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- New Journal of Building Automation
- BACCARI Beta Release Demo Videos now available
- Take a tour of The BACnet Institute (TBI)
- PlugFest 2024
- SSPC 135 Committee Updates
- TBI Resource Corner
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Welcome to the newest edition of the Cornerstones newsletter from BACnet International. The BACnet International community benefits from information and education shared through Cornerstones, the organization's monthly electronic publication. This publication is distributed to members of the BACnet International community, connecting corporate, integrator, site, student, and individual users to BACnet news and updates. Cornerstones is a unique publication because it speaks not only to the engineer and contractor communities, but also to facility professionals, building managers and owners, and other personnel.
This is where you come in. We need you to connect! If you have company news, product news, BACnet Case Study, or a best practice you want to share, please send them to us using the form below. And don't leave out the photos! Read past Cornerstones and Case Studies.
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Check out the latest Journal of Building Automation! | |
Now available to read or download. | |
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BACnet International is excited to announce the latest Journal of Building Automation is now available to read or download! Issue 25 highlights “BACnet's Future in Building Automation.” The journal covers updates, developments, stories, and news on the BACnet protocol as well as the wider building automation industry as a whole.
Thank you to members of the BACnet community who contributed articles:
BACnet's Role in Data Sustainability
Michael Wilson, Nlyte Software
Rapidly Building a Secure Framework to Manage BMS Data
Michael Haedrich and Mark Lowell Froehlich, ConneXSoft
A Recap of the 2024 AHR Expo
Mary Catherine Heard, BACnet International
BACnet Global Community Outlook: The Future of the BACnet Protocol as it approaches 30 Years
Mary Catherine Heard, BACnet International
BACnet International releases Lighting System Upgrades to the BACnet International Guide Specification
Grant Wichenko, Appin Associates
Deploying BACCARI
Michael Osborne, BACnet International
Developing a BACnet product? Save time and money by pre-testing it at PlugFest!
Mary Catherine Heard, BACnet International
From the “Tin Lizzie” to efficient building operation
MSB GmbH
A Few Steps to an Energy-Efficient Existing Building
Delta Controls Germany GmbH
Building and Service Overviews in the Cloud
SAUTER Head Office
Secure Building Automation with BACnet/SC
DEOS AG
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Interested in submitting an article or advertisement for Issue #26 of the Journal of Building Automation? Send an abstract to Mary Catherine Heard, Communications Manager, at marycatherine@bacnetinternational.org. Issue #26 will be printed and distributed at the AHR Expo in Orlando next year.
Each year BACnet International presents multiple educational sessions at the AHR Expo. Articles chosen for journal publication will be considered to be part of BACnet International’s AHR Expo education session slate.
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BACCARI Tool Beta Release Demo Videos now available | |
Join our Cybersecurity Acceleration Program to download the tool and gain access to this video series. | |
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The BACnet Certificate Authority Reference Implementation Tool is an example implementation of a Certificate Authority for BACnet Secure Connect. This tool allows suppliers to validate device Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs) or generate new ones and to package these CSRs into the file format (CARI) specified in Addendum cs. BACCARI includes a Certificate Authority (CA) that reads the package of CSRs, generates the required certificates, and uses the CARI file format to package the certificates for the supplier.
BACnet International released the Alpha version of BACCARI on February 6th. This version contained all the functionality necessary to allow program participants to validate the implementation and review the underlying technology. The Beta version of BACCARI is close to completion and contains all the planned functionality including an updated workflow and user interface, the addition of user credentials, and support for multiple deployment scenarios.
BACCARI can be installed as standalone software running on Windows, Linux, or macOS or as a web server either on-site or in the cloud. A subset tool of BACCARI called 'Builder' is also available as standalone software. This subset tool is limited to generating and validating CSRs and building the CARI-compatible file containing the CSRs.
Links to the demo videos will be sent to registered participants of the Cybersecurity Acceleration Program.
