HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BACnet!

20 years of sustainable investment in building automation

Dortmund, Germany / Atlanta, GA, USA: April 4th, 2014. – BACnet International and the BACnet Interest Group Europe (BIG-EU) are celebrating two BACnet anniversaries in 2014 and 2015: 10 years DIN EN ISO 16484-5 and 20 years ANSI/ASHRAE 135! In that time the open communication standard has become an unprecedented enabler of sustainable building automation.

To bring the powerful message of BACnet benefits to a wider audience, a global anniversary roadshow is intended in 2014/2015. BACnet International and the BIG-EU are supporting a call for sponsors that enables MarDirect to organize the global event. Initial planning focusses on 12 modern cities in America, Europe and Asia. All locations would include a state-of-the-art exhibition and provide the latest information about open communication in building automation, the development of standardization, interoperability of BACnet devices, the BTL Mark and European Certification as well as information about BACnet vendors and suppliers.

From Ithaca, New York to the world

BACnet plays a significant role in building automation projects all over the world. The BACnet International and BIG-EU associations represent major global manufacturers, integrators and user companies.  The associations are committed to educating users and suppliers about the value of BACnet solutions.

The open communication protocol was created to connect the proprietary building automation devices and control systems of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Under the umbrella of ASHRAE, the protocol, now developed and known as protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet) became ANSI standard in 1995.

In 2003-2004 it was published as DIN EN ISO standard. Today more than 720 vendor IDs have been distributed, more than 600 devices - classified in 9 profiles  - “speak” BACnet and comply with the requirements of the standard.

The 10/20 anniversaries of the BACnet standard is a unique chance to reflect the benefits of BACnet for sustainable buildings in terms of construction, retrofitting and integration in smart grids.

About the BIG-EU
The BACnet Interest Group Europe (BIG-EU) promotes the use of the global BACnet communication standard ISO 16484-5 in building automation and security technology in Europe. Founded in 1998 by 18 companies from the building automation industry, today the BIG-EU has over 100 members from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the USA. The objectives of the BIG-EU are to take into account European interests in the development of the BACnet standard and the exchange of information with the ASHRAE SSPC 135 committee responsible for BACnet, as well as the American BACnet community, and joint marketing, a common standard for qualifications offered and the shared creation of technical guidelines. For further information, please visit www.big-eu.org.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] About BACnet International
BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Labs (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. For more information, please visit www.bacnetinternational.org

About MarDirect
MarDirect is the marketing and service provider of the BACnet Interest Groups in Europe, France, Italy, China, Middle East and USA. Our team speaks several European and other languages and keeps investors, planners and BACnet users informed – via the BACnet Journals, Forums, academies, Plugfests, press releases, online media, films and trade show exhibitions around the globe. For more than ten years, the Dortmund (Germany)-based company promotes the development of technical standards and engineering associations. Fields of work are building automation, industrial automation, web and communication technologies, engineering products and services. For more information please visit www.mardirect.de