General Guidelines for the Deployment of In-Building Radio Coverage Solutions

FL

This document is a guideline for contractors to use and understand the process for radio inspections, plan reviews, and radio systems deployment. When starting any project in Miami-Dade County (MDC), it is recommended to email [email protected] to find out if any changes have been made.

SCOPE: Applicability of the Illinois State-Adopted Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) Effective Nov 13, 2019.

List of Codes Used? Throughout the State of Illinois by City or County

NV

On January 22, 2019 the Board of Clark County Commissioners approved an Ordinance which adopted the 2018 International Fire Code with local amendments for Clark County and adopting a new fee schedule.  The new code is effective as of February 6, 2019. 

SCOPE: Clark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention requirements for the submittal and design of an emergency responder radio coverage system.

The purpose of this regulation is to establish a consistent standard for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of Emergency Responder Radio Communications Systems (ERRCS).

The following information can be provided to building owners for planning purposes. The City of Oxnard radio communications system is a County-wide, simulcast system that operates in the analog mode. Primary transmitter locations can be obtained upon request.

L.A. County Regulation

The policy outlines guidelines for emergency responder radio coverage systems in Los Angeles County, covering their design, installation, operation, and maintenance. It also addresses the Department's procedures for evaluating the need for these systems, as well as the subsequent plan review, inspection, and permitting processes.

L.A. ICI System Model Regulation

The purpose of the LA ICI System Model Regulation is to establish a consistent standard for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of Emergency Responder Radio Communications Systems (ERRCS).

* Local Government Code, Chapters 233, 352 & 353

TX

Sep 5, 2018

https://www.mckinneytexas.org/documentcenter/view/17102

MCKINNEY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE McKinney Fire Department • Fire Marshal’s Office Radio BDA Requirements 2200 Taylor Burk • McKinney, TX 75071 Page 1 of 3 EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO BDA COVERAGE SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE

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CODES AND REGULATORY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

UL’s Codes and Regulatory Services Department staff provides installation code support unmatched among other certification organizations. Many of our Codes and Regulatory Services staff members are former code authorities, so we are familiar with installation code requirements. We also understand concerns that code authorities have with the applications for which products are certified.

Codes and Regulatory Services staff interacts with code authorities at local, regional and national levels, and often participate in their association meetings and conferences. We are also active in North American code development, and are very familiar with current code development issues. Look for us at these events and make a point to stop by and say hello.

CONTACT US

If you are a code authority and have questions our Codes and Regulatory Services staff is available to respond to your questions about UL certifications and services. Whether the issue relates to products regulated by electrical, fire, building or other codes, sustainability, and/or product safety, contact us and we will get you an answer.
Contact information.

• Building Official Contacts
• City & County Building Official List
• Permit Requirements by Jurisdiction
• Alliance Platinum Permitting Concierges

FL

Broward County FL Code Appeals

The Board of Rules & Appeals first met on January 10, 1971. On March 9, 1976, the voters of Broward County recognized the need for a single autonomous agency to write, modify, and interpret a uniform body of building codes applicable throughout the County. The County Charter was amended, as proposed by the Charter Review Commission, to establish the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals as an arm of county government.

KY

The Northern Kentucky Regional Radio System is a 700/800mhz digital trunked P25 Phase 2 system. The system is operated by the NKY Regional Radio System board and is managed by a radio system manager. The system is also comprised of an analog VHF system for the purpose of alerting agencies via legacy VHF systems such as pagers and “House Alarm Systems”.

NC

Henderson County Fire Marshal's Office

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems. Technical Criteria for Designers and Installers of In-Building Radio Coverage Systems.

An Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERRCS) is required in accordance with the direction set forth by the Philadelphia Fire Department and Department of Licenses and Inspections in Code Bulletin F-1602.

SC

Guide to Palmetto 800: South Carolina’s Public-Private Statewide Communications Network Partnership.
The Statewide Trunked 800 MHz radio and mobile data system (known as the Palmetto 800 MHz Radio System) contract is administered by the South Carolina Department of Administration's Division of Technology Operations (DTO).
By the South Carolina Department of Administration

SC

The use of public safety signal boosters is a growing consideration for fire marshals and building codes officials across South Carolina. Signal boosters are also referred to as a Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) systems.

SC

The ability for all first responders to communicate during an emergency is critical. The Charleston Fire and Police Departments, in addition to Charleston County EMS, utilize the South Carolina Palmetto 800 Radio Network. Building location, construction type, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Designs (LEED), or adjacent buildings may adversely impact or interrupt radio coverage within a building, quickly jeopardizing the safety of responders.

