Wow, not sure why the answer isn't posted. I either forgot or it got deleted.
These responses are generally correct:
Undisclosed #1
- Press button for 5 seconds
- Loud sound/flashing lights triggered inside room
- Person on the inside presses button/other to unlock door
- Access granted
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
I agree with U1. I believe it is just a doorbell and/or light flasher. No integration to the door/lock.
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Does it ring a buzzer at the front desk, then somebody needs to walk to the room to open the door?
In the case of this particular room, pushing the button fired off a strobe and warbling siren inside the room.
The room itself is equipped with an acoustic-linked indexed smoke detector. It is the kind that goes off if it 'hears' another siren alarming nearby. Because it is indexed, the front desk knows the specific room where the alarm happens.
It is crazy, but this system uses a false-negative smoke alert to notify the front desk of a handicap request.