Emergency responders require reliable radio communications in order to do their job. However, construction materials in some buildings will reduce or eliminate these signals, preventing adequate communications within the building.
The solution to this problem is an emergency responder communications enhancement system (ERCES). An ERCES amplifies and distributes radio signals within a building, eliminating communications dead zones that could delay or prevent its ability to respond to critical situations.
ERCES systems utilize an external (donor) antenna to receive signals from the radio tower, distribute them throughout the building using coax cable, and deliver them to the interior of the building using indoor antennas. A bidirectional amplifier (BDA) amplifies signals from the radio tower as well as the indoor antennas to bring everything up to a usable level.
Code Requirements
Building codes, such as the IBC, determine a building’s fire alarm requirement based on the classification and characteristics of a building. In terms of the building codes, not all buildings will require a fire alarm system.
However, building codes do require that first responders be able to use radios in all buildings. If this coverage cannot be provided, then an ERCES system is required. Typically, high-rise buildings and very large buildings will require an ERCES system to meet the coverage requirements. If an ERCES system is required, then codes such as the IFC (International Fire Code) and NFPA 1225 determine installation and performance requirements.
Revenue Opportunities
ERCES systems provide excellent revenue opportunities, even in applications where an ERCES system is not required. Site surveys determine signal strength and are an important factor in determining if an ERCES system is required.
Proper design is critical to minimizing costs and maximizing system efficiency. ERCES design requires specialized software to generate RF heat maps to estimate signal strength and determine optimum antenna locations.
Buildings that require an ERCES system based on the pre-construction site survey will typically have the system pre-wired. The coax cable will need to be installed according to the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and NFPA 1225.
ERCES system devices are installed after completion of the building, with system commissioning and complete system testing performed at this time.
Required Knowledge
Most fire alarm contractors are familiar with the concepts of antennas, coax, and amplifiers through work on fire alarm systems. Pulling cables and understanding code requirements are an integral part of our daily work. However, most fire alarm contractors lack a critical piece of knowledge that is extremely important when it comes to ERCES systems: knowledge of radio principles and requirements.
Radio is as different from a fire alarm as sprinkler systems. Fire alarm systems operate on principles of electricity and electronics, such as voltage, current, and resistance. Sprinkler systems operate on principles of water hydraulics, such as pressure and flow. While many fire alarm technicians are knowledgeable in the testing of sprinkler systems, the concepts that go into proper design and installation are foreign to most. Just like an improperly designed or installed fire alarm system will not perform its intended function, an improperly designed or installed sprinkler system will fail to perform its intended function as well.
The difference is that an improperly designed or installed fire alarm system only impacts the occupants of the building in which the system is installed. Any failure of this system reduces the life safety of the building but does not necessarily impede emergency services.
An improperly designed and installed ERCES system can impact the ability of emergency services to communicate for miles around a building, and potentially even cripple communications for an entire municipality. Such an event could even result in significant fines and prison time for the offending party.
Gaining Knowledge
As with learning any new field of knowledge, it is best to start with the basics. Much of the required knowledge for ERCES systems involves an understanding of radio frequency (RF) communications. A basic understanding of RF involves a familiar team for fire alarm technicians, including the decibel (dB), which measures gain or loss in RF power. However, dB math with RF is a bit more complex than calculating audible coverage for a fire alarm system.
An excellent resource for gaining knowledge on ERCES systems is the ERCES Handbook, published by the Safer Buildings Coalition, available at ERCESHandbook.com. The ERCES Handbook covers basic design and installation concepts through system commissioning. The ERCES Handbook also covers code requirements and FCC regulations.
For classroom learning, check out our ERCES Workshop. This three-day course includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience with ERCES equipment, taught by Mike Brownson, a contributing writer of the ERCES Handbook, with over 50 years of RF experience.
Many ERCES equipment manufacturers offer training specific to their equipment. Manufacturer training will help the installer familiarize themselves with the specifics of the installation and programming of their equipment. Manufacturer training is particularly important for BDA equipment, since proper programming of the equipment is required for the best performance in installation. Some companies offer this training in a convenient, self-paced online format. Westell BDA Certification Training is available now through the NTC website.
NICET Certification is a common requirement for fire alarm systems technicians. NICET also offers a certification in the ERCES system, IB-PSC (In-Building Public Safety Communication) Certification, with certifications at Levels I, II, III, and Design. Similar to NICET’s other certifications, achieving NICET IB-PSC Certification requires passing exams and documenting work experience. To assist with this process, NTC has introduced the Grey Book, NICET IB-PSC Study Guide. The Grey Book includes information about the NICET Certification process, as well as practice questions to help prepare for the NICET IB-PSC exam.
