BACnet Object Model (Source: ASHRAE)

“The physical security industry has reached a state of maturity that demands interoperable standards,” states Rob Zivney, a member of the LSS-WG and VP Marketing with Hirsch Electronics, a security systems manufacturer.  “It is interesting that the first comprehensive Access Control standard to emerge comes from the building controls industry.  I know that there are many end users with existing BACnet installations that are excited about the possibility of adding access control to their systems.”

The work of the BACnet LSS-WG involved the development of eight proposals.  The Access Door object was recently approved and published as Addendum f to BACnet.  The other seven proposals are expected to become amendment j to the base standard, once the public review process is complete and the amendments are approved for publication by the ASHRAE Board of Directors and by the American National Standards Institute.  The proposals include: Access Door object, Access Point object, Access Zone object, Access User object, Access Credential object, Access Rights object, Authentication Factor Input object, and the Access Event Algorithm.  These proposals are posted on the BACnet website (www.bacnet.org).

“The traditional physical security industry may not be accustomed to looking towards BACnet for industry standards,” continues Zivney.  “However, everyone can submit comments on these standards.  It is important that the physical security industry does so, as BACnet is already a preeminent international building controls standard.”