Re: Escalators and elevators

[tom.sybert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Rick wrote:
> Jim is correct that phones in elevators have been around for years.
> What changed the picture was the introduction of the Americans With
> Disabilities Act.
>
> Before that Act was passed, local codes dictated whether a phone was
> required in an elevator. It varied from city to city. What the ADA
> said was IF the local codes required an elevator phone, then that
> phone must provide equal access to everyone, including those with
> disabilities. That meant that phones with dials, whether rotary or
> touch tone had to go because they couldn't be operated by anyone with
> a sight impairment. Think about it, you're blind and stuck in an
> elevator. How can you dial out?
>
> The next part of the ADA said that the phone couldn't require written
> instructions in order for the person to use it. Same reason--for the
> vision impaired. Also an important feature if you're in an elevator
> during a power failure and can't read the instructions because it's
> pitch black.
>
> The ADA also dictated where the phone could be located in the
> elevator. In the past, most of these phones were mounted at eye level.
> But, if you're in a wheelchair, you can't reach that high. Also, if
> the phone had a cord, it had to be of a minimum length so a person in
> a wheelchair could use it.
>
> After all these ADA regs came out, manufacturers developed elevator
> phones with dialers built in. They operate from a single push button.
> The ADA also said that there must be some visual indication that the
> emergency call has been received. So manufacturers made provisions to
> light a "Call Received" light. That's for hearing impaired users. On
> that same issue, the ADA requires a higher minimum volume level that's
> beyond most telephones.
>
> Since most elevator occupants don't have a clue what the building
> address is, or what elevator cab they are in, the manufacturers
> started adding a built in location identifier.
>
> Ultimately, some manufacturers starting including Contact ID format to
> handle all the ID information.
>
> So, the bottom line is you cannot use an ordinary telephone with a
> dialer and still stay within the ADA requirments.
>
> Since ADA emergency phones have been around for so long, and since
> most building owners use them, you open yourself and your customer up
> to huge liability issues if you try to skirt the telephone requirments
> by using an ordinary telephone.
>
> RickOn 21 Nov 2005 05:58:01 -0800, "Okitoki" <okyaysenturk@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> >Hi to all...
> >
> >I just heard of a "theory" from someone that is in the escalator and
> >elevator business that the newer models of these public utilities have
> >diallers in them with... now get ready to hear this: Contact ID
> >protocol outputs!!! They say that these communicators are ready for use
> >with monitoring stations so they can monitor the activity and troubles
> >that occur.
> >
> >Is this true? Has anyone heard of such technologies? If so has anyone
> >implemented these utilities into CMS's?
> >
> >I must say that I am sceptical but I just wanted to ask here prior to
> >contacting the elevator companies and look like an idiot!!
> >
> >Thanks and good luck!!