MD

Anne Arundel County, Maryland has adopted NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code,2013 Edition (NFPA72-2013) as its Fire Alarm Code and the International Building Code, 2015 Version (IBC 2015) as its Building Code. NFPA72-2013 Chapter 24 includes requirements for “Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems” and the IBC 2015 section 915 provides Emergency Responder Radio Coverage requirements.

In-Building Radio Enhancement
Systems for Public Safety

Keywords: Bi-directional amplifiers; building attenuation; distributed antenna system; inbuilding radio enhancement system; land mobile radio; link budget; public safety radio; radio-wave propagation

CO

Feb 1 2018 - This Policy 510-1 provides additional code for the 2016 Denver Amendments to the 2015 International Fire Code and Denver Fire Department requirements where emergency responder public safety communication systems are installed. Application is subject to the discretion of the Fire Code Official.

WA

Emergency Responder/ Public Safety Radio Enhancement Systems
Updated July 2017

WA

Fire/life safety systems are required to be inspected and tested in accordance with standards on Public Information Handout F-50. Records of all system inspections, testing and maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained on the premises for a minimum of three years and are to be made available for review by the fire code official upon request.

WI

Division 28 - Electronic Safety and Security - Master Specifications/Design Guidelines
These master specifications/design guidelines are intended for use by consultants to the State of Wisconsin and by others for construction and remodeling of State owned facilities. The State of Wisconsin bears no liability nor responsibility for any other use of these specifications.

MA

Public Safety ERRCS Requirements
Updated August 2019

The provisions of this chapter shall specify where fire protection and life safety systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation and operation of fire protection systems.

Guidelines and Specifications For In-Building Emergency Communications Systems. Applicable Codes and Standards: VSFPC - Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (2015), VCC – Virginia Construction Code (2015), NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2013).

Full list of all Building Code Officials in the state of Virginia.

WA

Permit Application and PERMIT CONDITIONS - Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System Requirements

EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE GUIDELINE
Effective Date: January 2014

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE
Technical Advisory
Date: June 14, 2017
Advisory: No.17-01
Subject: Emergency Responder Radio Coverage.

PROPOSAL TO THE CITY
OF COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA
For Coconut Creek High School

EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE SYSTEM
STANDARD

DTECH Radio Communications Division
Emergency Responder Radio Communications

Sacramento Regional Radio Communications System
Approved 3rd Party Vender list

EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE SYSTEM

1. 5 stories above grade
2. >= 50,000 sq ft.
3. Total basement area >= 10,000 sq ft.
4. Occupied floors >30 feet below lowest level of discharge

Improving In-building Radio Communications
for First Responders

White Paper: Improving In-building Radio Communications
for First Responders - July 2018

Table of Contents

• Preface.
• Executive Summary 3
• Discussion
• Policy for the Use of 700 Mhz Spectrum for Public Safety Applications
• Challenges With Emergency Radio Signal Coverage Inside New or Large Dense Buildings
• Achieving Acceptable Radio Coverage Inside Buildings
• Additional Comments Regarding BBD vs Vehicle Repeaters
• Existing Bylaws: Case Study, History and Purpose
• Work Flow for Municipalities to Facilitate BDA Installation
• General Physical Requirements for a BDA System
• Installation, Testing and Final Permitting
• Conclusion
• Author Biographical Information
• Appendix A – Sample Bylaw
• Appendix B – Description Of BDA/DAS Components

EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE HANDOUT - With Frequency Bands

Bi-Directional
Amplification (BDA) Systems

BDA - Implementation Guidelines & Support

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Communications and Technology Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Countywide Coordinated Communications System (CCCS) 800MHz Simulcast P-25 trunked radio system. As the license custodian, the department issues authorization for all radio transmitters communicating through this system in accordance with FCC regulation CFR 47 Part 90. This includes all In-Building Emergency Responder Radio Communications Systems (e.g. ERRCS, ERCES or BDA systems).

EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE
Scope
Provide two-way Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) in new buildings and in high rise major renovations to enable communication between emergency responders at the exterior perimeter of the building and emergency responders within the building. All areas of the building shall have code compliant radio coverage. New buildings which will achieve radio coverage without amplification are exempt.

constructed buildings have approved levels of emergency radio signal strength per OFC 510.2 (relative to existing
levels of public radio coverage available at the exterior). Where the design of the building reduces the level of
coverage inside of the building below minimum performance levels, a distributed antenna system, signal booster, or
other method approved by TVF&R and Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency shall be provided.
See Appendix F for further information and detail. (OFC 510)

locations:
1. Any building with one or more basement or below grade building levels.
2. Any underground building.
3. Any building more than five stories in height.
4. Any building 50,000 square feet (4645 m2
) in size or larger.
5. Any building that, through performance testing, does not meet the requirement of Section 510.

