BREEAM Assessor key terms

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method: a family of third-party certification schemes that score the environmental, social and economic performance of buildings and infrastructure against defined sustainability criteria.

The formal confirmation, issued by BRE Global after a satisfactory quality-assured assessment, that an asset has achieved a named BREEAM rating at a given version and stage.

The overall performance band awarded to an assessed asset, typically expressed as Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent or Outstanding and derived from the percentage of available credits achieved.

A unit of achievement awarded when a defined assessment issue's requirements are met; credits are weighted and summed to produce the overall percentage score.

A single scored requirement within a BREEAM technical manual, containing its aim, criteria, evidence requirements and the number of credits available.

The relative importance applied to each environmental category when converting credits into the overall score, reflecting the category's significance within that scheme and version.

One of the topic groupings (such as energy, water, materials, health and wellbeing) under which assessment issues are organised and weighted within a scheme.

The authoritative scheme document setting out categories, issues, criteria, evidence requirements, weightings and scoring rules for a specific BREEAM scheme and version.

A dated edition of a BREEAM scheme (for example a named year and update) whose criteria apply to an assessment; assets are registered against one version.

The formal process of enrolling a project or asset with BRE Global against a chosen scheme and version, which fixes the applicable criteria and starts the assessment record.

An individual who has passed the relevant BREEAM competency examination, holds a current licence and is authorised to carry out assessments and submit them for quality assurance.

The independent review by BRE Global of an assessor's submission, checking that reported evidence supports each claimed credit before certification is granted.

Documentary or recorded proof, such as drawings, specifications, certificates, commissioning records or photographs, that demonstrates an assessment issue's criteria have been satisfied.

An early exercise estimating the likely rating by reviewing the design or asset against the manual, used to identify gaps and inform the sustainability brief.

An additional credit available for demonstrated exemplary or novel sustainability performance beyond the standard requirements, subject to defined approval and evidence rules.

The scheme for assessing newly built or major extension projects, covering design and construction stages and culminating in a post-construction certification.

A certificate issued at the design stage of a new construction assessment, confirming the rating achievable if the design is implemented as assessed.

The post-construction certificate issued once the completed building has been assessed against the as-built evidence, confirming the achieved BREEAM rating.

The scheme for assessing the operational performance of existing buildings, organised around asset performance, building management and occupier management parts.

The In-Use part that examines the inherent characteristics and installed systems of the building itself, largely independent of how it is currently operated or occupied.

The In-Use part assessing how the building's systems, policies and maintenance are managed, typically under the control of the landlord or facilities team.

The In-Use part covering the fit-out, practices and policies within the occupier's control, such as energy monitoring, procurement and occupant engagement.

The measured in-use performance of a building, such as metered energy and water consumption, used to demonstrate real rather than predicted outcomes.

The scheme for assessing alterations and fit-out works to existing buildings, with separate parts for the building fabric and structure, services, and interior fit-out.

The design and installation of internal partitions, finishes, fixtures, services and furniture within a building shell to suit a particular occupier's use.

A building delivered with structure, envelope and base services but without occupier fit-out, which affects which refurbishment and fit-out assessment parts apply.

The refurbishment part addressing retained or altered elements such as walls, floors, roofs and windows, including their thermal and environmental performance.

The refurbishment part covering mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems installed or altered during the works, including their efficiency and controls.

The scheme for assessing civil engineering and public realm projects such as roads, rail, utilities and flood defences, using an outcome-based approach across project life stages.

A defined phase in an infrastructure project's life, such as inception, design, construction or operation, at which particular assessment issues become applicable and are verified.

The process of confirming, usually through independent review, that claimed infrastructure performance has been delivered and evidenced at the relevant project stage.

The scheme for assessing the sustainability of neighbourhood-scale masterplans, covering planning, design and long-term stewardship of new or regenerated places.

The overarching spatial and policy framework for a neighbourhood, setting out land uses, movement, density and design principles that the Communities assessment evaluates.

The long-term management arrangements for a place after development, including maintenance, governance and community involvement, assessed within the Communities scheme.

The structured process of involving communities, authorities and other interested parties in planning and decision-making, evidenced as part of several BREEAM schemes.

A method of quantifying environmental impacts of materials and buildings across their whole life, from extraction and manufacture through use to end of life.