If your elevator design continues to rely on plain old telephone service (POTS), it may be time to consider a modern digital replacement. If you’re unsure exactly how to tackle this type of upgrade, it’s helpful to understand your POTS line replacement options.
One useful option is a cellular elevator phone by ELEVATE Monitoring. You may have other options, too, depending on your current setup.
Understanding Elevator Alarm Systems
The alarm system in your building’s elevator may use analog lines. Such lines were necessary in the past as they could deliver a power source during a power outage. The copper wires in these phone lines carried a small charge, ensuring power was always available in an emergency.
Fire alarms and fire panels must also follow certain standards and ASME Elevator Code requirements. These standards facilitate emergency capabilities even when power is not available.
Rising Cost of Outdated Copper Lines
With the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allowing the decommissioning of outdated copper lines in recent years, buildings with POTS systems are facing issues. Elevators using outdated POTS systems will see rising maintenance and replacement costs. Fewer technicians will know how to work on these systems, which almost certainly will lead to delays in service.
Modernizing elevator systems now with POTS line replacement options can help avoid unplanned issues.
It’s not uncommon for businesses that updated their primary phone systems from analog services to cloud-based or mobile services to keep analog lines in some areas. Elevators, alarm systems, and fax machines are the most common pieces of technology with outdated POTS lines.
Providing Emergency Service Without Electrical Power
Consider a workaround solution using modern technology to handle problems with POTS lines while maintaining the required emergency service requirements.
For example, you could install a voice and data communication adapter on the emergency panel and phone in the elevator that connects to the cellular network. It may also connect to your building’s Wi-Fi or the building’s network by Ethernet.
Importantly, it includes a backup battery. Should the power go out during an emergency, anyone stuck in the elevator could use the backup battery to access the adapter device. Most backup batteries in these devices last 24 hours or longer in a power outage.
As an added advantage of these devices, they offer the option for video and voice communications. If your elevator will need these communications in the future to meet regulations, you’ll be ready.
You could consider using an analog telephone adapter (ATA) to create an analog port in a router as a workaround. You also could use a managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN) adapter with a cable modem, although such devices don’t fully replace the POTS line.
Learn More About POTS Line Replacement Options
When you want to learn more about your POTS line replacement options or a dedicated phone line for your elevators, reach out to ELEVATE Monitoring. We can discuss your situation and how our products will fit your bottom line. Call us today at 877-990-9191.
