Intercom (DF)

Intercom systems (DF) - design for access control, occupant convenience and security integration

There is an intercom at the entrance to the residential complex, but due to improper design, the video monitor is installed in the wrong place - the visitor does not see the video signal. When expanding the house to another entrance, it turns out that the existing intercom system does not scale and requires complete replacement. Or the intercoms are not integrated with the access control system, and when you try to enter, the monitor lights up in the first floor corridor - without security.

This happens during superficial intercom design. We design intercom systems so that they work conveniently, integrate with security and develop along with the facility.

What is a modern intercom system?

A modern intercom system is a complex of video cameras at the entrance, video monitors inside apartments or offices, receiving and transmitting devices and communication channels that provide two-way video and audio contact between the entrance and the premises. The intercom system is integrated with an electric lock on the front door, an access control system and a burglar alarm.

For residential complexes, office centers and industrial facilities, intercom is a mandatory element of the security system, ensuring the convenience of living life and control over access of unauthorized persons.

Why doesn't intercom work as it should without professional design?

Professional intercom design is critical to the ease of use and actual functionality of the system. A superficial approach gives rise to typical problems:

• Camera dead zones - incorrect placement of the camera at the entrance means that only the upper part of the visitor’s face or a completely empty opening is visible on the monitor; identification impossible
• Poor monitor placement - the video monitor is installed in the back room or in an inconvenient place; the tenant does not respond to the call in time or does not hear it at all
• Lack of lock integration - insufficient integration with an electromagnetic lock leads to the fact that opening the door requires additional manual actions, which is inconvenient and reduces the level of access control
• Insulation from ACS - in the absence of coordination with the access control system, the intercom does not know whether the visitor is authorized; all access control logic becomes useless
• Inability to scale - when adding a new entrance or floor, the system does not expand without complete remodeling; costs increase exponentially

Proper design eliminates all these problems before installation.

Our approach to designing intercom systems

• We design intercoms taking into account the characteristics of the building and the flow of visitors - we analyze the architecture of the entrance group, determine the optimal placement of the video camera for a full overview and high-quality image, select video monitors for placement in residential units or offices, design redundant communication lines
• We integrate intercom with access control systems and video surveillance systems - when calling at the entrance, the system shows the login history of this person via ACS; when the door is opened, the intercom video camera automatically starts video recording; when the security alarm is triggered, the video monitor switches to the entrance camera
• We ensure reliable operation and easy expansion of the system - the architecture is designed with the ability to add new video monitors, intercom handsets and entrance cameras without altering the existing part; all components have backup power and redundant communication channels

What is included in the design documentation for an intercom system?

Design documentation stage - design documentation for expert review in accordance with Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the Composition of Design Documentation Sections and Requirements for Their Content”:

• Explanatory note describing the concept of the intercom system, types of equipment and use cases
• Plans for placing video cameras in the entrance group, indicating viewing angles and technical characteristics
• Plans for placing video monitors in apartments or offices with reference to premises
• Architecture of data transmission system and communication channels
• Description of integration with electric lock, ACS and video surveillance
• Equipment specification: video cameras, video monitors, handsets, control units

Working Documentation Stage (WD) - working documentation for the installation organization:

• Installation drawings with connection of video cameras and video monitors to building structures
• Layout diagrams for power cables and signal lines
• Cable log with calculation of wire length for each section
• Electrical connection diagrams for all system components
• Drawings of mounting units for video cameras and video monitors

According to what standards is the intercom system designed?

The design of intercom systems is regulated by regulatory documents in the field of extra-low-voltage systems, access control and personal data protection. AYU-Project carries out design strictly according to the current editions of the following documents:

• GOST R 51786-2020 “Video intercoms. General Technical Conditions" is the basic standard for intercom systems, establishing technical requirements for video intercom devices: characteristics of video cameras, quality of image and sound transmission, requirements for electromagnetic compatibility and operating conditions
• GOST R 51241-2008 “Means and systems for access control and management. Classification. General technical requirements. Test methods" - used when designing intercom systems in integration with ACS; defines the requirements for electric locks, access control controllers and interfaces for intercom systems
• GOST R 56602-2015 “Extra-low-voltage systems. Security systems and access control systems. Application Guide" - requirements for the design of intercom systems as part of a low-current building, laying cable routes and selecting cables
• GOST R 53704-2009 “Security systems are comprehensive and integrated. General technical requirements" - a regulatory framework for the design of intercom as a component of an integrated security system together with access control system and security alarm system
• Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On personal data” - when using video intercom systems with video stream recording and the ability to identify persons, it determines the requirements for the processing, storage and protection of personal data of residents and visitors, mandatory information about video recording
• Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 491 dated 13.08.2006 “On approval of the Rules for the maintenance of common property in an apartment building” - intercom equipment for the entrance groups of apartment buildings is the common property of the owners; standards are applied when designing intercom systems in residential complexes and apartment buildings in terms of the composition of the equipment and the procedure for its inclusion in the design documentation
• SNiP 3.05.06-85 “Electrical devices” - requirements for laying cables of extra-low-voltage systems, including intercom: minimum distances from power cables, fastening methods, requirements for protecting cable routes
• Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content” - regarding the structure and content of the section of intercom systems as part of the project documentation of the facility

For which facilities is an intercom system designed?

We develop intercom systems for facilities of various purposes:

• residential complexes and multi-entrance apartment buildings
• office centers and administrative buildings with reception and entrance groups
• commercial facilities: shops, banks, restaurants - with control of visitor access
• manufacturing enterprises and warehouse complexes with controlled access
• educational institutions and medical centers
• hotels with guest entrances and room-management integration
• premium residential complexes with increased requirements for convenience and aesthetics of equipment
• facilities of government clients with requirements for documenting access

Why does the construction business trust AYU-Project to design intercom systems?

Intercom systems seem simple - until the installation team arrives and it turns out that the cable routes are not coordinated with the electricians, the video monitors in the apartments do not fit into the corridor niches in terms of dimensions, and integration with the access control system is impossible without replacing the controllers. AYU-Project eliminates these situations at the design stage:

• Design for a specific facility architecture - the placement of video cameras and monitors is calculated taking into account the actual geometry of the entrance groups, installation height and viewing angles; blind spots are eliminated analytically before installation
• Cross-system integration - the intercom system is designed in a single logic with ACS, VSS and a security alarm within one command; scenarios for joint functioning are agreed upon before the documentation is released
• Regulatory Compliance - documentation is generated according to GOST R 51786-2020, GOST R 51241-2008, Federal Law No. 152-FZ and Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87; for apartment buildings, taking into account Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 491; Expert comments are eliminated free of charge as part of the contract
• Scalable architecture - the system is designed with a reserve in the number of subscribers and entry points; adding a new entrance or floor does not require alteration of the existing infrastructure
• 8+ years of experience and proven qualifications - membership in SRO, specialists in the NOPRIZ registry, completed projects across Russia: from residential complexes and office centers to industrial facilities and public-sector facilities