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Interrelated Components of the NIH Phone System

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) with locations in the Rockville/Bethesda metropolitan area (including the NIH) and several other agencies are being serviced by General Services Administration (GSA) contract (Washington Inter-Agency Telecommunications Service WITS).

The digital switch was installed as part of the local exchange telephone network and is a node on the Public Switched Network (PSN), as well. It also provides access to the General Services Administration's (GSA's) FTS domestic long distance network, the Congressionally-mandated government-wide long distance carrier.


Dialing Plan

The PSC switch utilizes 10-digit intra-switch dialing. For access to external services, the dialing plan includes the following 1-digit access codes:

(0) Serving Attendant (Operators)
(9) Local Exchange, Public Switched Network and FTS access.
(9-911) Montgomery County Emergency Services
(115) NIH Police
(116) NIH Fire

(for dialing details click here)


Feature Access Codes

The NIH Hospital has access codes unique to the hospital (e.g. code blue). Access to the NIH elevator lines and the Police is included on this hospital group. The group number is 03.


Telephone Repair Service

Dial 301-402-9935 for Telephone Repair Service

The Verizon Trouble Report Desk is staffed from 8AM-5PM, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. The trouble reporting number is 301-402-9935 for all NIH users. Out-of-hours emergency requests are forwarded to the Verizon Switching Control Center.

NIH defines three levels of telephone trouble:
Emergency Essential Telephone Troubles are identified as troubles on "essential telephones" (as determined by NIH).

Emergency Service Troubles is defined as when 16 or more telephones or 8 or more critical circuits are involved in trouble at one time, or when circuits serving the Emergency Operating Center or other special circuits (such as alarms or hot lines) are in trouble, or under other circumstances deemed necessary by NIH.

Routine Service Troubles are out-of-service lines or equipment other than as defined in Emergency Essential Telephone Troubles or Emergency Service Troubles.

Repair times are as follows: for Emergency Essential Telephone Troubles, it is from when the technician is dispatched plus one hour; for Emergency Service Troubles, it is from when the technician is dispatched plus two hours; and for Routine Troubles it is from when the technician is dispatched plus three hours.

For additional information:
Call:     
301-496-4357 (301-496-HELP)
E-mail:    helpdesk@nih.gov or Visit NIH Support at:http://support.cit.nih.gov/
E-mail:   Telecommunications Webmaster
TDD/TTY: 1-800-438-8832

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