This document describes the requirements and specifications for the installation of
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Distributed Antenna Systems.

• Rebroadcast Agreement
• DAS Design Approval Guide
• DAS Activation Plan
• DAS Validation Checklist
• Frequencies and Donor Sites

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide the guidelines and requirements to the building permit applicant for compliance with the requirements in Section 510 of the 2013 California Fire Code (CFC), Section 510 and Section 915 of the California Building Code (CBC) for emergency responder radio coverage.

Public Safety Radio System Coverage
Buildings within the City of Irvine are subject to Public Safety Radio System Coverage requirements of Chapter 6 of Division 9 of Title 5 of the Irvine Municipal Code, this document may accessed online (link is external). The purpose of these requirements is to ensure effective 800 mHz radio coverage for emergency responders within the City of Irvine’s built environment. New construction is generally subject to these requirements. Structures three stories or less without subterranean areas, and residential structures up to four stories, of wood frame construction and without subterranean areas, however, are exempt.

The Westminster Fire Department requires permits and plan submittals for new construction, significant building alterations, tenant finishes, fire suppression/sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, hood systems, and other large projects that affect public safety from fire or hazardous materials. Permits are also required for special events such as block parties, carnivals, or the use of individual tents and/or canopies with sides exceeding 400 square feet. Individual tents and/or an aggregate of tents not exceeding 700 square feet without sides do not require a permit.

Emergency Communications Systems Record of Completion

This form is a supplement to the System Record of Completion. It includes systems and components specific to emergency communications systems. This form is to be completed by the system installation contractor at the time of system acceptance and approval. It shall be permitted to modify this form as needed to provide a more complete and/or clear record. Insert N/A in all unused lines.

Systems

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
In-Building Radio Signal Amplification System Standard

2-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems, sometimes referred to as BDAs (Bi-Directional Amplification) require a Fire Alarm Permit as well as an Electrical Permit from DPS prior to installation work beginning on the system. One year after the final DPS approval of the system, a Fire Code Compliance Permit is automatically issued.

This regulation amends Executive Regulation 19-13 and adopts and modifies certain standards published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) involved with the installation, testing and maintenance of certain fire protection systems as required by the Montgomery County Building Code, the Montgomery County Fire Safety Code, and the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code.

Berks County adopted Ordinance 01-2020 to regulate the installation of bi-directional signal boosters that enhance emergency radio coverage, though installation is not mandatory. Property owners must follow county procedures and submit required documentation when planning a booster. The county’s public safety radio system, designed by Motorola, includes 27 sites and advanced infrastructure providing 95% countywide coverage with multiple interoperability and backup systems.

The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety does not test or certify BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier) systems since each municipality has its own codes and ordinances. Therefore, you should work with your township or borough fire marshal or code enforcement office to complete testing and certification.

HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT Standards And Codes Reference Page

U.S. Fire Administration
Voice Radio
Communications Guide
for the Fire Service

The fire service operates in unique and
challenging environments. The fire service
recognizes the significance and importance of
radio communications. The radio is the lifeline
for firefighters in trouble. Use of the mayday term
signifies the importance of the radio by using an
internationally recognized term when in distress

Houston Amendments to
the 2012 International
Fire Code - See section 510 as in IFC

Hernando County
Frequencies and tower sites after P25 upgrade
700Mhz P25 Phase 2 Linear simulcast systems
2025

City of Tampa
Compliant Public Safety In-Building Two-Way
Radio Communications
Enhancement System Requirements
April 2, 2018

Public Safety Radio - Signal Boosters

As per FCC report and order released on February 20, 2013: “non-licensees who seek to operate signal boosters must obtain the consent of the licensee[s] whose signals they intend to amplify”.

For those property owners who needs to determine if a Public Safety Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) is needed, please contact us at: [email protected]

The Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) will not allow the issuance of temporary or permanent Certificates of Occupancy
for any building permitted after June 1, 2017, due to the requirements of IFC 510, Emergency Responder Radio
Coverage (ERRC), not being met. Any emergency responder radio coverage required by IFC 510 must be
installed, tested, and operational prior to the issuance of a Fire Safety Codes release or Certificate of Occupancy.
Building owners and designers must take the necessary steps for the testing, design, and installation of any
required emergency responder radio system prior to the issuance of a temporary or permanent Certificate of
Occupancy.

