Multi Media
Imagine the advantages of enabling emergency response personnel with access to both audio and live streaming HD video of elevator cab interiors, within moments of an entrapment call. Now imagine the cost savings realized when utilizing a technology that enables retrofitting of existing cabs with audio and 1080P HD video capabilities despite the absence of spare elevator travel cable or sufficient building wiring.
Webb Electronics (WEBB) is excited to announce the latest development of leading edge technology, through their 'WEBB Smart Communications ' line of products. Webb's latest development provides the ability to offer both audio and video communication using the same single pair of wires by multiplexing Ethernet over the existing telephone line. Whether receiving an emergency call at the remote monitoring station or standing onsite somewhere in the building you now have the ability to see and speak to the passenger in the elevator through a PC or handheld device, provided you have access to broadband internet.
With the WMP-MMM expansion module, the WEBB system offers additional features (access control card reader/ digital signage / VOIP service, etc) without the need for additional cabling.
Self Diagnostic
One of the biggest problems with elevator telephones is that they are not checked regularly by maintenance staff. They either forget about them, assume that the elevator company is taking care of them or think that nothing can go wrong with them. As a result, it is not at all unusual to have someone stuck in the elevator trying to call out for help, only to find that the emergency telephone does not work for some reason. This not only causes additional stress and danger for the passenger, but it also exposes the owners of the building and elevator company to the possibility of serious liability claims.
Many things can cause elevator phones not to work... someone mistakenly canceling the phone line, vandalism, damage to wires caused by an elevator technician or contractor in the telephone room, or even an area code change made by the telephone company. We've seen all of this happen so often over the years that we decided to do something about it.
Auto Check
Auto Check is an exclusive monitoring service offered to all Webb customers. When activated, the software within each WebbPhone emergency telephone will automatically check its internal operation and report its status to our central computer. If any problem is detected with a particular unit, we then automatically send an email report to a designated person (property manager, building manager, etc).
The simplicity and efficiency of this "exception report" format is one that property managers really appreciate. Click here if you would like to see a sample of a typical email report.
Voice Alert
Some customers may wish to take care of the self-diagnostic function themselves. If so, they can simply activate the VoiceAlert function in their Webb Phones. This will automatically provide a voice announcement in the elevator every 10 minutes if any problem is detected with the emergency telephone (loss of phone line, loss of AC power or loss of back-up battery power). Building staff can then contact the appropriate maintenance personnel to get the problem corrected.
Due to the importance of having the elevator telephone system always working should it ever be needed in an emergency, the VoiceAlert messages can be programmed to play in English, French, Spanish and various combinations of these three languages. This will help to ensure that the information is communicated to the appropriate building personnel as soon as possible.
Lobby Alert Station
The Code now requires that the phone system includes a means to verify operability of the telephone line and generate an audible and illuminated visual signal at the designated landing if not.
Self-Diagnostics Benefits
Building owners appreciate self-diagnostics for two simple reasons... safety and liability. As mentioned earlier, site personnel rarely remember to check the operation of their elevator phones. In fact, research indicates that approximately one-half of all calls to fix elevator telephones come about as a result of someone having been stuck and then finding that the phones didn't work for some reason. Not being able to contact help in an emergency not only places passengers in danger but also exposes the owners to significant liability risk. Self-diagnostics can go a long way in helping building owners eliminate both of these potentially serious problems.
Rest Easy
In today's increasingly litigious world, risk management is an important element in the operation of every building owner, property manager and elevator company. We invite you to put the leading-edge technology of AutoCheck and VoiceAlert to work for you in keeping your buildings and elevator passengers as safe as possible.
Note: Regulatory authorities are now considering mandatory self-diagnostics for inclusion in the next update of the Elevator Safety Code. Installing Webb Phones in your building ensures that your emergency communication system will remain compliant with any such change to the regulations.
Voice Annunciation
As more and more buildings are being designed to better serve those with physical challenges, elevators are increasingly having voice annunciation incorporated into their operation. This would normally mean mounting a separate speaker somewhere within the cab so that those with limited vision are able to hear the floor numbers and other operational information.
As part of our ongoing efforts to simplify cab design, Webb Electronics has developed an industry first... a model of handsfree telephone which can use the phone speaker for both emergency operation and voice annunciation. Simply tie the speaker output from your annunciator equipment into the AUX terminal strips of the OEM-150 and let the WebbPhone take over the speaker operation.
During normal operation of the elevator, the speaker is constantly in use by the annunciation equipment. However, in an emergency, the telephone function takes priority and the annunciation function is disengaged until the emergency call has ended.
