Replacing the phone lines on a fire alarm communicator is the most regulated part of a POTS migration. Get any item below wrong and you will fail an inspection, lose insurance coverage, or — worst case — have an undetected silent fault. Use this checklist on every site.
Before installation
- Confirm the panel manufacturer and DACT (digital alarm communicator transmitter) model.
- Verify the replacement device is UL 864 / NFPA 72 listed for fire-alarm signaling line use.
- Confirm dual-path is required by AHJ or insurer (often yes for hospitals, schools, high-rises).
- Notify the central station of the planned change and schedule the test window.
- Pull permits if your jurisdiction requires them for communication-path changes.
During installation
- Mount the device near the fire panel, in the same conditioned space.
- Connect to the panel's primary and (if dual-path) secondary telco terminals using the supplied cordage.
- Land the device on emergency power if available, or confirm 24h+ battery + grid power.
- Verify cellular signal strength on both SIMs before closing the enclosure.
Acceptance testing
- Place the panel into test mode with the central station.
- Send a test signal on the primary path; confirm receipt at the monitoring center within 90 seconds.
- Disconnect primary; send a test on the secondary path; confirm failover and receipt.
- Verify a line-fault / supervisory signal generates correctly when the device is disconnected.
- Restore normal mode and obtain a written acceptance from the central station.
Documentation
- Update the fire alarm record-of-completion to reflect the new communication method.
- File the new account number / phone number with the AHJ if required.
- Provide the property owner with a one-page "what changed" letter for the building file.
Recurring
- Confirm the device is reporting daily test signals to the central station.
- Verify firmware is current at each annual inspection.
- Replace battery every 3–5 years per manufacturer spec.
For deeper context on the regulatory backdrop, see NFPA 72 and fire panels after copper and the fire alarm use case.
Request a fire-alarm POTS replacement quote — we ship listed devices pre-provisioned and include a remote-assist acceptance test with every install.