POWER SUPPLIES
ARE YOUR LIFTS ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR LIFELINE?
By January 2027, the UK’s analogue telephone network will be switched off and, while the move to digital voice is well underway, the implications for building safety are often overlooked. Here, Adrian Markwell, Managing Director of PEW Electrical, examines what this means for lift emergency communications – an area where many systems are reliant on technology that will soon no longer exist.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN lines have long supported lift auto-diallers, enabling passengers to contact help at the push of a button. These systems were designed to operate on analogue infrastructure that provides connectivity and, often, power through the telephone line itself. When that infrastructure is removed, most of those devices will be unable to place calls, making them unreliable for safety-critical use.
This means that the switchover isn’t just a technical milestone, it’s a very real compliance issue for FMs and duty holders. If a lift emergency call button doesn’t connect, passengers are left without a lifeline and building operators are left carrying the risk - whether that’s failed audits, reputational damage or more serious safety concerns.
Visibility as the starting point The first step towards mitigation is visibility. Over time, communication systems may have been installed, upgraded or outsourced as part of maintenance contracts, meaning many organisations will not have a centralised record of which lifts are still connected to analogue lines. This leaves asset data fragmented and responsibility unclear.
To accurately assess the scale of exposure or plan investment effectively, a structured audit of lift communication is essential. And, in many cases, a thorough review will also reveal other dependent systems, such as security alarms, that face similar risks from the network switch-off.
Routes to resilience Once affected assets have been identified, the question becomes how best to future-proof them. Broadly, there are two upgrade pathways, but it’s critical to be clear on what they mean in practice.
The first is to migrate emergency communications onto internet-based voice services, such as VoIP. These systems use broadband and PSTN to carry calls in the same way that phone and video calls are run today. However, for safety-critical devices like auto diallers, they present limitations. This is because traditional PSTN features of VoIP systems rely on DTMF tones and legacy signalling to trigger call routing and confirm connections, but these tones are not always transmitted reliably over digital voice services. As a result, the alarm could fail to communicate correctly with monitoring centres.
VoIP is also dependent on the building’s broadband connection, routers and mains power which can create risk in a crisis. Without robust backup arrangements, connectivity is likely to be lost in a power outage, which is precisely when emergency communications are most vital.
In contrast, a more reliable approach is to adopt GSM or SIM-based lift alarm systems that use mobile networks instead of fixed lines. These units operate independently of building internet connections and are typically supplied with battery backup, ensuring continued operation during power cuts. However, it’s important to note that this solution must be delivered by 4G or 5G networks as 2G and 3G infrastructure has already been withdrawn by operators and will not support emergency calls long-term.
In retrofit scenarios, 4G Voice over Line Technology (VOLTE) GSM solutions are also simpler to deploy and easier to monitor remotely, particularly when supported by managed SIM services that alert operators to connectivity issues early. However, signal availability, roaming arrangements and long-term service management must be factored into planning decisions.
More than a milestone Whichever approach is chosen, its delaying action that poses the biggest risk. And, as the deadline approaches, demand for upgrades is likely to surge, placing pressure on contractors, supply chains, maintenance teams and FMs. This means that estates that leave preparation too late may face outages, unplanned downtime, failed inspections, and reactive spending, rather than controlled investment delivered through a structured programme.
However, by auditing assets, understanding upgrade options and implementing a phased transition strategy, facilities leaders can protect both users and organisations from avoidable failures in the years ahead.
Because, ultimately, the PSTN switch-off is not simply a telecommunications milestone; it is a building safety issue.
The goal is not only to remain compliant, but to ensure that when someone presses an emergency button in a lift, help will be there when they need it.
www.pewelectrical.com 46 | TOMORROW’S FM
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