In addition to saving valuable space behind the car operating panel, this feature is great for elevator mechanics because it reduces the amount of time needed to install all of the auxiliary devices within the elevator. The annunciation feature is part of our ongoing effort to provide Webb customers with new and innovative communication solutions for their buildings.
Webb Phone
The Webb Emergency Phone is an AC-powered handsfree telephone. The use of AC power provides maximum reliability, the largest amount of features, and the loudest volume available from any handsfree telephone. It has a rechargeable backup battery and connects to a regular telephone line. It can be installed in 3 different configurations: OEM, box style and flush mount and is ADA compliant.
Pushing the HELP button activates the WebbPhone. It will then automatically call a pre-programmed number for assistance. Should the primary number be busy or not answered, the unit can call a second location for assistance. The unit will alternate calls between the primary and secondary monitoring numbers until the call has been answered.
Webb Emergency Phones will never get confused by answering machines or voicemail. They will redial until authorized personnel have acknowledged the call.
When the call is answered, the location announcement feature can announce the location of the caller prior to conversation beginning. For callers with a hearing disability, an LED will also begin flashing to alert them that their call has been received.
Built-in operator functions make the WebbPhone extremely useful in emergency situations. For example, the operator can replay the location message whenever they wish or extend the call for as long as they wish. They will also receive a voice prompt to finish their call if another elevator passenger is trying to call out for assistance, a technological advance not available in any other hands free telephone.
It is also possible to call into WebbPhone units. All units connected to the telephone line being called will ring and then turn on. The caller then selects the individual unit they wish to speak to or program remotely.
Leading-edge technology provides all WebbPhones with the ability to check their own operation. Our exclusive AutoCheck feature will automatically inform the building owner if any of their units are not working normally. This powerful feature provides unparalleled safety and assurance for both passengers and building owners.
All WebbPhones are able to act as the speaker output for the elevator's voice annunciation system. When the phone is activated by a passenger, the two-way conversation will take priority over the elevator's annunciation. This can save you the hassle of trying to mount a remote speaker or adding an extra speaker grill.
Finally, the WebbPhone is flexible. Factory settings can be easily adjusted to match specific site, equipment and customer requirements.
Rescue Station
The Webb Rescue Station has been designed to meet the on-site communication requirements for emergency elevator telephones and areas of rescue. Using an LS-250 Rescue Station provides immediate two-way communications for rescue personnel in a building and at the same time lets stranded callers automatically connect to an off-site monitoring station. It requires a maximum of one telephone line, something that will save the building a great deal of money over the years.
The LS-250 is AC-powered and comes with long-life rechargeable backup batteries. When connected to Webbphone handsfree units within the building, it offers the most innovative and flexible rescue system available today. It is also fully compliant with the latest Elevator Safety Code updates for Canada and the United States. (See Safety Code - Synopsis for a summary of what the current building requirements are).
Main Features
| Permits up to 80 emergency telephones to share a single telephone line. | Audible buzzer sounds at Rescue Station when emergency communication system is in use. |
| Rescuers can call up to 80 locations within the building from the Rescue Station. | Can connect with machine room handsets to permit elevator personnel to call from machine rooms into elevators as required by Elevator Safety Code. |
| Flexible setup. Can be set to ring at an on-site security desk, call to an off-site monitoring station via telephone line or ring on-site and then switch to off-site calling if there is no answer from on-site personnel. | Can connect with other security locations within the building so that all locations ring simultaneously when called. This setup also allows these locations complete calling access to all elevator / area of rescue stations. |
| Can be flush-mounted in the lobby or surface-mounted in the annunciator or CACF room, machine room, or telephone room.Easy to read LCD display shows rescue personnel who is calling. | Rescue personnel can easily determine which elevator made the last call. This allows trapped passengers to be easily located and helped more quickly. |
| Call waiting feature alerts rescue personnel of any calls that are waiting in queue.LED display shows status of AC power, telephone line and battery strength for easy maintenance and troubleshooting. | Does your project require duplicate recall switches? The LS-250 has been designed so that you can easily incorporate these into our faceplate. This reduces installation time and makes for a more attractive design. |
No Two Buildings Are Identical
There are many possible differences between buildings which can easily result in a completely different setup being optimal for each one. Because of this, you are welcome to contact us whenever you'd like to discuss an unusual building or site situation in more detail. Besides, we like the challenge of coming up with customized solutions for customers. So feel free to use us as a resource whenever something out of the ordinary comes up... things are definitely more complicated now than they used to be.
