We sometimes get requests for an intercom that allows postal employees to use a key to enter a multi-tenant building like for apartments and condos. There are a couple of ways this can be done using the same physical USPS access key, sometimes called an USPS arrow key, that the mail carrier has.
The first way is that the arrow key is used to open a lockbox that has a key to your building. So the mail carrier opens the lockbox, grabs your key, opens the door, and then puts the key back in the lockbox. The alternative to this is to place a button inside the box that the mail carrier can press that activates your door strike.
The Postal Service prohibits carriers from accepting keys for locks on private mail receptacles, buildings, or offices, except where an electromechanical door lock system or key keeper box is used.So instead of an intercom that has a key, you buy and install a key keeper box near the intercom or door. The keykeeper does not come with a lock since this must be provided by the USPS. The Postal Service furnishes its own “master access lock” so that carriers have access to deliver the mail. This lock is not available to developers and builders to pre-install. To obtain this lock, you talk to your local post office, or preferably your mail carrier who can arrange to get you one. IntercomsOnline, nor anyone else, can provide this lock to you since they are government owned.
The second way, is to use the same lock, but when the lock is turned, it activates a switch built in to the intercom. So when the mail carrier turns the lock, it closes a switch that activates your doors via an electric door strike.
We can custom-make door panels that have the hole for the arrow key lock that you provide. See this product page for more details: Custom-Made Button Panel
Custom Made Cell Intercoms
We also have the capability of creating a custom housing for our cell phone intercoms that will include a hole for a postal lock. As in the photo above, the housing will have a switch that activates an electric door strike. Our housings are custom designed to your specifications and made-to-order using only American-made 304 stainless steel. To give you a quote on a system we would need to know what capabilities you need in the cell phone intercom as well as this info:
- Outside dimensions of the door panel
- Is it surface mount or flush mount?
- Apartment name engraved on the panel?
Of course there are other ways to let postal carriers in to a building. We have multi-tenant intercoms that use keypads for PIN code entry, facial recognition, or QR codes on the carrier's phone. It would be best to talk to your carrier to find out what they prefer.
If you need a multi-tenant intercom give us a call and see if we can help you. Call 888-298-9489.
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