E911 for the IP-Powered PBX Planning for Success

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E911 for the IP-Powered PBXPlanning for Success
Safety

• Gregory Giagnocavo, CEO
• Dash911

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Overview

• Various types PBX
• Effect of type IP connectivity
• PBX readiness
• PBX capability
• E911 types and how to obtain

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When do you Need E911?

• Some confusion on the rules
• Exemptions?
• Basically If it looks like a phonemust act like
  a phone
• Unnecessary risk w/o E911
• Easy to get E911
• Small cost to solve a large risk
• Legally required
• Required if phone can be nomadic
• And Customers want it and WILL pay
• a no brainer decision

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Types of PBX

• E911 you need may depend on PBX type
• Hosted PBX Centrix-type
• Only the phones are at the location
• E911 available on a per-phone basis
• On-premise PBX
• IP trunking, trunk-back for termination
• PSTN failover?
• How many FXO? May be a factor in E911
• One DID for all phones?
• Or, Each phone has own DID?

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Keeping it Legal E911

• Types of Businesses required to have E911
• All businesses must have E911
• Perhaps (maybe) not each phone, with separate
  address, but each phones must be able to dial out
  to 911
• Nomadic or fixed E911?
• 19 states, many municipalities, have laws
• Exemption (possible)
• Educational institutions
• Healthcare institutions
• Non-profits
• Not because deserve less but budget pressures
• Only exemptions by decree
• Usually only exempt for a time, to comply

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Two Parts of E911

• Two Main Aspects of E911 for VoIP
• Provisioning
• Provide subscriber/user info in v911 database
• Not like the traditional ALI database new
  system for VoIP
• Must be sure that the address is correct and
  respected
• Must be able to update address M/A/C can
  trigger, too
• Routing
• If dial digits 9-1-1, the PBX must route that
  call to E911 provider
• Send the call, with the ANI of the users
  individual phone
• Required a DID for each phone
• Call-back number is then assured
• Call routing must be setup and tested by E911
  provider
• E911 provider is responsible to route the call
• Routes to proper PSAP based on registered address

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Sources of E911 DIDs

• The DID might be provisioned with E911 by carrier
• Most likely by a DID vendor or VSP with
  softswitch
• Includes routing for E911 calls even if VSP
  doesnt offer E911
• Must provide address info and verify that the
  address is accepted
• May/should have end-user interface for updates
• Cost of E911 is included in DID price
• Adds 2.00 to cost of DID on ad-hoc basis
• Benefits
• Instant E911 with that DID
• No implementation fee Low cost
• Ad hoc use as and when needed. Flexibility to
  add anytime.
• As-and-when DID approach may work best in
  low-density installs
• Most likely can use DIDs from several vendors if
  supported by DID vendor/VSP
• VSPs switch doesnt need to be implemented for
  E911 for all DIDs
• continued

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Sources of E911 DIDs

• If VSP is not providing E911 on all phones (not a
  good idea)
• Attention must be paid to which phones have
  the E911 DIDs.
• Effects dial plan risk of mis-provisioning
• Risk of employee confusion could use
  non-provisioned phone to dial 911
• The phone with the E911 DID can be nomadic if
  desired (or locked down)
• Excellent for those phones that do get moved
  around by end-users
• All phones without separate DID should at least
  be able to dial 911 and outpulse the PBX or other
  DID number which IS provisioned to same address.
  May not give the call-back number of the actual
  caller.
• Distinction on included E911
• Level 3, XO, Gx E911 is only local. Same for
  DIDs via PRI
• NOT nomadic cant use except that network at
  that address
• If use these, must lock phones to that PBX
• Inexpensive way to get E911- traditional, but
  only local not nomadic
• May not be available on all products LI vs ELS?
• You provide the address to them initially,
  doesnt change

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Sources of E911 VSP Switch

• The VSP switch providing the VoIP Service
• Contracts with an E911 provider
• Implementation is at VSP switch can be a 2,000
  to 10,000 cost
• DIDs for the business customer come through that
  switch
• E911 is provided via that switch on those DIDs
• E911 can be added to any DID, regardless of
  carrier
• Address provisioning - important
• Low volume per week VSP provisions addresses
• API available to make it seamless for customer
• Customer logs on to branded web page to
  self-provision
• Combination VSP does initial load, Customer
  does M/A/C and updates
• Can individual phone user provision his address?
• If not, then phones must be locked to that
  location
• Benefits
• Instant E911 on any phone, just assign a DID
• Each E911 phone has own call-back number
• No implementation fee for the end-customer -
  done at VSP switch

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What Determines E911Density

• General Rule of Size of Space
• 7,000 sf per provisioned address
• Common sense applies practical
• Ambulance, Fire, Police can respond?
• Depends on layout of offices
• Separate offices? Cubicles?
• May depend on number of persons
• Call center?
• Not a firm, hard rule, but generally accepted
• Strategy be aware of local regulations quiz
  your customer and take initiative to plan

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What Determines E911 Density

• General Rule of Size of Space, contd
• Many use one POTS line as failover/E911
• Local E911 is included on POTS line
• May cover required space
• Doesnt provide for any nomadic use
• Only one call-back number per address/line
• Must lock phones to that on-premise PBX, gateway
• Can use several POTS lines as failover/E911
• Cover separate areas, one per line
• Important to make sure different address record
  for each line
• Consider cost of extra POTS for E911
• Additional hardware cost
• Total POTs line cost for second or third lines
  for E911
• Can cost as much, and not give nomadic
• Use of phone must be locked to this location if
  POTS for E911
• Strategy be aware of local regulations compare
  cost

