University BREEAM Overview
All new major new build and refurbishment projects are required to be certified as at least ‘Excellent’ under BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), a comprehensive environmental rating system for buildings.
The University’s Design & Standards Brief makes some aspects of the BREEAM Assessment mandatory and the University’s annual Environmental Sustainability Report reports on compliance with this policy.
For unusual building types some aspects of BREEAM certification may not be deemed applicable. In these instances the design team shall agree with the University’s project quality team an alternative method for measuring performance that does not compromise on any of the core standards, and is still subject to audit by an external sustainable construction specialist.
Background to BREEAM
BREEAM awards credits for different environmental features which are combined to achieve an overall score. BREEAM compliant buildings are certified on a five-point scale of Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding.
BREEAM is widely recognised both in the UK and internationally. It was launched in 1990 and is revised every 3-4 years to reflect developments in technology and regulations.