BREEAM Assessor (New Construction) Examination (BRE, UK)

A design team is aiming to secure the maximum credits under BREEAM UK New Construction Man 01 (Project Brief and Design). When must the BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) be formally appointed to ensure the project brief integrates sustainability targets?

• APrior to the completion of the Preparation and Brief stage (RIBA Stage 1)
• BPrior to the completion of the Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2)
• CPrior to submitting the planning application at Developed Design (RIBA Stage 3)
• DImmediately before the start of the construction phase (RIBA Stage 5)

During a BREEAM assessment for a new office building, the developer wishes to gain the consultation credit under Man 01. Which of the following stakeholders must be consulted to identify needs and expectations?

• AOnly the building owner and the local planning authority
• BA representative sample of prospective building occupiers and the local community (if app…
• CThe principal contractor and subcontractors only
• DBRE Global technical directors and the BREEAM Assessor

An assessor is verifying a project's compliance with Man 02 (Life Cycle Cost and Service Life Planning). To earn the credit for an elemental life cycle cost (LCC) study, when must this study be conducted?

• ABefore the end of the Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2)
• BBefore the end of the Developed Design stage (RIBA Stage 3)
• CDuring the construction phase prior to fit-out (RIBA Stage 5)
• DWithin six months of building handover and operation (RIBA Stage 7)

A developer is preparing a life cycle cost (LCC) plan to target credits under Man 02. How is the period of analysis (study period) for the LCC determined under BREEAM UK New Construction?

• AIt is fixed at exactly 15 years for every project regardless of building type
• BIt is fixed at exactly 25 years for every project regardless of building type
• CIt is a period of analysis agreed with the client, set in line with a standardised method…
• DIt must always equal the personal lifetime of the building owner

To secure the responsible construction management credits under Man 03 (Responsible Construction Practices), which scheme is most commonly used by contractors in the UK to demonstrate compliance?

• AThe Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS)
• BThe ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• CThe UK Green Building Council Contractor Scheme
• DThe Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Man 03, what is the mandatory requirement for all timber used on the construction site (such as formwork, site hoardings, or scaffolding)?

• AIt must be locally sourced within 50 miles of the site.
• BIt must be 100% legally and responsibly sourced, verified by a chain of custody certifica…
• CIt must be treated with organic solvents to prevent fungal decay.
• DIt must be reclaimed or recycled timber from local demolition sites.

A BREEAM Assessor is reviewing a contractor's monthly utility records for site operations under Man 03. Which of the following parameters must be monitored and recorded to satisfy the monitoring of construction site impacts credit?

• AOnly the electricity consumed by the site office
• BEnergy consumption (kWh), water consumption (m3), and transport CO2 emissions from materi…
• CThe volume of concrete waste generated and the weight of scrap metal sold
• DNoise levels in decibels and PM10 particulate concentrations on a daily basis

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Man 04 (Commissioning and Handover), what is the primary purpose of the Building User Guide (BUG)?

• ATo serve as a legal contract between the developer and the building tenants
• BTo provide building occupiers with non-technical, simple instructions on how to operate t…
• CTo list the contact details of all subcontractors who worked on the building structure
• DTo detail the structural engineering calculations for future building modifications

A project is aiming to achieve the BREEAM credit for commissioning under Man 04. To ensure that commissioning is planned and executed correctly, by what stage must the commissioning manager be appointed?

• APrior to the start of the design stage (RIBA Stage 2)
• BDuring the developed design stage (RIBA Stage 3) or technical design stage (RIBA Stage 4)
• CPrior to the start of the construction phase (RIBA Stage 5)
• DPrior to testing and commissioning on site (RIBA Stage 6)

Under Man 04, what must the project demonstrate to achieve the 'testing of building fabric' credit (which covers air permeability and thermal performance of the envelope)?

• AThat air permeability is tested on a representative sample of units only, with no thermog…
• BThat an air permeability (air-tightness) test is carried out by a suitably qualified/regi…
• CThat the envelope is assessed using thermal imaging only, with no fan-pressurisation air-…
• DThat air testing is conducted twice, both before and after the fit-out phase.

Under Man 05 (Aftercare), seasonal commissioning is required to secure the aftercare credit. What does seasonal commissioning specifically involve?

• ATesting the building's services under winter heating and summer cooling load conditions
• BRe-commissioning the building systems every three months for the first ten years of occup…
• CHiring a full-time facilities manager to live on site during the first year of operation
• DChecking the roof drainage system during the autumn and spring seasons

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Man 05, a developer targets the credit for Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE). According to BREEAM criteria, when and for how long must the POE study be conducted?

• AImmediately at handover for a period of one week
• BBetween 12 and 24 months after building occupancy, covering at least one year of building…
• CFive years after handover, for a duration of six months
• DDuring the construction phase using thermal models to predict occupancy comfort

Under Hea 01 (Visual Comfort), a project team wants to achieve the daylighting credit. What must be provided as evidence to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM daylighting levels?

• AA written confirmation from the architect stating the building looks bright
• BDaylight factor calculations or illuminance simulations showing compliance across the rel…
• CPhotos of the site taken at noon on a sunny day
• DThe energy rating of the light bulbs installed in the building

To satisfy the glare control criteria under Hea 01 (Visual Comfort), what type of system must be installed in occupied spaces?

• ATinted windows that permanently reduce light transmission by 90%
• BUser-controlled shading devices (such as blinds) on all windows where glare is identified…
• CHigh-frequency occupancy sensors linked to fluorescent lights
• DAutomatic lighting dimming systems that react to solar glare

Under Hea 01 (Visual Comfort), which of the following is a key requirement for the 'view out' credit in office buildings?

• AAll desks must have a direct line of sight to a digital screen showing nature images.
• BOccupants must have a view of the sky and landscape (or site boundary) from their worksta…
• CThe building must have a roof terrace open to all staff members.
• DAll perimeter glazing must extend from floor to ceiling.

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Hea 02 (Indoor Air Quality), what is the first step that must be undertaken during the design stage to ensure a healthy indoor environment?

• ACarry out air quality monitoring inside the building before the design starts
• BDevelop an Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP) that addresses design, construction, and pre-oc…
• CSpecify high-capacity ozone generators in the mechanical ventilation systems
• DSeal all windows to prevent outdoor pollutants from entering the building

A contractor is preparing to specify paints, sealants, and varnishes for the interior fit-out of an office building. To achieve credits under Hea 02 for VOC emissions, what testing standards must these products meet?

• AThey must be tested and certified to show low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions i…
• BThey must be certified as Lead-Free by the UK Chemical Association.
• CThey must be water-based paints only, with no testing required.
• DThey must be manufactured in the UK to ensure compliance with national trade regulations.

To secure the pre-occupancy indoor air quality testing credit under Hea 02, what specific pollutants must be measured in the completed building before handover?

• ACarbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO)
• BFormaldehyde and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)
• CMethane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)
• DAsbestos fibers and radon gas concentration

Under Hea 04 (Thermal Comfort), thermal modelling must be carried out to predict occupant comfort. Which standard is typically used in the UK to define comfort parameters and thermal modeling methodology?

• ACIBSE AM11 (Building Energy Performance Simulation) and CIBSE Guide A
• BISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Guidelines
• CThe UK Building Regulations Approved Document Part F
• DThe ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (only)

A design team is modeling thermal comfort under Hea 04 and wants to ensure the building is resilient to future climate change. What is the required methodology to demonstrate this resilience?

• AModifying the design to withstand a constant 45 degrees Celsius external temperature
• BRunning thermal simulations using future climate change weather files (e.g. CIBSE DSY fil…
• CInstalling double-capacity air conditioning systems in all spaces
• DEnsuring the building has no windows on the south-facing facade

Under Hea 04 (Thermal Comfort), thermal zoning criteria must be met. What is the standard BREEAM requirement for user control of thermal comfort in office spaces?

• AOne central thermostat for the entire building controlled by the facilities manager
• BOccupant control over heating and cooling in local zones (typically based on orientation…
• CA smartphone app that allows users to change temperatures in other departments
• DCompletely manual radiator valves with no automated thermostatic controls

Under Hea 05 (Acoustic Performance), what role must the Suitably Qualified Acoustician (SQA) play during the design stage?

• AThey must carry out a noise survey and define acoustic design targets for sound insulatio…
• BThey must sell acoustic panels to the contractor at a discounted rate.
• CThey must sign off that the building is quiet based on a visual site inspection.
• DThey must monitor noise levels at the boundary during the construction phase.

An assessor is verifying the acoustic compliance of a new school building under Hea 05. Which UK government design standard is referenced for setting acoustic performance targets in education buildings?

• ABuilding Bulletin 93 (BB93)
• BApproved Document Part E of the Building Regulations
• CCIBSE Guide B
• DBSI British Standard 8233

Under Hea 06 (Security), how is compliance with BREEAM criteria for security planning typically demonstrated?