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System Coverage System
Issue Date: October 21, 2014

The Hoboken Fire Department's BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier) radio programming consists of two radios with specific frequency channels for communication.

New Rochelle, NY - Required Emergency Communications Systems

This chapter establishes minimum required levels of performance, reliability, and quality of instillation for emergency communications systems but does not establish the only methods by which they are achieved.

This document clarifies NYC Fire Department’s criteria to determine when the installation an Auxiliary Radio Communication System (ARCS) is not required.

This advisory is to provide information regarding the requirements for testing, and if needed, the installation of equipment to ensure adequate coverage of emergency responder radios pursuant to Section 510 of the 2015 edition of the International Fire Code and Section 7.13 of the New York State, Department of State Division of Codes and Standards 2017 Uniform Code Supplement.

Letter to Building Owners requiring ERRCS testing by Jan 1 2019, and in-building coverage by July 2020

Explanatory Policy – Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

Phoenix AZ ERRCS Requirements and Fire Code Reference Page

SUBJECT: Two-Way Radio Communication Enhanced Public Safety Signal Booster Systems. Re-Adopted : January1, 2018
______________________________________________________________
At its regular meeting of October 12, 2017, the Board of Rules and Appeals approved an interpretation of Chapter 1, Section 118, titled Two-Way Radio Communication Enhanced Public Safety Signal Booster Systems, as follows: Plans shall be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer. The engineer of record shall be responsible for the system. The engineer of record shall specify the brand and the model number of the bi-directional amplifier (BDA), the antenna and
the component parts. It is recognized that presently there is no listing approval for BDA systems by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. This Formal Interpretation shall remain in effect until six (6) months after the UL sets this listing approval
Adopted Date: October 12, 2017
Effective Date: October 13, 2017
Re-Adopted : January1, 2018

B-03 Testing of In-Building Auxiliary Radio Communication Systems
About - The B-03 Certificate of Fitness is required to test the Fire Department Auxiliary Radio Communication (ARC) System. This Certificate of Fitness is valid only for the specific person to who it is issued and can be used anywhere within New York City.

Includes:

• B-03 Study Materials (PDF)

Qualified applicants should review the B-03 Alternative Issuance Procedure Information and must submit all required qualification documents in Section 2 of B-03 AIP Information via mail.

Additional Information
Persons engaged in the testing of the Fire Department Auxiliary Radio Communication (ARC) Systems must work for an (ARC) Systems Approved Company.

• NYC Fire Code (PDF)
• NYC Fire Rules (PDF)

Additional Resources

• ARC System Visual and Functional Testing Procedures (PDF)
• ARC System Testing Form (PDF)
• Application for Auxiliary Radio Communication System Company Certificate (PDF)
• B-03 Application Form (PDF)
• Employee Affirmation Form (PDF)

Link Created Jan 2019 - Miami City Directory

IWCE’s Urgent Communications is the technology source for the communications technology industry, delivering real-world, practical information needed by dealers, private radio and wireless systems operators and large volume commercial, industrial and public safety communications end-users.

FL

Broward County FL Code Appeals

The Board of Rules & Appeals first met on January 10, 1971. On March 9, 1976, the voters of Broward County recognized the need for a single autonomous agency to write, modify, and interpret a uniform body of building codes applicable throughout the County. The County Charter was amended, as proposed by the Charter Review Commission, to establish the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals as an arm of county government.

OH Retreansmission Authorization

State of Ohio MARCS Program Office Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) Policy

This policy outlines requirements and procedures to be followed to install and use a BDA to amplify frequencies used on the State of Ohio MARCS system. It refers to FCC rules, and the Ohio Fire Code. Any customer or vendor installing a BDA on the MARCS system should also refer to the FCC rules, Fire Codes, and local building codes to ensure compliance.

Asbestos.com

Firefighters face uniquely extreme asbestos exposure risks, and as a result, they suffer an elevated rate of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Many organizations support firefighters with occupational cancer and work to prevent toxic exposure in the future.
View the Firefighters and Asbestos Exposure Guide

2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, SECTION 510

This policy shall apply to all buildings in the City of Long Beach, excepted as those noted below. The California Fire Code (CFC), Section 510 requires that all buildings be provided with radio enhancement systems designed to provide radio coverage in all areas of buildings where signal strength does not meet the minimum criteria due to building construction and/or location.

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER

CHAPTER 120-3-3

STATE MINIMUM FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS

Section: 120-3-3-.04 (176) Adoption of NFPA 1225 2022 Edition