We’re proud to announce that since 01.09.08 we’re a member of the BACnet Interest Group. Two of the main aims are reduced building cost and more energy efficiency. Due to the fact that different subsystems communicating in one language are more advanced than standalone solutions we promote the spreading of the BACnet-Standard in Europe. The BIG stands for representation of the European interests in conjunction with this aims. Furthermore the interest group sees herself as the coordinator of the following aims:
Best practice
The BIG-EU promotes the spread of best practice solutions. Reference projects are published in the BACnet Europe Journal and the Internet. Experts share their experiences at the BACnet Forum, on joint stands at exhibitions, in the Marketing and Technology Work Groups and at the members' General Meeting.
European Coordination
The BIG-EU coordinates the European BACnet activities and represents the interests of the European members and countries at ASHRAE, the American BACnet Association (BMA) as well as the BACnet Interest Groups North America (BIG-NA), Australasia (BIG-AA) and Middle East (BIG-ME). The close cooperation with the American board prevents the emergence of a European BACnet dialect.
Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of different systems to work together. This is usually achieved by conforming to common standards. By promoting compliance with the BACnet standard, the BIG-EU promotes interoperability in building automation.
Conformity
In Europe there is a large demand for proof of a product's conformity. In agreement with the American BACnet partners, the BIG-EU has developed a procedure for certifying conformance according to the BACnet norm ISO 16484-5. The goal is an automated testing procedure. Manufacturers of successfully tested products receive permission for their products to carry the BTL trade mark. A PICS (Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement) obliges manufacturers to label their products with information on the conformance class, the supported functions, objects, applications and transfer media.
Marketing
The market expects unbiased news about users, profitability and applications of the BACnet protocol. The BIG-EU informs investors, planners and BACnet users via the "BACnet Europe Journal", press releases, the BACnet Forum, exhibitions, and the Internet. It coordinates European marketing activities and represents members' interests in the market. It also offers advice on formulating tenders for networked solutions based on BACnet.
Guidelines
The BIG-EU controls the requirements of the conformity tests and the use of the BACnet trade mark in Europe. It is responsible for the protection of the BACnet trade mark in Europe for proven BACnet conformity. The BIG-EU has developed guidelines on writing tenders based on DIN ISO EN 16484-5.
Standardization
The BACnet protocol can always be extended. When developing the standard, the BIG-EU respects the interests of its members. It represents European interests in the permanent BACnet committee SSPC 135 of ASHRAE and informs members of the results.
Training
The use of the BACnet protocol presupposes specialist knowledge. The BIG-EU offers two day training courses on the fundamentals and methodology of planning, implementation and operation. These courses are run in cooperation with the VDI-Wissenforum.
We see high potential in this standard. Therefore Advancis will continue the work on deep integration of BACnet into WinGuard in order to meet the constantly growing requirements to a modern state-of-the-art building management system.