BREEAM Prisons
The BRE’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a system for measuring the environmental performance of new and existing buildings. In addition to BREEAM Prisons, there are several other versions of BREEAM each designed to assess a particular type of building, including:
- Bespoke BREEAM for other buildings not covered below,
- EcoHomes for self contained dwellings (new and refurbished),
- BREEAM Further Education for new build and refurbishment of schools,
- BREEAM Industrial for new light industrial buildings,
- BREEAM International,
- BREEAM Healthcare for all healthcare buildings containing medical facilities, and at different stages of their lifecycle,
- BREEAM Multi-residential, typically student halls of residence/ key worker accommodation, sheltered housing for the elderly (but not care homes with extensive medical facilities), supported housing for mentally/ physically disabled persons and hostel type accommodation (such as for the homeless, women's refuges etc.)
- BREEAM Offices for offices (new, existing and in use),
- BREEAM Prisons for high and standard security prisons, young offenders institutions, local prisons and women's prisons (new and refurbished),
- BREEAM Retail for all retail buildings (new and in use),
- BREEAM Schools for new build and refurbishment of schools.
Buildings are assessed and awarded credits according to the level of performance within a range of 9 environmental categories, comprising management, energy use, health and well being, pollution, transport, land use, ecology, materials and water. The credits are then added together using a set of environmental weightings to produce a single overall score. The building is then rated on a scale of PASS, GOOD, VERY GOOD, EXCELLENT and OUTSTANDING and a certificate is awarded that can be used for promotional purposes.
Assessments must be carried out by independent assessors who are trained and licensed by BRE. BRE publishes a recommended fee scale for undertaking an assessment.
BREEAM 2008 goes beyond the remit of the standard biennial update and includes major step changes including:
- A new two stage assessment process: Design stage and Post Construction
- Introduction of mandatory credits
- A new rating level of BREEAM Outstanding
These dramatic changes are a response to a changing construction industry and public agenda where in the last few years sustainability has risen right to the top.
Role of Recycled and Secondary Aggregates (RSA)
The aim of the recycled aggregates credit within BREEAM is to recognise and encourage the use of recycled aggregates in construction. One credit is awarded where significant use of RSA are specified to deliver positive aspects of the design, (such as the building structure, ground slabs, roads, etc.).
Over 25% of the total ‘high grade’ aggregate uses must be recycled aggregates. These must be either:
- Obtained on site,
- Obtained from waste processing sites within a 30km radius, or
- Be recycled post-consumer/ post-industrial wastes, such as crushed/blown glass pellets, PFAs, blast furnace slag, etc.
High grade aggregate uses are defined as the structural frame, floor slabs, asphalt based or similar road surfaces, gravel landscaping, and site-derived masonry, such as hardcore under ground floor slabs, site roads and car parking areas.
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