1) The EHRS support
center must have back-up monitoring capacity to take over all monitoring
functions and handle all incoming emergency signals. The back-up monitoring
center must be at a location different from the primary center, on a different
power grid system and on a different telephone trunk line. It must have a
back-up battery and electrical generating capacity, as well as telephone line
monitoring abilities.
2) All EHRS
support center and back-up center equipment, at a minimum, must:
A) monitor the EHRS system for the receipt of
incoming signals from connected base units in participants' homes, including
test transmissions and fault conditions, on a continuous basis;
B) have an audible and visual alarm for the
notification of all incoming signals, including test transmissions and fault
conditions;
C) direct an
appropriate response within a minute of the receipt of a signal as an
operational average without disrupting or terminating the connection to the
base unit in the participant's home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including
interpretation services and communication facilitated by a teletypewriter (TTY)
communication device for the deaf;
D) provide technical support as required, 24
hours a day, 365 days a year;
E)
identify each participant and simultaneously record all communication among the
participant, support center and responder, as applicable, for all signals,
including test transmissions and fault conditions;
F) display, print and archive the participant
identifier, date, time, communication and response period for each incoming
signal, which must be maintained for at least a 3-year period for quality
control and liability purposes;
G)
have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) back-up that will automatically take
over system operation in the event electric power to the support center is
interrupted, other type of malfunction occurs, or repairs are needed. The
back-up power supply must be sufficient to operate the entire system for a
minimum of 12 hours;
H) have
separate and independent primary and back-up receivers, computer servers,
databases, and other components to provide an uninterruptible monitoring system
in the event of equipment malfunction;
I) perform self-diagnostic testing for
malfunctions in equipment in participant homes and at the support center, and
for fault conditions in the primary and back-up operating systems and power
supply at the support center, that could interfere with receiving and
responding to signals, such as non-operational receivers and transmitters,
signals received with no communications, telephone line outages, power loss,
etc.; and
J) maintain appropriate
certification by the Federal Communications Commission under 47 CFR 15 and 47
CFR 68 .