What's BACnet?

Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet) is a truly open protocol developed by the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for anyone to use without any licensing costs. This means that devices can be designed to operate using BACnet communication protocol as well as utilising BACnet protocol to communicate between systems. BACnet is the internationally accepted new protocol for building automation and control over a communications network.

Why BACnet?

Traditionally, the building automation industry was dominated by a small number of international organisations. These systems had different proprietary communication protocols that were utilised to enable a computer system (usually a PC) to communicate (monitor, control, alarm etc) with devices within buildings. These devices form part of the variety of services such as air conditioning, fire alarm, hydraulic, electrical etc that are present in buildings.

However, proprietary systems invariably were not able to communicate with each other. Hence in a campus situation, consisting of a variety of such systems, a central monitoring and control arrangement was practically impossible to achieve. They also forced the building owners to be 'held captive' by particular manufacturers for maintenance, repairs or modifications. This led to excessive operating costs as well as being constrained in accessing technical advances offered by others.

BACnet provides a method by which computer-based control equipment, from different manufacturers can work together, or 'interoperate'. For this to be achieved components must be able to exchange and understand BACnet data messages.

In order to ensure interoperability and functionality, it's essential that all building automation systems on campus must be of the BACnet type and be in accordance with the University Guidelines for Building Automation and Control Systems.