You may have heard us talk about the AS 4607 before and thought to yourself: What’s that?
In Australia, the monitored personal alarms industry focuses on the safety and reliability of all devices. For users relying on these devices, it’s crucial that their device meets the highest standard of safety to ensure 24/7 protection and support. The AS 4607 is an Australian Standard that acts as a guideline, focusing on the quality of monitored personal alarms and their communications with call monitoring centres.
We’re here to help you understand AS 4607, and why your chosen device should adhere to these standards.
Understanding AS 4607
AS 4607—1999 outlines the minimum performance, design, and operational requirements for telecommunications-based personal response systems, including monitored personal alarms — devices that connect users to emergency responders in times of need to ensure fast assistance and support.
AS 4607 was established to ensure all personal response systems operate securely, efficiently, and reliably. Manufacturers, service providers, and monitoring centres must all comply with AS 4607 standards and criteria to ensure the ongoing safety of users.
AS 4607 Key Components
There are several key components of the AS 4607 that help maintain the safety of individuals relying on personal response systems.
Technical Performance
AS 4607 outlines the requirements needed for monitored personal alarms to operate reliably. The criteria encompass battery life, system resilience, and signal transmission to reduce the risk of device failure during an emergency.
Responsibilities and Procedure of Response Centre
In order for response centres to assist accordingly, there are strict protocols and procedures in place, as outlined by the AS 4607. These include acceptable response times, communication processes, and escalation procedures. By adhering to the criteria, response centres can ensure users receive effective and timely assistance when it is needed most.
Risk Management Practices
The AS 4607 enforces crucial risk management strategies for providers to ensure operational efficiency in case of network or power failures, as well as to maintain secure data handling.
Installation and Maintenance Procedures
To ensure devices and equipment are set up correctly and to prevent malfunctions, the AS 4607 provides guidelines for manufacturers and suppliers to comply with when installing and maintaining personal alarms.
Record Keeping
AS 4607 requires personal alarm providers to record all alarm events and responses. They must be done so accurately in order to maintain transparency, enable opportunities for service improvements, and provide accountability for disputes or incidents.
Why Is AS 4607 Important?
Adhering to the AS 4607 ensures personal alarm users remain safe and protected at all times. Monitored personal alarms are designed to provide peace of mind for the user, their families, and their friends, knowing help is only ever a button-press away. They provide an added sense of confidence, security, and independence, and so must meet, if not exceed, AS 4607 standards. For manufacturers, complying with AS 4607 demonstrates their commitment to creating high-quality devices and services, and builds trust from users.
AS 4607 also helps organisations meet necessary legal and industry requirements, reducing their risk of facing penalties.
What If My Device Doesn’t Comply With AS 4607?
Having a monitored personal alarm that fails to comply with AS 4607 can have serious implications on your well-being. AS 4607 enforces standards and guidelines to ensure continuous safety of device users, providing them with independence, confidence, and security. A monitored personal alarm that fails to adhere to these guidelines can be unreliable and inefficient, and can increase the risks you face.
An unreliable device could fail during an emergency, resulting in delayed, incorrect or no response from vital emergency responders, and a lack of accountability for service issues. Non-compliant monitored personal alarm providers may also have poor risk management strategies and record keeping, which can leave users vulnerable when issues arise.
Our Commitment to AS 4607
At PERSL, we value our commitment to upholding the highest standards. Not only do our members comply with AS 4607, but we have also proposed our industry guidelines and safety standards to follow. You can view them here.
The AS 4607 is an important benchmark that those in the industry must meet. If you’re considering investing in a monitored personal alarm, it’s vital to choose one that complies with AS 4607. All of our members’ devices exceed AS 4607 expectations, ensuring users are receiving the highest form of care, safety, and security. We focus on providing monitored personal alarms that are reliable and durable, to ensure users always receive assistance in times of emergency.