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Multiple Author ArticleBREEAM Environmental management
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[edit] Aim and benefits
To encourage contractors, or the use of contractors, who operate environmental management systems and to ensure that their sites are managed in an environmentally responsible manner; implementing best practice pollution prevention policies and procedures.
[edit] When to consider
This issue should be considered prior to the selection of the contractor so that the requirement for the principal contractor to operate an environmental management system (EMS) can be included within the tender documents.
[edit] Step by step guidance
At the pre-assessment stage, the size, value and complexity of the project may have a bearing on whether the client wishes to target this issue. It should be ascertained whether the client would prefer not to limit the tendering process to those contractors holding EMS on simple buildings, where the use of a local, smaller builder (less likely to operate an EMS) may be more appropriate.
Where the principal contractor is not appointed at design stage, a commitment to appoint a contractor who operates an EMS such as ISO 14001 for their main construction operations and a requirement for the contractor to implement best practice pollution prevention policies and procedures on site in accordance with Pollution Prevention Guidelines, working at construction and demolition sites: PPG6 should be included within the tender contract documentation or within a formal letter of commitment from the client.
Once appointed, the principal contractor should provide a copy of their EMS certification or, for BS 8555 - evidence of their status such as copies of their phase one to four audits.
The contractor should provide relevant sections of their environmental management procedures manual to show that they have company policies in place. They should also maintain records to evidence the procedures in place on site were implemented. This could be in the form of drainage plans to show that the temporary site drainage was connected up correctly and that existing surface water gullies are protected from site pollution e.g. concrete washing out takes place away from the area. Site plans could be provided to show the location for the storage of hazardous liquids and fuels and photographic records kept to show that it was stored in double bunded tanks with spill kits to hand. The contractor should be made aware of the records required to be kept for the specific site prior to commencing on site.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
- Does the contractor operate an EMS system?
- Are there any site-specific pollution issues that need to be addressed i.e. nearby watercourses or high ground water table?
[edit] Tools and resources
Construction and demolition sites, PPG6: prevention pollution provides guidance on how to prevent pollution and comply with environmental law at construction and demolition sites. This publication was withdrawn from use by the EA in December 2015 as the EA no longer provides "good practice" guidance. A copy can still be found on the national archives on the link below:
More information and an introduction to environmental management systems can be found at the links below:
- WRAP: Your Guide to Environmental Management Systems
- New Construction 2014 Knowledge Base link for Man03 Issues
- Non Domestic Refurbishment and Fit Out Knowledge Base link for Man03 Issues
- BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 Issue 5.0 - Man03
- BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit Out 2014 Issue 1.1 - Man03
[edit] Tips and best practice
It should be noted that for Healthcare projects, it is a pre-requisite that the principal contractor operates an EMS system.
Generally, principal contractors will hold third party certification to ISO 14001. However, small to medium contractors may opt for a more manageable staged approach to environmental management. To be compliant, the contractor must have completed the phased audit stages one to four and provide evidence to this effect.
[edit] Typical evidence
[edit] Design Stage
Design stage evidence can be awarded based on contract clauses/specifications to show a commitment by the client/developer to appoint a principal contractor who will operate the EMS and follow best practice pollution prevention policies and procedures. Where the contractor is selected, they should provide a copy of their EMS certification.
[edit] Post-construction stage
At post-construction stage, the principal contractor must provide a copy of their EMS certification, or for BS 8555 - evidence of their status (e.g. a copy of their phase 4 audit).
To show compliance with PPG 6, the contractor should provide a letter or report covering any actions completed together with supporting photographic evidence. They could also use drawings, company policies and method statements to show that works have been carried out and managed in an appropriate manner.
[edit] Applicable Schemes
The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See this document for further guidelines.
- UK New Construction 2014
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.
--Multiple Author Article 16:23, 19 Apr 2018 (BST)
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[edit] Management:
- BREEAM Sustainability champion
- BREEAM Environmental management
- BREEAM Considerate construction
- BREEAM Monitoring of construction site impacts
- BREEAM Aftercare support
- BREEAM Seasonal commissioning
- BREEAM Testing and inspecting building fabric
- BREEAM Life cycle cost and service life planning
- BREEAM Stakeholder consultation (ac)
- BREEAM Commissioning (ac)
- BREEAM Handover (ac)
- BREEAM Inclusive and accessible design (ac)
- BREEAM Post occupancy evaluation
[edit] Health and Wellbeing
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting (partly ac)
- BREEAM Visual comfort View out
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation
- BREEAM Thermal comfort
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting (ac)
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs (ac)
- BREEAM Potential for natural ventilation (ac)
- BREEAM Safe containment in laboratories (ac)
- BREEAM Acoustic performance
- BREEAM Safety and security (ac)
[edit] Energy
- BREEAM Reduction of energy use and carbon emissions
- BREEAM Energy monitoring
- BREEAM External lighting
- BREEAM Low carbon design
- BREEAM Passive design
- BREEAM Free cooling
- BREEAM LZC technologies
- BREEAM Energy efficient cold storage (partly ac)
- BREEAM Energy efficient transportation systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient laboratory systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient equipment (partly ac)
- BREEAM Drying space
[edit] Transport
- BREEAM Transport assessment and travel plan
- BREEAM Public transport accessibility
- BREEAM Sustainable transport measures
- BREEAM Proximity to amenities
- BREEAM Cyclist facilities
- BREEAM Alternative modes of transport (ac)
- BREEAM Maximum car parking capacity
- BREEAM Travel plan
- BREEAM Home office (ac)
[edit] Water
- BREEAM Water consumption
- BREEAM Water efficient equipment
- BREEAM Water monitoring
- BREEAM Water leak detection (ac)
[edit] Materials
- BREEAM Hard landscaping and boundary protection
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials
- BREEAM Insulation
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience
- BREEAM Life cycle impacts
- BREEAM Material efficiency (ac)
[edit] Waste
- BREEAM Construction waste management
- BREEAM Recycled aggregates
- BREEAM Speculative floor & ceiling finishes
- BREEAM Adaptation to climate change
- BREEAM Operational waste
- BREEAM Functional adaptability (ac)
[edit] Land Use and Ecology
- BREEAM Site Selection
- BREEAM Ecological value of site
- BREEAM Protection of ecological features
- BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology
- BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity (ac)
[edit] Pollution
- BREEAM Impact of refrigerants
- BREEAM NOx emissions
- BREEAM Flood risk management (ac)
- BREEAM Surface water run-off (ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution (partly ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of noise pollution
Once an ISD has been initially created the '(ac)' marker can be removed
This particular index is based around the structure of the New Construction and RFO schemes.