Care building: what the SRI measures

Why does the SRI count differently for a care building?

A nursing home or care centre operates 24 hours a day. There is no time when occupied rooms are empty or temperature can be reduced.

For this reason, certain domains within the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) receive a higher weighting factor. Heating, hot water, ventilation and monitoring and control all receive three points, the maximum in this context.

Cooling, lighting, dynamic building envelope and electricity receive two points. Electric vehicle charging receives one point, as it is less relevant to the core function of a care building.

Which domains matter most here?

Hot water is a large and constant demand in a care building, including laundry and hygiene. Smart control of this domain can reduce energy waste without affecting resident comfort.

Ventilation directly contributes to the health of vulnerable residents. Air quality is not a comfort issue but a care requirement, which explains the high weighting factor.

Monitoring and control receives maximum weight for the same reason. Fault detection is crucial in a building where equipment for vulnerable people must work continuously.

What does this mean for the automation requirement?

Under article 13 of the EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), building automation has been mandatory above 290 kW installed capacity since the end of 2024. Above 70 kW this requirement takes effect at the end of 2029.

Care buildings with large climate systems sometimes fall into the category above 290 kW. For these buildings, a building management system is already mandatory, independently of the SRI itself.

The SRI remains voluntary otherwise. It is expected to become mandatory for buildings with a total useful floor area over 290 kW, through a delegated act that the European Commission must adopt by 30 June 2027 at the latest.