A voice communication system installed in the elevator car enabling trapped passengers to speak directly with a rescue service or building management centre.
Full Definition
Two-way communication (also called emergency telephone or intercom) is mandatory in elevator cars under EN 81-20, ASME A17.1, and most national codes. It must allow a trapped passenger to establish voice contact with a rescue service at all times without requiring prior knowledge of the system or any action other than pressing a clearly identified button. The system must function on backup power for at least one hour after mains failure. EN 81-20 requires that the system be permanently connected to a staffed or auto-answering monitoring centre and that the communication path be tested during periodic maintenance. Modern systems use GSM/cellular connections and can transmit the elevator ID, location, and fault data alongside the voice call. Additionally, auto-diallers that call multiple numbers sequentially are commonly used in residential installations.
