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Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Understanding the History and Enforcement of In-

Building Emergency Responder Radio

Enhancement Systems

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Thank you for joining us for today’s webinar!

We will be issuing CEUs for those that would like them. They are free for AFAA members and $50 for non-members. If you’re unsure whether you’re a member or not, please contact us!

Please visit our website, www.afaa.org, and look under the webinar tab for the CEU request form.

Contact alex@afaa.org with any questions

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In-Building Radio Enhancement Systems• Segment 1 – History and requirements in

codes and standards• Rodger Reiswig

• Segment 2 – Overview of Technologies• Alan Perdue

• Segment 3 – The AHJ Perspective• Lynn Nielson

• Segment 4 – Q&A and a RoundTable Panel Discussion

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Automatic Fire Alarm Association

History and requirements in codes and standards• IFC – International Fire Code

• NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

• NFPA 1221 – Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems

• UL 2524 – In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

2009 IFC – SECTION 510 EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE

• BOCA National Building Code – 1993 Edition – Section 403.0

• 2009 IFC – 510.1 Emergency responder radio coverage in buildings.

• All 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. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication systems.

• Exceptions: 1. Where approved by the building official and the fire code official, a wired communication system in accordance with Section 907.2.13.2 shall be permitted to be installed or maintained in lieu of an approved radio coverage system.

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

IFC, 2009 Appendix J

• Appendix J Emergency Responder Radio Coverage.

• This new IFC Appendix provides design, installation, testing and maintenance requirements for the emergency responder communications facilities where required by new IFC Section 510. Included are requirements for system performance, primary and secondary power supplies, signal boosters, radio frequencies, installer qualifications, acceptance testing and system maintenance. Note that the provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.

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IFC 2012 and Forward

• Moved from Appendix to Body

• 907.2.13.2 Fire department communication system.

• Where a wired communication system is approved in lieu of an emergency responder radio coverage system in accordance with Section 510 of the International Fire Code, the wired fire department communication system shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 72

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

2012 IBC & IFC

• SECTION 915 EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE

• IBC 915.1 General. Emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided in all new buildings in accordance with Section 510 of the IFC, International Fire Code.

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NFPA 72, 2007

• 6.10.2* Two-Way In-Building Radio Communications Enhancement Systems.

• 6.10.2.1 Installation of two-way in-building radio communications enhancement systems shall be permitted.

• 6.10.2.2 Two-way in-building radio communications enhancement systems shall be permitted to be monitored by the building fire alarm system.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2* Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems.

• 24.5.2.1 General.• 24.5.2.1.1 Non-Interference.

• 24.5.2.1.2 Approval and Permit.

• 24.5.2.2 Radio Coverage.

• 24.5.2.2.1 Critical Areas.

• 24.5.2.2.2 General Building Areas.

• 24.5.2.2.3 Amplification Components.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2.3 Signal Strength.• 24.5.2.3.1 Inbound.

• 24.5.2.3.2 Outbound.

• 24.5.2.3.3 Isolation.

• 24.5.2.4* System Radio Frequencies.

• 24.5.2.4.1 List of Assigned Frequencies.

• 24.5.2.4.2* Frequency Changes.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2.4* System Radio Frequencies.• 24.5.2.4.1 List of Assigned Frequencies.

• 24.5.2.4.2* Frequency Changes.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2.5 System Components.• 24.5.2.5.1 Component Approval.

• 24.5.2.5.2 Component Enclosures.

• 24.5.2.5.3 External Filters.

• 24.5.2.5.4 Signal Booster Components.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2.6 System Monitoring.

• 24.5.2.6.1 Fire Alarm System.

• 24.5.2.6.2* Dedicated Panel.

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NFPA 72, 2010 & 2013

• 24.5.2.7 Technical Criteria.• Documentation

• 24.5.2.8 Inspection and Testing.• Chapter 14 Requirements

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NFPA 72, 2016

• 24.9 Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems.

• 24.9.1 General.

• 24.9.1.1 Non-Interference.

• 24.9.1.2 Approval and Permit.

• 24.9.2 Installation and Design. All in-building two-way radio communications enhancement systems shall be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 1221

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NFPA 1221, 2016

• Origin and Development

• The 2016 edition of NFPA 1221 includes requirements regarding two-way radio communications enhancement systems and

• pathway survivability from NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, that the committees of both standards felt are more

• appropriate to NFPA 1221.

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NFPA 1221, 2016

• 9.6 Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems.

• 9.6.1 All system components shall be designed, installed, tested, inspected, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ published instructions and the requirements of Section 9.6.

• 9.6.2 Pathway survivability levels shall be as described in Section 5.10. [72:24.3.13.1]

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UL 2524 – Standard for In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems

• SCOPE

• Requirements for items such as repeater, transmitter, receiver, signal booster components, external filters, and battery charging system components.