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These companies and educational institutions have already joined the Cybersecurity Acceleration Program. For more information, see below or contact David Nardone, Membership and Education Manager, at david@bacnetinternational.org. | |
Take a quick tour of
The BACnet Institute!
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The BACnet Institute (TBI) is an online learning environment that serves as a central source for globally relevant information and education related to Building Automation System implementation. It offers a wide breadth of FREE courses and resources in different languages and levels of expertise for key professionals within the building industry. These resources not only cover the basics of a BACnet-base system, but topics such as interoperability, devices, specifying, networking, and security. While registration to TBI is required, it is FREE.
Sign up now at thebacnetinstitute.org.
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Save time and money by testing your products at PlugFest! | |
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Registration coming soon!
Mark your calendars for September 24th - 26th!
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PlugFest is an annual interoperability workshop that allows vendors to test their products in a friendly and neutral environment. The event provides opportunities to improve BACnet implementations and testing methods. Mark your calendars! This year’s PlugFest will be held September 24th - 26th at the University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Lab in Durham, NH. The BTL-WG meeting will be held on September 23rd. Corporate Members and BACnet International volunteers receive discounts on registration.
Benefits:
- Test the interoperability of your company’s BACnet products with the BACnet products of other vendors in a friendly and neutral environment.
- Fix implementation errors before they are discovered in the field.
- The BTL Technical Advisor and other BACnet experts will be onsite to assist and answer questions.
- Education opportunities are available.
- Network with fellow engineers and developers.
Available discounts:
$450.00 USD for Corporate Members
$50.00 USD for 2023 Volunteers
$50.00 USD for Early Bird Registrants
Registration costs:
Member Rate: $750.00 USD
Member Rate with Volunteer Discount: $700.00 USD
Member Rate with Early Bird Discount: $700.00 USD
Member Rate with Volunteer and Early Bird Discount: $650.00 USD
Non-Member Rate: $1,200.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Volunteer Discount: $1,150.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Early Bird Discount: $1,150.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Volunteer and Early Bird Discounts: $1,100.00 USD
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ASHRAE 223P: Ready for Review | |
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Industry professionals, controller manufacturers, designers, and building owners: it's your turn and your opportunity to contribute your invaluable insights on Semantic Interoperability.
Why ASHRAE 223P Matters:
For Controller Manufacturers: ASHRAE 223P is a fundamental step forward in how HVAC devices understand each other, not only standardized connections, data formats, or functions. This enables your products to integrate and operate within diverse systems at the level of the meaning of their purpose. Embracing semantic interoperability early on will not only future-proof your offerings but also position them as the preferred choice for forward-thinking projects.
For Designers: This standard introduces a unified language for HVAC system interoperability, enabling you to specify systems and components that work harmoniously, reducing integration headaches and opening up new possibilities in system design and efficiency.
For Building Owners: Adopting semantically interoperable HVAC systems means investing in a future where systems are more adaptable, efficient, and easier to manage. This translates into lower operational costs, enhanced system reliability, and the flexibility to upgrade with minimal disruption.
Semantic interoperability is not just a technical upgrade; it's a strategic advantage. It ensures that your HVAC systems can adapt, communicate, and perform optimally as technologies evolve toward real intelligent buildings and beyond.
For more information, please visit https://open223.info and https://osr.ashrae.org/ to review the 223p standard.
Newsletter contribution credit: Salvatore Cataldi, Member of the SSPC 135 Committee and Member of the BACnet International Board of Directors.
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Looking for a greater understanding of the BTL Testing and Certification Process? | |
BACnet International Corporate Members (Platinum, Gold, and Silver) receive a 50% discount on the hourly BTL testing rate when using the BTL Lab as well as included and/or discounted annual BTL Certified Product Listings. | |
BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) oversees the global BACnet product certification program and other interoperability testing activities. All BTL Certified BACnet products have successfully completed independent, compliance testing. This video gives a quick overview of the testing and certification process and explains the benefits of achieving BTL Certification. | |
BACnet products that have achieved BTL Certification are eligible to use the BTL Mark and are listed in the BTL Product Listing Database. The BTL Product Listings contains over 1375 products from 224 manufacturers. | |
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Company Overview:
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems, and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. MSA Mission: That men and women may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world.
