The security program of any school or educational program should most definitely depend on a reliable communication system.Unfortunately, the placement of emergency phones on the hallways of college campuses throughout the nation has not provided the best communication solution for these large facilities. The real challenge now is how to come up with the best practical plan that would successfully carry out a system that is consistent with the overall communications network, meet regulatory and statutory guidelines and improve the incorporated service and security requirements.
The end users are responsible of determining what their ultimate security needs and requirements are. What functions must the system provide? Are any of the functions affected by legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act or the A17 Elevator Code? And what is the communications backbone on campus? Are some of the critical questions that the administrators of any educational facility should seriously take into consideration in order to accurately asses their needs.
Benefits of VoIP

Perhaps the most talked about telecommunications development in today’s world is VoIP technology. Although popular, this technology still contains its usual share of security issues and concerns.It is clearly obvious that, in spite of what problems may emerge in the process of converting from traditional analog systems to VoIP, the security technology will persist to spread at a remarkably, and ever-increasing high rate.
A great deal of college campuses such as Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. have realized the importance of this technology and have already made the switch. And many others are actively planning and ironing out the details their conversion to this essential communication.
The emergency phone towers of Fisk University are now incorporated directly into a Talk-A-Phone VoIP interface at the campus' surveillance command hub. The switch was simply a matter of adding Ethernet drops at phone locations since the school's network already consisted of Talk-A-Phone's emergency phones with VoIP capabilities. The VoIP technology offers many benefits for the setting up of emergency phone systems. Independent analog home connections are not necessary to connect back to a head-end frame, having said that, they have the ability alternative ability to connect Ethernet drops wherever required. Users can easily install and integrate two security elements often found together by being able to connect IP CCTV cameras to the same drops.
Regardless of whether the end-users currently have the VoIP technology capabilitiesor intend to obtain it in the near future, they must make certain that the selected emergency phone equipment has VoIP capabilities. If not, supplemental analog lines must be setup and connected to backup the components or the equipment may be swapped totally when a facility switches to the VoIP systems.
The Operation of the System

Conventionally, emergency telephones have always been viewed mounted on the hallways and other open locations of educational facilities as crime inhibitors and a fast way to inform the authorities about an ongoing criminal act. Adding on, towers and other tall structures containing blue lights or strobes illuminate the dark walkways to present a sense of security in the environment.
Recently universities and other educational institutions are beginning to see parking facilities more and more in the same way that commercial property owner view them. Over the past few decades there have been many lawsuits, allegations, and accusations over crimes and other inappropriate behaviors that occur in parking facilities; in some cases the lawsuit may easily reach multi-million-dollar rulings. This alone necessitates and makes it extremely essential to be able to supply emergency phones with blue lights or strobes, as well as CCTV, to speed the crime reporting process.
It is obviously clear that any educational campus has an expected and understood obligation and mission of service to students, faculty, staffs and employees. This service could translate to locating a vehicle, reporting a minor criminal incident, or even restarting an inoperative car battery.Probably the best device suited for these applications are Wall-mounted phones with integrated blue lights or strobes.
There role for emergency/communication telephones is rapidly expanding particularly in the access control security category. Access control systems are an essential part of every campus security plan regardless of whether it is used at a controlled entrance vehicle gate, at a late-night entrance to a dormitory or an entrance to a laboratory. Most of these locations will often have a card access system already installed. But the important question to ask here is what will happen if the access card fails to operate at the security point? Thankfully the process is immensely simplified by the creation of security units which integrate card access systems with emergency phones in one security stand.
St. John's University in New York appointed two outside servicing companies to conduct an estimation of its security system preceding the opening of its first residence halls.Surprisingly, the report of both companies suggested the facility set up an emergency phone system all throughout the campus and resident apartment complexes. The school took these recommendations seriously and immediately set up a complete system of emergency telephones which contained emergency phone towers powered by solar energy. They installed the phones throughout all the buildings, parking areas, entry/exit points, garages, and playing fields.
Effects of Regulation

Area-of-rescue systems are mandated for facilities around campuses by The Americans with Disabilities Act. A vital part of the system is an ADA compliant emergency telephone in the selected area-of-rescue site which is usually a preselected stairwell. In many cases, a local command station capable of receiving and dispatching calls from the area-of-rescue stations is set up at or near the building's fire command center. This then enables the systems of automatically transferring calls from the rescue stations via a phone line to 911 or other emergency quarters.
Adding on area-of-rescue system can also deliver other functions within a property. By simply pushing the emergency button on the area-of-rescue station, someone who stumbles and falls down the stairs, can quickly summon prompt medical attention to the site. Furthermore, the emergency unit does not waste time by trying to locate the exact location they automatically identify the location of the alarm and inform the emergency workers to guide them to exactly where they need to be. It can also act as an aid to the alarm system of the building, enabling the user to swiftly get in touch with emergency personnel and sharing with them all the needed information. It's important to collect real-time information while personnel are on their way even thought the fire department must answer every alarm.
Believe it or not, the Elevator Code (ASME A17.1) requirements for emergency announcement had remained unchanged since the 1960s until the year 2002. It basically mandated a method for emergency units outside the danger zone to be able to call the elevator and communicate with the passengers. However, the modernized law enhances the role and requirements for emergency phones in elevators extensively.
For all the safety and security reasons out there, all campuses and education facilities should make a real effort to re-examine all elevator emergency phones to be confident that they are operating as they should be and to be sure that the applicable codes and regulations are accounted for. Installing code-compliant emergency phones will be a lot easier if a campus has already converted its telephone system to VoIP.
Secure Education Sites

In order to strengthen homeland security efforts, some campuses have decided to step up security networks. The government research, conducted by many universities, can increase the chance of that these facilities can become a target for terrorists. The good thing is that all security directors receive periodic bulletins from both the homeland security and FBI. If an assault does occur on a property, gaining control of the area quickly will be amongst the immediate and vital priorities, as well as addressing the needs of the injured and relaying data and announcements to the individuals in the nearby locations. In these decisive and risky situations clear instructional directions must be delivered rapidly to guarantee a quick control of the situation.
Combining emergency telephone towers with wide-area broadcasting will enable emergency personnel to transmit vital information to those individuals in the affected locations.
The emergency information and other instructions can be transmitted either from the tower or remotely. In case of a fire or other dire emergency the systems also can be used to help people leaving a burning building or afflicted sites. Another great technology that can prove to be extremely beneficial in times of disasters is access control devises. Many of these telephone security towers are fashioned to be equipped with incorporated card readers which enables every individual in the facility to whenever they first enter the building. Although a small step, this check in technique will ultimately provide the emergency workers with a speedy count of those employees who may still be inside the afflicted property.
Arranging for the appropriate setup of an emergency telephone protocol has quickly become the main concern for many business and property owners as well as government institutions.