This article is about elevator emergency phone requirements.
Table of Contents:
- QUESTION: Do I need an elevator phone line for a residential lift inside a duplex?
- QUESTION: I’m looking for alternatives to lift phones for emergency purposes other than a fixed Telstra line.
Question: Do I need an elevator phone line for a residential lift inside a duplex?
Answer: An emergency phone is required
AS 1735:2-“Section 34.2”, As1735.15 and AS1735.18-Sections 18.1 “Communications” all stipulate that an emergency phone is required. The allowance for a residential Lift (Inside the house or Unit) is that a cordless phone can be used and if battery operated, a recharging device must be available to ensure the phone operates at all times.
In all cases, the emergency phone must have battery backup to enable operations during power losses/ failure. A GSM (SIM Card Unit) paired with an autodialler phone unit inside the Lift Car is the best option overall.
Camron Jones Innovative Lift Consulting E: rod@elevateconsultancy.com.au
This post appears in Strata News #555.
Question: I’m looking for alternatives to lift phones for emergency purposes other than a fixed Telstra line.
I wonder if any of your readers have any knowledge of alternatives to lift phones for emergency purposes other than a fixed Telstra line.
We’ve had problems with one of our lifts for 3 years – still unresolved – ie a means of informing the outside world should it fail with somebody inside.
Answer: Good news! There is a solution to elevator emergency phone requirements and it is also future proof with the NBN rollouts well as.
In answering the question we need to make an assumption, that is the cabling from the lift car to telephone connection point is in good working order. If it is, then there the good news is there are solutions to elevator emergency phone requirements and it is also future proof with the NBN rollouts as well.
First let us tell you a little about the NBN and then a solution, that will work.
Existing lift phones known as PSTN, use the Telstra “copper” network, this has battery back up located in your local exchange that provides power to your telephone line in the event of a power outage.
The NBN System employs IP technology which is not compatible with the current lift phone systems, so the NBN is not guaranteed to work during a power outage.
This means that building owners need to install a new lift emergency phone system prior to NBN arriving at their building or you can have a system that operates on the NBN that will require an emergency power supply at your premises to power up the router and network on your end of the NBN.
More information:
Migration of monitored fire alarm and lift phone services good practice guide Department of Communication and the Arts.
One alternative is a new phone system that uses wireless 3G technology, also known as in the lift industry as a “wireless communication gateway”. These systems operate on the mobile network.
The wireless systems provide a standalone solution to replace existing PSTN phone lines that are either being decommissioned in the nbn™ network migration or similar network areas or replace your old PSTN line. They are provided complete with battery backup, self-monitoring options and eliminates the need for engaging multiple contractors to deliver a compatible digital network phone service to your emergency phone.
If you require further information or some assistance please do not hesitate to contact Rod Post – Senior Lift Consultant at Elevate Consultancy.
Rod Post Elevate Consultancy P: 02 9918 7718 E: rod@elevateconsultancy.com.au
This post appears in Strata News #136.
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