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PlugFest Highlights
AHR Expo Reminders
BACnet Forum in London
BTL Listing Information
Cybersecurity Acceleration Program
TBI Corner
Corporate Member News
Latest BTL Certifications
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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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BACnet International Hosts its 24th Annual PlugFest Interoperability Workshop | |
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Last week, BACnet International hosted its 24th annual PlugFest Interoperability Workshop at the University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Laboratory. The workshop brought together 70 attendees, consisting of 33 teams from 25 different companies. 31 attendees were first-time participants. The three-day event is a neutral, friendly environment that promotes networking and comradery among participants as they test their BACnet products.
The workshop included two education sessions. Michael Osborne, BTL Technical Advisor, and Coleman Brumley, SSPC 135 Committee Chair, presented “What’s New in BACnet?”. Dave Robin, BSC Softworks, presented “BACCARI Demo and Authentication & Authorization Addendum Session. Both of these sessions will be added to The BACnet Institute (TBI).
The following companies sent attendees this year:
ABB
Accutrol, LLC
Automated Logic Corporation
BSC Softworks
Cimetrics
Conserve It
Daikin Applied Americas
Delta Controls Inc.
Evolution Controls
HMS Networks
Intesis by HMS Networks
Honeywell
Johnson Controls
Lennox
LOYTEC electronics GmbH
LumenRadio
Lutron Electronics
Melink Corporation
PassiveLogic
Price Industries
Q-PAC
Reliable Controls
SAUTER
Schneider Electric
Trane
Yaskawa America, Inc. - Drives & Motion Division
WindowMaster
We hope to see everybody back for next year’s workshop!
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AHR Expo 2025:
BTL Mark and Company Logo Reminders
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BACnet International will exhibit in Booth 1273 at the 2025 AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. We wanted to remind fellow exhibitors of our BTL Mark Guidelines and to ensure we have the correct logos for our Corporate Members.
BACnet International promotes its Corporate Members by displaying company logos on the Member Page of our website, the Cornerstones Newsletter, and other marketing materials. Check out our Corporate Member page and make sure your company logo and URL link is up to date!
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Are you using the BTL Mark correctly? Check out the usage guidelines! As you are designing your trade show booths and marketing materials, we want to remind you to abide by the BTL Mark Usage Guidelines. They are available to download. | |
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BACnet Forum 2024 in London,
presented by BACnet Interest Group - Europe
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Mark your calendars! BACnet Interest Group Europe will be hosting the BACnet Forum 2024 in London on October 8th, 2024.
Event Details:
Date: October 8th, 2024
Location: Conway Hall, London
The day will be filled with engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and excellent networking opportunities. This event is a fantastic platform to connect with industry professionals and share insights on BACnet and building automation.
Highlights:
CIBSE Certified Presentations: Earn your CIBSE points with certified presentations from leading experts.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders and fellow professionals.
Exhibitions and Elevator Pitches: Sponsors are welcome to participate.
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Does your BACnet product have a BTL Listing? | |
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Products that have successfully completed this BACnet conformance testing are awarded a BTL Certification and are eligible to use the BTL Mark. Only these products are eligible to be included in the BTL Listing of Tested Products database. The BTL Listing database currently has over 1,300 products.
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Benefits for User and Building Owner/Operators:
Lower Integration Cost
BTL Certified Products accelerate and lower the cost of system integration. As such, it is becoming commonplace for specifications to require BTL Certification to be eligible to bid on a project.
Less Integration Risk
Reliance on BTL Certified products lowers the risk of integration problems and the project delays and cost-overruns. Also provides a solid foundation for future system enhancements and extensions.
Assurance of Independent Testing
The BTL Mark provides users with assurance that a product has passed the industry standard BACnet conformance tests conducted by a Recognized BACnet Testing Organization (RBTO).
Interoperability Assurance in a
Multi-Vendor Environment
The tests are designed to validate that the product correctly implements a specified set of BACnet features to ensure that the products integrate seamlessly.
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Benefits for Manufacturers:
Improved Product Quality & Performance
The rigorous testing associated with BTL Certification is a powerful methodology for ensuring such errors are found and eliminated before a product reaches the market.
