Using an emergency pull cord with a digital warden call system

There is a move to digital era in telecare and warden call alarm systems, but what does that mean for the emergency pull cord, one of the original and most common peripheral devices to be used with an alarm system?

We will explore the purpose of an emergency pull cord, how it operates and whether they are still feasible and relevant as the sector moves to digital. Let’s begin…

What is an emergency pull cord?

An emergency pull cord works in tandem with a warden call or telecare alarm system. It provides a means to activate the alarm system, which enables an emergency call to be placed between the user, onsite staff and often an emergency response centre.

The emergency pull cord is one of multiple peripherals to be used alongside the alarm system, such as an emergency pendant or falls detector.

The pull cord is linked to the alarm system wirelessly via a radio signal, or they can be hardwired. It is attached to the ceiling where a long cord hangs down with one or two handles, often in the shape of a red triangle. These enable the user to easily reach the cord and pull to activate an alarm.

How does an emergency pull cord system work?

When the pull cord handle is tugged it will instantly send a radio signal to the alarm system base unit located nearby, this will activate an alert. The alarm base unit has a built-in sensitive microphone and loudspeaker to enable two-way communication.

Once the radio signal is received, a speech channel on the base unit will open between the property and the responder that has been set to receive the alerts. This is often a property manager or care provider on site, or a specialist emergency careline operator, such as Appello.

The responder will then communicate with the person who pulled the cord via the alarm base unit, establishing any assistance they might need, and if required arranging the appropriate emergency response.

Where can an emergency pull cord system be placed?

Emergency pull cords are designed for use within a supported, specialist or retirement living properties to enable independent living. They are also commonly used to support independence in locations used by people with disabilities, such as disable toilets.

Due to the nature of the environment, bathrooms are common areas whereby a fall, slip or incident may occur, therefore an emergency pull cord is often specified within these locations.

Within a bathroom an emergency pull cord is commonly located between the toilet and shower/bath ensuring greater accessibility if an incident was to occur.

The height of the cord can be defined as part of the installation specification and there can be flexibility within a housing development. However, BS8300:2001 requires that all new disabled WC installations are fitted with an emergency alarm and one cord handle should be set a height between 800 – 1000mm and the other set 100mm above the floor level.

The digital requirements

In about 2012, BT announced their initial plans to implement a digital telecoms network that utilsied the growing broadband infrastructure, and all other telecom providers followed. As a result, this would mean the end for the PSTN network, which is due to be decommissioned in 2025.

This impacts warden call alarm systems which the pull cord is linked to. Alarm systems using analogue protocols designed for the PSTN network are becoming unreliable,  c10% of calls raised with analogue systems now fail due to compatibility issues with the telecoms network.

Therefore, this has marked the start of a new era for these systems, a digital era.

The first digital warden call system in the UK, was installed in June 2016 by Appello. Known as Smart Living Solutions this has grown to become the widest deployed digital iteration with over 25,000 individuals across the UK using the system daily, and over millions of digital calls connecting to monitoring centers.

These systems communicate via the broadband network, and it is recommended they use the ratified digital alarm protocol for hardwired systems in communal housing properties, which is known as NOWIP, whereby IP stands for Internet Protocol.

Are emergency pull cords still appropriate with digital?

As with many industries that have moved to digital, this has brought about a significant change in the possibilities. These systems are no longer limited to just voice calling but can enable an abundance of other features such as video communication, meeting the changing expectations of today’s society.

The number of peripheral devices to activate an alarm is constantly growing, from pendants and fall detectors, to smart home sensors which activate automatically. The pull cord is one of the original peripherals and nearly every warden call or telecare system installed until recent years would have specified the inclusion of a pull cord.

Pull cords have become synonymous with vulnerability over the years. This has led to there being a growing desire for these not to be visible in a home, even to the point which homeowners will cut the cord themselves.

Other peripherals such as pendants are more discreet and have been stylishly revolutionised making them more accessible and appealing to the user.

However, within the living space within a property emergency pull cords are being phased out. They are still appropriate in locations such as bathrooms or communal toilets as these locations are far less visible, so less subject to worries about perception.

On the other hand, there are functional benefits. Due to the usage of these locations, bathrooms are one of the most common places for a fall or incident and unfortunately this is where someone is most likely to remove a worn device, such as a pendant, as they are having a wash. Therefore, an alternative means to raise an alarm, such as an emergency pull cord can still be very appropriate.

Specifying pull cords and other peripherals will be one of many decisions when progressing to digital. When you decide to make the investment, you want to be confident you are making the right decisions and choices. However, the sheer scope of digital can make the practicalities of the transition seem challenging.

Once you have the green light to go ahead with upgrading an emergency pull cord system, it is important to ask the right questions. We recently covered some of the questions you may want to consider in our blog, Transitioning To A Digital Warden Call System.

Conclusion

In summary,  an emergency pull cord is one of a growing number safety and wellbeing accessory that can be linked to an emergency alarm system to assist people to live independently. Although, it’s one of the older types of accessories that could be attached to these systems, even in a digital era the pull cord can have an important role to play in enabling independence and ensuring safety.

If your pull cord is linked to an emergency alarm system that uses analogue protocols, then there is the requirement to upgrade the system to digital to overcome the risks of failed calls.

Learn more about the digital emergency alarm systems such as Smart Living Solutions and SmartConnect.