The BACS decree requires owners and managers of commercial buildings to install automation and control systems for technical equipment. In line with European requirements for improving energy performance, this decree aims to optimize the management of heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption.
Understanding BACS systems
A BACS, or Building Automation and Control System, is an automation and control system that manages and optimizes a building’s technical equipment. The equipment concerned includes heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems. This applies in particular when they integrate heating or cooling production.
To comply with the decree, it is important to check the thermal capacity of the equipment. For heat pumps and chillers, add up the wattage of each unit. If the equipment is reversible, take into account only the highest power rating. Similarly, for collective boilers, add up the output of all boilers, with the exception of the back-up boiler.
Calculating compliance costs
The cost of implementing a BACS system depends mainly on the size of the building and the use of the systems to be automated. The cost can vary from a few tens of thousands of euros for small buildings. For more complex projects, it can reach several hundred thousand euros. So it’s essential to accurately assess the building’s specific needs. This must be done before embarking on the compliance process.
Obligations imposed by the BACS Decree
The decree imposes a number of obligations on both the technical and software aspects of the BACS system.
In the field, the system must be autonomous, interoperable and capable of controlling equipment efficiently. Managers also carry out regular inspections to ensure that the system is running smoothly.
On the software side, teams have to structure data and track energy performance. Analysis of the information gathered enables continuous improvement of the building’s energy efficiency.
Steps to compliance
- Carry out a technical inventory
The first step is to carry out a technical audit of the building. This includes creating a list of key features and defining functional areas. Managers must also identify the main equipment and inventory the BACS elements already in place. This inventory helps to better understand the scope of the work to be carried out.
- Identify gaps in compliance
Once the inventory has been completed, it’s important to check whether the building’s equipment exceeds the power thresholds set by the BACS decree. To be subject to the regulations, air-conditioning and heating systems must have a rated power exceeding 290 kW. This threshold will be reduced to 70 kW by 2027, extending the compliance obligation to a larger number of buildings.
- Choosing the right technical solution
Depending on the results of the audit, the team will have to determine which technical solution will enable compliance with the decree. There are several classes of building management system (BMS) control, ranging from class A (high energy performance control) to class D (basic control).
Managers must choose between these options, taking into account the size of the building, its uses and the maximum investment budget.
Decree deadlines
The decree sets several deadlines to be met:
- 08/01/2024: Owners of new buildings with equipment exceeding 70 kW will have to equip their buildings with a BACS system.
- 01/10/2025: Managers must carry out a mandatory inspection to ensure compliance.
- 01/01/2027: All new and existing buildings with equipment above 70 kW must comply with the BACS obligation. This obligation applies to all buildings concerned.
Special features for mixed-use buildings
Mixed-use buildings, which combine tertiary, residential and industrial uses, require a more detailed analysis to assess their compliance. It will be necessary to check whether the power of the equipment serving the tertiary sector exceeds the thresholds set by the decree.
It is also important to note that the exemption period has been extended from 6 to 10 years. This means that certain buildings will be able to benefit from additional time before being subject to the decree’s requirements.
Installing Nexelec sensors to meet BACS decree requirements
To comply with the requirements of the BACS decree, the installation of specific sensors is often necessary. Nexelec sensors are the ideal solution for meeting building management requirements.
Nexelec sensors are designed to monitor in real time the parameters essential to optimal energy management: temperature, humidity, air quality, etc. By integrating these sensors into your system, you can not only comply with regulatory requirements, but also maximize your building’s energy efficiency.