EXPANDABLE, MODULAR ANNUNCIATION AND INTERCOM SYSTEM

An expandable and modular intercom and annunciation system includes a plurality of signal sources, such as smoke detectors, breakage detectors, intrusion detectors, telecommunication detectors (such as ringers), and gas detectors. The system further includes a plurality of originating interface modules, each respectively coupled to a signal source for receiving signals from the corresponding plurality of signal sources and for converting the signals to common communication protocol signals. The system also includes a receiving interface module coupled to the plurality of originating interface modules for communication via the common communication protocol, and an intercom and annunciation unit coupled to the receiving interface module to receive the common communication protocol signals. The intercom unit has a processor, a memory, and a user interface including an audio output. The processor of the intercom unit is programmed with instructions to determine relative priorities among the plurality of common communication protocol signals, to select a first common communication protocol signal having a highest relative priority during a selected time interval; to announce a message corresponding to the first common communication protocol signal during the selected time interval, and to maintain a quiet interval for an announcement entered by an individual via the user interface, such as for a broadcast of instructions for responding to an alarm condition.