Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for non-domestic buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building's environmental performance.
BREEAM addresses wide-ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients.
It:
- uses a straightforward scoring system that is transparent, easy to understand and supported by evidence-based research
- has a positive influence on the design, construction and management of buildings
- sets and maintains a robust technical standard with rigorous quality assurance and certification
BREEAM is a scheme under which buildings are scored against a defined list of categories and weighted credits are awarded as follows:
- Energy 19%
- Health and Wellbeing 15%
- Materials 12.5%
- Management 12%
- Land Use and Ecology 10%
- Pollution 10%
- Transport 8%
- Waste 7.5%
- Water 6%
Depending on the credits collected the building will receive an assessment which will place it in one of the following classifications:
- Pass 30%
- Good 45%
- Very good 55%
- Excellent 70%
- Outstanding 85%
Assessments can only be completed by approved assessors who have been accredited by BRE.
Wolseley can help clients to source more sustainable construction products in order to gain the necessary BREEAM credits for a successful application.