Monitoring a emergency call system?

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olc

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In an apartment building there is a emergency call system in each apartment. If the cord is pulled a dome light turns on outside the apartment door and a buzzer in the corridor sounds. Only the one buzzer sounds and each buzzer serves about 8 apartments (half a floor).
The owner wants to remotely monitor the calls. They do not care if the remote monitor knows exactly which apartment or just which floor (when they get there the dome light will be on).
I was think that a security panel with a monitor module for each buzzer. A relay in the circuit so if the buzzer sounds it can be monitored by the system and a signal will be sent to the monitoring agency.

I can't think of a better way to do it (other than new system or monitoring each room).
 
olc said:
In an apartment building there is a emergency call system in each apartment. If the cord is pulled a dome light turns on outside the apartment door and a buzzer in the corridor sounds. Only the one buzzer sounds and each buzzer serves about 8 apartments (half a floor).
The owner wants to remotely monitor the calls. They do not care if the remote monitor knows exactly which apartment or just which floor (when they get there the dome light will be on).
I was think that a security panel with a monitor module for each buzzer. A relay in the circuit so if the buzzer sounds it can be monitored by the system and a signal will be sent to the monitoring agency.

I can't think of a better way to do it (other than new system or monitoring each room).
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Before we get to the physical install, what is the proposed disposition of the alarms? Many emergency services dont want random medical alert alarms with no way to call back the occupant to ensure it wasn't a false alarm.

Im still trying to imagine this situation, but I would put in wireless transmitters connected to the output. Each zone would be linked to a separate site number, for instance, each apartment, then the authorities.

Of course if there is a 24 hour onsite and awake staff, they could be the first contact.

The reason I balk at an alarm that supports 4 apartments is liability and room for error

If it was my customer, I'd suggest removing the emergency call system if there isnt 24 hour staff on site. Then, you can offer individual medical alert systems for each unit. This limits exposure for the building owner and the alarm company when it's a straightforward system.
 
This is just your basic apartments intended for mostly seniors. There is no 24 hour personnel on site. (there is a hospital next door but it is not associated)
Now if an alarm goes off the buzzer goes off in the corridor and the person has to rely on the neighbors.
 
I have run into this in a couple different places. Both were HUD funded housing for low income and/or seniors. They were both built in late 1960's and were multi building sites with 4 to 6 apartments in a building - all at grade level - no steps.

Each building had a 120 volt circuit run from the "house panel" in the mechanical room to a switch in each apartment - in the bathroom- this switch was double pole - one side turned on a bell outside and the other side turned on an exterior light near the front door.

I don't think it would comply with NEC today because of the 120 volts supplied via another circuit to the apartment, kill the feeder to the apartment and this circuit is still energized. If I were asked to do something similar with a new install I would likely do so with a 24 volt system to avoid those issues.

I don't think this is any legally required emergency call system of any kind, and probably never was, but they have been maintaining it at both places I have seen it. A few years back I replaced the indicator lights that were outside each door. They were the originals and were 30mm oiltight style indicator or pilot lights with red lens. They were faded from sunlight and were difficult to tell which light was illuminated even though you could hear the bell you had to guess which apartment was the one to go to. I ended up replaced them with strobe devices similar to fire alarm strobes except they were 120 volt to match up to the existing circuit.
 
I'm confused. When I read the OP yesterday I thought it was rape cords in dorms.

What you have is not much different, except, there is nobody on site.

So where do you want this signal to go to? A cell phone? Or create a log somewhere even though nobody is there to see the signal and react to it?
 
Gookin- The OP proposed a security system to monitor.

OLC- if you are proposing a complete system to the owner I'd suggest following UL1635 and/or UL1610. It needs to be supervised end to end.

Any chance you know why they were originally installed? Not speculation but paperwork showing it was required for a specific reason. If it was optional they may want to remove it due to liability.


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I don't know whether it is low voltage or 120V. I thought 24V but if it were I would think there would be a central panel. But the owner insists there is none. So now I think it is 120V as described by kwired above. It was installed in the 70's I believe.

All the owner wants is to have outside notice. Nothing needs to be supervised.

Am I wrong thinking that they would/could use the same monitoring company that monitors the fire alarm system to monitor this (which would basically be a security system). If an alarm happens the monitoring company would send out telephone alerts to the owner (I assume automatically).
 
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