How long has your company/organization been involved with BACnet International? What motivated your company/organization to become a member of BACnet International?
20+ years involved in BACnet. MSA Safety joined BACnet International as a Corporate Member to ensure we have industry-standard BACnet products.
Significant accomplishments, projects, or innovations related to BACnet technology:
MSA was the first company to have BTL compliance for a BACnet Router.
What BACnet-compatible products or solutions does your company/organization offer? How do these products contribute to the advancement of building automation and control systems?
MSA suppliers a range of BACnet Gateways that allow 3rd party systems to connect to a BACnet system. And building gas detection systems and components meant for monitoring refrigerant leak detection in commercial buildings.
How has your company/organization's involvement with BACnet International influenced the building automation industry?
Assisting in growing the number of BACnet connected devices.
Are there any upcoming projects, technologies, or initiatives related to BACnet that your company/organization is excited about?
Adopting BACnet/SC into a range of FieldServer products.
Interesting facts about MSA Safety:
The most remote FieldServer installation is in McMurdo station in the South Pole.
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Every month, BACnet International will highlight a resource from The BACnet Institute (TBI) Resource Library! | |
This month's featured TBI resource is "Establishing an Autonomous Building Industry Standard," by Troy Harvey, CEO, PassiveLogic. Harvey discusses how "in recent years, cloud-based analytics-driven solutions have emerged to tune existing site-based procedural controls, but they have done nothing to address the larger intractable state space problem. Stuck using the same hard-coded simplistic operation sequences, building automation systems have not possessed the means to resolve the real-time dynamic control demands of the state space complexity required by real-world building systems, occupants, and the internal and external environment. Building controls therefore rarely find the right control path at the right time, let alone achieve operational optimality." | |
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The BACnet Institute (TBI) is an online portal for BACnet-focused learning and knowledge sharing. It provides an easy path to BACnet information and learning for everyone involved with BACnet systems. The portal includes three on-demand FREE courses and over 200 resources including white papers, articles, presentations, and a community forum. TBI Resources are free, but registration for an account is required. Courses are eligible for CEUs and PDHs.
Each year TBI continues to grow. Since its launch in January 2017, over 10,000 registered users across more than 80 countries have accessed its resources. TBI’s simple search function allows users to get quick access to anything they need.
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For BACnet International Corporate Members, if you have any news concerning one of your BTL listed products, case studies or company news stories, let us know and we will be glad to include it in Cornerstones! All submissions should be sent to Mary Catherine Heard, BACnet International's Communications Manager, at marycatherine@bacnetinternational.org.
Please ensure that we are included in your distribution lists for product and company news release as well.
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Kennesaw, Ga., April 23, 2024 — In recognition of outstanding performance, Automated Logic Corporation, a leading provider of innovative building management solutions, has named its Field Office of the Year and Project of the Year award winners at its annual 2024 distribution meeting. Automated Logic is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
The three-day meeting was held in Savannah, GA and included 20 educational sessions and an awards dinner to recognize field offices for outstanding achievements in 2023. More than 150 awards were given to partners to recognize sales performance and years of service. This year a new “red jacket” tradition began, where the most prestigious “Dealer of the Year” and “Project of the Year” winners received a coveted ALC “red” jacket to wear at future awards dinners to symbolize their success.
Premier Energy Systems, a relatively new ALC dealer based in St. Albans, West Virginia, took top honors as the North American Field Office of the Year. Their exceptional sales performance, business development practices, community outreach efforts, and commitment to customer service continues to keep them on top after being named “Rookie of the Year” in 2022. Logical Building Automation, located in Sydney, Australia, was recognized with the International Dealer of the Year award. As an ALC dealer for 20 years, they consistently perform through their sales growth while their unwavering commitment to marketing and training helps boost the ALC brand. Their high-quality projects also set a shining example for others in the industry.
