ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135-2004, BACnet - A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks, is an open, consensus-developed standard for the building controls industry.

Proposed addendum f to Standard 135 establishes a standard BACnet object, which represents a door operated as part of an access control system. It presents information and alarms about the door such as its status (open or closed, door open too long, door forced open), and provides means for controlling the door (lock, unlock, etc.), according to Bill Swan, chair of ASHRAE's BACnet committee.

This object is the first access control work item to come out of the BACnet committee's Life-Safety and Security Working Group. The group is working to develop full support for access control in BACnet, with more extensions to follow. The group is working closely with the Security Industry Association to develop common data models and methods for access control systems.

The proposed addendum will be open for public review until Nov. 6. To review the proposed addendum or to comment, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

Publication date: 10/16/2006