Sending Strong Signals — A Luxury No More
O
ver the years, developers have come to recognize the importance of strong in-building Wi-Fi and cellular data systems to be on par with other critical utilities. It’s no exaggeration to say that a powerful signal is nearly as important to building residents and staff as water and electricity! In fact, we are living at the height of the connectivity-conscious era, with remote workers making reliable and stable communications a primary factor in their move-in decision. But what about situations where a strong signal can mean the literal difference between life and death? In the case of Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems (ERRCS), that is exactly the case. These systems, which use a network of antennas called a Distributed Antenna System (DAS), allow first responders to reliably communicate even in challenging conditions created by modern construction materials (steel, reinforced concrete, low-E glass, etc.). ERRCS was mandated by The National Fire Protection Association in 2007 and is enforced under Section 510 of the California Fire Code and NFPA 1221. The code is determined by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction, but multi-family developers involved with new projects should assume they are required to have an ERRCS installed by a team of FCC licensed radio testers, design engineers, and integrators.
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Apartment News
DAS/ERRCS Explained
A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) consists of a number of antennas located throughout a building connected back to an RF source with cabling designed to help provide adequate radio signals in areas that may otherwise experience poor coverage. In response to the World Trade Center disaster in 2001, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA72) was updated to ensure that wireless coverage in existing buildings, new buildings, and parking structures was drastically improved. The code mandates that public safety radio coverage shall be provided throughout a building with 99% floor area radio coverage in Critical Areas and 90% floor area radio coverage in General Building Areas with a minimum signal strength of -95db. Testing is required by an FCC Certified Technician qualified with a General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL/PG), to certify that all existing buildings conform to this mandate. Buildings and structures that do not pass testing are required to install a DAS/ERRCS system to comply with the Building Department and the local law enforcement agencies. For newly constructed buildings, or buildings under-
www.aaoc.com
January 2022
BY RANDY JARA, REDROCK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
going tenant improvements, a certificate of occupancy won’t be issued until a certified bi-directional amplifier (BDA) and accompanying antenna are installed and tested by an FCC Certified Technician.
Other Signal Enhancements
While not mandated by code, there are other ways to boost cellular and wireless signal strength that compliment overall building connectivity and improve resident satisfaction. Cellular DAS, for example, can significantly boost carrier (e.g., Verizon, Sprint, AT&T) signal strength in your building(s). But how to design the best system can be a challenge with so many passive, active and hybrid DAS options, not to mention the varieties of OEM Strong Signals — continued on page 34
