2009 International Fire Code Addresses Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
July 15th, 2009 Posted in Portable Two Way Radios
Radios today are lifelines for first responders. Buildings without adequate radio coverage can endanger the lives of public safety personnel if they are cut off from communication when responding to an emergency. FCC approved “signal boosters” along with distributed antenna systems allow first responders the ability to safely communicate when in these buildings. Implementing in-building coverage codes using these technologies have been gaining momentum recently with a scattering of municipal ordinances, but for the first time, a nationally recommended standard by the International Fire Chiefs was released that specifically addresses Emergency Responder radio coverage.
510.1 All buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the jurisdiction at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication system.
Approved radio signal strength is defined as:
510.2 The building shall be considered to have acceptable emergency responder radio coverage when … 95 percent of all areas on each floor of the building meet the signal strength requirements of –95dBm receivable in building, and –100dBm when transmitted out of the building.
Day Wireless Systems can help with the entire process of implementing and maintaining in-building signal booster systems including:
J101.3 System Design. The emergency responder radio coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 103.1.1 through 103.1.5 (Amplification systems, secondary power, technical criteria, battery systems, and signal booster requirements)
J103.1.4 Signal Booster Monitoring
Central supervising station to monitor any alarms or malfunctions that are transmitted by the booster.
J103.3.3 Testing and proof of compliance
Annual inspections or field testing for performance.
Day Wireless Systems will be hosting a webinar on September 16 featuring Jack Daniel, one of the most knowledgeable individuals in America on in-building wireless codes. Stay tuned for more details.
Tags: In building wireless codes, International Fire Chiefs, public safety radio, signal boosters
