atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Elevator phone question

MDaniel called me today with an interesting question about elevator phones that I couldn't answer. Is it required that they be wired to a dedicated phone line or can they be connected to a PBX? Common sense would say no to using a PBX station because it can crash, but a stand-alone line can also go dead and it not be realized until someone needs to use it. I would imagine that this requirement varies from area to area. Does anyone have a definitive answer?

Holy Crap.......Ed with a question.......FINALY!!!!

I have used a dedicated phone line in the past. As a matter of fact in some states there is a code or requirement by the fire department that it be hooked into a dedicated phone line......

Mitch

It all depends on the elevator code where the elevator is located. I usually do dedicated line, the phone dials a monitoring company. Even made it an extension on a PBX once that would ring all other extensions. Customer felt that that was the fastest way to get help.

-Hal

It would make more sense as a hotline on a PBX, unless you have remote monitoring. Check your codes though:)

Our code here is that it has to be a dedicated POTS line and it is tested and documented on the elevator inspections.

Most elevators come with everything installed already (phone and auto dialer), just needs the line run to it and programmed.

Another code/restriction here is that we are not allowed to run that wire in the elevator mechanical room, it has to be done by licensed elevator technicians. Most of the time, they allow us to do it and just stand and watch.

Agreed on the local codes --- every one has it's own requiements.

I've done it both ways.

KLD

Here is the state of Utah they must be a home run from dmark to elevator matrix controls in it's own conduit and each elevator has it's own dedicated line. Which is tested each month.

Most elevators come with everything installed already (phone and auto dialer), just needs the line run to it and programmed.

Another code/restriction here is that we are not allowed to run that wire in the elevator mechanical room, it has to be done by licensed elevator technicians.

All the ones we have done used Viking phones. All wiring from the car to the elevator room control system must be done by the elevator technicians. That includes electrical and telephone. They will usually give us a piece of quad out of the control cabinet. We usually press a plug onto it and plug it into a surface mount jack that we install next to the cabinet on the wall.

-Hal

TP I get requests all the time from elevator people to run phone cable, so I don't think your reatriction is provincial.

I have elevator phones with ring down unit connected to pbx, push phone button and it calls operator and other set locations in building. Both phone system and ring down are on battery/generator backup.This is in nursing home,and it passed yearly inspections.Treated ringdown as line on system.-------John