Communication Enhancement Systems
Chief Facility Defense’s (CFD) Emergency Response Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) provide protection to limited or low reception areas of your building
Chief Facility Defense’s (CFD) Emergency Response Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) provide protection to limited or low reception areas of your building
Communication enhancement systems are systems that are utilized in buildings with limited and low reception of cellular and radio frequencies throughout the building, including areas that are tougher to penetrate due to location in the building or types of building materials used during construction.
These systems can be referenced as ERCES, DAS, PS-DAS, PS-LTE, or BDA systems. These systems utilize donor antennas, head end units, amplifiers, repeaters, and coaxial cabling to provide extension coverage for cellular, radio frequency, or both throughout all areas of the building.
ERCES systems are typically tied into the FACP as a point on the system for monitoring purposes and require 12 hour battery back up or tie in to emergency back up generator all dependent upon the AHJ requirements.
Cellular enhancement systems unless the system is for PS-LTE, are typically less regulated and are more for “quality of life” improvement for occupants of the building to increase cellular reception throughout the building.
Communication enhancement systems such as ERCES improve radio communication for first responders in buildings, further allowing the mitigation of emergency situations and safety for first responders and building occupants.
Communication enhancement systems for cellular purposes increase cellular reception for building occupants; and as AHJ’s continue the push towards cellular radio communications in their jurisdictions, PS-LTE systems will become more prevalent and required.
ERCES systems are required by code under the NFPA and IFC and are enforced by AHJ’s! As of January of 2023 AHJ’s are considering the implementation of ERCES systems in new and existing construction, as well as the annual inspection of existing systems to be a “hot item” and topic of concern and priority in their jurisdictions.
ERCES Code Requirements
Fire code, life safety for public and first responders – FL statewide today
Fire alarm and signaling code
Standard for public safety telecommunications personnel professional qualifications
Survivability & standard for the installation maintenance and use of emergency responder systems
Standard for emergency services communications (1221 & 1061)
Critical areas, including fire command centers, fire pump rooms, exit stairs, exit passageways, elevators, elevator lobbies, standpipe cabinets, sprinkler sectional valve locations, and other areas deemed critical by the AHJ, shall be provided with 99 percent floor area radio coverage.
18.8.4 General building areas shall be provided with 95 percent floor area radio coverage.
18.8.5 buildings and structures that cannot support the required level of radio coverage shall be equipped with a system that includes rf-emitting devices that are certified by the radio licensing authority to achieve the required adequate radio coverage.
In all new and existing buildings, minimum radio signal strength for emergency services department communications shall be maintained at a level determined by the local fire chief and/or fire code officials responsible for providing fire or other emergency response to the building.
In-building emergency responder communication enhancement systems shall comply with the design, installation, testing, inspection, and maintenance requirements in chapter 18 of NFPA 1225 as adopted in the rules and regulations of the safety fire commissioner chapter 120-3-3.
CFD has FCC licensed and ADRF certified technicians that can complete a building assessment utilizing PCTEL technology and grid mapping to determine areas of your building lacking adequate coverage as determined by code and the AHJ. This information is integrated into your building plans and a report is generated identifying target areas of inadequate coverage.
Once the report is completed, our CFD IB Wave Engineer can design a communication enhancement system that fits the needs for coverage for your building and offer a proposal for the installation and implementation of the system in your building.
CFD can complete the MANDATORY annual inspections of your newly installed or existing system.
Give us a call or contact us to find out more on how we can assist your company with all your facility maintenance services.
CHIEF FACILITY DEFENSE
Atlanta
4330 South Lee Street
Building 100B
Buford, GA 30518
(404) 994 – 4887
CHIEF FACILITY DEFENSE
Nashville
474 Woodycrest Avenue
Nashville, Tn 37210
Phone: (615) 624 – 4500