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BEAM P
LUS FOR
E
XISTING
B
UILDINGS
F
RAMEWORK
V
ERSION
1.2
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 8
M
ATERIALS
A
SPECTS
(M
A
)
Similar to site issues, materials use issues included in BEAM will be
similar for all types of buildings, although the size of the building will have
significance. Materials Aspects include:
selection of materials;
efficient use of materials; and
waste disposal and recycling.
E
NERGY
U
SE
(E
U
)
Assessment of energy use in a building containing a variety of uses,
energy sources and building services systems and equipment is a
complex process given the number of influencing variables. Where
available BEAM Plus for Existing Buildings uses benchmarks derived
from audits of similar types of buildings, and/or a computational
approach to determine the dominant energy uses, plus additional
features known to have impact on overall performance. Energy Use
includes:
annual CO
2
emissions or energy use;
energy efficient systems and equipment; and
energy management.
W
ATER
U
SE
(W
U
)
Assessments under Water Use include quality and features that improve
utilisation and reduce effluent, i.e.:
water quality;
water conservation; and
effluent discharges.
I
NDOOR
E
NVIRONMENTAL
Q
UALITY
(I
EQ
)
Indoor issues included in BEAM are those aspects of building
performance that impact on the health, comfort or well-being of the
occupants, as well as aspects of performance that improve quality and
functionality. Not included are the technical performance aspects of
specialist premises, such as acoustic qualities of concert venues, stage
lighting, or air quality in clean rooms. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
includes:
safety;
hygiene;
indoor air quality and ventilation;
thermal comfort;
lighting;
acoustics and noise; and
building amenities.