Viking ADA Compact Analog Emergency Phone Black - E-1600-BKA

Viking Electronics E-1600-BKA ADA Compact Analog Emergency Phone

Overview

The Viking Electronics E-1600-BKA is a compact, ADA-compliant analog emergency phone designed for surface or flush-mount deployment in stairwells, elevator lobbies, parking structures, and any location requiring code-mandated emergency communication. Measuring just 5.75" x 3.08" x 1.05", this slim black-finish unit draws power entirely from the telephone line — no separate power supply, no conduit run for 120V — which simplifies installation considerably in retrofit scenarios. The E-1600-BKA (often searched as E 1600 BKA) handles up to five programmable emergency numbers plus two central station numbers and three informational numbers, giving building managers real flexibility in how calls are routed without adding hardware.

Viking Electronics has built single-purpose emergency communication hardware for decades, and the Viking Electronics emergency phone line reflects that focus: straightforward to program, reliable under adverse conditions, and designed to meet ADA requirements out of the box. If you're specifying emergency phones for a new construction or code-compliance retrofit, this model covers the most common indoor and sheltered-outdoor use cases in one compact enclosure.

Key Features

• Telephone-line powered (24VDC / 20mA minimum): The unit draws power directly from the POTS loop — no local AC wiring required. At 20mA minimum loop current and 24VDC, it will operate on virtually any compliant analog line. This eliminates a separate power circuit and the associated conduit, junction boxes, and inspections that come with a 120V installation.
• Five programmable emergency numbers: Program up to five distinct emergency destinations — fire, security, police, facility manager, and a backup — so the phone can be configured to match the property's emergency response plan rather than forcing a single-number setup. Two additional central station numbers provide a direct path to a monitoring center, and three informational numbers can deliver recorded instructions or directory assistance.
• 16-second voice memory: A 16-second on-board voice message plays when a call connects, identifying the location of the phone to the answering party. In a multi-building campus or a large parking structure with dozens of units, this is the detail that lets dispatch know exactly where the caller is without relying on the caller to articulate their location under stress.
• Operating temperature -15°F to 130°F (-26°C to 54°C): Covers sheltered outdoor installations — covered parking decks, enclosed stairwells, vestibules — without requiring a heated enclosure. Note this is the standard E-1600-BKA rating; for fully exposed outdoor or extreme cold environments, the EWP variant extends to -40°F with IP66 sealing.
• 5% to 95% non-condensing humidity tolerance: Handles the condensation cycles common in below-grade parking structures and mechanical rooms. The non-condensing specification means it isn't rated for direct water contact — that's the EWP variant's territory — but it will survive the humidity swings of a typical interior or sheltered-exterior installation.
• Compact 5.75" x 3.08" x 1.05" footprint: Fits in spaces where a full-size emergency phone housing won't — recessed into a column, surface-mounted on a narrow pilaster, or installed inside a custom enclosure. The slim 1.05" depth means standard electrical box depths are sufficient for recess mounting in most wall assemblies.
• Steel construction: The enclosure is steel, not plastic — it resists vandalism and stands up to the incidental abuse that emergency phones in public spaces routinely take. In parking structures and stairwells, an enclosure that dents rather than cracks matters for long-term service life.
• ADA-compliant design: Meets ADA requirements for reach range, operable parts, and audible/visual signaling where required, which is the baseline specification for any emergency phone in a new construction or renovation subject to accessibility codes. Verify with your AHJ for jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Integration and Compatibility

The E-1600-BKA connects to any standard analog POTS loop — no VoIP gateway, no SIP registration, no network infrastructure required. This makes it compatible with virtually any telephone system that provides a standard analog line output, including legacy PBX analog ports, PSTN lines, and analog FXS ports on VoIP gateways. The five-number dialing matrix and central station outputs make it straightforward to integrate into a monitored life safety panel: program the central station numbers for your monitoring center and the emergency numbers for local dispatch and facility security. For access control and life safety integrations, the analog interface keeps the wiring simple and the failure modes predictable — there's no IP stack to reboot. Review your network infrastructure needs separately if you're combining this with IP-based systems on the same project. For programming guidance and multi-unit deployments, consult the 1600A Series Product Manual available from the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the E-1600-BKA require a separate power supply or AC wiring?

A: No. The E-1600-BKA is telephone-line powered, drawing 24VDC at a minimum of 20mA from the connected analog loop. No separate power supply or AC circuit is required.

Q: How many emergency numbers can be programmed into the E-1600-BKA?

A: Up to five programmable emergency numbers, two central station numbers, and three informational numbers — ten destinations total.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the E-1600-BKA?

A: The standard E-1600-BKA is rated -15°F to 130°F (-26°C to 54°C). For installations requiring operation below -15°F or direct weather exposure, the E-1600-BKA-EWP variant extends the range to -40°F and adds IP66 sealing.

Q: Is the E-1600-BKA rated for outdoor installation?

A: The standard E-1600-BKA tolerates 5% to 95% non-condensing humidity and operates down to -15°F, making it suitable for sheltered outdoor locations such as covered parking decks and enclosed stairwells. For exposed outdoor use or wet locations, the EWP-rated variant with IP66 sealing is the correct choice.

Q: What are the physical dimensions of the E-1600-BKA?

A: 5.75" wide x 3.08" tall x 1.05" deep (146mm x 78mm x 27mm). Shipping weight is 2.5 lbs.

Q: Can the E-1600-BKA be recessed into a wall?

A: The E-1600-BKA supports both surface and recess mounting. The 1.05" depth is shallow enough to fit standard electrical box depths in most wall assemblies.

Karl Wilson

The E-1600-BKA earns its place in life safety specifications because of what it doesn't need: no AC circuit, no PoE drop, no IP address. The 24VDC / 20mA telephone-line power spec means your installation scope is a single analog pair and a mounting surface — that's a meaningful reduction in rough-in labor on retrofit projects where pulling new power circuits through finished walls is cost-prohibitive.

Technical Highlights:

• 10-destination dial matrix: Five emergency numbers, two central station numbers, and three informational numbers give a facility manager enough routing flexibility to cover local dispatch, a monitoring center, and a 24/7 facility line without purchasing additional hardware or a separate controller.
• 16-second location announcement: The on-board voice memory plays a recorded location message on connect — critical in large campuses where the monitoring center receives calls from dozens of identical units and needs to know the exact location without relying on a distressed caller to communicate it accurately.
• -15°F to 130°F operating range: Covers the thermal envelope of sheltered parking structures, enclosed stairwells, and mechanical rooms without a heated enclosure. The steel construction handles the vandalism exposure those environments routinely deliver.

Deployment Considerations:

• The standard E-1600-BKA is rated for non-condensing humidity (5%–95%). If the mounting location sees direct water spray — an open-air parking deck, a wash-down corridor, or an exterior wall — specify the EWP variant with IP66 sealing instead. Don't assume the black finish equals weatherproofing.
• Verify your analog loop delivers at least 24VDC and 20mA at the device end, not just at the panel. Long cable runs in large buildings can drop loop voltage below the minimum — test at the terminal before finalizing the line assignment.

This unit is the right specification for ADA-mandated emergency phones in covered parking structures, elevator lobbies, and interior stairwells where a clean black finish matters for architectural consistency and an analog POTS loop is already available. It's not the right call for exposed outdoor kiosk mounting or below -15°F environments — use the EWP variant there.