BREEAM Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification, covering key steps from choosing the right BREEAM scheme to optimizing your building’s performance. It emphasizes the importance of early planning, collaboration with experts, and continuous monitoring for a successful and sustainable project. By following these steps, developers can unlock the numerous benefits of BREEAM certification.

Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.

** Main Story**

So, you’re aiming for BREEAM certification? Great! It’s a fantastic way to show you’re serious about sustainability. But let’s be real, navigating the whole process can feel a bit like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. This guide breaks it down into actionable steps, helping you boost your project’s eco-credentials without losing your mind.

First Things First: Understand BREEAM and Pick Your Scheme

BREEAM, or the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method if you want the full title, basically grades how sustainable a building is across a bunch of areas. We’re talking energy, water, materials, even how it impacts the well-being of the people inside.

Thing is, there isn’t just one BREEAM scheme. You’ve got ones for new builds, for existing buildings, renovations, and even whole communities. It’s essential you pick the right one for your project. For instance a commercial project, won’t need the same criteria as a residential build, so make sure you get this step right.

Take some time to really dig into each scheme. See what criteria they use and what benchmarks you need to hit. Choosing the right scheme from the jump sets the stage for everything else.

Assemble Your Dream Team and Get a Pre-Assessment Done

Alright, here’s where you bring in the experts. Get a licensed BREEAM assessor on board ASAP. They’re the Gandalf to your Frodo, guiding you through the sustainability wilderness. They can explain the nitty-gritty details, plus run a pre-assessment.

Why a pre-assessment? It’s like a practice run before the big race. It’ll give you an idea of what BREEAM rating you can potentially snag and highlight any areas you need to improve on. Trust me, spotting those issues early can save you a ton of time and cash later.

And speaking of teams, you’ll need a rock-solid one. Think architects, engineers, contractors – everyone needs to be on board with the sustainability mission. Collaboration is key! Work closely with that assessor throughout the whole project. They’re your partners in this, and getting their input early is always a good thing.

Design and Construction: Think Green from the Ground Up

Right, time to get down to the details. From the moment you start designing, BREEAM needs to be in the back of your mind. We’re talking energy-efficient systems, water-saving everything, sustainable materials… the whole shebang.

Consider the entire lifecycle of your building materials too. It’s no good using a material that’s eco-friendly now if its manufacture was bad for the environment.

And during construction? Make sure your contractors are on the same page. Regular site visits and progress meetings can make all the difference in maintaining compliance.

Oh, and document everything. Seriously. Detailed records of what materials you used, how you built things, and how well your building is performing energy-wise? That’s all gold when it comes to showing you’re meeting those BREEAM standards.

Don’t Stop There: The Operational Phase and Beyond

So, you got your BREEAM certification. Pop the champagne, right? Well, almost. The journey doesn’t end there, not really. It’s about continuous improvement.

Think about implementing a building management system (BMS). These systems are great for keeping tabs on your energy and water use, helping you tweak things to be even more efficient.

Track how your building is performing against those BREEAM benchmarks, look for ways to improve, and update your sustainability strategy as new tech and best practices come along. Consider opting for post-certification schemes as well.

Key Considerations for Success

To really nail that BREEAM certification, remember these points:

• Innovation is your friend: BREEAM loves it when you go above and beyond. Look for cutting-edge technologies and strategies. I once saw a building that used rainwater harvesting to flush the toilets – pretty cool, right?
• Happy occupants, happy building: Prioritize the health and comfort of the people using the building. Good air quality, natural light, and comfy temperatures aren’t just nice to have; they boost your BREEAM score.
• Think long-term: Consider the environmental impact of your building from start to finish. This “cradle to grave” approach is key.
• Talk, talk, talk: Keep everyone in the loop – the assessor, designers, contractors, even the building occupants. Open communication is essential. Remember that building that used rainwater harvesting, it only worked as well as it did because the occupants were willing to work with the maintenance team.

Ultimately, achieving BREEAM certification is about more than just ticking boxes. It’s about creating a building that’s good for the environment, good for the people who use it, and, believe it or not, good for your bottom line. It’s a win-win-win, if you ask me, and something to be really proud of.