Most of us learn from a fairly young age that, in the instance of a true emergency, there is a simple step we can take to seek help: Just pick up a phone and dial 911.
Actually, it may not be quite as simple as that. For example, did you know that there are laws regulating your workplace phone and communication systems, ensuring that any and all employees can access 911 quickly and straightforwardly?
It’s important to know not just what these regulations entail, but also what steps your company can take to maintain compliance.
What the Law Says
There are two FCC provisions that bear mentioning here.
Kari’s Law
According to Kari’s Law, multi-line phone systems are required to directly dial into 911 centers, without the need to enter a prefix number to get an outside line.
Ray Baum’s Act
Section 506 of Ray Baum’s Act requires that multi-line phone systems provide information such as street address and room number, adequately identifying the location of the calling party. Additionally, this law stipulates that an emergency notification be sent to any relevant on-site personnel.
The Risks of Non-Compliance
You might wonder: What are the risks associated with non-compliance, whether to Kari’s Law or to Section 506 of Ray Baum’s Act?
Failing to comply with either of these regulations may result in some stiff penalties, including:
- Daily fines for every day that you’re non-compliant with FCC guidelines.
- Legal fines that can top out at $10,000, with other potential penalties added on.
- Significant legal hassle and headache for your business as you try to sort out these compliance issues.
How to Ensure Compliance
The bottom line for businesses is that maintaining FCC compliance with your multi-use phone system can spare you from a lot of costly legal penalties… and on top of that, it’s simply the right thing to do so that the people who work in your facility can access life-saving care in the event of a true emergency.
At TelWare, our e911 communication portal is designed specifically to keep your business compliant with these FCC guidelines, and to make emergency care as accessible as can be for the employees and/or customers in your building. We’d love to tell you more about e911, and to let you know how it can solve some of the most common FCC compliance conundrums. Reach out to schedule a consultation with TelWare.
To learn more about staying current with current FCC regulations, contact TelWare at 1.800.637.3148 or email us at sales@telware.com. TelWare is a national leader in the installation of voice, video, data, and unified communications solutions.