“Congratulations to both Premier Energy Systems and Logical Building Automation for their remarkable achievements,” said Brian Forrester, Vice President of Distribution, Automated Logic. “Their sales growth, customer focus, and passion for excellence truly set them apart.”
Automated Logic’s prestigious North American Project of the Year award went to Climate Control Systems & Service for their work installing the WebCTRL® building automation system at a primary health care clinic in South Dakota. The WebCTRL system provides facilities staff with centralized management of their mechanical, electrical, and fire systems, helping them improve operational efficiencies, enhance occupant comfort and maximize energy savings. As a result, the project is now in the process of being approved for a significant 179d energy-efficiency tax deduction.
"It has been a privilege to work with the customer over the past 12 years, and it has been a true honor to watch their campus transform from old historical buildings to a brand-new state of the art medical facility,” said Matt Wood, Owner, Climate Control Systems & Service. “We look forward to helping them achieve their energy saving goals now and in the future.”
Blaich Automation, an Automated Logic value-added reseller (VAR) in Germany, was recognized for International Project of the Year for providing a standardized building management system (BMS) design for a leading telecommunications provider in Germany. The single, scalable, repeatable BMS solution utilizes the WebCTRL® building automation system and will be deployed across over 200 data centers to help the telecommunications provider save energy, drive sustainability initiatives, and optimize operational costs.
“Thank you very much for this recognition!”, said Daniel Blaich, Managing Partner, Blaich Automation. “Winning the International 2023 Project of the Year award underlines the importance of how actionable insights can drive decision-making in the energy transition across Germany. We will wear the winner’s red jacket with pride!”
For more information, visit www.automatedlogic.com.
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Delta Showcasing the Seamless Integration of VIVOTEK’s New AI Camera with Delta Controls’ Red5 BACnet Controller for Smart Buildings at ISC West 2024 | |
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Delta, a global leader in power management and a provider of IoT-based smart green solutions, unveiled a wide range of integrated building solutions at ISC West 2024. The showcase included a real demo of the new VIVOTEK AI surveillance camera, which is capable of adapting to adverse lighting conditions to provide intelligent object detection and analysis. The camera is also seamlessly integrated into Delta Controls’ new Red5-PLUS-ROOM controller, an IoT-based native BACnet building controller, to enable comprehensive control of building HVAC, lighting, access and more.
Gary Harvey, Director of Business Development & Operations at Delta Electronics Americas’ Building Automation, said, "The market is in desperate need of integrated solutions to help realize smarter, more energy-efficient, healthier, and more comfortable buildings. VIVOTEK and Delta Controls are both brands of
Delta, and the synergy between VIVOTEK’s advanced imaging technology and Delta Controls’ automation prowess redefine the standards of security, efficiency, and user experience."
Attendees can look forward to the demonstration featuring a VIVOTEK AI camera detecting occupancy within specific locations in the Delta booth #22015. With a dynamic range of 140 dB, the camera adeptly captures details in scenes with varying light intensities. Moreover, it incorporates advanced technologies like
WDR Pro II, Smart IR III, and Vision Object Analytics, enhancing image quality in challenging lighting conditions and facilitating intelligent object detection and analysis, such as people and vehicle detection and attribute extraction. This cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrates with Delta Controls' automation
controller, enabling precise access control, lighting adjustments, and HVAC management. Beyond traditional surveillance, these advanced functionalities offer precise, real-time insights into visitor interactions, contributing to a seamless and efficient building automation experience.
Furthermore, VIVOTEK will showcase its latest products and technologies, including the Edge AI cameras, business cloud-based security service VORTEX, and the VAST Security Station's AI-powered Deep Search technology. These innovations incorporate Edge AI video analytics, integrating artificial intelligence into cameras and sensors for real-time event analysis. Applications span Smart Motion Detection, Smart VCA, Advanced Smart Tracking, Vision Object Analytics, Facial Recognition, Restricted Zone Detection, Parking Violation Detection, License Plate Recognition, and People Counting.
