 ColorBASIC8-bit FunPremium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA
2 edits | reply to Hall
Re: They shouldn't be able to call it "9-1-1" WRONG!
Of course fire sprinker system installers test their systems after installation. Same with alarm monitoring systems. And I run little chance of death if the oil drains out of my car. Maybe a $5000 Haz-Mat fine, but that is why I use a new washer and a torque wrench on my drain plug instead of a calibrated wrist.
Sorry. If Verizon, Vonage, Time Warner, or anyone else that I have shows a pattern of problems with routing 9-1-1 calls to the 9-1-1 call center...it's gonna get a quick test and if it fails they're gone. |
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quatrixPremium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL
kudos:2 | When I test our security system, it sends a test signal to Brinks and waits for a response. That's a lot different than "testing" by intentionally triggering the alarm or pushing one of the emergency buttons and waiting for the police to show up. |
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| A correct way would be to arm the system, trigger all sensors if possible or rotate weekly, wait for the call center to get it and call you, you can put it into test mode so their people know you're testing. This is not a complete test because you're not having the call center call the police but that is different. I haved tested my 911 with sunrocket and vonage a couple time. I recommend everyone does. All operators that I have spoken to understood completely and were very curtious about it. |
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ColorBASIC8-bit FunPremium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA | My alarm has a self diagnostic mode...supposedly. According to my ViaTalk call logs it also dials in every day. I don't know why. Maybe to check line quality. When the alarm company found out that I was using VoIP they said they were going to make some changes, maybe this was one of them. |
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| Still if you're not testing a sensor but an actual trigger then it is not a full test. nextalarm.com monitors over the internet through real polling (every 5 min) so if your line gets cut then you will be notified. I also pay them about $11 a month, interested? |
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ColorBASIC8-bit FunPremium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA | I don't know what else it tests. The only backup it has is cellular backup. It's not connected to my home network or anything. |
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Reviews:
 ·Bright House
| reply to ColorBASIC
I say test it only if you're not resourceful enough to actually have the number that the 911 call goes to. Lets be real folks, whether or not it works, it is more reliable, and a better idea, to just have the direct number stuck to the phone, or programmed to the number 9 key on your phone. Sorry, but the 911 system is so old, and is in major need of upgrade. The reason this can be a "hidden" problem is because of number portability. If someone ported a number to another carrier, and that carrier managed to re-assign it without releasing it back to the original office/carrier, then you can have a problem with the switches records. Since VoIP is not physically terminating to the persons house, you can have a situation where the info never reaches the CAMA trunk to get the correct billing info to the 911 operator. All of "the big boys" in VoIP have had at least 1 issue with it, but even better, the landline providers have had it happen too, so you'd be a fool NOT to keep it posted JUST INCASE.
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