sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging does fire code typically require RJ31x for alarm line?

I have a customer that manages a shopping center they are asking me to check out the phone lines as the alarm company is reporting no dial tone on one line .

these two lines only go to the alarm they arent used for anything else

so do I need for them to be 31x or can I just use a 8 conductor jack ?

I was there about a month ago for the same problem and it was the Rj31X the alarm company installed . I replced it but Im betting its the same problem on the jack I didnt replace

this is in a enclosure behind the buldings so Im thinking of using the corasion restant jacks

If there are dedicated lines for alarm use (big waste of money in my opinion), then yes, you can terminate them on a standard 8-position jack.

The jacks you install this way will actually be RJ61X with one line wired, not an RJ31X. Don't tell them that, you will just be met with arguments.

You can get Suttle's "Corro-Shield" jacks for this purpose. Let me know if you have any trouble locating them; I think we stock them.

thanks ED

I called graybar and I guess they dont handle suttle anymore .

I need to call the customer and see what they want to do .

if they want to go with corro-sheild I'll get with you

as to the lines the fire alarm is for the whole strip center the landlord dosn't have a office there so since the alarm and lines are their responsiblity there is no other use for them .(its common around here for this type of setup)

Why can't you use the existing cable going to the fire alarm panel and install the jacks inside or near the panel?

There is no actual code that I know of that requires a jack at all.
At 1 time the Lec use to require an RJ31X and it had to be accessible by the Lec.
In most of the Chicago suburbs on Fire you need 2 lines, primary has to be dedicated and secondary can use the out side for voice. A lot of these towns and cities still require a direct connect for fire and more and more are going to radio.
As for burg. most don't care what you do as far as reporting.
MrG

I dont want to go directly to the panel , there is a company that mantains that their just not going to deal with the jacks apperantly as they are reporting no DT but last time DT was there the jack had just crapped out

I find a range here as to what the alarm co consider to be their responsiblity. some take it fom the dmark some insist that dialtone be availilbe at the rj31x .

I plan to use existing cable , my question really is do I need to use a rj31x since the line isnt going back out or if I could use any 8 conductor jack .

graybar dosn't stock rj31x the local alrm supply house sells really cheapo china made ones

I would be more comfortable using a quality jack and since its semi-exposed in SW fl I think some corrosian protec

Then I would do as Ed recommended.
Find a Suttle STAR 558-52 and a STAR 600A-RC.
This will give you a 110 type Corro-shield
jack with a buscuit style surface mount encloser.
If your having trouble finding them call:
Silmar Electronics, they are down in Miami, 1-800-325-9708, you could probably have it by UPS ground in a day. www.silmarelectronics.com
MrG

OK :thumb: