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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
This post appears in Strata News #136.
Have a question or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.
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do i need an elevator phone line for a residential lift inside a storey duplex?
Hi Cecil
I have responded to your comment in the article above.
Can you please explain to me, what will happen to the system when the 3G network expires and no longer available.
Depends on the system but you can simply upgrade the GSM Gateway or you can get a 4G Gateway right now. The Pixel Unit is upgradable to 4G and 5G when that becomes available. If you are in Victoria you can email me for a quote or just ask questions.
Can someone please tell me the regulations, if any, for an emergency lift phone in Western Australia for a residential lift from ground to first floor only. The lift company I am dealing with wants to sell me their product which is expensive; will not tell me of the alternatives, which they say there are some, and that they are cheaper.
They also tell me there are no regulations for this type of installation.
This is a new build and I will only be having the NBN to the property.
[email protected]
Hi Anne
Can you confirm you are asking about a strata property? The scope of this site is limited to strata residences.
In case of power failure the lift phone needs to work if someone gets stuck in it, with NBN there is no guarantee of this. The best way is to install a GSM gateway, this works off a SIM card like your mobile. Prices can range from $1000 to $5000 depending on quality of equipment. Unfortuantel I am in Victoria what are they quoting you. Sounds a bit dodgy if they say there are no rules or regulations. The lift phone is the most safety critical part of the Lift.
In a private residence only 3 levels–If a lift has a 240 v power point installed so that a cordless VOIP extension can be floated to ensure its battery is always fully charged giving a minimum of 8 hrs talk time–is that an acceptable solution that would meet regulations?
Considering the lift is electrically operated if power is off the lift won’t work anyway and the cordless would operate a minimum of the 8hrs.
Comments please
Hi Robert
We have received the following reply from Rex Henning, Equity Elevator Consultants:
From your question, we presume you have used the company called VoIP Australia Pty Ltd (sometimes referred to as VoIP Force) to provide the new wireless solution. If this is the case, the solution proposed would be acceptable since the VoIP solution comprises a 3G network wireless device (commonly known as a Romtek RM4000 Dual Sim, Dual Modem, Duress Emergency Telephone System). However, to be compliant, a 240v power outlet must be dedicated to the RM4000 device, and this power outlet cannot be used for any other purpose.
We agree that the lift will not operate in a power outage, however, someone could be stuck in the lift when the power goes off, so (i) the lift emergency phone, (ii) lift emergency lights and (iii) the Romtek RM4000lift 3G wireless telephone modem are all required to have battery back-up. Items (i) and (ii) are already part of your lift installation and item (iii) is your new Romtek RM4000 3G wireless modem box, that is to have a dedicated 240v power supply.