Building Automation and Controls (BAC’s) integrate information from all the building services equipment: heating and cooling systems, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting and blinds, fire and security devices etc. and though BAC’s are most often seen as the brains in maintaining comfortable environments within a buildings, they also play an important role in regulating the use of energy within both residential and non-residential buildings.
In response to the energy efficiency challenges set out in the EPBD, and the customer led demands for energy performance of their buildings the leading international companies responsible for the supply of BAC’s have established the European Building Automation and Controls Association – eu.bac; with the objective of supporting standardisation, testing and certification of products that demonstrate energy efficient controls performance.
eu.bac has now launched the European Certification Scheme for Building Automation and Controls; initially for Individual Zone Controllers, responsible for a high proportion of the control of final energy use in buildings. The eu.bac certification is based on European standards, certification rules, accredited test house product performance testing, factory inspection and approval by recognised certifier bodies. Qualifying products will carry the eu.bac certification mark indicating they exhibit assured levels of energy efficient performance and quality assurance.
eu.bac co operates with the leading European Certification Bodies: Intertek (ASTA BEAB) (UK); Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment - CSTB (F); and WSPCert (D). The eu.bac empowered Certification Bodies operate in accordance with EN 45011 and they are accredited by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
eu.bac has authorised accredited test laboratories for product performance testing, these are: BSRIA (UK); C.S.T.B Lab (France); and WSPLab (Germany)
More details about the scheme see www.eubacCert.eu.
The program started with Individual Zone Controller in accordance with EN 15500 for the following applications:
• Radiator Heating,
• Fan coil heating/cooling,
• Chilled ceiling.
• Electrical Heating devices without self heating in the room sensor,
followed by Electrical Heating devices with self heating (August 2007).
Tests for Components (Sensors, Actuators) and for OTC’s are in preparation.
Up to now there are applications by the companies: Belimo, Danfoss, Deleage, Delta Dore, Hager, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Kieback & Peter, Sauter, Siemens, TourAndoverControls (TAC) and Trend.
The eu.bac Certification Scheme is an open system. All interested Companies can apply an eu.bac Certification Mark via the Certification Management System – CMS of eu.bac.
The function of CMS (www.eubaccert.eu) is to serve as an online-aided platform within the eu.bac certification system to publish the Database of Products with the eu.bacCert Mark and to handle the certification procedure for products and systems relating to building automation from the ordering of and through to the granting of the certification. The website is offering this functionality in the English, German and French language.