An elevator or lift intercom provides emergency communications if the elevator malfunctions or power to the site is lost. Prior to the introduction of the NBN elevator emergency communication was through a standard telephone landline. Telephone exchanges had emergency power guaranteeing that the landline would still function even if local power was lost. The switchover to the NBN removed the functioning landline requiring an alternative emergency communications method was established. Mobile networks were quickly adopted as emergency communications through local battery backed mobile network.
Initially many elevator emergency communications systems were migrated to battery backed 3G systems to maintain compliance with Australian standards. The introduction of Australian Standard AS1735.19 made many of those systems non-compliant.
Australian Standard AS1735.19
AS1735.19 calls for automatic battery and power monitoring of emergency elevator communications systems. To be compliant any old 3G system must be upgraded to include battery and power monitoring. It is not enough to upgrade to 4G to be compliant with Australian standards. You must also adopt battery and power monitoring to ensure compliance.
A standards compliant 4G gateway will also go into alarm state if there is a loss of service (SIM error, local cell failure, device fault) whereas a non-compliant 4G gateway will still have internally generated dial tone. The issue here is that the system may have been faulty for some time and only discovered when required in an emergency. A compliant gateway prevents that situation from occurring. The time you need your emergency communications to work is in an emergency. AS1735.19 goes a long way to ensuring your emergency systems will be ready in an actual emergency.
All 3G Network Closures
Vodafone have shut down their 3G network as of December 2023 and Optus and Telstra have announced shutdown dates of September 2024 and June 2024 respectively.
Update*: Telstra and Optus recently delayed their 3G shutdown until 28 October 2024 to allow more time for 3G devices to be swapped out for 4/5G devices. Please contact us if you require more information.
All elevator emergency communications systems should now be assessed for compliance with AS1735.19 before transferring to 4G networks. Many 3G systems will be transferable but they may not be compliant due to the battery and power monitoring requirements. Aging backup battery performance makes these systems more susceptible to non-compliance especially as there will be no monitoring and potentially less backup than when first installed.
Urgent action required
If you are using Vodaone or any of their resellers – Kogan, TPG, LEBARA, iinet, or felix your 3G mobile coverage has been switched off. Please check that you currently have emergency communications from your elevator. Please check that the existing system is AS1735.19 compliant by speaking with your elevator service agent or supplier or building manager.
If you are using Telstra or any of their resellers – Boost, Belong, Tangerine, Everyday Mobile, More, TeleChoice, Exetel, or ALDI Mobile your 3G mobile coverage will be switched off 28th October 2024. Please check that the existing system is AS1735.19 compliant by speaking with your elevator service agent or supplier or building manager.
If you are using Optus or any of their resellers – Moose Mobile, Southern Phone, Amaysim, Dodo, Vaya, Catch Connect, Circles.Life, Yomojo, iPrimus, Coles Mobile, or SpinTel your 3G coverage will be switched off 28th October 2024. Please check that the existing system is AS1735.19 compliant by speaking with your elevator service agent or supplier or building manager.
How Active Online can assist with upgrading your elevator / lift emergency communications system.
Active Online are suppliers of the NEOS Lif Kit PSTN replacement 4G with power, battery and optional call log monitoring. These systems retrofit onto your existing emergency call system and provide AS1735.19 compliance at a very competitive price.
The system is powered by mains to charge the batter(ies) and connected to the handset in the elevator through a standard telephone jack. An antenna is connected to provide connection to the mobile networks. When the handset is lifted and a call initiated the pre-configured number from the emergency communications system will be called via the Lift Kit.
The following are the systems supplied by Active Online:
