Does your business still use an outdated plain old telephone service (POTS) line for communications? Many businesses have transitioned to modern VoIP systems for most communications yet still rely on POTS lines in their elevators. It's time for a POTS line replacement. Learn the benefits of switching to a modern…
Elevator Phones
Is It Dangerous To Get Stuck in an Elevator?
If your business has an elevator, you may ask yourself from time to time: Is it dangerous to get stuck in an elevator? What would happen if patrons became stuck in the elevator on my premises? Could they become injured, and would my business be liable? The answers depend on…
Debunking Common Myths About Elevators
Elevators are a source of anxiety for many people. This is largely due to common elevator myths that have circulated for decades. Patrons often believe elevators to be more dangerous than they are, sparking fear and panic responses when minor malfunctions do occur. Many of these beliefs are outright false,…
What Happens If You Accidentally Hit the Call Button on an Elevator?
If you've ever accidentally hit the "call" button in your business's elevator, you likely experienced a few moments of panic. What happens next? Will emergency services come busting down the door? Accidentally hitting the call button on an elevator certainly isn't the end of the world. You'll connect with the…
How VoIP Elevator Phones Work With Your Elevator Emergency System
Most elevators have been equipped with POTS (plain old telephone service) lines for emergencies for decades. Meanwhile, the latest elevator phone monitoring services favor VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technologies. Have you made the analog-to-digital transition yet and incorporated VoIP elevator phones into your building's elevators? If not, consider doing…
Average Cost for an Elevator Phone Line
Whether you're installing elevators in your building or it's been a while since you last upgraded your EMS phone system, you may be wondering how much you should expect to pay for a new elevator phone line. The cost varies quite a bit depending on the type of phone and…
Understanding the EMS Elevator Phone
Early one morning, your building's elevator stops working with a car full of riders inside. One tries to use their phone to call for help, but there's no reception. Another spots the EMS elevator phone you've recently installed. They simply push a button and instantly connect to an operator who…
How Long Do Elevators Last?
Maximizing your elevator lifespan involves taking numerous maintenance steps throughout its operation. How long do elevators last? With proper maintenance and upgrades, such as replacing the elevator phone system to match modern code requirements, you could receive 30 years or more of performance from the unit. Learn more about elevator…
What Is PoE Switch Technology, and What Is It Used For?
Maybe you've heard that Power over Ethernet switch technology can help businesses expand their network infrastructure without hefty upfront costs. However, the promise of using a PoE-enabled networking device to install a camera far from your closest power socket might sound too good to be true. So, what is PoE…
Do I Have To Have a Phone in My Elevator?
It's a fear many people have: being stuck in an elevator with no way out. Thankfully, elevators must meet strict safety requirements for design and operation — including reliable communication systems in case of emergency. Whether traditional copper-based landlines or modern cellular elevator phones, you may wonder, "Do I have…
Elevator Phone Line Not Working: Three Causes
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Elevator Code lays out all the rules and regulations that building owners must follow regarding their elevators. One requirement listed in ASME A17.1 is that all elevators must have dedicated telephone lines to ensure proper communication during emergencies. Is the elevator phone line not…
Are POTS Lines Going Away? Why It’s Time To Consider Cellular Elevator Solutions
Are POTS lines going away? Although some businesses may still rely on POTS lines for emergency services like elevator communications and alarm systems, demand for this outdated technology is shrinking. The end of governmental support and price increases for replacement equipment and service are two key reasons POTS lines are…
How To Reset Elevator Communications Failure
Your building’s elevator communications system serves as the last resort when all else fails. If this elevator communication system fails, does the panel set off an alarm? If not, the passengers won’t be able to get in touch with emergency personnel. Safety installations like ELEVATE Monitoring’s reliable elevator phone system…
Elevator Safety Mechanism: Key Considerations for High-Rise Building Management
You may be in charge of ensuring the proper functioning of your high-rise building’s elevators. How confident are you that all employees or building occupants can enjoy safe daily rides to their desired floors? Do you have a clear elevator safety mechanism in place to mitigate entrapment, power outages, and…
The Top Causes of Elevator Communications Failure
When the communication system in your elevator fails, passengers face immediate risks as your dispatchers can no longer assist. To prevent elevator communications failure, you must understand why it happens. Numerous concerns, from power outages to poorly trained dispatchers, can lead to a loss of communication in elevators. This article…
Who Answers Elevator Emergency Phone Calls?
