollution levels, particularly those related to air and water contamination.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Land Use and Ecology<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Promoting biodiversity and optimizing the use of land resources. The BREEAM encourages projects to improve ecological value which can lead to a <\/span>10%<\/b> or more increase in the local biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Management<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Evaluating effective project management practices that support sustainability goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Each criterion has a weighting based on its environmental impact which directly contributes to the overall score.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The BREEAM Rating Scale<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    The total score obtained by the building after the assessment is used to determine its BREEAM rating. The BREEAM rating scale is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n