Helping CRE navigate the Public Safety radio dilemma

The Safer Buildings Coalition, a non-profit focused on improving in-building communications to protect lives and safety, will be hosting the Public Safety In-Building Radio Booster System Code Seminar on Tuesday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The seminar will be held at the WeWork Bryant Park office on 54 West 40^th Street in New York.
Safer Buildings executive director and industry expert Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.), CFO, FM, MIFireE will lead the seminar, along with subject experts from the event’s sponsors that include Graybar, RF Industries, ADRF, Notora and RF Solutions.
The interactive seminar is based on model codes regarding in-building pubic safety communications systems. Topics to be covered include the national and local code requirements for Public Safety Radio Communications, New York City and the Auxiliary Radio Communications System (ARCS), New Jersey’s requirements, cellular communications versus public safety communications systems and more.
One of the motivators for the seminar is for attendees to get a better understanding of ARCS, which is unique to New York. Around the country, amplifier systems are installed to help police officers, firefighters and other first responders. In New York however, ARCS has dedicated channels that are used exclusively when there’s an incident and the fire department is on the scene and connects to it. ARCS is required in buildings 75 feet or taller.
“There’s a very small, but highly skilled eco system of contractors that are doing this work in Manhattan and others have been interested in trying to get in and do this kind of work, but it involves specific knowledge,” Safer Buildings Coalition general manager John Foley said. “Also, there are some aspects of the work that require you to be certified or registered with the Fire Department of New York.”
So, attendees from the commercial real estate, commercial insurance and fire alarm industries will meet as Chief Perdue and the coalition’s sponsors collaborate about national and local fire safety requirements. A town hall will cap off the event, where audience members can ask questions about requirements, pricing, how the business is done, etc.
“The Automatic Fire Alarm Association is pumped up,” Foley said. “It’s going to be a packed house, and we’re excited.”
The Safer Buildings Coalition will work with DAS Congress at the organization’s Annual Meeting and Seminars on June 11 and 12 in Las Vegas. To learn more about the conference or other upcoming events, visit the coalition’s event page.
Public Safety Radio Training Flyer – New York City May 15 2018