Chicago is full of older buildings with a buzzer system already in the walls. Two-flats, three-flats, courtyard buildings. Some of those systems still work. A lot of them work most of the time.
If yours is acting up, the question is usually the same: repair it, upgrade it or replace it? Here's how I'd think about it.
How building entry works
A multi-unit building needs an entry panel at the main door that can reach every unit. A visitor finds the name or unit number and presses the button. The call goes to that unit, and the resident talks to them and lets them in.
Three parts have to work together:
- The panel at the front door
- The station in each unit
- The door release that unlocks the door when the resident buzzes
When any one of those has a problem, the whole thing feels broken.
What's usually in the walls
In older Chicago-area buildings, there's often an existing system already in the walls, so the first thing I want to know is what's there and what shape it's in.
Repair, upgrade or replace?
Sometimes an older system can be repaired or upgraded, and sometimes it makes more sense to replace it. We take all three kinds of jobs in older buildings: repairs, upgrades and full replacements. Which one makes sense is a call I make after looking at what's there, not before.
I'll look at the panel, the unit stations, the wire and the door hardware, and tell you honestly which way makes sense for your building.
The door release
If the intercom unlocks the front door, the lock hardware has to match. Electric strikes, magnetic locks and smart locks all work differently. The door, the frame and how people use it all matter. A buzzer that rings fine but doesn't unlock the door is still a broken intercom.
Fobs for residents, intercom for visitors
In a building, the intercom, the door hardware and access control usually need to be planned as one system. That way residents get in with a fob or code, and visitors use the intercom.
The questions change from a single home. How many units? Who needs to let people in? Does the front door need a schedule? Do deliveries need their own path? See our access control page for how we handle entry.
The network matters too
If you move to a video system, most of them run over a network. If the network is weak at the front door, the video will be too. Acoustical Vision also does network work, so we can plan the connection at the door as part of the job. More on our networking page.
For the bigger picture, see our intercom systems guide.
Talk to Paul about your building
If your building's buzzer system is acting up, or you're planning a new one, let's walk it together.
Send us a messageCall 708-705-9665
Acoustical Vision, 7340 Harrison St, Forest Park, IL 60130 (office by appointment only)
708-705-9665 | paul@acousticalvision.com