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: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Apr-2025
• 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
• 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
oSIST prEN IEC 62820-1-2:2025
01-april-2025
Notranja komunikacija v stavbah - 1-2. del: Sistemske zahteve - Sistemi notranjih
komunikacij v stavbah z IP protokolom
Building intercom systems - Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems
using the internet protocol (IP)
Systèmes d'interphone de bâtiment - Partie 1-2: Exigences du système - Systèmes
d'interphone de bâtiment utilisant le protocole internet (IP)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 62820-1-2:2025
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
oSIST prEN IEC 62820-1-2:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 62820-1-2:2025
oSIST prEN IEC 62820-1-2:2025
79/721/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 62820-1-2 ED2
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-02-28 2025-05-23
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
79/706/CD, 79/717A/CC
IEC TC 79 : ALARM AND ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEMS
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Jean-François LIGNEREUX
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft for
Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they
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Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some Countries” clau ses
to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for submitting ISC
clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Building intercom systems - Part 1-2: System requirements - Building intercom systems using the
internet protocol (IP)
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2030
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without
permission in writing from IEC.

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1 CONTENTS
2 FOREWORD . 4
3 INTRODUCTION . 6
4 1 Scope . 7
5 2 Normative references . 7
6 3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 7
7 3.1 Terms and definitions . 7
8 3.2 Abbreviated terms . 8
9 4 Functional requirements . 9
10 4.1 Basic functional requirements . 9
11 4.2 Additional functional requirements . 9
12 4.3 IP building intercom systems with SMU . 9
13 5 Performance requirements. 10
14 5.1 General . 10
15 5.2 Audio characteristics . 10
16 5.2.1 Overall loudness rating (OLR). 10
17 5.2.2 Audio delay . 10
18 5.2.3 Echo return loss . 10
19 5.2.4 Audio switching time . 10
20 5.3 Video characteristics . 10
21 5.3.1 General . 10
22 5.3.2 Image resolution . 10
23 5.3.3 Frame rate . 10
24 5.3.4 Video delay . 10
25 5.3.5 Lip sync . 11
26 5.3.6 Image quality . 11
27 5.4 Network and information security . 11
28 5.4.1 Network access control . 11
29 5.4.2 Data integrity protection . 11
30 6 Test methods . 11
31 6.1 Test conditions . 11
32 6.1.1 Environmental conditions . 11
33 6.1.2 Electrical connection . 11
34 6.2 Function test . 11
35 6.3 Test of audio characteristics . 11
36 6.3.1 Test requirements . 11
37 6.3.2 Overall loudness rating (OLR) test . 12
38 6.3.3 Test of audio delay . 12
39 6.3.4 Test of echo return loss . 13
40 6.3.5 Test of audio switching time. 13
41 6.4 Test of video characteristics . 15
42 6.4.1 General conditions . 15
43 6.4.2 Test conditions . 15
44 6.4.3 Image resolution test . 15
45 6.4.4 Frame rate test . 16
46 6.4.5 Video delay test . 16
47 6.4.6 Lip sync test . 16

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48 6.4.7 Subjective image quality assessment . 17
49 6.5 Network security test . 17
50 6.5.1 Network test system . 17
51 6.5.2 Network access control test . 17
52 6.5.3 Data integrity protection test . 17
53 7 Documentation . 17
54 Annex A (normative) Subjective assessment of the IP BIS image quality . 18
55 A.1 Test setup . 18
56 A.2 Regulation for experimental actions . 18
57 A.2.1 Swing hands . 18
58 A.2.2 Show card . 18
59 A.3 Evaluation scoring . 19
60 Annex B (normative) Subjective assessment of echo return loss . 20
61 B.1 Test setup . 20
62 B.2 Evaluation scoring . 20
63 Bibliography . 21
65 Figure 1 – Test configuration of OLR, echo return loss, audio delay and audio
66 switching time diagram . 12
67 Figure 2 – Four groups of CSS signals . 13
68 Figure 3 – Test signal A . 14
69 Figure 4 – Test signal B . 14
70 Figure 5 – Audio switching time test process . 15
71 Figure 6 – Lip sync test signal . 16
72 Figure 7 – Test method diagram . 17
73 Figure A.1 – Test setup diagram . 18
75 Table A.1 – Image quality 5-point evaluation form . 19
76 Table B.1 – Subjective echo return loss evaluation form . 20
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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
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rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62820-1-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 79: Alarm
and electronic security systems.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
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.

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The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
Note from Secretariat: references to IEC 62820-1-1 are written with 202X as date. The letter
“X” will be replaced with the correct figure at publication stage.

