According to national and state fire and building code, all commercial buildings are required to provide adequate radio coverage for first responders. If building materials, proximity to a tower, or other factors block the signals, the building owner is required to put in a system to boost them so emergency responders can reliably communicate within their building.
This signal boosting system is composed of a donor antenna, a bidirectional amplifier (BDA), a distributed antenna system (DAS) and battery backup.
What is that system called? It’s a little complicated!
Different organizations and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) use different terms to mean the same thing. Here’s a quick guide to terms you may see when researching this topic:
1. Emergency Responder Radio Systems (ERRS)
Integrated Building Systems primarily uses ERRS to discuss the whole process surrounding this system. This includes ERRS testing, to determine signal strength, ERRS design and installation, and annual ERRS inspections.
This version appears in the City of Columbus guidelines in their online document library.
2. Emergency Responder Radio Communication System (ERRCS)
Very similar to ERRS, this version is often used by other implementers. The State of Ohio has also used this version in official documents, such as in this memo.
3. Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES)
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) uses ERCES to describe this system. Check out their website for a good high-level overview of this system and where to find information about it in the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Code.
4. Emergency Repeater Communications Coverage (ERCC / ERCCS)
Bill Ehrgood, Director of ERRS Services at Integrated Building Systems, and former AHJ for Columbus, notes that changes to fire code may bring another acronym for this system: ERCC or ERCCS.
“I’d keep an eye out for this acronym, it’s another term that could be used in the near future. It means the same thing, just emphasizes that the purpose is to ‘repeat’ the radio signal inside a building,” Ehrgood explained.
No matter what you call it, ERRS is essential to public safety. Be aware of what buildings need testing, so you can stay in line with code and keep occupants safe.
If you have questions about ERRS, or want to schedule Director of ERRS Services Bill Ehrgood to educate your team about best practices, email errs@ibswebsite.com.
