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BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
O
VERVIEW
V
ERSION
1.2
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
O
VERVIEW
B
UILDING
E
NVIRONMENTAL
A
SSESSMENT
M
ETHOD
(BEAM)
A S
TANDARD THAT
D
EFINES
B
UILDING
Q
UALITY
BEAM provides building users with a single performance label that
demonstrates the overall quality of a building, either a new or refurbished
building or one that is already in use. A certified BEAM building is safer,
healthier, more comfortable, more functional and more efficient than a
similar building that does not achieve the level of performance prescribed
in BEAM. BEAM is:
the leading initiative in Hong Kong to assess, improve, certify and
label the performance of buildings;
a set of comprehensive standard procedures covering all building
types, including mixed use complexes;
a means by which to benchmark and improve performance;
a voluntary scheme developed in partnership with, and adopted by
the industry, at a level that makes it one of the leading schemes in
the world; and
a driver for and means by which to sustain healthy, efficient, and
environment friendly working or living environment.
C
OMPREHENSIVE
A
SSESSMENT
BEAM embraces a range of good practices in planning, design,
construction, management, operation and maintenance of buildings, and
is aligned with local regulations, standards and codes of practice.
A S
TANDARD FOR
H
EALTHY
B
UILDINGS
A healthy building does not adversely affect the health of its user or the
environment. BEAM emphasises indoor environmental quality and
amenities as key performance indicators, with proper consideration of the
local, regional and global environmental impacts.
A U
NIQUE
S
TANDARD
The BEAM scheme is unique in the way that it:
embraces a wide range of sustainability issues;
covers the whole-life performance of buildings;
assesses new buildings only upon completion, and certifying actual
performance;
selects BEAM Assessors randomly for the project certification; and
embraces management, operation and maintenance practices to
ensure a high level of building performance.
A standard for overall building performance
BEAM
Exemplary practices in planning and design.
Exemplary practices in management, operation and
maintenance.
Exemplary practices in construction and commissioning,
Exemplary best practices in meeting legal requirements.