NOTIFIER Emergency Radio Communications Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA)

BDA Codes & Standards

Reference Guide
Most current adopted Building Codes and Installation Standards require Emergency Responder Radio Signal strength and coverage to be measured in all new and some existing construction. This Reference Guide provides a summary of the key requirements in the national consensus model codes and installation standards that govern the installation, testing and maintenance of in-building emergency responder radio enhancement systems. Always consult with your local fire jurisdiction to determine if other local specifications or ordinances are followed which could be more stringent than the ones listed below.

* 2021 NFPA 1 Section 11.10: In all new and existing buildings, minimum radio signal strength for emergency services department communications shall be maintained at a level determined by the AHJ. Where required by the AHJ, in-building emergency responder communication enhancement systems shall comply with Section 9.6 of NFPA 1221 and 11.10.3.1 through 11.10.5 of 2021 NFPA 1; shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2524, In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems.
*** Also See NFPA 1221 TIA 16-2.

BDA Code Requirements and Product Standards

Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) were first introduced in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009. The ERCES requirement was established to address the performance of emergency responders’ portable radios inside buildings because building construction, building size, construction features, and other elements can absorb or block radio communications.

Today’s codes like the IBC 2021 Section 916, NFPA 1 2021 Section 11.10, IFC 2021 Section 510, 2019 NFPA 1221 Section 9.6 or 2022 NFPA 1225 Chapter 18 require all buildings to have an approved level of radio coverage within the building based on the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the jurisdiction at the exterior of the building. This coverage can be achieved by enhancing the in-building radio frequency signal coverage with an ERCES, which is comprised of a BDA / Signal Booster and Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

UL2524 product performance listing and standard was only recently introduced for ERCES. UL2524 2nd Edition listing from an OSHA approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) provides AHJs, A&Es, and building owners the assurance from an independent third-party organization that systems are code compliant and installed BDA systems will provide reliable communications for emergency responders.

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

Areas Addressed by UL 2524:

• Safety (risk of fire and risk of shock) requirements–construction and testing
• Compliance with specific performance requirements in accordance with the IFC-2018 and NFPA 1221-2016 (2019)
• Reliability performance requirements applicable for life safety systems – construction and testing
• Product marking and installation documentation

Scope:

• Cover products (e.g. repeater, transmitter, receiver, signal booster components, remote annunciators and operational consoles, power supply, and battery charging system components) used for in-building 2-way radio emergency radio communication enhancement systems installed in a location to improve wireless communication at that location.
• Does not cover passive RF components which are defined in UL 2524 as “any device that RF passes through that does not have an active electronic component that requires external power. This includes, antennas, splitters, couplers, coaxial cable and connectors. Passive components cannot amplify RF signals.”

Performance – Operation:

• Normal AC power
• Visual and audible annunciation within 200 secs of fault for Loss of normal AC power, Battery charger failure, Loss of battery capacity (to 70% depletion), Donor antenna disconnection, Active RF emitting device malfunction, System component malfunction other than passive RF component which affects system performance
• Visual & audible annunciation within 24 hours of fault for Donor antenna malfunction

Construction:

• NEMA Type 4 or 4X for all repeater, transmitter, receiver, signal booster components, external filters, and battery system components. Note: Rechargeable standby batteries are permitted to be contained in enclosures that comply with the requirements for a Type 3R.
• The system shall be sufficiently modular to have the capability to support revised and/or additional system frequencies within the same frequency band of the bi-directional amplifier supplied to maintain radio system coverage as it was originally intended without the need to replace the system.

Reliability:

• Variable Voltage Operation Test
• Variable Ambient Temperature and Humidity Tests
• Component Temperatures Test
• Charging Current Test
• Transient Testing