In the modern landscape of smart buildings, systems integration plays a vital role in ensuring that different systems work together seamlessly. Building systems such as HVAC, lighting, security, and fire safety must communicate with one another to optimise performance, reduce operational costs, and enhance occupant wellbeing.

Tyrrell Products offers two innovative solutions designed to achieve this goal: the Communicator LT2 Integration Gateway and the OpenConnect Fire Gateway. These gateways provide a unified approach to managing diverse building systems, empowering building managers to achieve greater control, efficiency, and safety. 

The OpenConnect Gateway is specifically designed to work exclusively with Kentec Syncro fire alarm panels fitted with Open Connect interface cards, ensuring reliable and targeted integration within supported infrastructure. 

The Role of Integration Gateways in Modern Building Systems 

Modern buildings are increasingly complex, with various systems often sourced from different manufacturers. Without a centralised platform, it becomes challenging to manage, control, and monitor these systems effectively. This is where integration gateways like the Communicator LT2 come into play. They act as a bridge, allowing disparate systems to communicate with one another, enabling real-time data exchange and ensuring more streamlined operations. 

The Communicator LT2 is a proven integration platform with a strong global footprint, supported by thousands of installations across the built environment. Renowned for its reliability and versatility, it enables seamless integration with support for over 250 building system drivers, including open protocols such as Modbus and BACnet. Driver support covers a wide range of subsystems—lighting, fire and intruder alarms, power meters, generators, and UPS—ensuring unified control and enhanced interoperability across complex building infrastructures. 

Modbus & BACnet Integration: A Key Feature of the Communicator LT2 

When it comes to seamless integration across diverse building systems, the Communicator LT2 stands out for its hardware versatility and robust capabilities. Designed with practicality in mind, it includes standard power and communication interfaces to support flexible installations. One of its key advantages is the inclusion of licence-free BACnet and Modbus protocols, streamlining setup and reducing overall costs. 

For projects requiring broader connectivity, the platform supports fast and simple integration to 3^rd party sub systems and then data points quickly exposed as either BACnet IP or Modbus points.  Supporting up to 640 points for read and write access per Communicator LT2.  

OpenConnect Fire Gateway: Bringing Fire Safety into the Smart Building Ecosystem 

The OpenConnect Gateway is a powerful and flexible solution designed to streamline integration between Kentec Syncro fire alarm systems and Building Management Systems (BMS). By converting fire system data into standard BMS protocol objects, it enables seamless communication using widely adopted industry protocols such as BACnet IP, BACnet MSTP, Modbus TCP, and Modbus RTU. 

This allows building operators to monitor and manage fire safety systems alongside other building services from a single platform. Configuration is handled via an intuitive web user interface, enabling engineers to set up and review system data points efficiently—without the need for Niagara Workbench. The gateway is compatible exclusively with Kentec Syncro fire panels fitted with the appropriate Open Connect interface card, offering a scalable, future-ready integration pathway. Built on the robust Tridium JACE 8000 and powered by Niagara 4, it enhances fire safety data visibility while simplifying system setup and deployment. 

Seamless Integration for Better Building Performance 

Modern building environments require smart integration tools that bridge the gap between legacy infrastructure and advanced control systems. Solutions like the Communicator LT2 and the OpenConnect Gateway are designed to simplify this process, enabling reliable communication between a wide range of building systems without the need for costly rewiring or disruptive upgrades. The Communicator LT2 supports multiple industry-standard protocols, offering built-in features that streamline real-time monitoring, control, and alarm management—making it easier for building operators to deploy and manage complex systems efficiently. 

Likewise, the OpenConnect Gateway enhances the integration of fire alarm systems with BMS platforms by converting fire system data into standard protocol objects. Its web-based configuration tool allows engineers to define and monitor critical data points with ease, eliminating the need for specialised engineering tools. Built on a scalable foundation and compatible with various fire panels, it ensures flexible deployment across different environments. Together, these solutions enable seamless interoperability, reduce operational complexity, and support smarter, more responsive building management strategies. 

The Future of Building Systems Integration 

As buildings become smarter and more complex, the demand for seamless, scalable, and cost-effective integration is only set to grow. Tools like the Communicator LT2 and OpenConnect Gateway demonstrate how intelligent gateway solutions can bridge the divide between traditional infrastructure and modern building management needs. By supporting open protocols and enabling real-time data exchange across multiple systems, they help create environments that are more responsive, efficient, and easier to manage. 

Looking ahead, the future of building systems integration lies in solutions that not only connect systems but also simplify configuration, reduce engineering time, and provide actionable insights. As integration platforms continue to evolve, building owners and operators will increasingly rely on flexible tools that support long-term adaptability—ensuring their systems remain interoperable, future-ready, and aligned with emerging technologies and compliance standards.