Building owners: Did you know that it’s your responsibility to make sure first responder radios work in your facility? Learn requirements for first responder radio coverage in these frequently asked questions.

What is an Emergency Responder Radio System (ERRS)?

Emergency services personnel such as police, fire, emergency medical, homeland security, and disaster response agencies communicate with a wireless public safety system. But many times the hand-held radios used with this system do not work properly due to a variety of environmental factors, including the building’s construction materials or sightline to a radio tower.

Following the tragic events of 9/11, national, state, and local fire codes were revised to ensure that first responders would have access to reliable radio communications.

Fire code and Ohio building code now require building owners to provide first responder radio coverage in their facility, by means of a supplemental Emergency Responder Radio System (ERRS) if needed.

An ERRS is an enhanced public-safety radio system that operates much like a cell phone. It allows important information such as the first responder’s physical condition and location to be transmitted back to a management location to help coordinate the emergency response.

To work properly, the ERRS radio signals must penetrate all areas of a building, including spaces that are especially difficult for radio frequency (RF) to penetrate such as stairwells, basements, rooms with low-E glass windows, and thick-walled or shielded areas.

In these hard-to-reach areas, a distributed antenna system (DAS) must be installed to allow that communication to work. The components of an ERRS DAS include a bi-directional amplifier (BDA), donor antenna, and in-building antennas.

Other names for ERRS include:

ERRCS—Emergency Responder Radio Communication System
IBERES—In-Building Emergency Responder Radio Enhancement System
ERCES—Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement System
DAS for Public Safety (DAS = Distributed Antenna System)

What types of buildings are affected?

National, state, and local fire codes as well as Ohio building code require all new commercial buildings in Ohio to provide adequate indoor radio coverage for first responders, including:

High-rise commercial buildings
Multi-use properties
Senior living facilities
Performance halls
Schools
Factories
Warehouses

When should a building be tested?

With new construction, an accurate ERRS test can be completed only after the building’s core and shell are complete and all final windows and doors are installed.

As a building ages, its footprint is likely to change due to tenant improvements, remodels, and additions. All of these activities—especially those that create a major “change of use”—can affect the radio signal available within the building. The local AHJ may require retesting under such conditions.

How is an ERRS test conducted?

Professional-grade RF spectrum analyzers are used to measure signal strength throughout the building, following a code-specified grid pattern. Test results are compiled into a report to be submitted to the building owner and the local authority having jurisdiction (typically the fire department) for its review.

The local AHJ makes the determination of whether the test results indicate the need for an ERRS.

What if a building fails the radio-frequency test?

Failing the ERRS radio-frequency test means that the building must be equipped with a DAS with an appropriate battery back-up system. The certificate of occupancy may not be issued if the building fails this test.

ERRS DAS designs must be submitted to and approved by the fire department or local building department, which will then issue a construction permit. After the system is installed, the vendor will be required to have the building retested and submit the compiled results to the fire department, which will conduct a final inspection and sign-off.

“Since 2015, Integrated Building Systems has installed ERRS solutions in buildings throughout Central Ohio, including:

AEP
Battelle Memorial Institute
Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, Ohio State University
First & Main of New Albany
Heartland Bank
Library Park
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Brunner Building
The Buggyworks
White Castle
”

what if a building passes the test?

Again, the local AHJ reviews ERRS test results and determines whether there is sufficient coverage or not. If the AHJ approves and signs off on the results of the test, no additional action is needed.

What does ERRS testing and DAS cost?

As every building is different in its layout, structure, and functionality, the cost to test for ERRS signals will vary. For budgeting purposes, plan for testing costs of $250 to $1,500 for buildings of 5,000 to 150,000 square feet.

Costs for ERRS DAS design and installation depend on many variables, including the size of the building, how many areas need signal boosting, the number of antennas needed, access to pathways, and cabling infrastructure.

For budgeting purposes, plan for $.75 to $2.00 per square foot for an ERRS system, depending on the size of the building. The design and permit package will typically be $1,000 to $1,750.

Should an ERRS be included as part of the overall building design?

An ERRS DAS should be included as a budget item for any new construction or major renovation project in order to prioritize spending and ensure this requirement can be met, if needed.

Design-stage plans for the overall technology infrastructure can address:

Infrastructure pathway and connectivity
Location of a rated room for equipment
Potential antenna locations

However, only test results conducted after the core and shell are completed will give a definitive answer as to whether an ERRS DAS system is actually needed. It may not be needed at all, or may be needed only in specific areas.

Does my building need to be retested?

Yes, the ERRS coverage must be retested annually, just like a fire alarm system, sprinkler system, or emergency lighting systems. Specific guidelines can vary by jurisdiction.

Buildings may also need to be retested if the local authorities change their radio frequencies or if they have updated from an analog to a digital based system.

Other construction or environmental issues may create the need for retesting. For example, your building’s ERRS may come into question if a tall building is constructed that blocks your building’s connection to a radio tower. Facility upgrades like new windows with low-E glass may inhibit radio signals.

Regardless of whether an ERRS system is installed, every 5 years the AHJ requires a full retest of the building to make sure coverage is still adequate.

Do you need ERRS testing at your facility?

Integrated Building Systems will help you meet every fire and building code requirement for an emergency responder radio system:

Initial testing when the core and shell are finished
System design
Installation
Final testing before certificate of occupancy can be issued
Annual inspections

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FAQs: Fire code and Emergency Responder Radio Systems [2021 UPDATE]