Johns Hopkins University Telecommunications repaired four emergency phones earlier this week and replaced another, according to Hopkins Security Lieutenant George Kibler. The phones that needed repairing were an elevator phone in Barton Hall and also the emergency phones located at Maryland Hall, Levering Hall and H-Lot. The Barn phone, located near the Krieger loading dock, at the foot of steps coming from the MSE Library, was replaced.
"All the phones are up and running," said Kibler.
The repairs come soon after Telecommunications responded to problems with both the S-Lot and H-Lot phones earlier this month.
The recently repaired phones suffered from a variety of problems, according to Telecommunications Operations Manager Bob Geldmacher. The Barn phone had enough problems to cause Telecommunications to replace it with a new phone.
"Sometimes, rather than try to determine the problem with the phone, it's easier just to replace it," said Geldmacher.
The Maryland Hall phone was disconnecting when callers attempted to use it.
"We went into the phone and made sure the wires were secure, and that problem got fixed," said Geldmacher.
The siren in the Levering Hall phone failed to go off, prompting repairs. Telecommunications changed a setting in a software program to repair the Barton Hall elevator phone.
While the H-Lot phone is up and running, it still suffers from a feedback problem - the same problem the phone had earlier this month. When callers use the phone, a sporadic feedback malfunction sometimes prevents the caller from hearing Security at the other end. Security can still hear everything the caller says and has practiced a policy of responding immediately to the scene, since the caller may not be able to hear their transmissions through the phone. Telecommunications added padding to the phone to try to reduce the feedback.
"The H-Lot phone has been in trouble a number of times," said Geldmacher. "We put padding in to reduce the feedback. The problem comes and goes. We didn't have any problems [Monday], but the problem still exists. I've had this problem with the phone myself."
The original source of the phone's problems was a severed underground cable. Geldmacher confirmed that wires were accidentally cut by construction workers over the summer during campus renovations.
"During the summer, a number of phones were taken out and replaced with new phones," said Geldmacher. "There were three or four times where cables were cut."
Geldmacher said that the H-Lot phone would be replaced as soon as possible.
"We'll replace [the H-Lot phone] as soon as the phone comes in from the manufacturer," said Geldmacher.
Geldmacher could not pinpoint a cause for all the phones malfunctioning, but said the thunderstorm last Sunday night could have been a factor. "We left with a clean slate before Thanksgiving break," Geldmacher said "We got a note from Security Monday morning notifying us that all these phones were having problems."
Security's Nov. 19 Daily Incident Report also indicated that the Mattin Center emergency phone did not call Security. Telecommunications checked the phone on Monday and found no problems.
Telecommunications gets the phones from Communication Equipment and Engineering Inc. (CEECO). The company is located in Plantation, Fla. and provides phones similar to the University's emergency phones all across the country.
When asked if Telecommunications was considering getting phones from another manufacturer, Geldmacher said, "We're always looking for alternatives for very good products. CEECO provides phones like these [emergency phones] all over the country and we've purchased a number of their products. You have to deal with elements like rain and lightening strikes. We've taken steps to protect them."
Indeed, the phones have rechargeable batteries that can give power for up to two days should a power failure occur.
Geldmacher said that Telecommunications will continue to respond quickly to phones that need repairs.
"Fixing the phones is our number one priority right now," said Geldmacher. "Because it affects so many people, it's at the top of our list.
