‘BREEAM In Use‘ is a standard (BES 5058) that enables the provision of information
about the environmental performance of various aspects of a business, whether a manufacturing organisation or service industry.
The standard measures the performance of :-
- the building (Asset Rating)
- the operation of the building (Building Management Rating)
- how clients are managing their activities within the building (Organisational Rating)
The information will enable building owners, tenants, building managers and investment managers to establish the environmental sustainability of their existing buildings, their operation and activities. This in turn will help them to reduce both their costs and improving their environmental sustainability.
The standard (BES 5058) covers the major environmental issues that affect a building during its operational life including:-
- energy and greenhouse gas emissions
- water
- waste
- air quality
- noise
- lighting
- property protection
- fire protection etc.
BREEAM In Use consists of three parts
- Asset Rating – the inherent performance characteristics of the building based upon its built form, construction and services.
- Building Management Rating – the management policies, procedures and practices relating to the operation of the building; the consumption of key resources such as energy, water and other consumables; the environmental impacts such as carbon and waste generation.
- Organisational Rating – the understanding and implementation of management policies, procedures and practices; staff engagement; delivery of key outputs.
One important aspect of BREEAM In Use is that it is an easy to use on-line system enabling users to pre-asses their assets and the operations within them. Following completion of the on-line pre-assessment the client contracts a licensed BREEAM In Use Auditor to carry out verification of the on-line assessment and perform an on-site audit to verify the data. Alternatively the Auditor can complete the process of the pre-assessment on behalf of the asset owner and then carry out the verification, assuming there is no conflict of interest in carrying out both roles.
The Auditor will issue a certificate upon confirmation of the audit. A separate certificate will be issued for each of the relevant parts of the standard which will attract a fee payable to the Auditor.
