Battery Backup Notice

Backup Power for Home Phone Services during Power Outages
For many years, your home phone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. However, many of today’s advanced home phone services require backup battery power to continue functioning during an electric outage. To avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage –and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services -- we at 8th Fire Communications (“Company”) offer you the option of purchasing backup power for your home phones.

What Your Battery Can – and Can’t – Do for You
Company’s backup batteries for telephone modems allow you to continue to use your home voice services during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, customers will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain the ability to use your phone is by using some form of backup power. Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a home phone backup battery.

Purchase and Replacement Options
If you are concerned about being able to contact 911 emergency services during a power outage, a backup battery may be a good option for you. The battery offered by Company is approximately one pound, (1lbs.) and is roughly the size of a juice box.

If the company provides the backup batteries
You can purchase a backup battery directly through Company. If you have any questions or simply want to purchase a backup battery through us, please call 715-388-0878 or visit our website at https://8thfirecommunications.com/backupbattery. Our 8-hour backup batteries cost approximately $10 per month and can be shipped directly to your house, or can be picked up in one of our retail locations. If you do not feel comfortable installing your own battery (instructions are provided), please call us to make an appointment, and we would be happy to assist you. However, please note that there may be a charge for the installation service.

Expected Backup Power Duration
Backup batteries are expected to last at least 8 hours on standby power. The backup battery should give you [6 hours] of talk time. If you feel that is not enough time, you may extend your standby power by purchasing a 24-hour battery or additional 8 hour batteries.

Instructions for Proper Care and Use of Your Battery
Battery replacement is the responsibility of the customer. Please follow the more detailed instructions included with your battery for proper use, storage and care of your battery to ensure that it will function as needed during a power outage. If you do not store your battery correctly, it may shorten its useful life. Environmental factors such as temperature can shorten your battery’s useful life. We recommend that you store your battery above 41°F and below 104°F.

These batteries are/not rechargeable. They will not last forever and should be replaced every 1 to 2 years, or when your device starts to make a loud beeping sound. Replacement of the battery is the customer’s expense.

That sound means that the battery is depleted and must be replaced. See the instructions above for purchase and replacement options. You should also periodically, as described in the instructions included