Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building's environmental performance.

A BREEAM assessment uses recognised measures of performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use. The measures used represent a broad range of categories and criteria from energy to ecology. They include aspects related to energy and water use, the internal environment (health and well-being), pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology and management processes.

• There are many benefits of becoming a BREEAM International assessor, including:
• Being able to lead and inspire the industry in association with BRE Global,
• Creating business opportunities for yourself and your company,
• Raising awareness of sustainability on a global level,
• Having the opportunity to make a difference,
• Influencing the design of buildings,
• Interesting work.

• BREEAM Europe Commercial scheme (can be used to assess office, retail and industrial buildings, http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=293)
• BREEAM In-Use (scheme to help building managers reduce the running costs and improve the environmental performance of existing buildings, http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=295)

Home page: http://www.breeam.org/

Videos: http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=312

BREEAM Assessors training courses are currently open to all.

Training will be of interest to those:

• Designing or specifying buildings for low environmental impact,
• Delivering BREEAM or other environmental Assessments,
• Satisfying professional CPD requirements,
• Wanting to gain a recognised qualification.

BREEAM International assessors are qualified to carry out any BREEAM assessments outside of the UK using the standard schemes and the Bespoke International Scheme.

What are the benefits of becoming a BREEAM International Assessor?

There are many benefits of becoming a BREEAM International assessor, including:

• Being able to lead and inspire the industry in association with BRE Global,
• Creating business opportunities for yourself and your company,
• Raising awareness of sustainability on a global level,
• Having the opportunity to make a difference,
• Influencing the design of buildings,
• Interesting work.

Are there any pre-qualification requirements?

There are no pre-qualification requirements to becoming a BREEAM International assessor.  The only thing we stipulate is the need to have a very good understanding of written and spoken English.  We do however have to state that the training is technical and therefore knowledge of the below areas would be advantageous:

• Construction,
• Sustainability Principles,
• Local codes and standards specific to where you will be working,
• Building regulations,
• Environmental design,
• Energy performance.

The BREEAM International Training Course

To become a BREEAM International assessor you will need to have completed a three day training course.  The first two days are the Foundation days (common to all non domestic versions of BREEAM) and the third day is the Top Up Day which is specific to BREEAM International.

The training course consists of lectures and workshop exercises. During the course you will work on case studies to help familiarise yourself with the BREEAM issues. At the end of the third day, you will be required to successfully complete a multi-choice exam and a homework case study exercise which you have 3 months to complete and submit.

Once you have become a qualified BREEAM International assessor, you are then eligible to apply for a BREEAM International Licence.  There is no fee attached to the annual licence, you are however charged a lodgement fee per assessment registered.

Details of course dates and costs can be found on the Training and Events page.

What buildings can be assessed with this qualification?

Once you have completed the training and signed a licensing agreement with BRE Global, BREEAM International Assessors are able to:  Carry out assessments for International BREEAM schemes such as BREEAM Gulf and the European schemes, Carry out Bespoke BREEAM assessments.

BREEAM In-Use is a new scheme to help building managers and owners reduce the running costs and improve the environmental performance of existing buildings.

The scheme uses an on-line assessment system which can be completed by managers and owners to self-assess their buildings. This training course is only available to existing BREEAM Assessors, BRE Global accredited Non Domestic EPC, and DEC assessors currently exclusively registered with BRE schemes.

There are two levels of qualification:

• Auditors: who carry out self-assessment audits of their own buildings using the on-line system,
• Assessors/Client: who are licensed to independently review/carry out audits for the purposes of certification.  Self-assessed audits must be independently reviewed before certification can be granted.

To carry out BREEAM In-Use audit as an auditor you need to attend a one day course, pass the auditor exam and take out an auditor licence. To be a BREEAM In-Use assessor you must also pass an examination and take out a BREEAM In-Use assessor licence.

BREEAM In-Use certificate is currently only available for assessments made against UK based assets. BREEAM In-Use International is currently under development and will be available shortly. At present international assessments can recieve an indicative rating.

The format of the one day auditor training course is based on a combination of presentations and interactive workshops covering:

• Background to BREEAM In-Use, BREEAM new buildings and energy certificates,
• Assessment methodology,
• Evidence gathering and verification,
• Certification process,
• Scheme rules, and quality assurance,
• Use of the online assessment system.

All candidates successfully completing the course are offered the opportunity to be a licensed BREEAM in Use assessor.  To be qualified and licensed as BREEAM In Use assessor you will need to:

• Successfully complete an examination taken at the end of the training day and
• Submit an application form for licence after you have successfully passed the examination.

Details of course dates and costs can be found on the Training and Events page.

BREEAM Accredited Professional (BREEAM AP) is open to suitably experienced construction professionals who already have a good knowledge of environmental design and the design process but lack detailed understanding of BREEAM.  The BREEAM AP qualification is aimed at architects, engineers and others with design skills and responsibilities. In recognition of the significant contribution a BREEAM AP can make to the design process, up to three BREEAM credits (BREEAM 2011) are available if a BREEAM AP is engaged from an appropriate point in a project.

Prior knowledge and background to become a BREEAM AP

A range of design professionals may be eligible to undertake the BREEAM AP qualification through this route. We recommend as a minimum the following prior knowledge and background:

• Recognised academic / vocational qualification in a relevant built environment discipline,
• At least three years post graduate (or equivalent) professional experience working in a role covering the sustainability of the built environment - candidates will ideally have design team involvement on a number of projects where sustainability was part of the project brief e.g. a target to achieve at least BREEAM Excellent for the completed design,
• Knowledge of environmental design / integrated design with an appreciation of life cycle assessment and cost analysis,
• Appropriate membership of a professional institution,
• Minimum levels of work experience and on-the-job training can be considered as alternatives to formal qualification and professional membership.

Programme:

The training programme is in three parts:

• Part 1 (Familiarisation - to be completed by ALL BREEAM AP candidates),
• Part 2 (on-line training – required for individuals who are not already qualified as BREEAM assessors) are self-study.

The time required to complete these will depend upon your background and experience.

• Part 3 (workshop and examination day – to be completed by all BREEAM AP Candidates) is carried out at BRE’s offices and training facilities in Watford (UK).

You MUST complete your Part 1 and Part 2 course materials before attending the Workshop/Examination.

Details of course dates and costs can be found on the Training and Events page.

Search BREEAM Accredited Professional

Link: http://www.greenbooklive.com/search/scheme.jsp?id=172

Search BREEAM Assessors/In-Use Auditors

Link: http://www.greenbooklive.com/search/scheme.jsp?id=172

Search BREEAM Certified Buildings

Link: http://www.greenbooklive.com/search/scheme.jsp?id=202

FAQ

Link: http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=27