Emergency Lift Phones are a mandatory safety requirement for all passenger lifts in Australia. They ensure that anyone trapped or experiencing an emergency can reach help immediately.
Pickle provides a fully managed, compliant, and monitored Emergency Lift Phone solution designed for strata buildings, commercial sites, and residential developments.
This article covers how the service works, what’s included, and what makes Pickle different.
What Is an Emergency Lift Phone?
An Emergency Lift Phone is a dedicated communication device installed inside a lift car. When activated, it connects passengers to a 24/7 response centre or designated emergency contact.
These phones are required by Australian Standard AS 1735.19 and must:
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Work during power outages
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Provide clear, reliable audio
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Connect to a monitored response service
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Be tested regularly
How Pickle's Lift Phone Service Works
Pickle delivers three types of lift phone connectivity:
1. VoIP Lift Phone (ATA-Based)
Uses the building’s internet connection and a VoIP ATA device.
Ideal for:
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Buildings with reliable NBN/Fibre
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Sites with controlled communications rooms
2. LTE/4G Lift Phone (Mobile-Failover or Mobile-Primary)
Uses a SIM-based connection independent of the building’s internet.
Ideal for:
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Buildings with no fixed-line internet
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High-reliability requirements
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Remote or rural sites
3. Hybrid Lift Phone (VoIP + LTE Backup)
Primary VoIP with automatic LTE failover.
Ideal for:
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Large strata sites
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Buildings requiring uninterrupted connectivity
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Situations where uptime is critical
Why Buildings Choose Pickle
✔ Compliant with AS 1735.19
✔ Works during power outages (with UPS or onboard lift backup)
✔ Monitored connectivity 24/7
✔ Automatic failover for maximum reliability
✔ Compatible with most lift phone hardware
✔ Local Australian support
✔ Simple installation for lift contractors
What’s Included in the Service
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Pre-configured hardware
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Full installation support
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Primary connectivity (VoIP or LTE)
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Optional LTE failover
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Monitoring & alerts
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Compliance guidance
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Troubleshooting assistance
Who Is Responsible for What?
To help clarify responsibilities, here’s how Emergency Lift Phone duties are shared between parties:
Pickle
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Maintains network connectivity
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Provides and manages VoIP/LTE communication hardware (where applicable)
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Monitors the service and alerts for outages or issues
Lift Contractor
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Installs and maintains the physical lift phone hardware (speech unit, buttons, wiring)
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Ensures lift car equipment meets safety standards
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Performs hardware repairs during lift maintenance
Building Manager / Strata
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Completes mandatory monthly compliance test calls
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Ensures access to power (including UPS where required)
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Keeps compliance records and documentation up to dat
When to Contact Pickle
Contact Pickle if you notice:
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“Lift phone offline” alerts
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Audio cutting out
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Frequent failover activations
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SIM or VoIP registration issues
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Installation concerns