This blog has primarily focused on the issues and details of ERCES in California. This is an admittedly technical subject that those in the industry who read this probably don’t have friends and family eager to discuss with them.
So, in the interests of taking a break from that, I thought I’d discuss why we believe our approach in this business is the correct one.
To wit, we are not a licensed contractor in California. This is a requirement to install an ERCES. We are what some would call a “Parts and Smarts” company. We take this approach for several reasons:
- Most general, electrical, or Fire/Life safety companies have personnel skilled in installing equipment and running various types of cable. What they lack is the radio expertise needed to design and commission an ERCES. That is where we come in. We prefer to partner with these companies not out of some altruistic motive but because their sales and operations find opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to us.
- This industry, thanks to organizations like Safer Building and UL, is becoming more professionalized. One part of that is understanding the relevant codes and technical radio expertise needed to install an ERCES, which is a full-time job. Additionally, understanding the differences among jurisdictions in California also takes considerable effort. We focus our time and resources on understanding this, rather than on handling installation issues.
- We recognize this approach is not suitable for every customer. Some simply want to hire one company that is both licensed and has the ERCES expertise to deliver a turnkey solution. There are challenges here. First, there are few companies in California that possess both. Additionally, any turnkey proposal for an ERCES will include risk considerations, which can significantly increase the price.
- What I tell customers is this: the final cost of an ERCES depends on an approved design and building testing. We hope that the building will not need an ERCES. This may seem counterintuitive for a company like ours that makes a living doing this. Still, we believe that the spread of systems in marginally failing buildings can harm the outdoor macro radio network and cause unnecessary costs for the building owner.
If you need help with an ERCES or would like to discuss the topic, please reach out to us.