What is BREEAM in Construction?

BREEAM helps companies to evaluate the sustainability of a particular construction project. It is a certification process that assigns point values to different sustainability categories against established benchmarks. Assessors then use these to calculate an overall BREEAM score for a project development.

What does BREEAM stand for?

BREEAM is an acronym for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) developed it in 1990 and, it is now the standard sustainability assessment in the UK.

BREEAM assessments cover every aspect of the construction process and many different possible impacts on the environment and community long term.

How is a BREEAM score calculated?

A licensed BREEAM assessor reviews a project based on the following categories:

• Energy
• Health & Wellbeing
• Innovation
• Land use & Ecology
• Management
• Materials
• Pollution
• Resilience
• Resources
• Transport
• Waste
• Water

They calculate the final score as a percentage based on BREEAM certification benchmarks. To pass, the project must obtain at least 30%. The remaining categories are: Good (45%), Very Good (55%), Excellent (70%), Outstanding (85%).

Successful projects consider sustainability throughout the development process. Innovative materials, energy efficiency, and early planning can all help improve a developer’s sustainability score.

Why are BREEAM scores important?

Local authorities sometimes require Excellent or Outstanding BREEAM ratings before projects can take place. This ensures they are not harmful to the community or environment. Planning sustainably is therefore a prerequisite in the construction process.

If a construction project is sustainable, a developer can also save on costs and improve the longevity of developments. A strong BREEAM rating will also improve a business’ corporate social responsibility (CSR). The public also benefit from sustainable buildings in the UK, as they are more ergonomic and user-friendly with more green spaces.

At FormFive, we value sustainability and utilise a range of innovative building materials and techniques. For more information, contact us at hello@formfivegroup.co.uk or call 01604 218 700.