SIST EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026

• Abstract:

  IEC 62820‑1‑2:2026 specifies the technical requirements for the composition, functions, performance and test methods of building intercom systems using the Internet protocol (IP), and it is a supplement to IEC 62820‑1‑1. This document is applicable to the IP building intercom systems for both residential and commercial buildings.

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Apr-2025
• Publication Date: 29-Sep-2026
• ICS: 35.240.67 - IT applications in building and construction industry
• ICS: 97.120 - Automatic controls for household use
• Technical Committee: EAL - Alarm systems
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 24-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 29-Nov-2026
• Completion Date: 30-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 - Building intercom systems - Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems using the Internet protocol (IP)

• Replaces: SIST EN 62820-1-2:2017 - Building intercom system - Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems using the internet protocol (IP)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 62820-1-1:2026 - Building intercom systems - Part 1-1: System requirements - General (IEC 62820-1-1:2026)
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 62820-3-1:2018 - Building intercom systems - Part 3-1: Application guidelines - General
• Effective Date: 22-Sep-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 62820-2:2018 - Building intercom systems - Part 2: Requirements for advanced security building intercom systems
• Effective Date: 22-Sep-2026

Overview

SIST EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 defines the technical requirements, performance specifications, and test methods for building intercom systems that utilize the Internet Protocol (IP). As part of the broader IEC 62820 series, this standard supplements IEC 62820-1-1 by addressing the unique functional and security aspects of IP-based building intercom systems (IP BIS). The standard is applicable to both residential and commercial environments, supporting enhanced connectivity and modern communication infrastructures in building security.

With the shift towards IP technology in building communication, compliance with SIST EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 ensures systems are reliable, secure, and interoperable according to international best practices.

Key Topics

• System Composition and Functionality

  • Specifies required components such as intercom units, security management units (SMU), and user receiver units (URU).
  • Details basic and additional functional requirements for voice, video, and messaging.

• Performance Requirements

  • Defines benchmarks for audio and video quality, including audio delay, echo return loss, audio switching time, video resolution, frame rate, video delay, and lip sync to ensure effective two-way communication.
  • Addresses test methods and environmental conditions for accurate assessment.

• Network and Information Security

  • Establishes requirements for network access control, including identification and authorization of users and devices.
  • Specifies methods to ensure data integrity, including encryption and other protections to guard alarm and unlocking control data from unauthorized access or tampering.

• Test Procedures and Conditions

  • Outlines the necessary environmental requirements for testing (temperature, humidity, pressure).
  • Provides precise methodologies for evaluating both functional and performance criteria using standardized signals and configurations.

Applications

Adoption of SIST EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 brings practical value to various stakeholders:

• Residential Buildings

  • Enables secure and efficient audio and video entry communication for occupants and visitors.
  • Supports advanced features such as messaging and video playback, enhancing convenience and security.

• Commercial and Office Complexes

  • Facilitates integrated building security and communication, supporting high-traffic environments with reliable IP-based connectivity.
  • Allows centralized management and remote configuration via security management units (SMU), improving operational efficiency.

• Security and Facility Managers

  • Ensures systems comply with recognized international standards for reliability, interoperability, and cybersecurity.
  • Provides a transparent framework for initial installation and ongoing system maintenance, including performance validation and auditing.

• Manufacturers and Integrators

  • Guides product development and system integration to align with market expectations and regulatory requirements for IP-based communication systems.

Related Standards

To ensure full compatibility and optimal implementation, consider related standards and references:

• IEC 62820-1-1: System requirements for building intercom systems – General aspects (essential for non-IP or hybrid systems).
• IEC 62820-2: Requirements for advanced security building intercom systems.
• IEC 62820-3-1/3-2: Application guidelines for general and advanced security.
• ITU-T P.501: Test signals for telephonometry, referenced for standardized audio evaluations.
• ISO/IEC Directives: General requirements, terminology, and assessment frameworks.

Conclusion

Implementing SIST EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 ensures that building intercom systems leveraging IP technology are robust, secure, and interoperable. This standard supports modern security and communication needs in both residential and commercial buildings by establishing clear technical and performance requirements. Stakeholders benefit from improved system reliability, better integration capabilities, and adherence to international best practices in both technology and security.

