For OEMs, system integrators, and integration architects, IoT device certifications are a good thing.

Certifications help ensure that IoT devices conform to consensus standards, such as ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO. More importantly, certifications are an indicator that the certified IoT device supports or enables interoperability for a wide range of industrial and building automation and control applications including:

• Temperature, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
• Energy management, lighting
• Chillers, boilers
• Air quality, environmental
• Life safety (fire) and security (surveillance)

What’s New

We’re pleased to announce that MSA FieldServer just received re-certification from BACnet
Testing Laboratories (BTL) for our best-in-class IIoT protocol gateways.

BACnet is a global protocol that’s widely recognized for meeting the needs of building automation and control systems for smart facilities. Specifically, the BACnet protocol enables operators, managers, and owners to seamlessly integrate all their building functions into a connected system.

So, let’s take a closer look at why and how FieldServer, once again, achieved the esteemed BTL certification for our gateway solutions.

Why BTL Certification Matters

A lot goes into making a connected system work. The last thing system integrators like you need is to deal with incompatibility issues. Installing BTL Certified BACnet devices make integration faster, easier, and virtually hassle free.

While no IoT device should claim to be 100% plug-and-play, a BTL Certified device offers the assurance that 95% to 98% of the time your BACnet connected devices will work seamlessly without time consuming troubleshooting.

As we’ve talked about before, BTL Certification is a rigorous testing endeavor that ensures our BACnet gateway solutions meet the exacting standards of BTL, as well as our own.

An Update on FieldServer’s BTL Testing and Re-Certification

All FieldServer products were re-certified in 2024 by BTL for the following BACnet profiles:

• BACnet Application Specific Controller (B-ASC)
• BACnet Gateway (B-GW) 

It should be noted that this BACnet certification also includes BACnet Life Safety Objects, such as Fire Alarm Panels.

Why does this matter?

Because when it comes to life safety, seconds count.

BTL Certification ensures that the relevant BACnet Life Safety objects prioritize the BACnet data from Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP). This means that BACnet networks can more quickly and effectively identify a potentially hazardous situation for faster response.

What Action Should You Take?

Of course, we’re proud of achieving this prestigious certification. But that’s not the real reason you’ll want to communicate this re-certification news with your team.

Sharing the news of MSA’s BTL re-certification is another opportunity for you to talk with your team about maintaining the highest level of quality and conformance with your automation systems.

It’s also a chance to address—and overcome—compatibility issues, interoperability problems, and security concerns as you add new components, devices, and objects to your Building Automation System (BAS).

For example, BACnet working groups recently added BACnet elevator objects (elevator groups, lifts, and escalators). Adding a BTL Certified FieldServer gateway is a quick and easy way to ensure near-perfect integration of these objects, as well as simplify troubleshooting and maintenance.

Finally, because FieldServer is a BTL Certified gateway that’s been security and vulnerability tested, you and your team can rest assured that your FieldServer gateway includes critical security protections to help protect against devastating cyber threats.

Do We Need to Do Anything to our Gateway?

Good news! There’s nothing for you to do.

If you already have a FieldServer BACnet IoT gateway, BTL re-certification doesn’t change a thing on your end. Otherwise, FieldServer will automatically install the latest firmware updates on your next order, ensuring that you have the latest features and benefits to deliver certification-worthy performance.

Of course, if you’re looking to add FieldServer devices to your enterprise to further manage and monitor your equipment remotely from the Cloud, you’ll also have access to the latest firmware updates, along with the peace of mind that comes from installing a gateway solution that meets exacting BTL performance standards.

Tell Us What You Think

If you have questions, please reach out to us.

To learn more about BTL Listed BACnet IoT gateways for building automation and life safety, be sure to take a look at these helpful recommended posts: