BREEAM In-Use
BREEAM In-Use is a scheme to help building managers reduce the running costs and improve the environmental performance of existing buildings. It consists of a standard, an easy-to-use assessment methodology and a 3rd party certification process that provides a clear and credible route map to improving sustainability. BREEAM In-Use is currently relevant to all non-domestic: commercial, industrial, retail and institutional buildings.
The biggest opportunity to address the UK's environmental impact lies in better management and improvement of the existing building stock. BREEAM In-Use has been developed to recognise and encourage better building management and targeted investment in existing building stock.
The environmental performance of an organisation's built assets is a key factor in its sustainability credentials and carbon footprint. Operating a building also represents a major cost - with soaring energy prices and an uncertain economic outlook, cutting energy, water, waste and other such costs can be a relatively easy way of improving profitability.
BREEAM In-Use is designed to:
• Reduce operational costs
• Enhance the value and marketability of property assets
• Give a transparent platform for landlords, owners and tenants to negotiate building improvements.
• Provide a route to compliance with environmental legislation and standards, such as energy labelling and ISO 14001
• Give greater engagement with staff in implementing sustainable business practices
• Provide opportunities to improve staff satisfaction with the working environment with the potential for significant improvements in productivity
• Demonstrate your commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Improve organisational effectiveness
• Provide a genuine badge of proven sustainability
BREEAM In-Use assessments are broken down into 3 parts:
| Part 1 | Asset performance - the inherent performance characteristics of the building based on its built form, construction and services |
| Part 2 | Building management performance - the management policies, procedures and practices related to the operation of the building; the consumption of key resources such as energy, water and other consumables; and environmental impacts such as carbon and waste generation |
| Part 3 | Organisational effectiveness - the understanding and implementation of management policies, procedures and practices; staff engagement; and delivery of key outputs. Note: The criteria for Part 3 is based on office buildings only, other building types can be assessed but will be indicative only. |
The BREEAM In-Use scheme enables organisations to self-assess the performance of their portfolio using the online BREEAM In-Use tool. Licensed BREEAM In-Use Auditors are trained to verify the self assessment and can also issue the certificate.
Auditors may give support and advice to help their clients with the self assessment process. Post certification auditors may offer consultancy based improvements.
The assessment tool enables building managers to see the impact of their building and existing systems and initiatives, as well as the potential impact of any proposed changes. The BREEAM In-Use tool also enables Key Performance data to be uploaded and calculates performance against 12 key performance indicators including carbon dioxide emissions per employee, water consumption per square metre, proportion of waste recycled etc.
Note the BREEAM In-Use software is not currently fully functional. Certain aspects of the software will be phased in over the coming months. September the first phase of the automated assessment tool will be launched upon the website. Currently most functions of the software can be achieved by manually submitting verified and unverified scores to BRE Global. Please see PDF Downloads section to the right of this screen to view further information such as the BREEAM In-Use scheme document, fee sheet and standard.
Note: The BREEAM In-Use tool can currently only be used to register assets within the UK.
BREEAM In-Use Certification Scheme is currently based on the UK Building Regulations, codes of practice, climatic conditions and energy methodology. Assessments outside of the UK are indicative only. If you wish you wish to register your non-UK asset(s) for an indicative BREEAM In-Use score and ultimately gain an indicative certificate please request this at BIU@bre.co.uk
International clients (clients outside the UK) have the opportunity to become an International Sustainability Alliance (ISA) member. The ISA is dedicated to achieving a more sustainable built environment through the use of environmental assessment methods. By becoming a member of the ISA there are many opportunities such as benchmarking and no BREEAM In-Use registration fee. Please go to www.internationalsustainabilityalliance.org to find out more information.
BREEAM In-Use sits alongside the already well established BREEAM schemes for assessing the environmental performance of buildings at the design and construction stages. All those involved in occupying, procuring or managing existing buildings can now evaluate - and improve - the performance of their property assets and the quality of their management regimes.
* Please note that help for Technical enquires are only available for portfolio members.
If you require a BREEAM In-Use assessment that falls outside the scope of the current BREEAM In-Use scheme please register your interest and give specific details by emailing us at BIU@bre.co.uk.
