Fire Panel Life Safety Integration with Schneider BMS
Case
Study - Integrating Barrington Microstar with BACnet MS/TP
ALC.
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Overview
Our client, a system integrator, faced a major challenge while connecting Honeywell Gent Vigilon Fire Alarm Panels (FACP) with a Schneider Struxureware BMS (MP-C-18B). Although the fire panels communicated via BACnet/IP, Schneider’s BMS could not read BACnet Life Safety points directly. The system required these points to be converted into Analog Value (AV) objects to function properly. This limitation created a monitoring gap for a large multi-building residential project, where each section contained approximately 450 fire alarm devices.
On the technical side, the project required mapping thousands of BACnet objects into the BMS. Each device exposed multiple life safety points, and the configuration files had to be both accurate and efficient to ensure no points were missed while being delivered under tight end-of-month deadlines. Adding to the complexity, many devices were located inside tenant apartments, which limited access and forced the integration to be rolled out in phases.
Chipkin’s approach to the solution and Challenges
Chipkin provided a FieldServer Gateway–based solution designed not just to pass data between two BACnet/IP systems, but to translate, scale, and structure the data so that it became usable within the Schneider Struxureware environment. The FieldServers were configured to read the BACnet Life Safety points from the fire panels, convert them into Analog Value (AV) objects, and then serve the data over BACnet/IP. This allowed the Schneider BMS to access the information without compatibility issues, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring of critical life safety data. Where possible, existing device instance IDs were preserved, reducing reprogramming effort.
The project’s scale and environment introduced several challenges. Each residential section contained roughly 450 devices, with large BACnet object lists that needed to be mapped carefully. Many devices were located inside tenant apartments, which limited immediate access and required the integration to be phased. At the same time, the client needed configuration files on short notice to keep the project on schedule.
To overcome these hurdles, Chipkin and the client adopted a phased deployment strategy. Devices that were immediately accessible were prioritized, allowing the BMS to begin monitoring critical points quickly. Additional devices were integrated later as tenant access became available. Large configuration files were prepared under tight deadlines, balancing speed with precision to ensure accuracy.
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Despite the complexity, the solution was delivered on time, enabling reliable monitoring of critical life safety data.
Results & Impact
The phased strategy proved successful. Multiple FieldServers were installed and confirmed operational, while one unit was kept aside for a future project phase. The integrator confirmed that the system was functioning smoothly and performing as expected, validating both the solution and the deployment process.
More importantly, the project had direct life safety implications. With over 450 devices per section now visible in the Schneider BMS, building managers could monitor alarms, faults, and device statuses in real time. This central visibility ensures faster emergency response, compliance with life safety requirements, and greater
Client Feedback
- “So far, everything is going smoothly and we haven’t encountered any issues.”
- “We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully completed the work on the FieldServer. Everything is functioning as expected, and the system is performing well.”
About Us
Chipkin™ is a building and industrial automation protocol expert. We develop, configure, install, and support gateways (protocol converters), data loggers and remote monitoring and control applications.