• ABy hiring a 24/7 security guard for the building lobby
• BBy conducting a security risk assessment and obtaining a Secured by Design (SBD) certific…
• CBy installing high-definition CCTV cameras at every corner of the property
• DBy building a perimeter fence at least 3 meters high around the site

A developer wants to design a commercial kitchen area. Which BREEAM category and credit would evaluate the ventilation, lighting, and layout of this specific zone to ensure staff safety and hygiene?

• AHealth and Wellbeing (Hea 02 / Hea 01)
• BManagement (Man 03)
• CWaste (Wst 03)
• DMaterials (Mat 05)

Under Hea 02 (Indoor Air Quality), natural ventilation designs must meet specific opening criteria to ensure adequate fresh air rates. What is the minimum openable area to floor area ratio typically required for naturally ventilated occupied spaces like offices?

• AAt least 5% of the net usable floor area
• BAt least 1% of the gross external area
• CAt least 10% of the window glazing area
• DAt least 20% of the internal wall area

A building occupier complains about high-frequency flickering from the office lights. Which credit in Health and Wellbeing is designed to prevent this issue by mandating high-frequency electronic ballasts?

• AHea 01 (Visual Comfort)
• BHea 04 (Thermal Comfort)
• CHea 02 (Indoor Air Quality)
• DEne 01 (Reduction of energy use)

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Ene 01 (Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions), how is the building's energy performance calculated to award BREEAM credits?

• ABased on the annual electricity bills submitted by the client after occupancy
• BBy comparing the building's modeled carbon emissions and primary energy rate against a co…
• CBy calculating the ratio of windows to solid walls in the building
• DBy measuring the thickness of the insulation installed in the roof

A design team is aiming to achieve the maximum possible credits in Ene 01. What is the role of 'primary energy' in the Ene 01 assessment methodology under the BREEAM UK 2018 scheme?

• AIt is ignored in favor of carbon emissions metrics.
• BIt is evaluated alongside carbon emissions, reflecting the total energy resource harveste…
• CIt only applies if the building uses coal or oil as its main fuel source.
• DIt represents the energy consumed by the primary contractor during construction.

To secure the energy sub-metering credits under Ene 02 (Energy Monitoring), what is the main requirement for monitoring major energy-consuming systems?

• AAll energy must be monitored by a single billing meter from the energy provider.
• BSub-meters must be installed to monitor any input energy source consuming 10% or more of…
• CThe building manager must read the main meter manually once a day.
• DAll power sockets must have individual digital smart plugs.

Under Ene 02 (Energy Monitoring), how should the sub-meters be configured for a multi-tenant office building?

• AA single meter for the whole building, with bills split equally by floor area
• BSub-meters installed to monitor energy consumption for each individual tenant or departme…
• CTenants must install their own meters after they occupy the building
• DNo sub-metering is required if the building is naturally ventilated

Under Ene 03 (External Lighting), what is the key design requirement to earn the credit for energy-efficient external luminaires?

• AAll external lights must remain illuminated 24 hours a day.
• BLuminaires must meet specified luminous efficacy limits (lm/W) and be controlled by photo…
• CExternal lighting must be powered entirely by batteries.
• DOnly colored LED lights may be used to decorate the building facade.

Under Ene 04 (Low Carbon Design), a project can earn credits by conducting a passive design analysis. What does passive design analysis primarily focus on?

• AMaximizing mechanical heating and cooling efficiency
• BUsing building orientation, solar shading, natural ventilation, and thermal mass to reduc…
• CBuying carbon offsets from certified international projects
• DEnsuring all office machinery is switched off at night

To secure the Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) technology credit under Ene 04, a feasibility study must be conducted. By what stage in the project must this LZC study be carried out?

• ABefore the end of the Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2)
• BDuring the Technical Design stage (RIBA Stage 4)
• CAfter the building is fully built and occupied (RIBA Stage 7)
• DBefore the main contractor bids for the project

A retail project includes large commercial walk-in cold storage rooms. Under Ene 05 (Energy Efficient Cold Storage), what is a key design requirement to earn the cold storage credit?

• AThe cold storage room must have a window to let in daylight.
• BThe refrigeration systems must be specified with high COP, automated monitoring, and wast…
• CThe room must be kept at a temperature above 15 degrees Celsius.
• DThe cold storage room must be constructed entirely of recycled plastics.

