BREEAM In-Use: Asset, Building Management, and Occupier Scope
BREEAM In-Use is the scheme for existing, operational buildings. It is structured in three parts: Part 1 (Asset) covers the inherent performance and characteristics of the building fabric and services; Part 2 (Building Management) covers how the building is operated, maintained, and managed; Part 3 (Occupier Management) covers the fit-out and management practices of the occupying organisation. Candidates must know which part a given issue belongs to - this is a frequent question trap.
The assessment uses a questionnaire/credit structure with weightings and rating bands similar in spirit to New Construction, but applied to operational performance. Evidence is typically documentary and observational: policies, maintenance records, meter data, and site inspection. A key concept is performance improvement over time - In-Use encourages benchmarking and re-certification, so candidates should understand that ratings are point-in-time and can improve through management actions.
Traps: attributing a management policy to the Asset part; confusing occupier responsibilities with building management responsibilities in multi-tenant buildings; and assuming In-Use requires a design team rather than operational evidence. Another trap is treating In-Use as a construction-stage assessment - it is not.
Rule of thumb: if the issue describes the physical asset and its installed systems, it is Part 1; if it describes how the building is run, it is Part 2; if it describes how the tenant operates within the space, it is Part 3.