ELEVATOR EMERGENCY PHONE
POTS → VoIP CONVERSION

• Confirm Utah AHJ / ASME edition in force Contact Utah Labor Commission to confirm which A17.1 edition applies to this elevator. Get response in writing. Ask explicitly: does a VoIP phone conversion constitute a modernization under R616-3-13? Contact: (801) 530-6800 · laborcommission.utah.gov
  FIRST STEP
• Document existing POTS circuit path Trace the analog pair from the elevator cab → traveler cable → machine room → MDF/66-block → demarc. Note wire gauge, pair assignments, splice points, and any existing 66-block punch-downs. Photograph all 66-block terminations before touching anything.
  DOCUMENT
• Identify traveler cable conductor pair used for phone Elevator traveler cables carry multiple conductors. Identify which pair is dedicated to emergency phone (typically labeled or color-coded per elevator OEM drawings). Verify continuity and insulation resistance from cab to machine room. Use Fluke 87V to test: continuity, tip-ring polarity, DC loop resistance. Target <50Ω for voice-grade pair.
  TEST
• Inventory existing emergency phone device in cab Record make, model, and wiring of the cab-mounted emergency phone. Note if it uses a 2-wire analog interface (POTS-compatible). Confirm the device auto-dials on button press (required by code) and plays the location announcement.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.3(d)
• Confirm monitoring center compatibility with VoIP Call the elevator monitoring center and verify they can accept calls from a VoIP/ATA line. Ask specifically: do they send a WINK signal for call acknowledgment? Do they send polarity reversal? Some legacy monitoring systems require POTS-specific signaling. WINK = 140–290ms open-loop signal used by some monitors to acknowledge receipt. ATA must support this.
  CRITICAL
• Assess building network infrastructure Identify where the ATA will be placed (machine room or IDF/MDF). Confirm: Is there a powered network switch nearby? Is there PoE or a separate power outlet? Is the switch on UPS? What VLAN/QoS policies exist for the VoIP network?
  NETWORK
• Verify generator and UPS coverage Confirm whether the machine room electrical circuit is on the building emergency generator. Separately confirm whether network switching infrastructure (closet) is on generator. Both the ATA and its network path must have 4-hour backup. A17.1 2019+ §2.27.1.1.5: 4-hr standby for comms/visual indicators, 1-hr for audible.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.5

• Select and procure ATA (Grandstream HT813) The HT813 is a hybrid ATA with 1 FXS port (connects to the cab phone via traveler pair) and 1 FXO port (connects to a PSTN line for lifeline failover). For this installation: FXS → elevator phone circuit, FXO → spare POTS/PSTN line if one remains available at the demarc. Confirm unit supports Polarity Reversal/Wink/Loop Current (HT813 does per spec). HT813: 1 FXS + 1 FXO · Wink/Polarity Reversal/Loop Current supported · Built-in NAT router (WAN + LAN ports) · 5 LEDs: POWER, FXO, FXS, WAN, LAN
  HARDWARE
• Mount ATA in machine room or IDF — near 66-block splice point Install in a clean, accessible, temperature-appropriate location. Machine rooms should be 50–104°F. Secure with Velcro or DIN rail adapter; do not leave loose. Label with elevator number, ATA MAC address, and SIP extension.
  INSTALL
• Wire ATA FXS port to 66-block / existing phone pair Connect ATA RJ11 (FXS port) to the Tip/Ring pair that feeds the traveler cable. At the 66-block, bridge from the VoIP side to the elevator side. Maintain polarity: Tip (green/white-blue) → Pin 1, Ring (red/blue-white) → Pin 2. See Wiring Diagrams tab. Do NOT reverse polarity — cab phone may not function correctly. Verify with volt meter: ATA should present ~48VDC on hook.
  POLARITY
• Configure SIP account on ATA (see ATA Config tab) Register the ATA FXS port to the VoIP system. Configure Off-Hook Auto-Dial to monitoring center number. Set codec preference to G.711 μ-law (PCMU). Disable call waiting, 3-way conference, and voicemail — none appropriate for emergency phone.
  CONFIG
• Install UPS for ATA and network switch Place an appropriate UPS on the ATA power supply and the upstream network switch. Size for 4-hour runtime at the combined load. Document UPS model, battery date, and estimated runtime. Label UPS: "EMERGENCY ELEVATOR COMMS — DO NOT POWER OFF." 4-hour minimum per A17.1 2019+ §2.27.1.1.5. Test UPS by pulling facility power — verify ATA stays registered.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.5
• Verify SIP registration on ATA Access ATA web GUI (default: http://[IP] · admin/admin). Navigate to Status → Port Status → Registration. Confirm "Registered." Document the SIP server address, extension, and username in the site record.
  VERIFY
• Connect and configure FXO port — PSTN lifeline (HT813-specific) If a POTS line remains available at the demarc (even a single spare pair), connect it to the HT813 FXO port via RJ11. This enables automatic PSTN pass-through: if the HT813 loses power OR loses SIP registration, the FXO line is transparently bridged to the FXS port — the cab phone falls back to analog POTS without any active switching. Configure FXO port: (1) Register FXO with a SIP account if inbound routing is needed, or leave unregistered for pure lifeline pass-through. (2) Set "PSTN Ring Thru FXS" appropriately. (3) Enable "Enable PSTN Disconnect Tone Detection." (4) Set AC Termination Model to Auto-Detected for US POTS. HT813 lifeline behavior: power loss or SIP loss → FXO/PSTN transparently connected to FXS port. No configuration needed in the cab — it's hardware-level pass-through. This is the strongest available argument for the HT813 over the HT801/802 in a life-safety application.
  CRITICAL — HT813