Under Ene 06 (Energy Efficient Transportation Systems), what calculation must be performed for lifts and escalators installed in a new commercial building?

• AAn analysis of the energy consumption (kWh) of the transport systems and identification o…
• BA calculation of the speed of the lifts in meters per second
• CA structural load test of the lift cables
• DA survey of how many staff members prefer taking the stairs

To satisfy the energy-saving features criteria for lifts under Ene 06, what is a specific technology that should be specified to recover energy when the lift brake is applied?

• AHydraulic fluid bypass valves
• BRegenerative drives
• CHigh-capacity lead-acid batteries
• DMechanical flywheels

A new research building contains energy-intensive laboratory areas with fume cupboards and specialist ventilation. Under Ene 07 (Energy Efficient Laboratory Systems), how are energy-saving measures evaluated?

• AThey are ignored because laboratories are exempt from BREEAM.
• BThe design team must assess the laboratory systems (e.g. fume cupboard ventilation, conta…
• CThe developer must install a wind turbine next to the laboratory.
• DAll laboratory process heat must be supplied using solar thermal panels only.

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Ene 08 (Energy Efficient Equipment), what type of building equipment is evaluated for energy performance?

• AThe building's main boilers and chillers
• BPlug-in consumer appliances and office equipment (such as computers, printers, refrigerat…
• CThe contractor's diesel excavators and power tools
• DThe mechanical ventilation fans and ductwork

In a BREEAM UK New Construction assessment, what is the role of the 'unregulated energy' load in the overall Ene 01 energy modeling?

• AIt is completely excluded from all calculations.
• BIt is calculated and included in the total energy model to provide a realistic projection…
• CIt must be offset by installing solar panels of equal capacity.
• DIt is the only energy load that BREEAM cares about.

A design team wants to specify a solar photovoltaic (PV) array. Under Ene 01, how does the on-site generation of zero-carbon electricity affect the building's EPR_NC score?

• AIt has no effect because PV energy is not consumed inside the building.
• BIt directly improves the EPR_NC score by reducing the building's net carbon emissions and…
• CIt disqualifies the building from achieving an 'Outstanding' rating.
• DIt replaces the need to conduct any thermal modeling or insulation calculations.

A project achieves an overall weighted score above 70% but is told it cannot be certified 'Excellent'. Which BREEAM mechanism explains this?

• AThere is no such mechanism; the overall percentage score is the only criterion for the ra…
• BBREEAM applies mandatory minimum standards in specific issues (e.g. Man 03, Ene 01/Ene 02…
• CThe rating is decided solely by the number of innovation credits achieved.
• DThe rating depends only on the building's floor area, not on credits.

An office building incorporates a dynamic building management system (BMS) that controls lighting and HVAC. Under Ene 01 energy modeling, how is this smart control system credited?

• ABy manually adding 10 bonus credits to the final score
• BThrough improved control factors in the SBEM or DSM energy simulation, which reduces pred…
• CBy exempting the project from sub-metering requirements
• DIt is not credited because BREEAM only evaluates physical insulation materials.

To verify the Ene 01 energy modeling results at the Post-Construction stage, what document must the BREEAM Assessor obtain from the energy modeler?

• AThe final 'As-Built' BRUKL (Building Regulations UK Part L) output report and XML file
• BThe architect's structural drawings showing wall studs
• CA copy of the contractor's electricity bill from the construction phase
• DA letter from the developer promising that the building will be efficient

Under BREEAM UK New Construction, what is the default target rating for an 'Outstanding' building in terms of overall percentage score?

• A55% or higher
• B70% or higher
• C85% or higher
• D100%

Under Ene 01, credits can be awarded for 'exemplary level' performance. What is a typical benchmark for achieving an exemplary credit in Ene 01 energy performance?

• AAchieving a net zero carbon rating for regulated and unregulated energy uses
• BImproving the EPR_NC score beyond the standard scale, showing near-zero carbon emissions…
• CInstalling solar panels on the entire roof area, regardless of energy output
• DCompleting the construction phase 6 months ahead of schedule

Under BREEAM UK New Construction Tra 01 (Transport Assessment and Travel Plan), what is the first step that must be undertaken to assess the site's accessibility?

• ACount the number of cars parked on the street outside the site
• BConduct a site-specific transport assessment and develop a travel plan focused on sustain…
• CInstall a bicycle rack at the entrance of the site to see if people use it
• DAsk local residents how they travel to work in a public survey