Keywords: IP building intercom systems, IEC 62820-1-2:2026, network security, performance requirements, audio and video communication, test methods, interoperability, building security standards.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 62820-1-2:2017
Notranja komunikacija v stavbah - 1-2. del: Sistemske zahteve - Sistemi notranjih
komunikacij v stavbah z internetnim protokolom (IP) (IEC 62820-1-2:2026)
Building intercom systems - Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems
using the Internet protocol (IP) (IEC 62820-1-2:2026)
Gegensprechanlagen für Gebäude - Teil 1-2: Systemanforderungen -
Gegensprechanlagen für Gebäude, die das Internet-Protokoll (IP) verwenden (IEC
62820-1-2:2026)
Systèmes d'interphone de bâtiment - Partie 1-2: Exigences du système - Systèmes
d'interphone de bâtiment utilisant le protocole internet (IP) (IEC 62820-1-2:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026
ICS:
35.240.67 Uporabniške rešitve IT v IT applications in building
gradbeništvu and construction industry
97.120 Avtomatske krmilne naprave Automatic controls for
za dom household use
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 62820-1-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2026
ICS 13.320 Supersedes EN 62820-1-2:2017
English Version
Building intercom systems - Part 1-2: System requirements -
Building intercom systems using the Internet protocol (IP)
(IEC 62820-1-2:2026)
Systèmes d'interphone de bâtiment - Partie 1-2: Exigences Gegensprechanlagen für Gebäude - Teil 1-2:
du système - Systèmes d'interphone de bâtiment utilisant le Systemanforderungen - Gegensprechanlagen für Gebäude,
protocole internet (IP) die das Internet-Protokoll (IP) verwenden
(IEC 62820-1-2:2026) (IEC 62820-1-2:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-08-31. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 79/721/CDV, future edition 2 of IEC 62820-1-2, prepared by TC 79 "Alarm and
electronic security systems" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 62820-1-2:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-09-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-09-30
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 62820-1-2:2017 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62820-1-2:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 62820-1-1 2026 Building intercom systems - Part 1-1: EN IEC 62820-1-1 2026
System requirements - General
ITU-T P.501 - Test signals for use in telephonometry - -

IEC 62820-1-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2026-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Building intercom systems -
Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems using the Internet
protocol (IP)
ICS 13.320  ISBN 978-2-8327-1305-1

IEC 62820-1-2:2026-07(en)
IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions. 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 7
4 Functional requirements . 8
4.1 Basic functional requirements . 8
4.2 Additional functional requirements . 8
4.3 IP building intercom systems with SMU . 8
5 Performance requirements . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Audio characteristics . 9
5.2.1 Overall loudness rating (OLR) . 9
5.2.2 Audio delay . 9
5.2.3 Echo return loss . 9
5.2.4 Audio switching time . 9
5.3 Video characteristics . 9
5.3.1 General . 9
5.3.2 Image resolution . 10
5.3.3 Frame rate . 10
5.3.4 Video delay . 10
5.3.5 Lip sync . 10
5.3.6 Image quality . 10
5.4 Network and information security . 10
5.4.1 Network access control . 10
5.4.2 Data integrity protection . 10
6 Test methods . 10
6.1 Test conditions . 10
6.1.1 Environmental conditions . 10
6.1.2 Electrical connection. 10
6.2 Function test . 11
6.3 Test of audio characteristics . 11
6.3.1 Test requirements . 11
6.3.2 Overall loudness rating (OLR) test . 12
6.3.3 Test of audio delay . 12
6.3.4 Test of echo return loss . 12
6.3.5 Test of audio switching time . 13
6.4 Test of video characteristics . 14
6.4.1 General conditions . 14
6.4.2 Test conditions . 14
6.4.3 Image resolution test . 15
6.4.4 Frame rate test . 15
6.4.5 Video delay test . 15
IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
6.4.6 Lip sync test . 16
6.4.7 Subjective image quality assessment . 16
6.5 Network security test . 16
6.5.1 Network test system . 16
6.5.2 Network access control test . 16
6.5.3 Data integrity protection test . 17
7 Documentation . 17
Annex A (normative) Subjective assessment of the IP BIS image quality . 18
A.1 Test setup . 18
A.2 Regulation for experimental actions . 18
A.2.1 Swing hands . 18
A.2.2 Show card . 18
A.3 Evaluation scoring . 19
Annex B (normative) Subjective assessment of echo return loss . 20
B.1 Test setup . 20
B.2 Evaluation scoring . 20
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – Test configuration of OLR, echo return loss, audio delay and audio switching
time diagram . 11
Figure 2 – Four groups of CSS signals. 12
Figure 3 – Test signal A . 13
Figure 4 – Test signal B . 14
Figure 5 – Audio switching time test process . 14
Figure 6 – Lip sync test signal . 16
Figure 7 – Test method diagram . 16
Figure A.1 – Test setup diagram . 18

