BS EN 15232 Energy performance of buildings: impact of building automation, controls and building management

[edit] Introduction

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK National Standards Body (NSB). It publishes standards and provides a range of books, self-assessment tools, conferences and training services. It also represents UK economic and social interests in European and international standards organisations.

BS EN 15232 Energy performance of buildings - impact of building automation, controls and building management, relates to assessment of the cumulative impact of building automation and control systems (BACS) and technical building management (TBM) functions on the energy efficiency of buildings. The standard looks at the effectiveness of these systems without factoring in the impact of other factors (such as insulation) in the assessment calculations.

BS EN 15232-1:2017 (published in July 2017) superseded BS EN 15232:2012, which was withdrawn.

[edit] Classes of control

BS EN 15232 is allows clear classification of building energy management systems (BEMS) in commercial buildings. Classes A, B, C or D are assigned to levels of control in a building, and show the resulting energy savings that can be expected as well as what users can expect to get for their money in each class.

BRE Group publication, Energy management and building controls, explains each class:

• Class A - High energy performance BACS and TBM. These are fully programmable BEMs and have greater functionality than Class B and offer greater flexibility.
• Class B - Advanced BACS and TBM. These are pre-programmed BEMs that can control conditions based on certain parameters. They are best suited for small installations but are usually expandable.
• Class C - Standard BACS that are normally used as a reference point in BS EN 15232. These are required by Part L of the building regulations and are Environment Zone Controls.
• Class D - Non-energy efficient BACS.

[edit] BS EN 15232 parameters of use

The standard specifies a method to define minimum requirements regarding BACS and TBM functions to be implemented in buildings of different complexities. It also offers a factor based method to get a first estimate of the impact of these functions on typical buildings.

It is intended to be used by professionals (such as building owners, architects, designers and engineers) who are responsible for defining the functions to be factored into new buildings or existing building renovations.

Public authorities who define minimum requirements for BACS and TBM functions, inspection procedures of technical systems and calculation methods which take into account the impact of BACS and TBM functions may also benefit from using the standard.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• BACS building automation controls - the information revolution.
• British Standards Institution BSI.
• Building Automation and Control System BACS.
• Building energy management systems BEMS.
• Energy management and building controls.
• Energy performance certificate EPC.
• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

[edit] External resources

• BRE Group, Energy management and building controls.
• BSI, BS EN 15232 Energy performance of buildings - impact of building automation, controls and building management.
• The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), The Impact of Controls on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings.