BREEAM Certification: A Guide

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification for data centers. It outlines key steps, from early design integration to focusing on core assessment categories. By following these strategies, data centers can enhance their sustainability performance and gain recognition for their environmental responsibility.

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** Main Story**

Achieving BREEAM certification for your data center is a significant step towards sustainability and demonstrates a commitment to responsible environmental practices. This comprehensive guide outlines a step-by-step approach to navigating the BREEAM certification process, offering actionable advice and practical strategies for success.

Early Stages: Planning and Design

Integrating BREEAM requirements from the outset is crucial for a cost-effective and successful certification process. Begin by selecting a competent BREEAM assessor. This expert will guide your design team through the initial stages, ensuring alignment with BREEAM standards. Early engagement allows for optimizing key design elements, such as building location, orientation, and system architecture, to meet certification criteria. Consider the specific BREEAM scheme that best suits your project, whether it’s new construction, an existing building, or a refurbishment.

Understanding BREEAM Fundamentals for Data Centers

BREEAM employs a holistic approach tailored to the challenges of digital infrastructure. It evaluates key sustainability aspects, including energy efficiency and operational excellence. BREEAM’s tiered system allows data centers to differentiate themselves based on performance levels.

Core Assessment Categories

Focus on the nine key categories assessed by BREEAM:

• Energy: Given the energy-intensive nature of data centers, this category carries the highest weighting (19%). Prioritize energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources.
• Management: Effective operational practices and commissioning are essential, accounting for 12% of the assessment. Implement robust management systems to track and optimize energy and resource consumption.
• Health and Wellbeing: Address worker comfort and indoor air quality, contributing 15% to the rating. Design for optimal ventilation, natural light, and thermal comfort.
• Other Categories: The remaining categories include transport, water, materials, waste, land use, and pollution. Address each category strategically to maximize your overall score. Implement water conservation techniques, utilize sustainable materials, minimize waste generation, and mitigate pollution.

Strategies for Success: Implementing BREEAM Standards

• Optimize Energy Performance: Implement energy-efficient cooling systems, utilize free cooling methods when possible, and optimize power usage effectiveness (PUE).
• Conserve Water: Integrate water-efficient fixtures, implement rainwater harvesting systems, and explore water reuse strategies to minimize water consumption.
• Utilize Sustainable Materials: Prioritize recycled and locally sourced materials with low environmental impact.
• Minimize Waste: Implement waste segregation and recycling programs during construction and operation.
• Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality: Optimize ventilation, maximize natural light, and control temperature and humidity to ensure occupant comfort and well-being.
• Promote Sustainable Transport: Encourage the use of public transportation, cycling, and walking by providing appropriate facilities and incentives.
• Resilience and Adaptation: Design for climate resilience by considering factors such as flood risk, thermal modeling, and disaster recovery planning.

Business Benefits of BREEAM Certification

Achieving BREEAM certification yields numerous benefits beyond environmental responsibility. It can lead to reduced operating costs through energy and water efficiency, enhance market positioning and attract environmentally conscious clients, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve stakeholder relations.

Conclusion

By adhering to these steps and actively incorporating BREEAM principles into your data center’s design, construction, and operation, you can successfully achieve BREEAM certification. This achievement not only reduces your environmental footprint but also unlocks various business advantages, creating a more sustainable and successful future for your data center. Keep in mind that BREEAM standards evolve, so staying up-to-date with the latest requirements is essential. As of May 27, 2025, this information is current, but it’s always advisable to consult the latest BREEAM documentation for the most up-to-date guidance.