Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: anyone know of a phone that will ONLY dial 911?

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Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-13-2005, 12:49 PM:

Without going into details, I need to buy a phone (2 actualy) that will only dial 911..Anyone know where I can find one (Or 2 actually)?

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-13-2005, 01:00 PM:

We need more information. Do you want the _phone_ to place the call, or do you just want to be able to install something like a no-dial phone and have it connect to 911 when the receiver is lifted? If the latter, you can order from the phone company (or configure on a PBX) a "ring down circuit" to the 911 number. This is more reliable and less subject to tampering than an autodialer phone.

Alternatively, you can get a hotline dialer to attach to the phone which will automatically dial a pre-programmed number when the receiver is lifted.

Note that, in the US, even disconnected phone lines have the ability to dial 911; thus, another option would be to have a phone line installed, then disconnect service and leave a phone attached to it. I believe that the same applies to cellular telephones without service contracts. I don't know if this applies in areas without 911 service, however.

[ 07-13-2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: Adam Martin ]

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-13-2005, 01:33 PM:

O.K. fine, I'll go into details... At our family owned Assisted Living Facility the State Of R.I. Department of Health is requiring all Assisted Living Facilities in the state to have a phone on all floors that can dial 911. We have three floors at our facility, there is a phone on the first floor, but not the second or third floor. I feel that if I provide a phone on the 2nd and 3rd floor, the phone bill will go through the roof with calls being made from it by the residents or staff. I called Verizon and they said that they can provide a phone line that could provide local area phone service, but they cannot provide a line that could only be used for 911.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-13-2005, 01:54 PM:

Most likely, Verizon was either clueless or lying and they can provide a ring down circuit for 911 calls only. Failing that, and assuming that you don't have a PBX and want this to work directly on a POTS line, order two red no-dial phones (you might be able to find another vendor with better pricing; I just posted a link to the first place that Google found) and a hotline dialer. Don't get long-distance service on the line and don't allow incoming calls (or, at least, disconnect the ringers in the phones); this will prevent someone from taking an incoming call, waiting for the caller to hang up (which would return a dial tone), and then placing an outgoing call using a separate tone dialer or by using the switchhook.

If you only want the line to be able to dial 911, you should be able to disconnect the service after it is installed and have 911 still work, though you will want to verify this ahead of time with the state or city department of public utilities. Don't mention this to Verizon, as they probably won't appreciate the idea.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 07-13-2005, 02:35 PM:

Just my opinion, but disconnecting the service in hopes that 911 will still continue to work indefinitely sounds like a lawsuit in the making if something goes wrong. For liability purposes, you need a "certified" 911-only phone.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-13-2005, 04:23 PM:

Install outgoing only pay phones.

By law, pay phones have to be able to dial out 911 without any coins.

Plus it would be a source of income if they are used for personal reasons. [beer]

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 07-13-2005, 07:28 PM:

quote: Phil Hill
By law, pay phones have to be able to dial out 911 without any coins.

Unfortunately physics doesn't always agree. You wouldn't believe how many line cards I've had replaced after them being hit by lightning and requiring coins before putting through any x11 calls.

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 07-13-2005, 07:31 PM:

The requirement is that every floor have a phone that can dial 911... Can it be a cellular phone? Any old cell phone can still dial 911, even if there is no other service plan. But, I'm doubting that that would be very smart, as it would be too easy to get "misplaced". I think Phil's pay phone suggestion, if it is feasible at your facility, sounds like a good one.

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 07-13-2005, 07:34 PM:

I know that police departments take unwanted cell phones for that very reason for battered women. If you check in when the local PD, they might beable to help you. Cell Phones do not require a service to dial 911.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-13-2005, 08:07 PM:

Oh blow it out your ass, Daryl! [Razz]

(Glad to see both you and Thomass are back posting!) [beer]

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 07-13-2005, 09:48 PM:

These work for you?

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-14-2005, 12:38 PM:

Install outgoing only pay phones.

If only it was that easy, according to the state, pay phones and/or cell phones cannot be used.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 07-14-2005, 05:58 PM:

Check with payphone.com and phonecoinc.com for "line restrictors" devices. These can mount inside ordinary phones and only allow 911 or any other owner programmed number(s) to be dialed.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-14-2005, 08:31 PM:

How do those "line restricters" work? Are they effective against the use of handheld tone dialers or tapping the switchhook to simulate rotary dialing?

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-22-2005, 07:02 PM:

Thanks for all the info Scott. I think I am going to order the one that automatically dials 911 when the receiver is picked up. We have a centrex system, so to dial out we have to dial 9 before the #..I just hope those devices can be used on the that system..

