Building performance evaluation BPE
BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) define Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) as:
“…a form of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) which can be used at any point in a building's life to assess energy performance, occupant comfort and make comparisons with design targets.”
Building Performance Evaluations are an integral part of a soft landings programme, a strategy adopted to ensure the transition from construction to occupation is ‘bump-free’ and that operational performance is optimised. Soft landings keeps designers and constructors involved with buildings beyond practical completion.
As clients increasingly demand proof of performance, BPE is becoming a requirement on many projects, particularly in the public sector for schools, offices and healthcare buildings. Services can range from a complete evaluation to providing energy monitoring instruments and benchmarking building performance.
BPE generally falls into three elements:
- A forensic walkthrough; an inspection to check the building's operation and whether there are any emerging problems or wasteful operational practices.
- An energy survey; a breakdown of the energy used in a building by type of consumption, for example, heating, air conditioning, and so on.
- Assessment of occupant satisfaction; surveys and interviews of building users and occupiers.
For more information, download BSRIA's introduction to BPE presentation on behalf of the Modern Built Environment KTN for more details.
In September 2015, BSRIA launched Building Performance Evaluation in Non-Domestic Buildings Guide – an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings. The guide provides a general introduction to Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) and explains why it is important and how it can be carried out. BPE is a key element of the BSRIA soft landings framework intended to help deliver buildings that are an effective and efficient and perform as expected. The guide focuses on new, existing and refurbished non-domestic buildings and aims to inform those involved in the design, construction, operation and/or management of a building about its current performance.
NB The RIBA Passivhaus Overlay, published by the RIBA in 2022, states in relation to Building Performance Evaluation (BPE): “The process of gathering quantitative and qualitative data and interpreting that information in order to draw conclusions about the performance of one or more of a building’s attributes. It is advantageous to undertake BPE to gather data about the existing building. BS:40101 (BSI, 2022) establishes a framework for undertaking Building Performance Evaluation. It can be useful to review energy use (e.g. CIBSE TM22) and occupant satisfaction (BUS), and then, as appropriate, follow up with temperature and humidity monitoring, thermographic surveys and air leakage tests. This information can be used for designing out existing problems (changing control systems, updating technology, and training occupants), providing feedback to the project team, and informing Seasonal Commissioning of mechanical/electrical equipment.”
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Building performance.
- Building performance evaluation in domestic buildings.
- Building performance evaluation in non-domestic buildings guide – an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings.
- Building performance metrics.
- Building use studies (BUS).
- Built2Spec.
- Extended aftercare.
- Handover to client.
- Initial aftercare.
- Lessons learned report.
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology soft landings project.
- Performance of exemplar buildings in use: Bridging the performance gap FB 78.
- Post occupancy evaluation.
- Post occupancy evaluation process.
- Post project review.
- Performance in use.
- Smart meters and building performance evaluation.
- Soft landings.
- Soft Landings for owners.
Featured articles and news
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.
The Building People Communities Network
Celebrating and amplifying voices of the under-represented, this refugee week and pride month.
Pride of Place: queer heritage
Acknowledging and taking pride in LGBTQ histories.
A reminder of the five basic styles that determine columns.