Congratulations to our Senior Environmental Consultant, Nick Gorrie, who is now qualified as a BREEAM In-Use Assessor. 

The BREEAM In-Use standard has been designed to address the increasing demands of property developers, investors and occupiers to improve the sustainability of their existing commercial and residential buildings to demonstrate their commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).

The primary aim of BREEAM In-Use is to mitigate the operational impacts of existing assets on the environment in a robust and cost-effective manner. The performance-based assessment method and certification scheme benchmarks the building across a large range of environmental themes (including Management, Health & Wellbeing, Energy, Transport, Water, Resources, Resilience, Land Use And Ecology, and Pollution.)

The assessment is in two parts, each considering a different aspect of the building…

Part 1 – Asset Performance: the performance of the building itself (e.g. the built form, construction, fixtures, fittings and installed services etc.)

Part 2 – Management Performance: the building management processes (e.g. management of key resources such as energy and water as well as environmental impacts such as carbon and waste generation etc.)

Following the assessment and certification process, the BREEAM In-Use rating (between one and six stars) will be awarded for each part assessed.

This process will provide the client with an overview of the actual performance of the existing asset. This may then be used to inform requirements for improving, tuning, re-commissioning, and management decisions, as well as assisting with planning any refurbishment requirements.

The BREEAM In-Use certification has a three year lifespan, which can be revised during this period if a client wishes.

Of course, our Assessors are also available, post-certification, to provide guidance with any targeted improvements to the environmental aspects of the building, and work towards a higher certification rating if required.