Table A.1 – Image quality 5-point evaluation form . 19
Table B.1 – Subjective echo return loss evaluation form . 20

IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Building intercom systems -
Part 1-2: System requirements -
Building intercom systems using the Internet protocol (IP)

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising all
national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international co-
operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in addition
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entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate
in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also
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in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all interested
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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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misinterpretation by any end user.
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s).
IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof.
As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had received notice of a patent, which may be required to
implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information,
which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC shall not be held responsible
for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 62820-1-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 79: Alarm and electronic security
systems. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2017. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) addition of the requirement for overall loudness rating (OLR) when the screen size of the hands-
free intercom unit is larger than 10 inches at the test distance of 30 cm;
b) addition of the requirement for test conditions when the test distance is 30 cm or longer;
c) addition of the method of testing overall loudness rating (OLR) when the screen size of the
hands-free intercom unit is larger than 10 inches.
IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
79/721/CDV 79/729A/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in the
above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available at
www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are described
in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62820 series, published under the general title Building intercom
systems, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the specific
document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
INTRODUCTION
The IEC 62820 series of standards set out the technical requirements for the composition,
functions, performance, and test methods of building intercom systems for building entry and
application guidelines and consist of five parts:
Part 1-1: System requirements - General
Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems using the internet protocol (IP)
Part 2: Requirements for advanced security building intercom systems (ASBIS)
Part 3-1: Application guidelines - General
Part 3-2: Application guidelines - Advanced security building intercom systems (ASBIS)

IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
1 Scope
IEC 62820-1-2 specifies the technical requirements for the composition, functions, performance
and test methods of building intercom systems using the Internet protocol (IP), and it is a
supplement to IEC 62820-1-1.
This document is applicable to the IP building intercom systems for both residential and
commercial buildings.
NOTE A BIS that has a mixture of IP and non-IP connections is not covered by IEC 62820-1-2 but covered by
IEC 62820-1-1.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
IEC 62820-1-1:2026, Building intercom systems - Part 1-1: System requirements - General
ITU-T P.501, Test signals for use in telephony and other speech-based applications
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62820-1-1 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
audio delay
audio latency
one way delay (OWD) time of the transmitted audio signal from the microphone of one intercom
unit through other components in the system to the loudspeaker of other intercom unit
3.1.2
audio switching time
time, from one transmission direction to the other, measured from the removal of the signal in the
first direction until the level in the second direction reaches 3 dB below its final value
3.1.3
echo return loss
ability of the local intercom unit to avoid retransmitting the audio signal received from the far
intercom unit back again to it
IEC 62820-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
3.1.4
intercom unit
device that is able to establish an audio connection or an audio and video connection between
each other (SMU, VCU and URU) and is specifically designed to be a component of a BIS
Note 1 to entry: Devices which can be connected to IP transmission network such as smartphones or tablets are not
considered as intercom units.
3.1.5
Internet protocol
IP
network layer-3 protocol in the OSI model containing addressing and control information to enable
data packets to be routed in a network and primary network layer protocol in the TCP/IP protocol
suite according to IETF RFC 791 and IETF RFC 2460 and any subsequent evolution
3.1.6
IP transmission network
communication network used to achieve the relevant functions of IP BIS, such as data transmission
and control
3.1.7
lip sync
temporal relationship between transmitted audio signal and video signal
Note 1 to entry: Lip sync value is used to demonstrate the relationship between audio and video signal synchronization.
3.1.8
single talk
type of non simultaneous 2 way speech in which two parties communicate by alternating speech
spurts without interrupting each other
3.1.9
double talk
type of non simultaneous 2 way speech in which two parties communicate by alternating speech
spurts in which both parties can interrupt each other
3.1.10
subjective image quality assessment
method where people, as observers, evaluate the image quality
Note 1 to entry: Test environment, observer and evaluation method shall comply with certain standards, in the same
way the methodology for the subjective assessment of the quality of the television pictures adopted ITU-R BT.500-13
(01/2012).
3.1.11
video delay
one way delay (OWD) time of the
...