Aligns with requirements in Model Building & Installation Codes:

a) Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems, NFPA 1221;

b) National Electrical Code, NFPA 70;

c) National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72;

d) Fire Code, NFPA 1;

e) Life Safety Code, NFPA 101;

f) International Fire Code

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UL 2524 – Outline for Investigation In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems

• Initial ballot went out on June 1, 2018• 60 day ballot period

• First edition published October 19, 2018

• The STP included Canadian representation to allow for the same document to be used in Canada

• Second edition of document published January 9, 2019

• The Second Edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 2524 has been issued to reflect the recent SCC approval as a National Standard of Canada.

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Join us in Orlando at the Hilton-Lake Buena Vista, May 14-17 for our Annual Meeting and Codes Conference

We still have a few exhibitor tables left, one sponsorship, and space for more attendees!

Please visit: whttps://www.afaa.org/2019-annual-meeting-informationfor more information and the full schedule

We will be issuing CEUs for the education sessions that we are providing during this conference.

Contact alex@afaa.org for any questions

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 22Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Public Safety In-Building Radio Booster System Code Training

Chief Alan W. Perdue (Ret.), CFO, FM, MIFirE

Executive Director

Safer Buildings Coalition

In-Building Communications When You Need it Most

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most23

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Mission…

The Safer Buildings Coalition is an independent, not for profit organization providing thought leadership and education focused on advancing policies, ideas, and technologies that ensure effective in-building communications capabilities for public safety personnel and the people they serve.

• Code Development• Advocacy• Education• Industry Advancement

www.saferbuildings.org

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 24Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Assessing the 4 Part Problem

✓ Can General Public communicate?

✓ Can They be Quickly and Accurately Located… 9-1-1?

✓ Can General Public be notified?

✓ Will First Responder communications work?

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 25Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

NIOSH LODD Report Released on Fire and Collapse in Commercial Structure Which Killed Two Chicago Firefighters

Key Recommendations Included:

• Provide all fire fighters with radiosand train them on their proper use

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most26

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History of Public Safety Communication

• 1852: First fire box was installed using telegraph technology

• 1896: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• 1923: First two-way radio developed in Australia

• 1940s: Motorola two-way radio widely used in WWII

• 1950s: Two-way radio market shifted to Fire, Police and EMS

• 1973: First cellular phone call

• 1997: International Building Code published

• 1999: Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act was passed

• 2009: First Model Code Language for In-Building Public Safety Radio: Appendix of the IFC and NFPA

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 27Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

History of Public Safety Communication

• 1852: First fire box was installed using telegraph technology

• 1896: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• 1923: First two-way radio developed in Australia

• 1940s: Motorola two-way radio widely used in WWII

• 1950s: Two-way radio market shifted to Fire, Police and EMS

• 1973: First cellular phone call

• 1997: International Building Code published

• 1999: Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act was passed

• 2009: First Model Code Language for In-Building Public Safety Radio: Appendix of the IFC and NFPA

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 28Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Frequencies Utilized by Public Safety Agencies

• Very High Frequency (VHF) • Low Band: 30 MHz to 50 MHz - Long range, large area coverage

• High Band: 152 MHz to 174 MHz - Medium range, medium area coverage

• Ultra High Frequency (UHF) - 450 MHz – 512 MHz

• 700 MHz: Public Safety’s largest band (24 MHz of dedicated spectrum)

• 800 MHz: Currently used by Public Safety

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most29

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Responsible Stakeholders

• Local license holder: Police, Fire, EMS (AHJ)

• OEMs: repeaters, passives, antennas, & coaxial cable

• System Integrators: RF testing, design & installation

• Building owners (REITs)

• FCC

• Local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)

• Carriers

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 30Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

What Happens with

RF Inside Buildings?

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 31Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Construction materials that make up the

obstructions are the largest attenuators.

Attenuation

Material @ 900 MHz @ 2.4 GHz

Free Space (Air) 10 Meters 72.5 dB 81 dB

Free Space (Air) 100 Meters 92.5 dB 101 dB

Free Space (Air) 1000 Meters 112.5 dB 121 dB

Glass 0.25” (6mm) 0.8 dB

Glass 0.5” (13mm) 2 dB

Lumber 3” (76mm) 2.8 dB

Brick 3.5” (89mm) 3.5 dB

Brick 7” (178mm) 5 dB

Brick 10.5” (267mm) 7 dB

Concrete 4” (102mm) 12 dB

Masonry Block 8” (203mm) 12 dB

Brick faced concrete 7.5 “ (192mm) 14 dB

Masonry Block 16” (406mm) 17 dB

Concrete 8” (203mm) 23 dB

Reinforced Concrete 3.5” (203mm) 27 dB

Masonry Block 24” (610mm) 28 dB

Concrete 12” (305mm) 35 dB

• Transmit power. The power

that is broadcast by the

transmitter. This is usually

measured in watts or milliwatts.

• Receive sensitivity. A measure

of the minimum signal strength

that a receiver can discern.

• Antenna gain. The amount of

signal gain provided by the

antennas.

• Path loss. The signal decrease

that occurs as the radio waves

travel through the air or

through obstacles.

