Everything you need to know about the BACS Decree and its obligations

Which buildings are concerned?

The BACS decree specifically targets buildings where tertiary activities are carried out, whether commercial or not. In fact, to be concerned, these tertiary sector buildings must be equipped with heating, air conditioning, or a combined system with ventilation. In addition, the effective rated output of these systems must exceed 70 kW. This threshold, which was initially set at 290 kW, was considerably lowered by the decree of 7 April 2023. As a result, this has broadened the scope of application to a greater number of buildings in the tertiary sector.

In practice, this means that many buildings in the tertiary sector, whether administrative, commercial or industrial, must now comply with these new requirements. These requirements involve, in particular, the installation of a BMS to ensure precise monitoring of energy consumption and optimise the management of tertiary sector equipment. A BMS automates the control of tertiary sector installations and improves their overall performance. Thanks to an efficient BMS, tertiary sector buildings can adjust their consumption according to real needs and avoid wasting energy. The installation of a BMS thus becomes a strategic lever for meeting the requirements of the tertiary sector decree and guaranteeing efficient energy management.

The stakes of this compliance are multiple for the tertiary sector: it is not only a question of meeting a legal obligation, but also of seizing opportunities to reduce energy costs through optimised management. BMS plays a key role in the energy optimisation of the tertiary sector, facilitating compliance while generating substantial long-term savings. These issues are crucial for the tertiary sector, both in terms of competitiveness and respect for the environment.

Fixed deadlines

The BACS decree divides the schedule into three major stages. The type of building and the power of their technical management system determine these stages and the associated requirements.

• 8 April 2024: This first deadline concerns new buildings equipped with a system with a power rating of more than 70 kW. These structures are required to be equipped with an automation and control system as soon as they are commissioned.
• 1 January 2025: For existing buildings with systems over 290 kW, the installation of a BACS system becomes a regulatory requirement on this date.
• 1 January 2027: Finally, existing buildings with technical systems between 70 kW and 290 kW must meet this requirement and comply with the regulations by this deadline.

Each stage of the BACS decree timetable thus introduces a progressive requirement based on the characteristics of the building and its technical management system.

The objectives of the BACS decree

The BACS decree is clearly aimed at optimising the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. To achieve this objective, it sets several requirements and, in particular, requires the installation of a BMS to ensure precise control of the equipment and optimise its use. Each class of commercial building must therefore comply with the new regulations and obligations to guarantee better energy management.

• Reduction in energy consumption thanks to an efficient BMS, which automatically adjusts the parameters of the installations according to the real needs of each class of building and the regulatory obligations in force.
• Improved management of technical systems by a BMS allowing real-time monitoring and intelligent regulation of equipment, thus guaranteeing compliance with energy performance requirements for each class of use.
• Reduction of maintenance and operating costs thanks to a BMS that anticipates anomalies and optimises the lifespan of equipment according to the specificities of each class of building, while respecting the obligations imposed by the decree.

The integration of a BMS adapted to each class of building is therefore a strategic necessity to improve energy performance and meet the requirements of the BACS decree.

BACS technical obligations

The BACS decree requires the installation of a technical management system capable of fulfilling four essential functions to optimise energy performance and energy management in commercial buildings:

• Monitor, record and analyse energy production and consumption data, including that related to heating, air conditioning and ventilation, in order to identify levers for improvement.
• Assess the energy efficiency of the building against benchmark values and propose adjustments to reduce energy consumption, in particular by optimising the automation of heating, air conditioning and ventilation.
• Enable interoperability with the various technical building systems, including heating, air conditioning and ventilation, for smoother management and better energy distribution through automation.
• Manually shut down and autonomously manage one or more technical building systems, taking care to avoid any overconsumption of energy linked to the automation of heating, air conditioning or ventilation.

These systems will be subject to a periodic inspection at least every five years, carried out by an external service provider or competent internal personnel, in order to guarantee optimal energy management and compliance with the requirements of the BACS decree. Particular attention will be paid to the automation of heating, air conditioning and ventilation equipment, their regulation and their energy efficiency to ensure optimal compliance with current standards.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

The BACS decree does not provide for specific sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the obligations. However, it is strongly recommended that building managers comply in order to benefit from the advantages in terms of costs and energy efficiency. In addition, the implementation of a technical building management system allows for more precise control of the installations and can entitle the manager to financing via the EECs, thus reducing the initial investment.
Energy Efficiency Certificates (EECs) are an interesting financial lever to support the energy transition and encourage managers to adopt more efficient solutions. Thanks to EECs, it is possible to obtain aid for the installation of equipment that complies with the requirements of the BACS decree, thus optimising the control of the profitability of the work undertaken.
The integration of EEC-eligible solutions therefore makes it possible to amortise the cost of the installations while guaranteeing better control of energy efficiency. It is advisable to find out about the EEC schemes available in order to maximise the benefits of compliance with the BACS Decree.

Installing Nexelec sensors to meet the requirements of the BACS decree

The installation of specific data loggers is often necessary to comply with the requirements of the BACS decree. Nexelec data loggers offer a suitable solution to meet expectations in the field of technical building management.

Nexelec data loggers are designed to monitor in real time the parameters essential for optimal energy management: temperature, humidity, air quality, etc. By integrating these sensor devices into your system, you can not only comply with regulatory obligations, but also maximise the energy efficiency of your building, which generates substantial energy savings.

Integrating these solutions into your infrastructure also leads to considerable savings in the long term. By optimising energy performance, you reduce your energy consumption and thus make significant savings.

To find out more about technical building management, energy optimisation and energy saving, take a look at our other articles on our blog. You will find detailed information on the requirements of the BACS decree, as well as advice on how to integrate energy management solutions tailored to your building, thus promoting even more savings.