Last site update 25/06/02

BRE-SLAM approach to risk assessment

When identifying the risks to service life during any assessment stage it is vital to check the vulnerability of both the construction elements and the interfaces between these elements.

For example, a purely elemental approach can obscure potential service life failures caused by a mismatch in the durability of materials suitable for their particular function.

BRE-SLAM sub-divides the design into four sub-groups:

The interfaces within elements in each sub-group can be checked and then the interfaces between each sub-group. For example:

This approach enables expert opinion, for example, from materials suppliers or a specialist contractor, to be sought early in the design and construction process.

Following identification of the vulnerabilities, the consequences of failure are assessed, to judge the risk. At minimum, risk assessments should include to consequences in terms of:

• Minimum level of performance required;
• Impact upon structural integrity;
• Financial consequences of repair or maintenance;
• Disruption to function caused by repair or maintenance;
• Reasons for initial design preference;
• Forecast obsolescence or changes in circumstances.