Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings

In 2021 British Standards Institute launched BS 40101:2021 the first British Standard on evaluating building performance.

This standard has been updated in 2022 for BS 40101:2022, with it complete title being; "Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings (using data gathered from tests, measurements, observation and user experience). Specification."

BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) define Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) as:

“…a form of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) which can be used at any point in a building's life to assess energy performance, occupant comfort and make comparisons with design targets.”

In their blog about the new standard BSI describes how the standard is set-up in simple terms, the what, why, when, how and who of building performance evaluation.

"BS 40101:2022 has a simple aim: it gives guidance on how to evaluate building performance. But this is a complicated area. Thus the standard covers the what, why, when, how and who of building performance evaluation.

“What” relates to what needs to be tested or evaluated depending on the physicality of the property, the performance parameters of interest and the reason or reasons for the evaluation. Which brings users neatly on to “why” evaluate performance in the first place. This must be determined. Is it to verify performance or measure performance before or after improvement works? To investigate suspected underperformance or to inform the design of a new building or building type? The standard also gives guidance on tracking performance over time, e.g. for annual reporting or periodic building MOT's.

“When” is another question that needs to be answered. Evaluation activities may be conducted before works, “in process”, at completion of works, or 6-12 months after completion. They may be triggered by construction stages, a prescribed timetable, to aid the specification of other building(s) and/or if performance concerns are raised by occupants, users or other stakeholders.

Next is “how” the evaluation should be conducted and escalated if required – including ongoing adoption of new methods, technologies and techniques. The standard also prescribes the accuracy, granularity and format in which test and measurement data should be captured and held.

Finally “who” outlines the expertise required to conduct and interpret evaluation activities and to take responsibility for checking the relevant performance parameters and investigating any underperformance found to identify the root cause.

The standard also takes account of building occupants/operators and occupation patterns including density, both in evaluating that the building performance is fit for purpose in respect of its occupants and occupation and in incorporating occupant (user) feedback and insights to identify and help investigate performance concerns. "

For further reading and a link to the new British Standard follow this link.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Building performance evaluation.
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• Building performance metrics.
• Building use studies (BUS).
• CIOB Building Performance and Evaluation Guide.
• Closing the gap between design and as-built performance.
• Defects liability period.
• Design quality indicator DQI.
• End of contract report.
• Energy performance certificates.
• Extended aftercare.
• Initial aftercare.
• Maintenance.
• Migration strategy.
• Occupation.
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• Performance in use (starter article that repeats some of the text in this article).
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• Soft landings.