Blocking 911 From Fax Machines...

[isoparts]

Hello All. There was an older post on this, but I have some new questions that it didnt answer:

Currently my fax lines are configured to use the existing pool 70 for outbound calling. We use an access code of 9 for outbound calling so fax numbers come through with 9,,011etc. Sometimes, this errors and calls out to 911...who is a bit upset with us.

So, I want to disable the ability for my fax machines to mistakenly dial 911. I can think of two options:

1) remove the access code 9 from the extensions and make it autopickup a line from teh pool. (although I really dont know how to do this. please feel free to post instructions)
[i would actually like to remove the access code 9 all together and program the phones with a button to auto select a line from the pool... is that a good idea?]

2) i have read that you can disable "allow 11". But how does this affect 911 dialing? can ppl still dial 911 from their phones, or whould they have to dial 9,911?

Anyone have any thoughts on which way is better and possible instructinos on how to do so?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[tdaugirdas]

Take your fax lines out of Pool 70. Create a fax pool - let's say 890 - and put your fax lines in that pool.

Next, assign Pool 890 to each of the fax extentions (menu, system prog, start/exit, extentions, lines/pools, entry mode, 890 enter. A pool 890(I) button will be created on each fax extention.

Lastly, using centralized programming, set autolineselect to choose the pool 890 button first. menu, system program, start/exit, more, centralized programming, program extention, ext# enter, press the 4th button up on your leftmost column - it should display as pool 890(I), press list feature, choose autolineselect, press the button that was pool 890 (I) first, then press enter. Repeat for each fax extention. Remove the "9" from the dialing sequence from each fax machine.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[isoparts]

Tom, you rock! Thanks for the info. I see your name all over the forums and it is appreciated. I will try it this weekend and let you know how it goes.

THanks,

Mike

 

[ttech]

How do the calls get into the Faxes, DID's PRI

If it id DID , PRI call by call, or just outbound fax
All you have to do is assign pool 70 the the fax extension make sure the pool dosen't ring and select the pool button to dial out on.

Goto centralized programming and press the pool 70 button (button 4) and dial *35 for no ring for the pool, Then press the pool 70 button again and press *14 then the pool button and the SA buttons (button 4, 3, 2, then 1 is Fine)

then exit programming.



RECAP:
How the calls come to the extensions stay the same, the pool button is picked up when it goes off hook, and it is programmed not to ring the pool button at the fax

 

[isoparts]

Thanks ttech.

For clarification, my set up is currently as follows:

LDT1 (inbound toll free, outbound LD); TRK 801-824; Pool 890
Local; TRK 825,826,827,828,833; Pool 70
Inbound Fax; TRK 829,830,831,831,834; Pool 891

Outbound faxing and outbound calling follow the ARS tables:
Toll Free, Local out over Pool 70
Long Distance out over Pool 890

If i assign one pool as default pool, will i lose the ARS routing?

 

[tdaugirdas]

Ok - I didn't understand your setup earlier. As I understand it - inbound fax calls come in on Pool 891.

It appears you want outbound fax calls to go out via Pool 70 or Pool 890 - based on route set in ARS local and LD tables. If that is the case - then you cannot get rid of the leading 9 in the dialing sequence for each fax machine.

If you can come up with subset small SINGLE Pool for ALL outbound fax calls - then you can do what I suggested initially. You can still use that small pool in ARS. And, yes, you should make that fax pool "no ring".

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[isoparts]

Thanks for the update Tom. If i program a phone, say 4406D, to have a button to grab an available outside line, and then dial a telephone number, either local (70) or LD (890), will the ARS table still route the call correctly, or when you assign a button to grab next available line, do you have to default it to a pool?

Sorry if it is a redundant question, just trying to understand access codes i guess. For instance, if i dial 9, i get dial tone, then i can dial any number. I guess my real question is, can i set up a button to act like the access code 9? Because if i could, then i could essentially get rid of the access code correct?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[tdaugirdas]

Not sure what you mean by a "button to grab an available line". If you put a pool button on a phone - say either pool 70 or pool 890 on a phone - then pressing that button first to make a call will not require the leading 9 (you will get immediate outside dial tone) - but the call will ONLY go out on an available line in that specific pool - the ARS routing will no longer take place. So - you could make either a local or long distance call - regardless of the ARS routing.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Regarding preventing your Fax Machines from dialing 911.

Set the system to disallow 11 for 911 dialing - your regular users will be forced to dial 9-911 for emergency, but that does eliminate false calls from phone users "fat fingering" a long distance call.

Then make a disallow list with 911 in it, and assign it to the Fax extensions.

Continue dialing 9 and the number from the Faxes so that you can take advantage of the ARS for local and long-distance.