For many years the simple copper phone line carried out its duty in silence by transmitting fire alarm signals to a monitoring centre and by linking a person trapped in an elevator with assistance. Nothing was ever thought about it.
This is happening. The companies are phasing out the copper network, which is also referred to as POTS or plain old telephone service. Once the line is disconnected, all the devices connected to it will also stop working. Similar to the rotary phone in an old spy film, POTS is heading towards the museum. The issue then becomes whether your life safety systems will as well.
Why POTS Lines Are Disappearing
Copper is old and expensive to keep in good condition. The carriers would like to get their customers to use fibre, cable, and cellular services.
In a great many places the shutdown is already taking place and the notices usually include a short deadline; some owners only discover what has happened when the supply stops.
The argument between VoIP and POTS is essentially over now. The carriers have already decided which side to take. Your responsibility is to plan the transition before the deadline does it for you.
Why Alarm and Elevator Lines Are Different
It's easy to move office phones but not life safety lines.
- Fire alarm panels are equipped with digital communicators, which contact a monitoring centre and wait for a copper dial tone.
- The emergency phones in the elevator must allow a person who is trapped to get in touch with someone who can provide help, since the regulations call for reliable two-way communication.
- The local authorities carry out the inspections and give their approval. The body responsible (AHJ) is the one who has the final say.
- Dedicated lines are a common arrangement. A number of them branch off from the main office telephone system.
Having only a new line does not deal with the problem; the device has to function on that new line.
The Trouble With "POTS in a Box"
A number of carriers do provide a converter; it converts fibre or cable service into what appears to be an analogue line and this seems like a simple solution.
That is frequently the case. The alarm communicators transmit brief tones. Digital compression can cause these tones to be distorted. The signals may be dropped. A failure to receive an alarm signal is a serious failure.
Converters also require power; if there is no battery the system will fail when there's a power cut, which is precisely when you need it most.
Before you rely on a converter, you should test it using your monitoring centre.
Your Replacement Options
There isn't one correct answer; the optimal approach varies according to the device and the building.
| Option | Best For | Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular communicator | Fire alarm panels, elevator phones | Weak signal in shafts and basements. Use LTE or newer. |
| IP communicator | Alarm panels | Needs steady internet and power |
| Dual path (cellular plus IP) | High-risk buildings | Higher cost, best redundancy |
| VoIP analog adapter | Elevator phones | Battery backup and call quality |
| Native SIP elevator phone | New or upgraded cabs | Network setup and security |
Dual paths are worth considering in the case of hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings since if one of the paths fails the other one will still function.
Power and Backup
The phone company was responsible for the old copper line and it continued to function when the building lost its power.
Cellular and VoIP don't; they are powered by power from the local area. All devices require a battery.
Make sure you check how long the battery lasts. The batteries should be replaced on a regular schedule and you should plan for a prolonged outage, not a short one.
Compliance and Approvals
Before making any changes you should consult three parties: your supplier of fire alarms, your elevator contractor, and the authority having jurisdiction.
Standards like NFPA 72 for fire alarms and ASME A17.1 for elevators determine what is permitted, and local regulations can include additional requirements.
Write approval in writing and keep the records from the tests since inspectors will ask for them.
A Simple Action Checklist
- Make a list of all the POTS lines and include those for alarms, elevators, fax machines, door entry systems, gates, and the HVAC monitors.
- Follow each line; older buildings have surprises concealed in their walls and in their ceilings.
- Request a retirement date from the carrier and obtain it in writing.
- Choose a path for each device, not applying the same solution to all cases.
- When testing the signal in the area where the device is located, it should be noted that elevator machine rooms and shafts frequently block cell service.
- Carry out an end-to-end test by triggering a signal and then verifying that the monitoring centre receives it.
- Make sure to record all details and keep the records for the inspectors and insurers.
Why Businesses Switch to VoIP
Replacing the POTS line is not merely a compliance task; it is an opportunity to reconsider business communication systems.
The reason why businesses move to VoIP is obvious: their costs decrease, calls can be directed to any location, and features like call forwarding and voicemail to email are included.
One thing should be noted: you should not reposition the life safety lines simply because the main phone system has been moved. These lines should be treated as a separate project and subjected to their own testing.
Looking Ahead
The copper network will never recover; each year more of the lines will stop working.
Buildings are now progressing in the direction of having connected alarms, with remote monitoring of elevators and the use of cloud dashboards. Owners are given incentives for carrying out modernisations early.
Begin by looking at the lines which safeguard people, check them, and replace them before a carrier notice leads to a last-minute remedy. Planning calmly today is better than facing an emergency tomorrow.