How do you meet the requirements of the BACS Decree?

Understanding BACS systems

A BACS, or Building Automation and Control System, is an automation and control system that manages and optimises the technical equipment of a commercial building. The equipment concerned includes heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. This applies in particular when they integrate heating or cooling in commercial buildings, in order to ensure optimal comfort.
To comply with the decree, it is important to check the thermal output of the equipment. For heat pumps and cooling units, add up the power of the appliances. If the equipment is reversible, only take the highest power into account. Similarly, for collective boilers in the tertiary sector, add up the power of all the boilers, with the exception of the emergency boiler, always taking into account the thermal comfort of the building.

Calculating compliance costs

The cost of installing a BACS system depends mainly on the size of the building and the systems to be automated, particularly in terms of energy consumption. The cost can vary from a few tens of thousands of euros for small buildings to several hundred thousand euros for more complex projects. It is therefore essential to accurately assess the specific needs of the building, particularly in terms of energy management. This must be done before embarking on the compliance process.

Obligations imposed by the BACS Decree

The decree imposes several obligations, both on the technical side and on the software side of the BACS system.
On the ground, the system must be autonomous, interoperable and capable of controlling equipment efficiently to achieve smart energy performance objectives. Managers also carry out regular inspections to ensure proper operation and meet smart compliance objectives.
On the software side, the teams must structure the smart data and monitor smart energy performance. Analysing the information collected makes it possible to continuously improve the smart energy efficiency of the building and ensure compliance with the objectives set by the decree.

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 the main characteristics and defining the functional zones. Those in charge must also identify the main equipment and make an inventory of the BACS elements already in place. This inventory helps to better understand the scope of the work to be carried out for a successful energy transition, while facilitating the planning of system maintenance.

Identify deviations from compliance

Once the inventory has been carried out, it is important to check whether the building's equipment exceeds the power thresholds set by the BACS decree. To be subject to the decree, air conditioning and heating systems must have a rated power output exceeding 290 kW. This threshold will drop to 70 kW by 2027, thus extending the obligation of compliance to a greater number of buildings and promoting an energy transition towards more efficient systems. Good maintenance management of the equipment is essential to ensure its proper functioning in the long term.

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 regulation for building management systems (BMS), ranging from class A (high energy performance regulation) to class D (basic regulation).

Managers must choose between these options, taking into account the size of the building, its uses and the maximum investment budget, in order to successfully transition to more efficient installations, while ensuring effective and regular maintenance to guarantee their durability.

Decree deadlines

The decree sets out 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, taking into account how this impacts their technical management and energy costs.
• 01/10/2025: Managers will have to carry out a mandatory inspection to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, analysing how existing equipment meets the requirements of the decree and adjusting accordingly.
• 01/01/2027: All buildings, whether new or existing, with a power output of more than 70 kW will be required to have a BACS system. This requirement applies to all the buildings concerned, taking into account energy and regulatory issues and defining how these solutions will be integrated and maintained in the years to come.

Special features for mixed-use buildings

Mixed-use buildings, which combine tertiary, residential and industrial uses, require a more detailed technical analysis to assess their compliance. It will be necessary to check whether the power of the equipment serving the tertiary parts exceeds the thresholds set by the EEC decree.
It is also important to note that the exemption period has been extended: previously set at 6 years, it has now been increased to 10 years. This means that some commercial buildings will be able to benefit from an additional period before being subject to the requirements of the technical EEC decree.

Installing Nexelec sensors to meet BACS decree requirements

To comply with the requirements of the BACS decree, the installation of specific sensors and detectors is often necessary. Nexelec sensors are a suitable solution to meet the expectations in terms of technical building management.

Nexelec sensors are designed to monitor in real time the data of 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 obligations, but also maximise the energy efficiency of your building thanks to accurate and up-to-date data on your energy consumption. This allows you to better understand your consumption and take appropriate measures to save energy. This way, you optimise your costs and make long-term savings on your energy bills. In addition, these sensor devices offer various features, such as alarm management and energy trend monitoring, allowing you to better anticipate your needs and manage your energy resources more efficiently.