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1 INTRODUCTION
2 The IEC 62820 series of standards set out the technical requirements for the composition,
3 functions, performance, and test methods of building intercom systems for building entry and
4 application guidelines and consist of five parts:
5 Part 1-1: System requirements – General;
6 Part 1-2: System requirements – Building intercom systems using the internet protocol (IP);
7 Part 2: Requirements for advanced security building intercom systems;
8 Part 3-1: Application guidelines – General;
9 Part 3-2: Application guidelines – Advanced security building intercom systems.
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12 BUILDING INTERCOM SYSTEMS
14 Part 1-2: System requirements –
15 Building intercom systems using the internet protocol (IP)
19 1 Scope
20 This part of IEC 62820 specifies the technical requirements for the composition, functions,
21 performance and test methods of building intercom systems using the internet protocol (IP),
22 and it is a supplement to IEC 62820-1-1.
23 This document is applicable to the IP building intercom systems for both residential and
24 commercial buildings.
25 NOTE A BIS that has a mixture of IP and non-IP connections is not covered by IEC 62820-1-2 but covered by
26 IEC 62820-1-1.
27 2 Normative references
28 The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
29 constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
30 For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
31 amendments) applies.
32 IEC 62820-1-1:202X, Building intercom systems – Part 1-1: System requirements – General
33 ITU-T P.501, Test signals for use in telephonometry
34 3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
35 3.1 Terms and definitions
36 For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in IEC 62820-1-1 and the following
37 apply.
38 ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
39 addresses:
40 • IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
41 • ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
42 3.1.1
43 audio delay
44 audio latency
45 one way delay (OWD) time of the transmitted audio signal from the microphone of one intercom
46 unit through other components in the system to the loudspeaker of other intercom unit
47 3.1.2
48 audio switching time
49 time, from one transmission direction to the other measured from the removal of the signal in
50 the first direction until the level in the second direction reaches 3 dB below its final value
51 3.1.3
52 echo return loss
53 ability of the local intercom unit to avoid retransmitting the audio signal received from the far
54 intercom unit back again to it

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55 3.1.4
56 intercom unit
57 device that is able to establish an audio connection or an audio and video connection between
58 each other (SMU, VCU and URU) and is specifically designed to be a component of a BIS
59 Note 1 to entry: Devices which can be connected to IP transmission network such as smartphones or tablets are
60 not considered as intercom units.
61 3.1.5
62 Internet Protocol
63 IP
64 network layer-3 protocol in the OSI model containing addressing and control information to
65 enable data packets to be routed in a network and primary network layer protocol in the TCP/IP
66 protocol suite according to IETF RFC 791 and IETF RFC 2460 and any subsequent evolution
67 3.1.6
68 IP transmission network
69 communication network used to achieve the relevant functions of IP BIS, such as data
70 transmission and control
71 3.1.7
72 lip sync
73 temporal relationship between transmitted audio signal and video signal
74 Note 1 to entry: Lip sync value is used to demonstrate the relationship between audio and video signal
75 synchronization.
76 3.1.8
77 single talk
78 type of non simultaneous 2 way speech in which two parties communicate by alternating speech
79 spurts without interrupting each other
80 3.1.9
81 double talk
82 type of non simultaneous 2 way speech in which two parties communicate by alternating speech
83 spurts in which both parties may interrupt each other
84 3.1.10
85 subjective image quality assessment
86 method where people, as observers, evaluate the image quality
87 Note 1 to entry: Test environment, observer and evaluation method shall comply with certain standards, in the same
88 way the methodology for the subjective assessment of the quality of the television pictures adopted ITU-R BT.500-
89 13-(01/2012).
90 3.1.11
91 video delay
92 one way delay (OWD) time of the transmitted video signal from the camera of one intercom unit
93 through other components to the display on the other intercom unit
94 3.2 Abbreviated terms
95 ACR absolute category rating
96 BIS building intercom system
97 CSS composite source signal
98 DCR degradation category rating
99 EUT equipment under test
100 FPS frames per second
101 IP Internet protocol
102 LED light-emitting diode
103 LIG LED image generator
104 LRGP loudness rating guard-ring position

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105 MRP mouth reference point
106 OLR overall loudness rating
107 OSI open systems interconnection
108 OWD one way delay
109 PSG programmable signal generator
110 QoS quality of service
111 SMU security management unit
112 TVL television lines
113 URU user receiver unit
114 VCD video capture device
115 VCU visitor call unit
116 VRD video receiver device
117 4 Functional requirements
118 4.1 Basic functional requirements
119 Basic functional requirements of IP BIS shall comply with the requirements specified in
120 IEC 62820-1-1:202X, 4.1.
121 4.2 Additional functional requirements
122 In addition to the additional functional requirements specified in IEC 62820-1-1:202X, 4.2, an
123 IP building intercom system may comply with the following requirements:
124 a) Intercom unit to intercom unit speech
125 URU may be able to make addressing calls to other URU and conduct two-way speech.
126 b) Voice message function
127 IP building intercom system may allow the caller to leave voice messages from the VCU.
128 c) Intercom unit to intercom unit video and speech
129 URU may be able to conduct two-way video and audio communication with other URU.
130 d) Video and voice messages function
131 IP building intercom system may allow the caller to leave video and voice messages from
132 the VCU.
133 4.3 IP building intercom systems with SMU
134 In addition to the functional requirements specified in 4.1 and 4.2, IP building intercom systems
135 with SMU may comply with the following requirements:
136 a) Automatic detection of device status
137 The SMU may detect the status of other devices in the system.
138 b) Remote configuration and update
139 The SMU may remotely configure the operating mode of the devices and update the
140 firmware and software of the devices.
141 c) Image storing and replaying function
142 When the URU with video function is communicating with an SMU equipped with a camera,
143 it may be able to store and replay the images captured by the SMU.

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144 5 Performance requirements
145 5.1 General
146 The performance requirements of IP BIS shall comply with the requirements specified in
147 IEC 62820-1-1:202X, Clause 5.
148 The following requirements shall be fulfilled when the intercom devices are linked in a local
149 network, wired or wireless. In case some devices are linked through a public network (i.e.
150 Internet), where it is not possible to guarantee QoS, the requirements
...