Delta Controls will also be displaying the Red5-PLUS-ROOM controller, a fully programmable native BACnet building controller equipped with memory storage and external communication ports. This controller includes control logic for expansion modules and provides a comprehensive solution by integrating HVAC, access control, and lighting control within a modular system. It can accommodate up to 12 I/O or gateway modules and up to 24 access modules, provided the total number of modules remains below 24. The system enhances room control, eliminates the need for duplicate devices, and offers occupant satisfaction while
reducing energy costs.
ISC West is the largest security conference in North America. Its 2024 edition was held at the Venetian Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., from April 10-12. Visit Delta at booth #22015.
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Carrier Updates AquaSnap 30MP Water-Cooled Scroll Chiller with Lower GWP Refrigerant and Controls | |
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CHARLOTTE, NC. - Apr. 17, 2024 - Carrier is updating one of its most compact, indoor chillers — the AquaSnap® 30MP water-cooled scroll chiller — to be more environmentally responsible and user friendly. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
The AquaSnap 30MP will now come with refrigerant R-32, which was chosen for its lower environmentally balanced impact, high energy efficiency, wide availability and ease of use. In addition to a new refrigerant, the chiller has also been modernized with new PIC6 intelligent controls that provide an advanced, 4-inch graphic display with BACnet™ MS/TP or IP.
The 30MP indoor chiller comes in condenserless and water-cooled versions. Its compact modular design makes it ideal for easy replacement, retrofit or new construction applications, with the ability to pipe together up to eight chillers for increased capacity of up to 640 tons (2,250 kW).
Carrier is committed to providing our planet and people a better future by offering the best refrigerant for each application, and is shifting to lower GWP refrigerants across its chiller offerings, with R-513A, R-515B and R-1234ze(E) in medium-pressure centrifugal and screw chillers; R-1233zd(E) in low-pressure centrifugal chillers; and R-32 in scroll chillers.
The use of lower GWP refrigerants supports Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Goals, including helping customers avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The chiller is manufactured at Carrier’s commercial HVAC factory in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more information on Carrier’s AquaSnap 30MP, visit carrier.com/30MP.
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Trane Honored with Environment+Energy Leader Award for Energy Innovation | |
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Davidson, N.C., April 23, 2024 – Trane® - by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator - has received “Top Project of the Year Award for Energy Innovation” in the 2024 Environment+Energy Leader (E+E Leader) Award program for its decarbonization-focused program with the State of New Mexico.
Trane played a crucial role in helping the State of New Mexico achieve their emissions reduction and resiliency goals through a comprehensive program supporting the modernization of state-owned buildings and implementing renewable infrastructure. Using its expertise in both facilities and energy, Trane implemented innovative solutions to help enhance comfort, reduce energy consumption and support the state's climate action plans.
The program involved upgrading HVAC systems to ultra-efficient models and implementing smart building controls. Additionally, Trane incorporated renewable distributed energy resources-- including rooftop solar installations -- to generate clean, renewable energy. These measures not only improved the comfort of staff and visitors but also contributed to the state's economic and environmental goals.
Trane has enjoyed a 30+-year collaboration with the state, making them a natural and trusted choice for this project. Utilizing Trane's services, the state was able to address deferred maintenance costs, reduce emissions and create more sustainable and resilient building infrastructure.
“When the project was announced May of 2022, it was New Mexico’s largest renewable energy project at the time,” said Andy Merrill, vice president, Energy Services at Trane Technologies. “We are proud to have played an important part in helping the State reach its 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal. We are equally delighted that our innovative collaboration has earned a place on the E+E Leader list.”
Get more details about the winning project on trane.com: The State of New Mexico's “State Buildings Green Energy Project"
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Congratulations to the following
BACnet International Corporate Members who have achieved BTL Certification!
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Congratulations to our Platinum Members | |
Congratulations to our Gold Member | |
Corporate Affiliate Members | | | | |