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most32

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Cell Coverage vs Public Safety Coverage

NFPA: 90% General Areas - 99% Critical Areas

IFC: 95% General Areas – 99% Critical Areas

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 33Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Passive vs Active Distributive Antenna Systems

Passive DAS

• Fed with public safety repeaters

• Amplifiers (repeaters) are in one location

• RF distributed over coax to antennas throughout building or area

Active DAS

• Fed with public safety repeaters

• Optical fiber distribution system

• Distributed amplifiers

• Low power and high power solutions depending on coverage and capacity requirements

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 34Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Passive DAS = Fire Sprinkler System Layout

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most35

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Passive DAS OverviewBuilding

Donor Antenna

Coax

Public SafetyBase Station

Repeater

In-BuildingAntennas

Passive DAS - Coax distributes RF • Repeater – Is the only active component• Ideal solution for smaller venues or portions of buildings <150K sq. ft• Provides for limited growth or expansion capability

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Occupancy Venues for Installation of a Passive DAS

Big box stores

Small office buildings

Rural - Community hospitals

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 37Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Active DAS = Fire Sprinkler System Layout

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most38

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Basic Active DAS Configuration

Remotes

Head End

Antennas

Repeater

Coax

Fiber

Coax

Public SafetyBase Station Tower

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Typical Venues for Active DAS

• High capacity requirements• Large area

Large Hospitals

College Campuses

Large Buildings

Malls

Stadiums and Arenas

Casinos

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 40Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

Codes, Standards and Regulations

721221

IFC 510

State and

Local

Federal

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most41

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NFPA 1221 - 2016

Pathway SurvivabilityNFPA 1221-2016

9.6 Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems.

9.6.2.1.1.1 The feeder and riser coaxial cables shall be rated as plenum cables.

(72:24.3.13.8.1.1)

9.6.2.1.3 Riser coaxial cables shall be rated as riser cables and routed through a

2-hour-rated enclosure. (72:24.3.13.8.3)

9.6.2.1.4 The connection between the riser and feeder coaxial cables shall be made

within the 2-hour-rated enclosure, and passage of the feeder cable in and out of the

2-hour-rated enclosure shall be fire-stopped to 2-hour ratings. (72:24.3.13.8.4)

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NFPA 1221 – 2016 vs. 2019

NFPA 1221-2019

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 43Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

NFPA 1221 - 2019

Pathway SurvivabilityThe 2019 and 2016 with the TIA say basically the same thing. What has changed is the terminology.

• Riser is now called backbone in the 2019 code (see definition in section 3.3.10 of 1221 2019 edition) Backbone: A communications cable in an in-

building radio enhancement system that carries wideband signals important to the entire building, from the donor antenna, through the amplifiers, and to distribution antenna lines.

• Feeder cable is now called distribution antenna cable: A communications cable that carries RF energy in both directions along its length to distributinantennas in one or more places in the building.

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Backbone Fiber installed in a 2 Hour Rated Room and an Enclosure?

What is the value added Benefit?

It’s Expensive!

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Designing & Testing an In-Building Solution,

It’s Not Just Building Materials…

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In-Building Communication When You Need It Most 46Proprietary Content –Safer Buildings Coalition –May not be reproduced or distributed without prior approval

• Interoperable communications for first responders

• Network and capacity to support broadband for data

• Expand LTE to more rural areas of US

• 700 MHz (758-768 MHz and 788-798 MHz)

• Guard bands at 768-769 MHz and 798-799 MHz to mitigate interference from adjacent channels

• Priority and Pre-emption

• Leverage existing AT&T Bands

• Requirements for In-Building are Here

In-Building Communication When You Need It Most47

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Safer Buildings Coalition Membership always free for AHJs and First Responders

Visit: SaferBuildings.ORG

QUESTIONS?

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

2019 AFAA Annual Breakfast

Join us in San Antonio, TX on June 18th from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM at the Grand Hyatt – connected to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Our topic this year is: Hostile Event Preparedness andEmergency Communication/Fire Alarm System Response

Please visit: https://www.afaa.org/2019-annual-breakfast-information for more information

Contact alex@afaa.org for any questions

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Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Radio SystemsLessons Learned

Lynn Nielson

Fire Protection Engineer

City of Henderson, Nevada

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Desirability

• Radio systems are more flexible, versatile, and usable for emergency responders than wired telephone systems

• Used in more buildings

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Radio Coverage

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Senior Center

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Topography

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Plan Review

• Radio systems are more complex and time consuming to plan review and inspect than wired telephone systems

• Code requirements vary• ICC / NFPA 72 / NFPA 1221

• Local code regulations

• Performance based

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Plan Review

Things FCO/AHJ should know:

• System operating frequencies

• Location of the donor antenna(s)

• Types of systems• Leaky coax

• DAS

• Repeater

• Others

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Inspection

• Coordinate testing with emergency responders

• Test using actual equipment

• Analog equipment verification of pass / fail criterial is easier to verify than Digital

• Verify signal monitored

• Test using secondary power

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Existing Bldgs.

• Building remodels can impact system operability

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Existing Bldgs.

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Inspection Testing Maintenance

• Annual inspection, testing and maintenance is essential to ensure operability

• FCC frequency changes – Building inventory

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Radio Systems - Lessons Learned

• Thank you, any questions?

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