Reduced Costs & Liability
Earning the BTL Certification reduces the risk of BACnet implementation errors causing interoperability problems and minimizes the associated costs.
Greater Buyer Confidence & Opportunity to Bid
BTL Certification provides buyers with assurance that a product has passed the industry standard BACnet conformance tests conducted by a recognized, independent testing organization. This increases buyer confidence in both the product and its manufacturer.
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Join BACnet International's
Cybersecurity Acceleration Program
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The program will provide a complete Certificate Authority reference implementation and a sister tool (BACCARI) that can generate and validate Certificate Signing Request files and package them into an interoperable file format for the Certificate Authority. Additionally, all program participants will have access to cybersecurity implementation webinars and an interactive, peer-to-peer forum led by experts in BACnet and cybersecurity.
Participation in the program will help suppliers ensure their certificate management tools are interoperable with tools from other suppliers. This will keep integration costs down and maintain their reputation as collaborative participants in multivendor environments. The program will also shorten the learning curve for manufacturers who need cybersecurity implementation experts on staff and help ensure their products are ready for whatever comes next in building automation cybersecurity. Access to BRITE is also included in the Cybersecurity Acceleration Program.
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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 "All About BACnet Broadcast Management Devices" by David T. Menges, KMC Controls. In the article, David T. Menges describes how "modern local area networks are fast, robust, and secure which makes them ideal to support a BACnet internetwork, an international standard for building automation controls and networking. A BACnet internetwork is composed of BACnet networks each of which includes only devices of the same BACnet network protocol. As need, BACnet routers convert the various protocols to join all the networks into one BACnet internetwork." | |
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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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Preserving History, Protecting the Planet: Library and Archives Canada's Net-Zero Achievement | |
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Located in Gatineau, Quebec, this state-of-the-art facility is the first net zero archival center in the Americas, setting a new standard for the preservation of Canada's documentary heritage.
Key Highlights:
- Complex Operations: Integrating over 8,500 BACnet points and third-party systems using our OptiFlex™ BACnet Building Controllers
- Precision Control: Ensuring critical temperature and humidity levels for long-term preservation
- Environmental Excellence: Leading in strict indoor air quality management
This project showcases how Automated Logic is pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in building automation.
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Bosch HVAC units can now be integrated with the Intesis 700series Air gateways! | |
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The Intesis 700 Series Air gateways now support bidirectional communication with Bosch AC Air Flux and Mini VRF units, integrating seamlessly with BACnet, KNX, Modbus, or Home Automation systems. With a single IN770AIR gateway, you can control and monitor up to 64 indoor units independently. Additionally, the gateway can connect up to three energy meters to provide estimated consumption data, aiding in energy-saving strategies.
The Intesis 700 Series Air gateways are centralized gateways that enable bidirectional communications among the Bosch AC Air Flux series and Mini VRF (MCDI) units and control systems based on BACnet, KNX, Modbus, or Home Automation.
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52Nijmegen fitted with the
Smart Actuator System
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An iconic 18-floor building underwent modernisation in 2024, incorporating advanced SAUTER systems to enhance sustainability and flexibility. The renovation, featuring the Smart Actuator system, improved comfort level and energy consumption, aligning with the owner’s sustainability goals.
When the building was completed in 2008, 52Nijmegen was already equipped with a SAUTER installation. In 2024, renovation work started to modernise the building with state-of-the-art technology. The renovation work is carried out by ReMe Techniek, a Dutch specialist in control technology and building management, who has maintained a good relationship with SAUTER Netherlands ever since its establishment in 2007.
After many years of faithful service, the originally fitted room control units of an earlier generation of SAUTER’s ecos room automation system as well as several faulty air valves had to be replaced. The replacement should continue to enable the flexible and diverse use of the building whilst also supporting new sustainability requirements, which are carried out in several phases.
SAUTER Netherlands presented the Smart Actuator for ball valves in combination with a clamp-on flow meter. A new ecos room automation station is at the centrepiece of the modular room automation. Communicating via BACnet, it integrates all room functions into the building management system implemented by ReMe Techniek.
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Congratulations to the following
BACnet International Corporate Members who have achieved BTL Certification!
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