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What Determines E911 Density

• General Rule of Size of Space, contd
• If 7,000 sq ft or less you have options
• POTS for E911, as discussed
• Small of employees
• POTS will work, failover line is there anyway
• But not nomadic lt- sacrifice that feature
• In addition to POTs, use v911
• v911 is VoIP 911, or nomadic E911
• Simple to assign a DID with E911
• Global Crossing, Level 3 has on some products
• Buy DIDs that come with E911
• All phones, or some of the phones? - 110?
• Phones with E911 DIDs can be legally nomadic

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What Determines E911 Density

• General Rule of Size of Space 40,000 sq ft
• Some areas use the 40,000 sq ft space rule
• One distinct address for 40,000 sq ft of office
• Has many caveats
• Must have distinct address
• For each floor
• For each separate area
• When logic dictates for safety
• May have on-site 24 x 7 dispatcher only with
  approval
• Each phone user must be given instructions
• POTs lines probably impractical except for
  E911-failover
• Any E911 is better than nothing if network fails
• Consider E911 on each phone
• Simple to assign a DID with E911
• Simplifies M/A/C
• All phones are then nomadic reduce risk
• Buy DIDs that come with E911if you dont want
  on every phone
• Lock phones to network if not nomadic solution

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Keeping it Legal E911

• General Rule - of People
• Might track the square foot rule
• That is, require the same number of E911 phones
• Common sense needed
• One E911 capable phone per 10?
• Proximity, accessibility?
• Reality check
• Locations of employees?
• Can ambulance, police, fire respond?
• Strategy quiz your customer
• Save your customer from himself
• Customers will pay for E911

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Special Installs MLTS

• MLTS Operators use of Attendant-Notification
• Attendant handles 911 calls
• Gathers info
• Dials 911 which is routed to Attendant on duty
• Attendant dials 911 and stay on the line to help
• Used by
• hotels/motels
• hospitals and educational campuses
• any businesses or commercial building
• Over 40,000 sq. ft
• Which has a full-time attendant
• Requires permission from local safety authorities
• Strategy get to know the rules on this in your
  area

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Special Installs MLTS

• MLTS Operators use 9-1-1 Call Redirection
• 9-1-1 calls are directed to a Private 9-1-1
  Answering Point (some areas have)
• Emergency operator gathers info and dials
  appropriate agency
• Stays on the line to help direct responders
• This method is sometimes used
• When switch cant out pulse extension number no
  address
• Campus environments with multiple buildings
• Government offices
• Military bases
• Prisons
• Requires approval from safety authorities
• Not legally nomadic phones must be locked

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Provisioning Addresses

• If done direct with local PSAP, may be laws
• For larger installations
• Where local PRI is used
• Some PSAPs require specific info
• If more than 7,000 sq ft
• If more than 50 employees
• Regulations vary
• best to check, reduce risk to you the
  provider/installer

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Provisioning Addresses

• If done direct with local PSAP-
• Address submission, as part of address, may
  require
• Distinct Location Identification or DLI
• An additional location identification that
  provides specific identification of a building,
  complex or campus. A DLI could include a floor
  number, wing name/number and building name/number
  for every 40,000 square feet of workspace.
• Separate POTs line per DLI area may work
• - No mobility, not nomadic lock the phones to
  the network
• Depending on layout, may require many
• For single tenant per 40,000 sq ft
• Augment POTS E911 with E911 DIDs

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Provisioning Addresses

• If done direct with local PSAP
• You will need to format address correctly
• May be non-obvious address format
• MSAG address may be required
• Call the PSAP and inquire
• Pay particular attention to oddities
• Hard-to-find locations in a building
• Odd office or building layouts
• This effort will reduce risk and liability for
  everyone
• Strategy provisioning addresses is probably
  customers responsibility, but the PBX installer
  will be blamed if there is a problem in an
  emergency.

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Provisioning Addresses

• PSAP uses MSAG
• MSAG Master Street Address Guide
• Computerized geographical file consisting of all
  streets and address data within the 9-1-1 system
  area.
• Key to the selective routing capability of 9-1-1
  systems.
• MSAG database matches an originating caller to a
  specific answering point (PSAP) based on the
  address data.
• Note
• - not all addresses will automatically be
  MSAG-valid
• - this is an issue with provisioning, in
  general
• - many commercial addresses will have civic and
  colloquial
• - must assure that the address is accepted by
  PSAP

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Hosted PBX E911 problem solved

• Hosted PBX all in one solution including E911
• No PBX on-premise
• Hosted service, hosted features
• E911 is via Hosted Providers switch
• Hosted Provider implements E911 once
• Hosted PBX Providers
• Implement direct with E911 provider recommended
• Can buy DIDs ad hoc with E911
• Can buy a mix of PRI or carrier-with-local-E911
• Only to provide non-nomadic solution locked to
  location
• Should buy DIDs with nomadic E911
• (in most cases)

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IP-PBX E911

• Strategy for E911 success
• Easiest and safest way to solve
• the E911 issue is to put E911 on all phones.
• Reduces risk. Enjoy nomadic use easy address
  updates.
• Thank you for your Attention
• Gregory Giagnocavo, CEO
• Dash911.com
• Resources
• Standards and lots of info www.Nena.org
• Great E911 Webinars www.nena.org/pages/ContentLis
  t.asp?CTID49
• Facts and Info www.911dispatch.com/info/fact_figu
  res.html and www.911dispatch.com
• www.911etc.com