Site Surveys: Are you Leaving Money on the Table?

Since September 11, 2001, there has been an increasing focus on ensuring First Responders and those working in dangerous environments have clear, reliable and available radio communications. Many Authorities Having Jurisdiction have embraced radio testing as a passing requirement for building certificates of occupancy and in many cases, the dense building materials such as concrete, drywall and low-emissivity glass prevent radio signals to adequately communicate with radio towers outside without the inclusion of an Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES).

As an RF Integrator or a Fire Alarm Contractor, how can you tell if one of these systems is going to be needed? This is an important discussion to be had before the building construction has been completed because these systems often require a somewhat invasive component installation process that includes drilling risers, running coaxial cable and mounting interior antennas to provide the necessary signal enhancement to get a passing grade from the AHJ for adequate signal coverage. Since there is no "cookie cutter" solution for an ERCES, proper testing must be conducted to identify potential failing areas before the AHJ is conducting their final Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ) tests. A more pressing question than "if" a building needs a system is "who is going to test the building to see if an ERCES will be required?"

While there are companies in the country that focus on conducting site surveys for DAQ compliance, most Project Managers rely heavily on the Fire Alarm contractors for guidance concerning ERCES. It could be quite a lucrative decision to conduct site surveys on your own instead of subcontracting the work.

A site survey consists of a grid test, reporting and failing area identification. There are many ways to conduct a site survey, but the basic premise is walking throughout the building and checking signal levels in both critical and general areas. Identification of what is a critical area versus a general area can be found in NFPA 1221 and NFPA 1225. There are many different types and brands of testing equipment, but we have found that the Seehawk Scanner by PCTel is the easiest and most efficient for creating grid layouts, testing and reporting. Using a system like this, you can check for Received Signal Strength (RSSI), Bit Error Rate (BER) and the Signal Interference to Noise Ratio (SINR) at the same time. It also allows you to check different frequencies and channels simultaneously.

Procuring testing equipment may seem like a large investment at first but consider this: not every building will need an ERCES, but EVERY building will need a site survey. In fact, many AHJs will consider a passing grid test report as sufficient and may sign off on its signal being adequate without feeling the need to do a radio DAQ test on site. Many Fire Alarm contractors will build the site survey into their bid and if the building does in fact fail the grid test and require an ERCES they will put the site survey fee toward into the ERCES bid. If the building doesn't need one, the customer will pay for the survey as a part of the initial bid approval.

The bottom line is, if you as the trusted, relied upon Fire Alarm contractor don't conduct the site survey for radio signal integrity inside the building, you will be leaving revenue on the table. Equipping your team with the proper equipment will set yourself up for success, so reach out to your Regional Sales Manager or one of TowerIQ's Sales Engineers for information about what to get and give yourself the ability to say "yes" to radio signal site surveys when your customer asks if you can conduct this important part of bringing your project up to code.

About TowerIQ

At TowerIQ, we are dedicated to ensuring that first responders have reliable in-building communication during emergencies. Our mission is to deliver dependable ERCES solutions that meet the unique requirements of your building while ensuring full compliance with local codes. From initial design to final deployment, we provide comprehensive support, focusing on solving critical issues like unreliable radio coverage and communication breakdowns.

For more information on PCTel Measurement Tools:

https://www.pctel.com/products/test-measurement/

For more information on TowerIQ Manufacturer Certification:

https://www.tower-iq.com/training

To join the Safer Buildings Coalition:

https://www.saferbuildings.org