You’re stuck inside an elevator, so you click the emergency call button, but what happens next? Who, if anyone, will answer? Learning the protocol for elevator distress calls is vital to keep your elevators up to code. A code-compliant, feature-rich elevator answering service connects occupants with highly trained professionals ready…
Four Essential Elevator Upgrades for Commercial Buildings
If it’s been a few years since you paid attention to your elevators, you could be due for some modern elevator upgrades. Upgrading building elevators is the best way to keep guests safe and ensure an enjoyable ride. Since you’ve got many elevator upgrades to choose from, such as an…
Elevator Code Evolution: How Modern Tech Meets Regulatory Standards
As elevator technology evolves, elevator safety measures do, too. In 1900, the first high-speed elevators were installed in U.S. buildings. Since then, elevator video monitoring has become the standard. Meeting standards in the new elevator code is essential to the safety of your building's occupants. What Is Elevator Monitoring? Elevator…
Why You Need Video Elevator Monitoring Now More Than Ever
You want your building to be safe, but you can't be everywhere all the time. With enhanced surveillance technology, you can carefully monitor every corner of your building — including the elevators. Since occupants and visitors only spend a few minutes in your elevators at a time, you may not…
The Rise of Two-Way Elevator Video Monitoring in Elevators
If you're a property owner or manager, you know your building has to have a quality elevator monitoring system. As convenient as elevators are, they can present dangers. If the elevator malfunctions or if there is a medical emergency inside the elevator, you want the passengers to be able to…
Reducing Liability From an Elevator Emergency
If you own a building with elevators, you want to do everything possible to prevent an elevator emergency. A secure elevator system will help keep your tenants, clients, workers, or visitors safe. What if you follow all elevator maintenance recommendations to a T, but an emergency still occurs? You must…
Elevator Code: Elevator Safety Codes from IBC 2021
The IBC (International Building Code) and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) recently introduced updated elevator code requirements. Specifically, emergency phones in new elevators should provide video and text communication to accommodate people with hearing and speech impairments. Learn more about the updated standards for elevator phones. Why Buildings Are…
The Types of Emergency Elevator Phones
Since 1976, every building with elevators has had to provide emergency elevator phones. Twenty-four-seven monitoring enhances elevator safety, protects passengers’ peace of mind, and helps building owners avoid lawsuits. You may have heard about different types of elevator phone systems, like POTS, VoIP, and cellular. Today, two-way video monitoring is…
The Importance of In-Facility Monitoring: Elevator Phones
Reliable, easy-to-use elevator phones are a must for every building with elevators. These phones ensure quick communication between elevator users and a 24/7 monitoring center. So, how exactly does elevator monitoring work, and does your building need an in-facility response system? Why Your Building Needs Elevator Monitoring If your building…
Why Elevator Phones Are Crucial in Emergency Situations
If you've never been in an elevator emergency, it can be hard to imagine the panic. Whether the elevator is stuck, there is a mechanical issue, or the threat is in the elevator, your tenant needs assistance as quickly as possible. No one wants to be stuck in a metal…
Complete Guide to Elevator Monitoring Systems for Buildings
No building owner wants to think about it, but what would happen if one of your elevators suddenly stopped working? If you haven't installed an elevator monitoring system, you could be unaware of the problem for hours or even days. Here's what you need to know about elevator monitoring systems…
Building Safety: Elevator Phones and Two-Way Communication
With some elevators traveling 50 stories or more, elevator emergency phones are indispensable. No matter how reliable your elevators are, you never know when one could break down while riders are on board. Medical emergencies can happen at any time, too, so passengers need a quick, foolproof way to call…
Elevator Emergency Phone Requirements
Millions of elevators run without a hitch every day, but it only takes one malfunction to leave riders trapped until help arrives. At the end of 2019, the ASME A171.1 (CSA B44 in Canada) code introduced revisions to make elevators safer for riders. These changes also require elevator systems to…
Why Your Building Needs an Elevator Monitoring Service
Did you know that at 325 million elevator rides per day, elevators are the most common form of transportation? From mid and high-rise apartment buildings to skyscrapers and multi-story office buildings, riding in an elevator is a part of many people’s daily routines. With few exceptions, elevators no longer have…
Streamline Communication with New Elevator Phone Solutions
Did you know that until 1950, all elevators had operators who opened and closed the doors, pushed the buttons, and gave everyone a sense of security? When elevators began being installed without operators, people were wary of the new technology and reluctant to ride in elevators. It took a couple…
How Elevator Emergency Phones Work: Ensuring Building Safety
If you have ever been in a building with an elevator, you have probably noticed a small phone box located on the wall. These phones, known as elevator emergency phones, are a crucial component in ensuring the safety and security of building occupants. In this blog post, we will take…
ELEVATE Monitoring: Elevating Safety for EMS Elevator Phones
In the world of elevator safety, every second counts. That is why ELEVATE Monitoring is dedicated to providing 24/7 monitoring services for elevator phones, including EMS elevator phones. With decades of experience and a passion for life safety, ELEVATE is the name to trust when it comes to ensuring the…
How Do Elevator Call Buttons Work?
Have you ever wondered how elevator call buttons work? You press the button and wait for help to arrive, but have you ever considered what happens behind the scenes? At ELEVATE Monitoring, elevator monitoring is our business, and we are here to shed some light on how elevator emergency call…