BREEAM In-Use took a big step forward for the Norwegian market with the addition of a Norwegian language version of the online BREEAM International tool. BREEAM In-Use International 2015 is now the standard that that is applicable to existing buildings in Norway, complementing the BREEAM NOR scheme for new construction run by the Norwegian Green Building Council, the National Scheme Operator (NSO) for Norway. Kay Tyrrell, International Account Manager for BREEAM, reports.
Users can now choose to view the system, including the full BREEAM In-Use question set, in Norwegian if preferred. This is the first of many language additions aimed at enhancing the user experience for customers and drive further uptake of the scheme globally.
We would like to recognise and give our special thanks to our BREEAM National Scheme Operator in Norway, the Norwegian Green Building Council (NGBC), for their support in translating the new text. The NGBC have also translated a copy of the BREEAM In-Use manual to assist users of the scheme in Norway and will be running key client seminars to build up user understanding and show how to get the most out of the scheme.
BREEAM In-Use International is an assessment method which assists property investors, owners, managers and occupiers in driving sustainability improvements through the operational performance of their buildings. The tool allows users to manage, maintain & enhance the performance of their asset portfolios all in one place. Over 600 new assets have registered to use the scheme since the launch of the tool last year.
Kjersti Folvik, CEO of NGBC, said “Feedback from the Norwegian market has made it clear to us that the most important success factors for the uptake of BREEAM In-Use is that the operation and maintenance staff can handle BREEAM In-Use themselves, and in their own language. Therefore we are really proud to be the first country to launch a translated version of the tool, and hope we make way for others to do the same.”