Unlocking BREEAM: Your Certification Guide

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification, covering crucial steps from selecting the right scheme to preparing the assessment. It emphasizes the importance of early assessor involvement and a proactive project team. By following these steps, you can navigate the BREEAM process effectively and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

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** Main Story**

Unlocking BREEAM: More Than Just a Certification, It’s a Journey

Let’s face it, getting BREEAM certification is a big deal. It’s not just a shiny plaque on the wall; it signifies a real commitment to sustainable and environmentally sound construction. But, navigating the process can feel daunting, can’t it? This guide breaks down the key steps to make the journey smoother and help you unlock the benefits of BREEAM.

1. Picking the Right BREEAM Scheme

First things first, you’ve got to choose the right BREEAM scheme. Think of it like selecting the right tool for the job. BREEAM offers various schemes tailored to different building types and project phases.

• New Construction: Ideal for new builds, obviously.
• In-Use: Perfect for evaluating existing buildings.
• Refurbishment and Fit-Out: Suited for renovation projects.
• Communities: Designed for large-scale developments.

Why does this matter so much? Because the correct scheme ensures the assessment is aligned precisely with your project’s unique requirements. You wouldn’t use a hammer to screw in a screw, would you?

2. Get a BREEAM Assessor Early

Don’t wait! Bringing a licensed BREEAM assessor on board early is crucial. It’s like having an experienced guide on a complex hike.

They’ll provide expert guidance throughout the process, from the initial planning stages right through to the final certification. Their expertise can prevent costly mistakes. They’ll help you understand the BREEAM criteria, conduct pre-assessments, gather the needed evidence, and even submit the final assessment. You can find licensed assessors on the BREEAM GreenBookLive website. It’s an invaluable resource.

3. The Importance of a Pre-Assessment

Before you dive in headfirst, take the time for a thorough pre-assessment, conducted by your assessor. Now, this isn’t an official certification. But it offers valuable insights into your project’s sustainability performance. It helps identify potential areas for improvement and any gaps in meeting BREEAM standards. Think of it as a health check before a marathon – better to find out about potential problems early!

For example, I once worked on a project where the pre-assessment revealed that we were falling short on water management credits. Because we caught it early, we were able to implement rainwater harvesting systems and significantly improve our score. And you can too!

4. Register Your Project

Once you’ve completed the pre-assessment, it’s time to officially register your project with BRE Global through their online platform. Your assessor can help with the registration process. Timely registration ensures that your project is recognized by BRE and that you can proceed with the formal assessment. For BREEAM In-Use, you can register your assets directly online or through your BREEAM In-Use auditor.

5. Compiling Your BREEAM Assessment

Alright, this is where the real work begins! You need to collect evidence to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM criteria. This is where your project team really shines. They play a critical role in gathering the necessary documentation, including building plans, specifications, and operational data. The assessor organizes this evidence into a comprehensive report for submission to BRE. Effective evidence collection is crucial for validating your project’s sustainability performance.

Evidence Collection and Documentation

The evidence requirements will vary depending on the BREEAM scheme you have chosen. That said, generally, it will include documentation related to:

• Energy efficiency
• Water management
• Material selection
• Waste management
• Indoor environmental quality.

Make sure all evidence is accurate, complete, and easily accessible for the assessor to review. This will save time and reduce the risk of delays.

Assessor Review and Submission

The assessor reviews the collected evidence, ensuring it aligns with BREEAM requirements and accurately reflects the project’s sustainability performance. They then submit the compiled assessment report to BRE through their online platform.

6. BRE Review and Certification

After submission, BRE experts will review the assessment and may conduct site visits or request additional documentation for verification. It’s like an audit, so be prepared! If the review is successful, BRE will issue the BREEAM certificate and list your project on GreenBookLive, the online database of sustainable assets and services. Recognition at last!

7. Continuous Improvement with BREEAM In-Use

For BREEAM In-Use, it doesn’t stop at certification. The scheme allows for ongoing assessment and improvement. Regular reviews and updates ensure that the building continues to meet BREEAM standards and maintains its sustainability performance over time. This continuous improvement approach fosters a culture of sustainability and optimizes building performance. After all, sustainability isn’t a destination, but a journey.

In conclusion, BREEAM certification is not just a checklist, its a framework for creating buildings that are better for the environment and better for the people who use them. Following these steps can help you navigate the process and achieve a higher level of sustainability in your projects.