Section 510 in 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 editions dictate that all new and existing buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders. Approval is based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems utilized by the jurisdiction and measured at the exterior of the building.  At a minimum a -95 dBm signal strength received in 95 percent of all non-critical areas on each floor of the building.

NFPA 1221 Section 9.6 (2016 edition) and NFPA 72 Section 24.5.2 (2013, 2010 edition) dictates that radio coverage shall be provided with 90% floor area in general building areas and 99% floor area in critical areas. Critical areas include command centers, fire pump rooms, exit stairs and passageways, elevator lobbies, sprinkler section valves, and other areas required by an AHJ. For signal strength or quality of audio delivered, NFPA 1221 2016 Edition requires the system to provide a Minimum Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ 3.0) and NFPA 72 requires minimum inbound and outbound signal strength of -95 dBm. NFPA requires the system must be capable of all radio system frequencies assigned by AHJ.

A: Shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST), with support and funding from the U.S. Congress through FEMA, conducted a building and fire safety investigation. NIST’s World Trade Center report (http://wtc.nist.gov/), provides a summary of their findings and recommendations. Among their recommendations, Recommendation 22 provided the impetus for updates to the Codes.

The adoption of the International Fire Code (IFC), Section 510, requiring in-building coverage for public safety radio communication systems has caused some confusion and surprised some building owners and developers as most were unaware of this requirement. IFC 510, specifies that “All new 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”.  At a minimum a -95 dBm signal strength received in 95 percent of all non-critical areas on each floor of the building.

By adopting this requirement, public safety-first responders will have more effective and reliable in-building radio communications.

A: Most new commercial buildings in Papillion, Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding cities (and many other municipalities) are subject to the IFC 510 building code and are required to be tested by qualified personnel. In most cases, a “Letter of Certification” must be submitted to the local fire officials before they will issue a “Certificate of Occupancy”.  Typically, AHJ’s where the building is being constructed or pre-existing buildings where they deem “need to be tested” will be contacted by the AHJ letting them know that the building will need to be tested.

A: Trained and certified FCC technicians utilize specialized equipment to measure the transmitted Public Safety Radio System signal levels that are penetrating from outside the building, as well as, the Emergency Responder radio signal levels transmitting back to the Public Safety Radio System tower site, from inside the building. Per IFC 510, two-way radio coverage must be a minimum of 95% on each floor of the building. If the building passes, a letter is issued to certify IFC 510 compliance. If the building fails, it is the responsibility of the building owner to have an “Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System” (ERRCS) installed and maintained to provide the required radio coverage per IFC 510.