• Press PHONE button in cab — verify call completes to monitoring center Single button press must initiate call. Call must reach live personnel (or automated system that routes to live within 45 seconds). Verify audio quality is clear in both directions from within the cab. No handset — must be hands-free.
  FUNCTIONAL TEST
• Verify visual acknowledgment indicator illuminates in cab When monitoring center picks up, the PHONE LED/indicator in the car must illuminate. It must NOT extinguish until the call is terminated by authorized personnel. A17.1 §2.27.1.1.3(c): visual indicator stays lit for duration of call.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.3(c)
• Test WINK signal / polarity reversal from monitoring center (if applicable) If the monitoring center sends a WINK or polarity reversal for call acknowledgment, confirm the ATA passes this through to the cab phone device. Use Fluke 87V in AC voltage mode at the 66-block during a live test call to observe signaling transitions on the tip-ring pair. WINK: brief 140–290ms open-loop event. Polarity reversal: tip/ring DC polarity swaps on answer. Both supported by HT813 FXS port.
  SIGNAL TEST
• Verify location announcement plays automatically When the monitoring center answers, the cab phone must automatically announce the building address and elevator number. This is pre-programmed in the cab phone device — verify it plays correctly and is audible to the monitoring center. A17.1 §2.27.1.1.3(d): location/elevator ID must be provided to authorized personnel.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.3(d)
• Test 45-second fallback routing If the primary monitoring number goes unanswered, verify the system routes to a secondary number within 45 seconds. This may be configured in the cab phone device or at the ATA/VoIP PBX level using ring group or failover routing.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.2(b)
• Simulate power failure — verify 4-hour UPS operation Disconnect facility power from the ATA and network switch circuit. Verify: ATA stays registered, call can still be completed from cab, visual indicator in cab still functions. Let system run on battery for a minimum 30 minutes; extrapolate or test full 4 hours.
  POWER TEST
• Test PSTN lifeline failover (HT813 FXO — if POTS line connected) With a POTS line connected to the HT813 FXO port: (1) Simulate VoIP/SIP failure by disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the ATA. (2) Press the PHONE button in the cab. (3) Verify the call routes over the POTS line to the monitoring center. (4) Restore Ethernet and verify ATA re-registers to VoIP automatically. This is the HT813's primary advantage — hardware-level analog fallback requires no software failover logic. Per Grandstream docs: if HT813 loses power OR SIP registration, the PSTN line on FXO is transparently bridged to FXS. This is passive/hardware-level — it does not require the ATA to be powered for basic pass-through.
  HT813 LIFELINE TEST
• Verify daily automatic path verification is active Confirm that either the ATA or the monitoring platform performs an automatic daily check of the communication path. Document what system performs this check, what it tests, and how an alarm is generated if verification fails. A17.1 §2.27.1.1.6: verification must be automatic, at least daily, without activating the comm link.
  A17.1 §2.27.1.1.6

• Compile documentation package for Utah Elevator Inspector Prepare: (1) Written scope of work describing the POTS→VoIP change, (2) ATA spec sheet showing Wink/polarity reversal support, (3) UPS spec sheet with runtime calculation, (4) Written confirmation from monitoring center of VoIP compatibility, (5) Before/after wiring diagrams, (6) Test results log.
  REQUIRED DOCS
• Schedule inspection with Utah Division of Boiler and Elevator Safety Do not attempt to return elevator to full service with the new VoIP phone until the inspector has cleared it. Schedule early — inspection slots can be limited. Provide the inspector access to the machine room, cab, and all wiring points. Utah Certificate of Inspection valid for 24 months. Must be displayed conspicuously in elevator.
  INSPECTOR
• Perform live demonstration for inspector Be prepared to demonstrate: button press → call connects → visual indicator illuminates → audio is clear → UPS operates on battery → daily verification is active. Have the monitoring center on standby to receive a test call during inspection.
  DEMO
• Post new Certificate of Inspection in elevator cab Once approved, post updated certificate. File copies of all documentation in site record. Set a calendar reminder for re-inspection 22 months out (2-month buffer before 24-month expiration).
  CLOSE-OUT

Connect HT813 WAN port to network. From a phone plugged into the FXS port, dial *** then 02 to hear the IP address. Navigate to that IP in a browser. Login: admin / admin — change immediately. Web GUI tabs: STATUS · BASIC SETTINGS · ADVANCED SETTINGS · FXS PORT · FXO PORT.

Web GUI → FXS PORT tab

Web GUI → FXO PORT tab · Only applies if a POTS line is connected to the FXO port

Click [ PENDING ] to cycle through: PENDING → PASS → FAIL. Notes cells are editable.