Most buildings still treat materials as a cost. BREEAM In Use asks a different question: what if those materials still hold long-term value?
Within BREEAM In Use, Rsc 01 and Rsc 03 encourage asset owners to think differently about existing buildings. Not simply as spaces to operate, but as assets containing recoverable materials, future value, and opportunities to reduce waste over time.
Rsc 01 Condition Survey and Rsc 03 Resources Inventory may not always be the first credits that come to mind. Yet they are among the most strategically important. At ADW Developments, we provide the expert consultancy and detailed assessments required to achieve these credits. We also translate them into tangible, cost-saving benefits across your asset portfolio.
Rsc: 01: Condition Survey
The Foundation of Proactive Maintenance
The primary aim of the Rsc 01 credit is to encourage asset owners to develop a thorough understanding of the physical condition of their property. By doing so, they can plan scheduled maintenance, repair, or refurbishment activities more effectively, avoiding higher-impact and more costly interventions later in the asset’s life.
What Does the Credit Require?
To secure up to seven credits under Rsc 01, a condition survey must have been completed within the last five years. The survey must be conducted by a competent person and assess the condition of the asset across all main building elements, including:
- Structural condition
- Mechanical and electrical components
- Plumbing and fire protection systems
- Communications and life safety systems
- Health and safety conditions, including damp, acoustic penetration and ventilation
The highest credit scores are awarded when all major and minor defects identified in the survey have been rectified, or when a clear action plan is in place to address them within a defined timeframe.
How ADW Developments Can Help
Achieving Rsc 01 requires a proactive, evidence-based approach to building management. Our Durability and Resilience service is designed precisely for this purpose. Our experts conduct systematic studies of local climatic conditions and operational wear and tear, providing detailed recommendations to mitigate degradation before it becomes costly.
By identifying vulnerable building elements early, we help you design for longevity, reducing the frequency of replacements and unplanned repairs. This directly supports the objectives of the condition survey and positions your asset for the strongest possible credit outcome.
Rsc 03: Resources Inventory
Embracing the Circular Economy
Rsc 03 treats buildings as material banks, helping owners recover value through reuse, recycling and reduced material waste.
Simple vs Extended Resources Inventory
BREEAM In-Use offers up to four credits for Rsc 03, depending on the depth of the inventory produced.
| Simple Resources Inventory (2 credits) Requires functional classification, constituent materials, location and estimated quantity of all significant resources within the asset. |
| Extended Resources Inventory (4 credits) Builds on the simple inventory by adding guidance on current financial value, planned maintenance to preserve that value, and strategies for maximising financial income or avoiding costs through reuse or recycling at the point of disassembly or demolition. |
Crucially, the resources inventory must be produced by a competent person who not only meets the criteria set out under Rsc 01 but also holds appropriate knowledge of circular economy principles. This is not a tick-box exercise; it requires genuine expertise across building fabric, material valuation and whole life thinking.
How ADW Developments Can Help
The extended resources inventory builds directly on our Pre-Demolition Audit and Life Cycle Costing services. Our Pre-Demolition Audits quantify expected waste streams and identify opportunities for reuse and recycling. We help divert materials away from landfill and towards circular economy routes. We identify reusable and recyclable elements and assess their potential value.
This provides the material intelligence needed for a robust Rsc 03 submission. Our Life Cycle Costing service models maintenance, repair and replacement costs over the building’s lifespan. We develop whole life cost models that meet all relevant BREEAM requirements. This gives clients the financial clarity needed to pursue the extended credits confidently.
A Strategic Opportunity, Not Just a Compliance Exercise
The Rsc 01 and Rsc 03 credits in BREEAM In-Use are more than benchmarking tools. They are strategic levers that promote proactive maintenance, material efficiency and long-term financial performance. Organisations that take them seriously tend to make better-informed decisions about their assets, reduce lifecycle costs and demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainable building management.
At ADW Developments, we support every stage of the process through practical, evidence based sustainability services. From Durability and Resilience to Pre Demolition Audits and Life Cycle Costing, we help clients unlock long term asset value.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your BREEAM In-Use certification journey.