A partnership between BRE (the Building Research Establishment) and USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) will promote the expertise of both businesses and harness their combined industry insights, in order to deliver a new industry approach to building and built environment performance, solutions and benchmarking. “BRE is the world’s leading building
With furore building around the initial findings of the BRE report into the Grenfell Tower fire leaked to the London Evening Standard, Bureau Veritas has reiterated the critical importance of specification, construction methods and adherence to building standards in ensuring buildings are constructed correctly and appropriately going forward. The reported
The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A partnership between BRE (the Building Research Establishment) and USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) will promote the expertise of both businesses and harness their combined industry insights, in order to deliver a new industry approach to building and built environment performance, solutions and benchmarking. “BRE is the world’s leading building science centre. We have been at the forefront of developing knowledge and standards for almost 100 years. We sponsor and conduct research which continually improves productivity, quality, environmental performance, safety and well-being in the built environment. BRE’s standards, digital tools and training programs are key to equipping the industry and future generations for the global challenges of tomorrow. Our mission is to build a better world together and this partnership will enable us to substantially extend our reach and impact, around the world,” said Niall Trafford CEO at BRE. The two organisations aim to highlight the role that buildings can play in improving environmental, economic and health outcomes and to positively impact the quality of life of people around the world. Their joint vision is to create a better built environment that’s cleaner, more efficient, more sustainable and fully meets the world’s current and future urbanisation needs. “USGBC has led the green building community for nearly two decades. But there is still much work that needs to be done, and the stakes have never been higher. This collaboration allows us to leverage our tools and resources to scale-up the reductions in carbon emissions, that are associated with buildings and accelerate this on all fronts,” commented Mahesh Ramanujam, president & CEO, USGBC. The objectives that BRE and USGBC will pursue and explore together are to: Increase the level of engagement of existing buildings in the measurement, reporting and improvement of their environmental, social and wellbeing impact. Embrace a digital strategy that will raise our combined technological capabilities and establish industry-wide common data standards and protocols, to make our platforms simpler, smarter and more intelligent Conduct research to identify future transformation opportunities to improve the sustainability credentials of the world’s buildings, communities and cities. The collaboration will also leverage BRE and USGBC’s combined market knowledge, partnerships and collective tools through BREEAM, LEED and other rating systems to address all sectors: new and existing commercial buildings, new and existing homes, infrastructure, landscape, power, waste, and finance.
With furore building around the initial findings of the BRE report into the Grenfell Tower fire leaked to the London Evening Standard, Bureau Veritas has reiterated the critical importance of specification, construction methods and adherence to building standards in ensuring buildings are constructed correctly and appropriately going forward. The reported findings of the leaked interim document focused on five potentially significant breaches of building regulations that contributed to the spread of fire at Grenfell Tower, specifically in relation to a refurbishment carried out between 2014-16. Areas of focus included the building cladding and insulation, as well as the design and installation of the windows and cavity barriers. Andy Lowe, director of building control at Bureau Veritas, comments: “Firstly, it’s important that we wait for the full BRE report to be published to understand the real implications of the findings of the investigation. It’s also crucial that these findings are reviewed in conjunction with the ‘Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’ by Dame Judith Hackitt and alongside any changes to Government legislation that may arise as a result. “However, it’s always imperative to reiterate just how important it is to construct buildings correctly in accordance with building regulations, including at the specification stage to ensure that materials selected are appropriate and suitable for their intended use. This includes adequate inspection at every stage of the process to not only assess the suitability of the materials used but also that installation has been done correctly. “Benchmarking of key areas and photography of critical components is also recommended as best practise, along with thorough documentation to form part of a fire safety dossier that can be passed on to the fire risk assessor – this should also be made available to the relevant tenants association if applicable. “Any further alteration works should be reviewed against the original strategy for the building and obviously should still comply fully with safety requirements. Only with all these measures in place can we be satisfied that a building has been constructed and maintained to the highest standards. “It is our understanding and continued hope that when both the full BRE findings and the Hackitt Review are published that this approach to best practice is strengthened, to ensure long-term compliance with these vital aspects of fire safety.” Bureau Veritas is a leading testing, inspection and certification company with a vast experience of the building control sector. Bureau Veritas Building Control UK combines technical expertise and market-leading systems with unrivalled industry experience to deliver building control services to some of the biggest names in construction. Through effective teamwork, a consistent approach and commitment to excellence, Bureau Veritas’ solutions go beyond just compliance – they can help to reduce costs and manage risk throughout the building lifecycle, from design stages through to site inspections and final certification – whilst giving designers confidence that the project will comply with Building Regulations and all relevant legislation. For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the UK, fitted on residential and commercial properties. Despite that figure, there has never been a standardised certification scheme or best practice framework in place thus solar PV customers cannot be provided absolute confidence or certainty as to the value of the service provided. With a view to remedying that uncertainty, BRE Global, is unveiling a new certification scheme capable of providing quality assurance on systems of 50 kWp (equivalent to around 350m2) and above. BRE’s new scheme was launched at yesterday’s Solar PV Summit in London. With the solar PV certification scheme, the world-leading scientific research group, responsible for the much sought-after BREEAM environmental and sustainability building standard, principally aims to instil greater confidence in solar PV amongst installers, developers and customers and, in turn, ecnourage greater uptake of the energy generation technology. Jonny Williams, Director of BRE’s National Solar Centre admitted that its currently difficult for end users to ascertain the standard with which their system has been fitted and be sure that it will continue to perform consistently in the years ahead. The new certification will eradicate that problem, he said, formalising the practice and expectations as well as making sure al solar PV systems are appropriate to the property on which they’re fitted. As well as details on best practice installation, the scheme also comprises system design and on-site commissioning information. It has been developed on the back of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Firms securing BRE certification must undergo regular surveillance assessments in order to maintain compliance.
