At Grey Simmonds Ltd, we are committed to supporting sustainable construction practices and helping our clients understand the environmental performance of their buildings and systems. As the construction and building services industry continues to evolve in response to climate change and sustainability goals, two key frameworks have come into focus: BREEAM and TM65. Both are instrumental in measuring and reducing the environmental impact of the built environment—but serve different, yet complementary, purposes.
What is BREEAM?
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s longest established method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings. Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), BREEAM sets benchmarks for the environmental performance of buildings across their lifecycle—from design and construction to use and refurbishment.
Key Focus Areas in BREEAM Assessments:
- Energy: Efficiency in heating, lighting, and overall energy use.
- Health & Wellbeing: Indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance.
- Materials: Responsible sourcing and environmental impact of construction materials.
- Waste: Reduction and management of waste during construction and building operation.
- Water: Consumption, conservation, and leakage detection.
- Pollution: Minimising emissions and environmental damage.
Achieving a BREEAM certification—ranging from Pass to Outstanding—demonstrates a commitment to environmental best practice and can contribute to long-term cost savings and enhanced asset value.
What is TM65?
TM65 is a technical memorandum published by CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) that provides guidance on calculating the embodied carbon of building services engineering systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
Unlike operational carbon—which refers to the emissions produced while a building is in use—embodied carbon includes emissions from the production, transportation, installation, maintenance, and eventual disposal of equipment and materials. TM65 fills a significant gap in industry understanding by helping manufacturers, designers, and engineers quantify this often-overlooked aspect of environmental performance.
Key Aspects of TM65:
- Provides a consistent methodology to estimate embodied carbon where Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are not available.
- Encourages transparency in the design and specification of building services equipment.
- Supports net zero carbon goals by highlighting opportunities for carbon reduction in mechanical and electrical systems.
Why Do BREEAM and TM65 Matter?
Both frameworks are crucial tools in the broader mission to decarbonise the built environment. BREEAM helps guide sustainable building design and operation, while TM65 enables a deeper understanding of the hidden carbon footprint within services installations.
At Grey Simmonds Ltd, we believe that knowledge is the first step towards meaningful action. As a trusted supplier and partner in the building services sector, we work closely with manufacturers, consultants, and contractors to ensure that the products we offer align with industry best practices in sustainability and carbon reduction.
Our Commitment
Grey Simmonds Ltd is dedicated to supporting our clients in making informed, sustainable choices. Whether you’re working towards BREEAM certification or seeking to understand embodied carbon under TM65, our team is here to assist with expert guidance and product solutions that help meet your project goals.
For more information or to speak with one of our technical specialists, please contact us at info@gsfoodservice.co.uk.