Applies to: Strata Managers, Building Managers, Owners Corporations
Overview
Emergency lift phones are life-safety devices. An installed phone that has never been tested may not be functional — and a non-functional emergency phone creates serious risk for occupants and significant liability for the building.
Regular testing is the only way to confirm an emergency lift phone is working. It also creates a compliance record that protects the building in the event of an incident, a lift inspection, or an insurance review.
Why Testing Is Required
Emergency lift phones must comply with AS 1735. A phone that appears installed and intact may still fail to connect due to a network fault, device issue, wiring deterioration, or a lapsed SIM service. Visual inspection alone cannot confirm the phone is working.
Regular documented testing:
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Confirms the device is operational at the time of the test
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Creates a compliance record that protects the OC in the event of an incident or inspection
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Satisfies insurer and lift inspector requirements — both may request test records, and the absence of records can be treated as a compliance failure
Who Is Responsible for Testing
The Owners Corporation or Building Manager is responsible for testing and documenting emergency lift phone tests.
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Pickle's responsibility covers the telephone line or SIM service up to the Network Boundary Point — not the testing of the physical device
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Lift maintenance companies often include emergency phone testing as part of their scheduled service — confirm with your provider and obtain copies of any records they generate
Even where a lift maintenance company performs periodic checks, the OC retains ultimate responsibility for compliance and recordkeeping.
How Often to Test
Monthly testing is the recommended minimum.
More frequent testing may be required by:
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The building's lift maintenance contract
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The building's insurer
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High-use or high-risk environments (hospitals, aged care, high-occupancy residential)
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A recent fault or service interruption
Annual lift inspections typically include an emergency phone check — but annual testing alone is not sufficient. A fault that develops between inspections may go undetected for months.
How to Conduct a Test
For SIM-based phones, confirm the SIM has active network registration before proceeding (see SIM-Based Phones section below).
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Activate the emergency call button on the device — typically marked with a bell or phone symbol
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Confirm the call connects to the monitoring centre or designated emergency contact within a few seconds
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Speak with the monitoring centre — confirm two-way audio is working clearly in both directions
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Confirm location identification — ask the operator to confirm the building address and lift number on record; incorrect or missing location data is a fault requiring remediation
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End the call and confirm the device resets correctly to its ready state
If all five steps complete successfully — the test is passed. Record the outcome immediately.
What to Document After Every Test
A test record must be completed after every test, passed or failed:
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Date and time of the test
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Name of the person who conducted the test
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Test outcome — passed or failed
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If passed: confirmation two-way audio was clear and location was correctly identified
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If failed: description of what occurred, what fault was observed, and what action was taken
Incomplete records may not satisfy insurer or inspector requirements. Full records are in the building's interest.
What to Do When a Test Fails
Do not return the lift to service until the fault is resolved and a retest is passed.
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Keep the lift out of service
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Identify which side of the Network Boundary Point the fault is on — refer to the Emergency Lift Phone Fault Reporting guide
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Line or network side — log a P1 fault with Pickle immediately:
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Portal — 24/7 (preferred)
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Email — [email protected]
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Phone — 1300 688 588 (business hours)
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After-hours phone available for clients with an extended hours agreement
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Device or wiring side — contact the lift maintenance company or a licensed cabler
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Document every step — who was contacted, when, what was reported, what action was taken
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Retest once resolved — document the outcome before returning the lift to service
Keeping Records
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Maintain a test log — digital or physical — for all emergency phone tests
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Retain records for a minimum of 2 years (longer if required by insurer or state regulation)
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Records must be available to lift inspectors on request
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Include both passed and failed tests — failed tests with documented remediation demonstrate due diligence
SIM-Based Emergency Phones
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Confirm SIM has active network registration before conducting the test call
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If the SIM shows no network registration, contact Pickle before testing — do not attempt the test call until network registration is confirmed
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Once confirmed, proceed with the standard five-step test process above
Key Takeaways
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Monthly testing is the recommended minimum — annual inspections alone are not sufficient
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The OC or Building Manager is responsible for testing and documentation
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Every test — passed or failed — must be fully documented
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A failed test means the lift stays out of service until the fault is resolved and a retest passes
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Records must be retained for a minimum of 2 years and available to inspectors on request
Contact Pickle
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Portal: Pickle Customer Portal — 24/7
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Email: [email protected]
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Phone: 1300 688 588 (business hours)
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After hours: Available for clients with an extended hours agreement
Pickle
Office 12, 7-9 Churchill Ave, Strathfield NSW 2135