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 07-22-2005, 07:45 PM:

This is what we are switching to on all of our pool phones..They are pre=programmed to dial 911 when the button is pushed. We find that this setup is less apt to have flase calls to 911. After a few, they get pretty ticked off... which is understandable..

A bit pricey, maybe.. but how much is peace of mind when it comes to safety?

http://www.pbp1.com/dynamic/pm/pm_details.asp?PN=HPEP1

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-22-2005, 08:34 PM:

Hey Jason!

I have a question.. do those phone plug into a regular phone plug? or are they specially wired? Those would even be better then the device I was going to get..

ALSO, RATHER THEN STARTING A NEW POST..I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE..

The State was at our facility again today..They tested the water temperture.. and seeing they came before any showers were taken.. the reading was around 130 degrees.. way too hot (obviously).. so I turned the little knob thing on the water heater down and then around 2:00 p.m. the lady took the water temperture again..and after all showers were taken (and most/all hot water was used) the water temperture was 80 degrees! way too cold! My question is..anyone know of something I can attatch to the water heater that I can SET the temperture so it will stay (around) the temperture that I need to have it set on? My thinking is that the water will be HOT early in the morning (no showers taken yet) and cooler in the afternoon (all showers done, dishes done)
..and Secondly..Should I just change the name of the post to.."WHO THE HECK KNOWS HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?"

Posted by Daniel Seal (Member # 3026) on 07-23-2005, 06:58 AM:

YOU NEED A BAT PHONE

Posted by Mark Hajducki (Member # 1732) on 07-23-2005, 07:31 AM:

quote: Paul Goulet
The State was at our facility again today..They tested the water temperture.. and seeing they came before any showers were taken.. the reading was around 130 degrees.. way too hot (obviously).. so I turned the little knob thing on the water heater down and then around 2:00 p.m. the lady took the water temperture again..and after all showers were taken (and most/all hot water was used) the water temperture was 80 degrees! way too cold! My question is..anyone know of something I can attatch to the water heater that I can SET the temperture so it will stay (around) the temperture that I need to have it set on?

A thermostatic mixer valve which mixes the hot water from the tank with cold water should work. The tank temperature could be set as high as possible (to increace the amount of water stored) and the water. Example product This would require plumbing, but would provide a constant temperature throughtout the day.

quote: Paul Goulet
do those phone plug into a regular phone plug? or are they specially wired?

Remember to secure the sockets so as to prevent people plugging in a regular phone and making additional calls.

In the UK the phone company will provide lines, for lower than standard line rental, which allow incoming calls and certain (not charged) outgoing calls including 999. A line like this would have the least chance of abuse.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-23-2005, 07:37 AM:

Jason's phone looks like a good idea, but does it have any mechanism to prevent abuse from someone picking up the receiver and using a tone dialer or tapping the switchhook to simulate a rotary dial?

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 07-23-2005, 02:22 PM:

The phone I linked to has a preprogrammed dialer built in so that it will dial the user programmed umber when the button is pushed. I do not know if it woudl be 'affected' by the use of a tone genetrator or not. I doubt it would.

It requires wiring to a phone jack, but anyone who can read colors can wire the thing to the jack. You coudl hard wire it to the line or make a 'jumper' from the wall jack to the termination strip inside the guts of the phone.

Paul,
You're on your own on the h/w heater issue... Any other plumbers in the house?

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 07-23-2005, 02:42 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
If you only want the line to be able to dial 911, you should be able to disconnect the service after it is installed and have 911 still work

Phone companies have a nasty little habit of reusing facilities after they are disconnected. I wouldn't expect your drop to remain wired indefinitely.

Also, a lot depends on local tariffs as to whether or not 911 only class of service is even available in your area. Though technically possible to provision in the switch, local practices may prohibit it.

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 07-23-2005, 06:19 PM:

Thanks Jason!

Hey, You ever see any DIET MELLO YELLO down your way? I can get (regular) MELLO YELLO up this way, But I always wanted to try the DIET stuff to see what it tastes like and have one can for my MELLO YELLO colection. Let me know!!

Paul

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 07-23-2005, 07:40 PM:

Oh god Paul, I heard about your Mello Yello "thing". Some of the older staff picks on me about being the same way with coke. [Smile]

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 07-23-2005, 08:03 PM:

Is there a big problem with geezers sneaking around in the middle of the night trying to steal phone service from their retirement home with a tone generator?

[Wink]

IT'S ONLY A JOKE!

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 07-24-2005, 04:49 PM:

Paul,
Never seen diet Mello Yello.. but if I do, I'll snag a sixxer and send it to ya...