How to Specify KareLink

Contact KareLink to obtain the latest Architect and Engineering Specifications for use in your design and installation planning.

How to Design a KareLink System

Choosing the correct components for your Emergency Call System is critical to ensure its successful implentation, and also ensures that budgetary planning is estimated as close to the actual finished project price as possible. Follow these guidelines for designing your system with KareLink products. First time designers are encouraged to contact KareLink directly for one on one system design assistance. Information included here is not intended as a substitute for good engineering practices.

Back End Design - This is comprised of the computer system, staff communication equipment, building magnetic locks, power supplies, back up power, and wiring.

Computer System - The standard product is a touchscreen desktop monitor, with a low profile PC installed below the desk. Wall flush-mount displays are also available for installations where desktop space is not available. Only one computer system is needed per installation.

Staff Communication Equipment - Radios - Radios are the standard method of communication. A typical installation will require a base station and 6-10 handheld radios. More or less radios can be used, depending on site needs. Backup batteries as well as battery chargers are provided for each radio. Radios can be engraved to meet site requirements. Voice messages will automatically broadcast over radios in the event of an emergency. Radios can also be used at any time for other staff communication.

Staff Communication Equipment - Pagers - Although no longer a standard, pager systems are available, but not recommended, as they are a 1 way communication device and therefore do not promote the level of communication that most facilities require.

Staff Communication Equipment - LCD Annunciator Panels - 4 line LCD panels can be installed throughout a facility to display emergency messages to staff. These are typically installed on separate floors of a multi-story building, or in separate wings of a large complex.

Building Magnetic Locks - Magnetic locks are the preferred way to secure a building. Access can be limited with numeric keypads or proximity cards. A timer may be specified to regulate when doors are locked and unlocked.

Power Supplies - Choosing the proper quantity of power supplies and amount of power each can provide is critical to the performance of an emergency call system. Depending on the options installed on the system, the power needs can change significantly. A typical installation will use 1 power supply for every data line, and 1 data line for every 50 apartments. Most applications are served by 4 or 6 amp power supplies. These guidelines will be good for estimating the power supply requirements.

Backup Power - Backup power is needed for both the back-end and the front-end equipment. For the back-end, a standard UPS with at least 500VA will usually provide enough power for the computer and radio equipment. All other devices are typically powered by the low voltage power supplies, and are grouped together with the front end devices. Backup batteries should be specified for each low voltage power supply.

Wiring - Using KareLink recommended wiring is a critical step to ensuring proper installation and performance of your emergency call system. Sometimes short cuts are taken to save time or cost, and these short cuts eventually end up becoming costly mistakes requiring either rewiring or troubleshooting. All wiring for the computer is provided with the computer. KareLink recommends the use of a 2 pair cable for low voltage wiring requirements. One pair is 18 gauge and the other is 22. The 18 gauge pair is used for the DC voltage and the 22 gauge pair is used for the serial data. KareLink stocks this cable. An alternate is: West Penn Wire # 374. KareLink documentation, wiring diagrams, and wire colors refer to these cables. Additional wiring specification details are provided here.

USB Server - One Serial-USB Server is required for systems with more than 2 data lines, which will be the majority of systems. This device allows input of multiple data lines via serial connections, and will interface with the computer via a USB connection.

Backplane - One backplane is required per system for up to 7 data lines. Additional backplanes are required for larger installations.

Wireless Receiver - For wireless device installations, one wireless receiver is needed for the entire system.

Wireless Repeater - For wireless installations, wireless repeaters are installed throughout a campus or building to ensure adequate signal reception. A minimum of one wireless repeater is needed, and the total amount will depend on many factors such as wall thickness, RF interference, how many floors per building, and distance between buildings. As a general rule, for multi-story buildings plan on 1 repeater per every 2 floors, and for campus facilities, 1 repeater per every 2 acres of property. Your facility may differ substantially from this, and a wireless evaluation will be necessary before a final design is specified, to ensure proper wireless coverage.

Wireless Locator - Wireless repeaters on their own will not broadcast where a wireless pendant is alarming from, only that it is alarming. Locators are added to an installation to help identify a zone that the signal is coming from, using a technology similar to GPS, called triangulation. Locators are typically only specified in campus facilities rather than multi-story buildings, due to the proximity of wall-mounted panels in multi-story buildings. For campus facilities, 1 locator is suggested for every 2 acres of property. To obtain greater amount of precision on where someone is located, more locators will be necessary. Similar to a repeater, every installation will differ, and a wireless evaluation will be necessary before a final design is specified to ensure sufficient coverage.

Front End Design - This is comprised of the components installed in each apartment, as well as some common area devices (pull cords in bathrooms or dining areas, for example).

Master Call Panel (MCP) - MCP's are typically installed 1 per residence. In facilities that utilize semi-private rooms/suites, one MCP will be used per each semi-private room. MCP's can be specified for common hallway bathrooms and dining areas. Single gang and dual gang panels are both available, depending on facility needs.

Nurse Call Module - Where applicable, nurse call modules can be installed in place of replacing existing nurse call front end components, to bridge the connection between the existing front end and the new KareLink back end. Contact KareLink to determine if this option is available for your facility. One nurse call module is needed for each apartment, similar to MCP's.

Call Panel - Only one MCP is installed per apartment, but additional call panels can be added, as required. Many installations will install a MCP in the bathroom and then a call panel near the bed. For larger apartments, call panels can be installed wherever they might be desired.

Bed Cord Wall Plate and Bed Cord - In place of a call panel, often bed cord wall plates with bed cords are used next to a bed. One bed cord and one wall plate is needed per apartment/person. The standard bed cord is 7ft, white, but other lengths and colors are available.

Wireless Pendant - Wireless pendants can be issued to each resident. These pendants communicate with repeaters intstalled throughout the building/facility. They are industrial quality and designed to work in a complete wireless sytem.

Smoke Alarm - Local code often dictates the installation of smoke alarms. As a general rule, one smoke alarm is needed per bedroom.

Wireless Pendants for Wired Systems - This pendant is sold as a pendant/receiver pair, designed for use with otherwise wired systems. Typically, installations using this device will have several, but not all, of their residents that need special equipment temporarily, and a wireless pendant is the easiest solution to implement. The receiver paired with this pendant has a lower range than the fully wireless receivers and repeaters. It is sufficient for use in apartments, but not for a whole building installation. It will require a MCP or Nurse Call Module in the apartment to communicate with the computer.

Wireless Smoke Alarm - Similar to a regular smoke alarm, only wireless. These are for use only in fully wireless installations.

Wireless Call Panel - Similar to a regular Call Panel, only wireless. These are for use only in a fully wireless installation. Fully wireless installations do not need MCP's or Nurse Call Modules.

How to Install a KareLink System

Contact KareLink if you are an installer or have installation questions.