Why Is the City Requiring ERCES Testing of My Commercial Building?
The Origin of ERCES Testing Requirements
ERCES testing did not exist before the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, but as first responders raced to save lives in the aftermath, they faced weak and failed radio communication signals inside the Towers and surrounding buildings that would end up being deadly for many of them. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigated the tragic events and issued a 2005 report with recommendations for improving building codes and fire safety, many of which were incorporated into the 9/11 Commission Report. One such recommendation helped drive the inclusion of modern Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES) requirements in building codes.
The 9/11 tragedy forever changed building codes – and improved the safety of first responders and building occupants by doing so. Subsequent updates made emergency radio coverage testing, or BDA surveys, mandatory and set minimum thresholds for in-building public safety radio frequency coverage. For buildings with signal coverage not meeting these minimums, they require installation of an ERCES – commonly referred to as a BDA system, in reference to the bidirectional amplifier at its core – to boost the building’s signal coverage.
Which Buildings Typically Require BDA Systems?
A professionally performed BDA site survey, or ERCES testing, is the only definitive way to determine whether your commercial property meets the minimum thresholds for radio coverage or requires the signal boosting of a BDA system. However, some modern building materials commonly block communication signals, including steel, concrete, and low-e glass, and underground structures often require signal boosting for adequate coverage. That way, when lives are on the line, first responders have reliable two-way communication in stairwells, parking garages, basements, elevator equipment rooms, and across every floor.
Certificates of Occupancy Require Adequate Radio Coverage – and Sometimes, ERCES Testing
The International Fire Code (IFC Section 510) and NFPA standards now require buildings to prove adequate radio coverage for firefighters, police, and EMS before the local building authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) — typically the city or county building department – issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Therefore, general contractors, commercial building owners, and property managers should test early to avoid costly delays, ensure compliance, and protect occupants.
Building permits include a drawing from the city issuing the permit. Quite often, that drawing will indicate an ERCES survey (BDA survey) is required. It’s imperative to schedule your survey immediately to ensure your building’s regulatory compliance and the safety of your occupants and first responders.
Schedule Your BDA Survey with an Experienced Team
We conduct ERCES surveys with calibrated PCtel SeeGull equipment using the required 20×20 grid method.
- Pass? You’re set.
- Fail? We design and install a BDA system to ensure your commercial building is fully compliant.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact the Prestige Alarm team today to schedule your property’s BDA survey.
