Security in BREEAM In-Use

Security now has an Exemplary Credit in BREEAM In-Use

BRE has recently released the latest BREEAM In-Use technical manuals for Commercial and Residential buildings. The security section in both has had a major overhaul and is worth serious consideration if you’re planning a BREEAM In-Use Assessment.

Security contributes to a number of BREEAM In-Use credits, and has its own in Rsl 10 Security. The question that Rsl 10 asks is “Has a security risk assessment been carried out"?”. The available credits are:

2 credits if a security risk assessment has been carried out; and

An Exemplary Credit if a risk-based security rating scheme has been used.

As you’d expect, there are some assessment criteria to meet. The security risk assessment must have been completed by a competent person, for example. It must describe security controls and these controls must have been (or be scheduled to be) implemented.

The wording for achieving the Exemplary Credit should be familiar to BREEAM Assessors also working with BREEAM New Construction as it is very similar to the Innovation Credit wording in Hea 06. And just like in BREEAM NC Hea 06, it means ‘achieve a SABRE rating’. SABRE is BRE’s own security certification scheme.

How can we help?

If you’re targeting the BREEAM In-Use Rsl 10 Security Exemplary Credit, then you need a SABRE Assessor. SABRE works a lot like BREEAM. So you talk to a SABRE Registered Assessor like Toren Consulting, and you arrange a Pre-Assessment. Just like BREEAM, you should come away from that with a target rating and a plan to achieve the required score. Depending on your client’s preparedness and target rating, they may have more or less to produce themselves or to engage a SABRE Registered Professional like me to produce for them.

If you’re targeting just the 2 credits, we can support your assessment although you might not need us at all. The assessment subject may (dare I say should?) already have a security risk assessment for the facility. If they don’t, they may have access to someone that can be deemed competent and can produce a security risk assessment (just make sure that it ticks the BREEAM boxes). If they need any help with that, we can support them.

BREEAM In-Use Rsl 10 - Security Risk Assessment

Credits: 2 + 1 Exemplary

Aim

To ensure all property-related security issues are identified and addressed in order to reduce risks from crime.

Value

Reduces the risk of crime and potentially insurance costs

Increases the value of the building to future occupants

Seeks to protect the physical asset and the building occupants

Context

BREEAM In-Use also has the following to say about the wider context of security in the built environment and its applicability to sustainability and well-being:

“Feelings of safety and security are essential to healthy and productive asset occupants. Freedom from crime and the fear of crime has a major impact on quality of life, and therefore effects the wellbeing of building occupants. Security risks are dependent on the context of a building and, as a result, need to be specifically determined based against a number of variables, including function and location. In addition to this, security risks are not static and can change over time. Consequently, security advice from the appropriate professionals is essential in determining the necessary security measures for any asset. Assets should consider how their approach to crime prevention and security may result in inequitable and exclusionary outcomes and solutions. Assets are encouraged to adopt policies and procedures that not only protect building users but contribute to the dignity, safety and security of all people and the wider neighbourhood”