For the last 20 years, Gabe’s Construction has provided commercial real estate owners with numerous services for wireless and fiber systems. The company also lends its expertise in the data collection, engineering, construction and commissioning for public safety wireless systems that support first responders.
“Supporting the wireless communication for first responders has become vitally important and a hot topic with real estate owners, building management firms and the first responder community,” Gabe’s Director of Business Development Keith Rhotehamel said. “The foundation for the discussion is the safety of the community, patrons, employees and first responders at a given location and the ability of emergency responders to communicate within a whole building during an emergency event. Most multi-floor or large buildings will require some level of public safety wireless enhancement to ensure emergency responders have seamless radio communication in all areas of the building, including stairwells, elevators, maintenance areas, and back of house areas during a crisis event.”
Most cities and counties in the US have authorized ordinances and codes making in-building coverage for first responders mandatory. These ordinances and codes depending on the municipality closely follow or have adopted the language set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requirements and International Fire Code (IFC). Local codes are crucial as there are no consolidated standards or codes at the federal level, meaning that the proper local authority directs which codes and standards you must meet. Several jurisdictions demand that public safety network coverage verification be performed to gain or preserve occupancy permits. These regulations command that buildings must meet a minimum level of first responder communication accuracy and coverage as a condition for occupancy. It is the burden of the building owner or management firm to test their building and, if needed, institute and deploy a system, make sure it is up to code and meet the requirements of the local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
RF grid testing and measurement collection can determine if a building has the appropriate coverage to support Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERRCS) requirements. Testing can be performed on existing structures and new buildings. The timing recommendation for RF gird testing performance on new construction is prior to substantial completion of the building, and it is a good idea to engage a certified professional engineering and systems integrator early in the building planning phase prior to construction. The grid test should be performed in accordance to the NFPA and IFC codes as well as based on the AHJ’s requirements. A minimum of 20 approximately equal grids per floor are required and data must be collected at a specified location per grid. The floor must have a passing signal level in 95% of the grids tested.
Depending on the technology deployed for the ERRCS, signal- to-noise-plus-interference ratio (SINR) may also be collected. A passing SINR must be recorded in each bin and is based on the equivalent delivered audio quality (DAQ) score of 3.0 or better. Critical areas must also be considered in the grid test process. Critical areas must have a passing signal level in 99% of the areas tested,” Gabe’s Director of Public Safety and In-Building Solutions Scott Clay said.
“Understanding what kind of public safety coverage your building or campus requires to meet local Jurisdictional, National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requirements and International Fire Code (IFC) can seem daunting.”
If an Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERRCS) is required due to failing signal coverage based on the grid testing and data collection, diverse system solutions can be considered based on budget and coverage needs to provide the right public safety system for your building(s). These systems should be designed by certified design engineers and are required to follow FCC rules governing repeater-based systems. Once the design is completed, the installation of the system occurs. The systems must be installed based on the NFPA and IFC codes for fire ratings and back up requirements as well as approval from the AHJ. The system must then be commissioned by engineers who have been certified on the specific equipment that has been installed. Once the system is operational, a grid test must again be performed to ensure the building passes the requirements set forth in the NFPA and IFC codes. Retesting of the building must be performed on a scheduled basis to ensure that the system continues to perform at a level that is acceptable to the AHJ.
Understanding what kind of public safety coverage your building or campus requires to meet local Jurisdictional, National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requirements and International Fire Code (IFC) can seem daunting. Gabe’s can help you and your team through the process of understanding where you stand with indoor coverage for public safety and if needed help navigate the standards and codes, work with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), engineer, construct and maintain the system. Please see our ad on page 59 for contact information.
