An arrangement for handling communication messages in a building control system includes a communication circuit and a control device. The communication circuit is operable to provide a first message on a communication network to a remote building control system device and to receive a responsive message generated by a remote building control system device responsive to the first message. The communication circuit is further operable to perform a first operation if the responsive message is received within a first time-out period and to perform a second operation if the responsive message is received after a first time-out period has expired. The control device is operable to generate a plurality of different time-out period values corresponding to a plurality of building control system devices and to provide information identifying the plurality of different time-out period values and their corresponding building control system devices to the communication circuit.