BREEAM
Encyclopedia
BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment
(BRE). Since its inception it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across the globe. Its equivalents in other regions include LEED
North America and Green Star
in Australia, and HQE in France. BRE and CSTB (the French Building research centre) have signed a memorandum of understanding
committing them to the alignment of BREEAM and HQE.
called BREEAM international. The standard is set to be used in regions such as the Gulf (BREEAM Gulf) and Europe.. In order to become a BREEAM International assessor the individual must have attended one of the assessor training courses.
(High Environmental Quality) standard, which has similarities to BREEAM. It is hoped that this will eventually result in the development and promotion of a common assessment method throughout the European Union
.
Building Research Establishment
The Building Research Establishment is a former UK government establishment that carries out research, consultancy and testing for the construction and built environment sectors in the United Kingdom...
(BRE). Since its inception it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across the globe. Its equivalents in other regions include LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
North America and Green Star
Green Star (Australia)
Green Star is a voluntary environmental rating system for buildings in Australia. It was launched in 2003 by the Green Building Council of Australia....
in Australia, and HQE in France. BRE and CSTB (the French Building research centre) have signed a memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
committing them to the alignment of BREEAM and HQE.
History
BREEAM was established in 1990 as a tool to measure the sustainability of new non-domestic buildings in the UK . It has been updated regularly in line with UK building regulations and underwent a significant facelift on 1 August 2008, called BREEAM 2008.Building types
The standard covers these main building types:- Retail
- Offices
- Education
- Prisons
- Courts
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Specialised buildings assessed under the BREEAM Bespoke method
- Multi-Residential
BREEAM 2008
The main changes in the new version of BREEAM are:- A new two stage assessment process: Design stage and Post Construction
- Introduction of mandatory credits
- A new rating level of BREEAM Outstanding
International growth
The BREEAM standard is now being exported under the responsibility of a division of the BREBuilding Research Establishment
The Building Research Establishment is a former UK government establishment that carries out research, consultancy and testing for the construction and built environment sectors in the United Kingdom...
called BREEAM international. The standard is set to be used in regions such as the Gulf (BREEAM Gulf) and Europe.. In order to become a BREEAM International assessor the individual must have attended one of the assessor training courses.
Future development
On June 16, 2009, it was announced that the BRE had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together with the French CSTB (Centre scientifique et technique du bâtiment) and its subsidiary CertiVéA to develop a pan-European building environmental assessment method. The CSTB are one of the organisations behind the French Haute Qualité EnvironnementaleHaute Qualité Environnementale
The Haute Qualité Environnementale or HQE is a standard for green building in France, based on the principles of sustainable development first set out at the 1992 Earth Summit...
(High Environmental Quality) standard, which has similarities to BREEAM. It is hoped that this will eventually result in the development and promotion of a common assessment method throughout the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.