In case of an emergency, first responders rely on a building’s public safety DAS system to communicate and effectively minimize the loss of life and property.
Public safety DAS systems have become so imperative, there are now laws that require it. It is equally as important to keep your DAS system up to date.
Here’s Why You Should Update Your Public Safety DAS:
The first reason to update your public safety DAS system is to maintain compliance with the various building safety codes, including the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association.
These codes are continually updated as technology rapidly advances. So if a building’s DAS system is not up to date and the deadline for codes’ compliance arrives, the owner can lose certificate of occupancy. If this happens, you or your tenants may not be able to legally occupy the building, resulting in loss of business.
Secondly, there’s a big safety hazard in not updating a building’s public safety DAS system according to the latest codes. The first responders will expect the system’s settings to meet the criteria and frequencies they’re using to effectively communicate during an event of a disaster. If your building’s system is not up to date, it can hinder the communication between first responders, leading to complications during their operations.
These are the main reasons why we are constantly reminding businesses that they need to test their buildings to make sure they are in compliance.
Here Are Some Current NFPA 72 Public Safety DAS Codes:
The National Fire Protection Association has published NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code) that every building owner needs to comply with. Here are the latest ones:
- Code 24.5.2.2.1: Very critical and sensitive areas such as elevator lobbies, exit passageways, fire pump rooms, exit stairs, sprinkler sectional valve areas, standpipe cabinets, fire command center(s) and other parts of a building named critical by the jurisdictional authority shall have 99% floor coverage for radio.
- Code 24.5.2.3.1: At least -95dB of inbound signal strength or any other signal required by the jurisdictional authority shall be provided throughout the area of coverage.
- Code 24.5.2.3.1: At least -95dB of outbound signal strength at donor site or any other signal required by the jurisdictional authority shall be provided throughout the area of coverage.
- Code 24.5.2.2.3: Building and structures unable to support the required coverage level should be provided with radiating cable system or a DAS with signal booster certified by FCC, or a combination of both, or a system that’s otherwise approved to achieve required coverage.
Understanding all of the relevant codes can be a challenge, and these codes change almost every year.
To assure your building remains in compliance, you need to work with a public safety DAS expert. We at TELECO can help you with that; call us now to set up a schedule.
