SABRE
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
SABRE (Security Assurance by the Building Research Establishment) is a security assessment and certification scheme for new and existing built assets such as buildings and infrastructure, owned by BRE Global Ltd (part of the BRE Group). It was developed as the result of fundamental scientific research funded by the BRE Trust.
SABRE recognises and rewards good practice and measures the performance of those involved in the construction and operation of built assets so they can make informed investment decisions, communicate their security credentials to interested parties and benefit from greater transparency. It adopts a risk-based framework to ensure a flexible approach, recognising all solutions that contribute to security. This avoids a checklist mentality that could stifle innovation and produce incomplete and ineffective security.
The SABRE assessment process follows a framework incorporating nine technical sections and 70 assessment issues. For each section there is an aim, and each technical issue includes criteria and metrics for demonstrating compliance. SABRE rates facilities on a sliding scale between ‘Acceptable’ (1 Star) and ‘Outstanding’ (5 Stars).
SABRE certification provides a broad range of benefits to industry stakeholders, including:
- Improved design and construction quality.
- Enhanced marketability.
- Improved operational effectiveness.
- Independent assurance.
- Value for money solutions.
- Benchmarking.
- Insurance incentives.
BRE Global train individuals to become SABRE Registered Assessors. Their role is to interpret the requirements of each issue in relation to a scheme, communicate these requirements to the client and liaise with the project team to collate evidence and prepare an assessment report to help their client achieve SABRE certification.
BRE Global are also introducing SABRE Registered Professionals. These are individuals who meet the competency requirements of the deliverables within the scheme including; threat assessments, risk assessments, security strategies, technical design and engineering and operational security plans.
Registered Assessors and Professionals are registered under Licence through their organisation who will be granted SABRE Licensed Company status. They will then be listed on http://www.redbooklive.com.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE National Security Survey.
- BREEAM Safety and security.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Commercial security systems.
- Embedded security: Procuring an effective facility protective security system
- Global overview analysis of fire and security.
- Loss prevention standard.
- PAS 1192-5:2015 Specification for security-minded building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management.
- Security and the built environment.
- Security glazing.
- Security glazing: is it all that it's cracked up to be?
- Suitably Qualified Security Specialist.
- Security rating scheme.
- The role of planning in delivering a safe and secure built environment.
Featured articles and news
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.