Intercom and Communications

Section 28 45 00
Intercom & Communications

Status: Draft Version 1 – Consultant Ready
Basis Of Design: BluB0X BluSKY

Specification Division:

• Division 28 – Electronic Safety And Security
• Coordinated With Life-Safety, IT, Facilities, And Elevator Systems

Related / Normative References:

• Physical Security Management Platform (PSMP)
• Section 28 43 00 – Identity, Credentials & Biometrics
• Section 28 42 00 – Person Readers & Intelligent Edge Devices

Enterprise Access Control System

• Section 28 35 00 – Elevator Destination Dispatch Security (DDE)
• Section 28 36 00 – Two-Button Elevator Relay Security
• Section 28 37 00 – Hybrid Elevator Security
• Section 28 38 00 – Elevator Management & Telemetry
• Section 28 40 00 – Elevator Emergency Communications (Video / Voice / Text)
• Section 28 44 00 – Visitor & Vendor Management
• System Health, Telemetry & Assurance
• Security Power, Resiliency & OTA Lifecycle

Part 1 – General

1.1 Summary
A. This section defines requirements for an Enterprise Intercom & Communications System (EICS) that provides two-way audio, video, and text communications across the entire building and campus.

B. The system shall support:
• Visitor assistance
• Tenant and employee communications
• Remote answering and control
• Elevator emergency communications
• Security and life-safety workflows

C. Intercom and communications shall be identity-aware, context-aware, and fully auditable, and shall integrate natively with access control, elevators, Person Readers, visitor management, and emergency response.

1.2 Purpose And Intent
A. Replace siloed, analog intercom systems with a unified, IP-based communications platform.
B. Enable unattended or minimally staffed buildings without loss of security or service.
C. Provide consistent user experience and response workflows across all entry and assistance points.
D. Ensure communications remain operational during faults, outages, and emergencies.

1.3 Definitions
• Intercom Endpoint: Any device capable of initiating or receiving communications
• Monitoring Center: On-site or off-site location where calls are answered
• Contextual Communications: Calls enriched with identity, location, and system state

Part 2 – System Description

2.1 Intercom & Communications Overview
A. The EICS shall be a native subsystem of the PSMP.
B. Communications shall be supported at:
• Doors and portals
• Turnstiles and speed gates
• Person Readers
• Elevator lobbies
• Elevator cars
• Parking and perimeter points
• Reception and common areas

C. The system shall support routine assistance, visitor interaction, and emergency communications within the same architecture.

2.2 Relationship To Other Systems
A. Intercom communications shall integrate with:
• Identity and credentials
• Access control
• Visitor & Vendor Management
• Elevator security and management
• Event, alarm, and incident workflows

B. Communications shall not be isolated from security context.

Part 3 – Communication Modalities

3.1 Voice Communications
A. The system shall provide hands-free, two-way voice communication.
B. Audio quality shall be suitable for:
• Outdoor and indoor environments
• Elevator cars
• High-noise areas

C. Voice calls shall initiate automatically upon:
• Button press
• Touchless request
• Policy-defined events

3.2 Video Communications
A. Where equipped, the system shall provide two-way video communication.
B. Video shall enable:
• Visual verification of visitors
• Situational awareness during incidents
• Elevator occupant assessment during emergencies

3.3 Text / Messaging Communications
A. The system shall support two-way text or messaging.
B. Text communication shall support:
• Hearing-impaired users
• Silent assistance scenarios
• Multi-language interaction

Part 4 – Intercom Endpoints

4.1 Person Readers As Intercoms
A. Person Readers shall function as primary intercom endpoints.
B. Capabilities shall include:
• SIP-based audio
• Video communication (where equipped)
• Contextual call metadata

4.2 Door, Turnstile, And Kiosk Intercoms
A. Intercoms shall be deployable at:
• Exterior doors
• Turnstiles
• Reception kiosks
• Parking entry points

B. Endpoints may be standalone or integrated into access devices.

4.3 Elevator Intercoms
A. Elevator intercoms shall integrate with:
• Elevator Emergency Communications (Section 28 40 00)
• Elevator Management & Telemetry

B. Elevator intercoms shall support voice, video, and text where required.

Part 5 – Call Routing And Response

5.1 Routing Logic
A. Calls shall route based on:
• Location
• Time of day
• Call type (visitor, assistance, emergency)

B. Routing destinations may include:
• On-site security desks
• Remote monitoring centers
• Third-party response services

5.2 Escalation
A. Escalation shall occur if:
• Calls are unanswered
• Response time thresholds are exceeded

B. Escalation actions shall be configurable and auditable.

Part 6 – Contextual Awareness

6.1 Identity Context
Intercom calls shall include:
• Known or inferred identity
• Credential type used
• Visitor or employee status

6.2 Location And System Context
Calls shall include:
• Door or device location
• Elevator car and floor (where applicable)
• Access or elevator state

Part 7 – Visitor And Access Integration

7.1 Visitor Assistance
A. Intercoms shall support:
• Visitor check-in assistance
• Remote identity verification
• Assisted access grant

7.2 Assisted Access And Dispatch
A. Operators may:
• Unlock doors
• Grant temporary access
• Assist elevator dispatch

All actions shall be logged.

Part 8 – Eventing, Logging, And Auditability

8.1 Communication Events
A. All intercom interactions shall generate events including:
• Timestamp
• Endpoint
• Communication modality
• Operator or responder

8.2 Recording And Retention
A. Voice, video, and text sessions may be recorded subject to policy and regulation.
B. Retention policies shall be configurable.

Part 9 – Resilience And Power

9.1 Power Resilience
A. Intercom endpoints shall remain operational during:
• Building power outages
• System faults

B. Backup power shall be provided where required.

9.2 Network Resilience
A. Communications shall support:
• Redundant network paths
• Cellular or alternate connectivity where required

Part 10 – Diagnostics And Testing

A. The system shall support:
• Endpoint health monitoring
• Audio/video testing
• Network diagnostics

B. Tests shall be executable without triggering emergency escalation.

Part 11 – Privacy, Security, And Compliance

11.1 Data Protection
A. Communications shall be encrypted in transit.
B. Access to recordings and logs shall be role-restricted.

11.2 Regulatory Compliance
The system shall support compliance with:
• GDPR
• U.S. state privacy laws
• Industry-specific regulations

Part 12 – OTA Updates And Lifecycle

A. Intercom software and firmware shall support:
• Secure OTA updates
• Staged deployment
• Rollback capability

Part 13 – Safety And Operational Boundaries

A. Intercom systems shall not:
• Control elevator motion
• Override access control policies
• Interfere with life-safety systems

Part 14 – Submittals And Close-Out

• Intercom endpoint layouts
• Network and power diagrams
• Routing and escalation rules
• Acceptance testing documentation

Part 15 – Acceptable Manufacturers

15.1 Basis Of Design
Managed through the Physical Security Management Platform with native intercom and communications services.

15.2 Acceptable Alternatives
Alternative systems shall meet all requirements of this specification.

End Of Section 28 45 00