The digital telecoms switchover is well underway, and it could have potentially serious ramifications for your existing passenger lift if it is of an older design.
This might seem somewhat strange; after all, what does the shutting down of an ancient telephone network have to do with lifts that are not connected to phone lines in any way?
The answer is in the one button you hope to never have to press: Help.
Since 1988, all lifts have been required to have an emergency phone that worked even if the rest of the lift did not. These would call an operator or emergency services and would help to get you out as soon as possible.
Whilst the system could vary in some of the details of its construction, the most common solution was to use an auto-dialling phone connected to the emergency services via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
These old copper lines carried a charge, allowing them to be used without power, but once the PSTN system is shut down, that emergency charge goes with it, rendering them completely useless.
This can be potentially extremely dangerous, as it means that someone trapped in a lift would have no way to contact the outside world. Even their mobile phone would be unlikely to function in what is effectively a Faraday cage.
Thankfully, there are options to amend an existing lift, typically taking the form of GSM gateway devices or integrated emergency auto-dialler systems.
Both of these use the GSM mobile network and are fitted with a SIM card and an emergency battery supply that needs to last at least one full hour in the event of a power cut.
Gateway systems connect to your existing auto-dialler system and provide many of the same benefits at a slightly lower cost.
It is important to get in touch with lift experts to ensure that your building remains compliant and safe.