Compliance
Elevator Emergency Communications
ASME A17.1 requirements for elevator phones and how to stay compliant after POTS sunset.
Elevator emergency phones are a life-safety system regulated by ASME A17.1 (the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators). The code requires that every elevator provide two-way emergency communication between the elevator cab and a monitored location capable of summoning help, available 24/7.
Historically, elevator phones relied on POTS (copper telephone) lines. With the nationwide sunset of copper POTS infrastructure, building owners and elevator service companies must migrate to compliant cellular alternatives. The replacement must preserve the always-on dialtone, automatic dialing, and monitored supervision that ASME A17.1 requires.
A compliant cellular replacement for an elevator phone uses an LTE/5G modem with battery backup, supervised connectivity (so a line-down event is detected and reported), and the ability to dial a monitoring center or 911 directly. Solutions must also support the ASME A17.1 requirement for a primary and backup means of communication in many jurisdictions.
True911 Red Tag Lines are engineered as drop-in replacements for elevator POTS lines, with dual-carrier failover, supervised connectivity, and ASME A17.1 compliance documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ASME A17.1 allow cellular elevator phones?
Yes. ASME A17.1 permits cellular connectivity as long as the system provides supervised, always-on two-way communication with a monitored station and meets the code's requirements for backup power and primary/backup paths.
Who enforces elevator phone compliance?
Elevator phone compliance is enforced by state and local elevator inspectors and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), based on ASME A17.1 as adopted locally.