SRI class
Class 90–100 %: fully smart-ready
In short
- 1The class "Fully smart-ready" (90 to 100 percent) is the highest score within the Smart Readiness Indicator.
- 2A building in this class has installations that are almost entirely automated and interconnected.
- 3In European test phases, this class barely appeared, showing how high the standard is.
Position in the class table
| Band | Name | Meaning | Letter in tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 % | Fully smart-ready | Almost all installations are smartly controlled, integrated and ready to move with the grid. | A |
| 80–90 % | Very smart | A building with a mature building management system, demand-driven installations and first forms of energy flexibility. | B |
| 65–80 % | Smart | The main installations are controlled per zone and on occupancy. | C |
| 50–65 % | On the way | There is a building management system and some installations are smartly controlled, but not consistently and not integrated. | D |
| 35–50 % | Basics in place | Central controls and time schedules, little occupancy control, limited reporting. | E |
| 20–35 % | Limited | Manual operation dominates. | F |
| 0–20 % | Not smart-ready | Almost everything is operated by hand. | G |
What does the "Fully smart-ready" class mean?
The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is a score that shows how well a building is prepared for smart technology. The score is expressed as a percentage and divided into seven classes. The highest class ranges from 90 to 100 percent and is called "Fully smart-ready" on this platform, an unofficial name. In tools, this class is often marked with the letter A.
A building in this class scores high on almost all nine domains that the methodology distinguishes, such as heating, cooling, ventilation, and electricity. Within each domain, smart-ready services are assessed on their functionality level, from 0 (no automation) to 4 (fully automated and remotely controllable).
What makes a building truly fully smart-ready?
For this class, installations must not only be automated, but also communicate with each other. The building management system (BMS) then controls heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting as one coherent whole.
Connection to the energy grid is also important. A building at this level can adjust its energy consumption to signals from outside, for example to shift consumption to times with more renewable energy on the grid. This carries significant weight in the seven impact criteria of the methodology, including energy efficiency and flexibility.
Why does this class occur so rarely?
In European test phases, this class barely appeared. Countries such as Czechia and Denmark recorded buildings that mostly fell into lower classes, well below 90 percent.
This is because full integration of all systems is technically and financially demanding. Many existing buildings have separate installations that do not communicate with each other, even if they are individually automated.
What does this mean for the future?
The European Commission must adopt a delegated act by 30 June 2027. This is expected to make the SRI mandatory for utility buildings with installations above 290 kilowatts.
Even without obligation, the "Fully smart-ready" class can serve as a benchmark for owners who want to prepare their building for future requirements around building automation.
What this means for you
- Owner
- A score in this class is currently mainly an ambition level, not a practical standard you will quickly achieve. Yet it is worthwhile to improve the nine domains step by step, so your building is prepared if the 2027 delegated act imposes obligations above 290 kilowatts.
- Tenant
- In a building of this class, you notice that heating, cooling, and ventilation adjust automatically to your presence and the weather. You rarely need to intervene yourself, because the building management system controls everything in the background.
- Advisor
- When assessing, check not only the functionality levels per domain, but also whether systems actually communicate with each other via the building management system. Pay particular attention to connection with the energy grid, because this criterion often makes the difference between a high score and the "Fully smart-ready" class.
Next step
Want to know where your building stands?