As California continues to implement higher life-safety standards, the City of San Diego’s newly adopted (July 1, 2025) ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System) standard—officially named ERRCS Standard C1—represents a new milestone in ensuring reliable communication for first responders. Here’s everything you need to know about this revised requirement and how it affects building design and safety in San Diego.
1. What is Standard C-1, and When Does It Take Effect?
- ERCES (ERRCS) Standard C1 is the official guideline from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for designing, installing, and testing in-building emergency responder radio communication systems. It is a joint requirement by SDFD and the Department of Information Technology/Wireless Services Division.
- Effective Date: July 1, 2025, with revisions as of June 30, 2025. See document here: San Diego ERCES C-1.
2. Which Buildings Must Comply?
New Constructions
- High-rises: All new high-rise buildings must install a compliant ERCES. No wired phone-jack systems allowed as an alternative.
- Low-rise buildings (must either demonstrate adequate coverage or install ERCES if any of the following apply):
- 3+ stories above grade
- Total area over 20,000 sq ft
- Multi-story basement exceeding 2,500 sq ft
- Buildings flagged by the fire code official due to construction type or risk exposure
Exception: Group R-3 (typically single-family or small residences) are exempt.
Existing Buildings
- Required to comply if:
- A pre-existing wired two-way fire comm system is removed.
- They undergo a change in use or occupancy under CFC 102.3—unless a functional phone-based system already exists.
- High-rise buildings lacking wired communication systems must conduct radio testing. If it fails, ERCES installation is required within 3 years.
3. Coverage Expectations: Signal Strength & Quality Metrics
To earn “acceptable coverage,” signal measurements on each floor must meet:
General Area Requirement
≥ 95% of the floor must meet minimum standards
Critical Area Requirement
≥ 99% of critical areas must meet higher thresholds
Critical areas include vital spaces like fire command centers, stairwells, elevator lobbies, pump rooms, standpipe locations, etc.
Signal metrics:
- Downlink (DL) using P25 bitstream measurement tools
- Required: SNR or SINR ≥ 20 dB, and Bit Error Rate (BER) ≤ 2%
These requirements align with, and sometimes exceed, broader California or national ERRCS standards.
4. Testing, Permits, and Coverage Documentation
- Proof of coverage must be submitted for each floor using calibrated test equipment.
- If coverage fails, architects and developers should pre-plan conduit pathways during construction to streamline future ERCES deployment.
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) won’t be granted until either:
- Adequate coverage is documented, or
- ERCES is fully permitted, installed, tested, and inspected.
5. Systems Monitoring and Power Backup
The ERCES must include automated alerts for:
- Component failures
- Oscillations in RF-emitting devices
- Loss of power or battery charger failure
- Signal source malfunctions
Additionally, the link to the building’s fire alarm system must be supervised.
Backup power (battery or generator) is required in accordance with state fire codes (CFC 604).
Here’s how San Diego’s latest ERCES/ERRCS Standard C-1 differs from the prior ERRCS guidelines (Previous County of San Diego ERRCS guidelines):
Major Updates in Standard C-1 vs. previous ERRCS Guidelines
1. Updated Code References
- New standard (C-1) explicitly requires compliance with the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC), 2022 NFPA 1225, and FCC 47 CFR Part 90.219.
- Previous (Sep 2023 ERRCS guideline) referenced NFPA 1221 (2019), NFPA 72 (2022), and earlier CFC/CBC editions.
→ Why it matters: This aligns San Diego with the latest national standards and acknowledges the shift from NFPA 1221 to NFPA 1225.
2. Stricter Signal Quality Metrics
- C-1 defines inbound signal quality using explicit digital metrics: SINR or SNR ≥ 20 dB and BER ≤ 2%, measured via APCO Project-25 bit-stream decoding.
- Prior guideline relied on analog Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ ≥ 3.0), without digital SNR/BER thresholds.
→ Why it matters: C-1 ensures a measurable, digital-grade threshold for critical response communications.
3. Enhanced System Monitoring & Supervision
- Standard C-1 mandates comprehensive monitoring:
- Supervisory alerts for RF source failure, active device oscillation, low battery (at 70% depletion), component failure, and power loss or battery charger failure via the building’s fire alarm system, per NFPA 72.
- Prior documents required more basic integrity checks, with fewer specified alert conditions.
→ Why it matters: Monitoring has become more proactive and granular—vital for timely troubleshooting and life-safety assurances.
4. Stronger Power-Backup & Circuit Requirements
- C-1 requires two independent, labeled power sources: a dedicated branch circuit (marked “ERCES” in red) with a locked circuit breaker, plus a standby power source.
- Earlier guidelines required secondary/source power, but with less prescriptive detail on labeling or circuit protection.
→ Why it matters: Greater emphasis on physical circuit identity and redundancy ensures operational continuity.
5. Clearer Submittal & Documentation Requirements
- Standard C-1 includes tight documentation expectations:
- Sealed on-site plans, annual test reports, Authorization to Operate, maintenance logs, and on-site holder in BDA enclosure.
- Extensive design submittals: signal budgets, donor path views, battery backup specs, cable fire-rating, labeling, installation photos.
- Previous guidelines were less comprehensive—emphasizing more on general plan submission than detailed technical deliverables. County of San Diego
→ Why it matters: C-1 expects greater transparency, traceability, and compliance visibility throughout the system’s lifespan.
6. Field Testing & Enforcement
- C1 enables SDFD and SD DoIT/WSD to perform independent field tests at any time for interference or performance verification, and mandates unrestricted access.
- Prior versions noted testing needs but were less explicit about AHJ entry rights or frequency of independent testing.
→ Why it matters: This grants agencies stronger tools to enforce compliance and protect public safety networks.
7. Explicit Uplink Noise Limit Specifications
- C-1 sets precise noise floor limits:
- ≤ –150 dBm uplink noise at donor site,
- ≤ –43 dBm ERP within passband,
- ≤ –70 dBm ERP at 1 MHz outside the passband.
- Earlier guidance did not define these specific thresholds.
→ Why it matters: Clear noise controls prevent interference with public safety radio systems.
Summary Table: C-1 vs. Prior ERRCS Guidelines
| Feature | Prior ERRCS Guideline (2023) | New Standard C-1 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Code References | NFPA 1221 (2019), NFPA 72 (2022), earlier CFC/CBC | CFC 2022, NFPA 1225, FCC Part 90.219 |
| Signal Quality Measurement | DAQ ≥ 3.0 analog | SINR/SNR ≥ 20 dB & BER ≤ 2% (digital) |
| Monitoring & Alerts | Basic system integrity checks | Detailed multi-fault supervision via fire alarm |
| Power Redundancy | Secondary power required | Labeled primary & backup circuits with locked breaker |
| Documentation | General plan requirements | Full test reports, logs, on-site documentation |
| Field Testing Authority | Limited guidance | 24/7 AHJ access and independent testing rights |
| Uplink Noise Limits | Not specified | Explicit dBm thresholds for interference control |
Why These Changes Matter
- Digital-Ready Standards: SINR and BER targets reflect modern P25 digital communication systems.
- Proactive Maintenance: Structured alerts and AHJ supervision reduce downtime and improve system readiness.
- Safer Installations: Fire-rated cabling, locked breaker circuits, and donor-path visibility all add layers of resilience.
- Stronger Compliance: Detailed documentation and field test access raise the bar for accountability.
IBWS designs and installs ERCES throughout California. If you need assistance, please reach out to us.