Certification of buildings according to the BREEAM in-Use method

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Certification of buildings according to the BREEAM in-Use method

The BREEAM In-Use method is an internay of existing buildings.
tional comprehensive building assessment and certification program aimed at improving the environmental efficiency and durability. This program assesses the key sustainability aspects that affect a building throughout its operational life, gathering and analyzing data across nine main assessment categories:

The construction expertise consists of three stages:

The methodology of project management covers all stages of the project life cycle: From preliminary analysis and design to construction and commissioning of the facility. Furthermore, it is intended to perform a specific set of tasks at each stage.

Energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Monitoring of water consumption
Waste disposal
Air quality
Noise level
Lighting efficiency
Impact on health and safety

Such an assessment system is aimed at improving the sustainability of existing buildings. It facilitates the collection of information about the environmental performance and operation of the building, as well as how customers or tenants manage their activities in the building or its individual parts.

The BREEAM in-Use method consists of three main sections:

Stage 1

Asset evaluation:

evaluates the building’s core characteristics, considering its construction, the presence and quality of engineering systems, and the overall construction quality

Stage 2

Building management analysis:

at this stage, management strategies and procedures related to the operation of the building are evaluated, including the consumption of basic resources (such as electricity and water), as well as environmental impact criteria such as carbon emissions and waste generation.

Stage 3

Assessment of tenant management:

assesses management strategies, procedures, and methods.

Why are BREEAM in-Use procedures important?

The BREEAM in-Use method is aimed at solving various problems related to inefficient use of resources, or the lack of standardized management methods. These problems lead to high operating costs, adverse environmental impacts, and overall suboptimal building performance.

The main reasons for implementing BREEAM In-Use procedures are:

Assessment of the overall quality of the asset portfolio;
Making environmental improvements to assets and management systems;
Identification of assets showing low productivity and requiring reconstruction;
Reduction of the total operating expenses of the asset;
Creating key indicators for asset management improvements;
Reporting on the implementation and adherence to corporate social responsibility.

The introduction of procedures for the systematic assessment of the sustainability of buildings is an urgent trend and a pan-European strategy in the field of real estate management. According to the latest directives of commercial and banking regulators, the availability of implemented methodologies for sustainable facilities and their management will soon become mandatory for all asset holders including developers, foundations, and other entities.