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BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
F
RAMEWORK
V
ERSION
1.2
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 1
1
F
RAMEWORK OF
BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
1.1
S
USTAINABLE
B
UILDINGS
1.2
A
SSESSMENT
F
RAMEWORK
1.3
C
REDIT
W
EIGHTINGS AND
O
VERALL
G
RADE
1.4
A
SSESSMENT
P
ROCESS
I
NTRODUCTION
BEAM is intended to provide authoritative guidance to all stakeholders in
the building construction and real estate sectors on practices which
reduce the adverse environmental effects of buildings, whilst providing a
quality built environment. It has been developed to set criteria for
exemplary performance in buildings; verified independently, and
acknowledged by the issuing of certification. An assessment under the
scheme is voluntary.
BEAM defines performance criteria for a range of sustainability issues
relating to the planning, design, construction, commissioning,
management, operation and maintenance of buildings. ‘Credits’ are
awarded where standard or defined performance criteria are satisfied.
Where these are not satisfied guidance is provided on how performance
can be improved. The credits are combined to determine an overall
performance grade.
A
CKNOWLEDGING
C
OMMITMENT TO
S
USTAINABLE
D
EVELOPMENT
Increasingly organisations and companies are demonstrating their
commitment and contribution to sustainable development, through:
the maintenance of sustainable levels of economic growth;
progress that recognises the needs of the community;
efficient use of non-renewable natural resources; and
enhanced protection of the environment.
A
IMS
BEAM aims to contribute to the development of buildings that are more
sustainable and reduce their long-term impact on the environment by:
enhancing safety, improving hygiene and the quality of the indoor
environment, and hence the health and well-being of occupants;
minimising pollution to the external environment;
promoting and encouraging energy efficient buildings, systems and
equipment, including the use of renewable energy;
reducing unsustainable consumption of increasingly scarce
resources such as water and tropical timber; and
improving waste management and encouraging recycling and reuse
of materials.
A S
PECIFICATION FOR
S
USTAINABLE
B
UILDINGS
BEAM provides for a comprehensive and fair assessment of the overall
performance of a building in a range of key areas, at either the
completion stage or during its life. An assessment:
embraces many areas of sustainability, particularly social and
environmental;
recognises best practices;
provides for a comprehensive method of quantifying overall
performance;
demonstrates performance qualities to end users; and
provides economic benefits to stakeholders.