BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a technical standard used to assess the environmental performance of buildings. The purpose of BREEAM is to promote sustainable design and operation of buildings, reduce their environmental impact, and improve the well-being of their occupants.
BREEAM requirements cover various aspects of building design and operation, including energy and water use, indoor environmental quality, materials and waste, ecology and biodiversity, pollution, and transport. BREEAM sets minimum performance standards for each category and awards credits for additional measures that exceed these standards. The total number of credits earned determines the overall BREEAM rating of the building, which ranges from Pass to Outstanding.
BREEAM applies to all types of buildings, including new construction and existing buildings undergoing refurbishment or retrofitting. The standard is used by architects, developers, engineers, and building owners to assess and improve the environmental performance of their buildings.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Technical Standard requires evidence to be provided to demonstrate compliance with the standard. The evidence requirements are an important part of the assessment process and must be met in order for a building to achieve a BREEAM rating.
The evidence requirements of BREEAM cover various aspects of building design and operation, including energy and water use, indoor environmental quality, materials and waste, ecology and biodiversity, pollution, and transport. The evidence requirements specify what information must be provided, how it must be presented, and who is responsible for providing it.
Examples of evidence requirements in BREEAM include:
- Energy performance certificates (EPCs) and display energy certificates (DECs) to demonstrate energy efficiency.
- Water consumption data to demonstrate efficient water use.
- Indoor air quality monitoring data to demonstrate good indoor air quality.
- Waste management plans and recycling data to demonstrate effective waste management.
- Biodiversity surveys and management plans to demonstrate measures to protect and enhance local ecosystems.
The evidence requirements of BREEAM are designed to ensure that buildings meet the required standards and that claims of environmental performance are backed up by objective data. The evidence provided is assessed by a BREEAM assessor, who assigns credits based on the quality and quantity of evidence provided.
While BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Technical Standard is a widely used tool for assessing the environmental performance of buildings, there are some exemptions to its requirements.
The exemptions to BREEAM Technical Standard include:
1. Low-energy buildings: Buildings that have a predicted energy demand that is less than or equal to the minimum energy performance standard for the country in which they are located may be exempt from certain energy-related requirements.
2. Listed buildings: Buildings that are protected by listing or other forms of heritage designation may be exempt from certain requirements that would result in harm to the building's historic fabric or significance.
3. Temporary buildings: Buildings that are intended to be in place for less than two years may be exempt from certain requirements that would not be practical or cost-effective for a temporary structure.
4. Special-purpose buildings: Buildings that have a unique function, such as laboratories or data centers, may be exempt from certain requirements that do not apply to their specific use.
5. Buildings with limited environmental impact: Buildings that have a low environmental impact due to their size, function, or location may be exempt from certain requirements that would not be relevant or necessary.
Exemptions from BREEAM Technical Standard must be agreed upon by the BREEAM assessor and the building owner or developer, and the reasons for the exemption must be clearly documented. It should be noted that exemptions do not mean that a building is exempt from all BREEAM requirements, but only from specific requirements that are deemed not applicable or not practical in certain circumstances.
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