Blog | Industry News | In-Building Wireless
Who are the Stakeholders in an ERCES?
Who does what in an Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES)? The answer: Several organizations are typically involved in designing, installing, and maintaining an ERCES. Each has a distinct role. This matrix, courtesy of the Puget Sound Emergency...
Some ERRCS Basics & State Compliance
Previous blogs have highlighted the difference between ERRCS and ERCES. We’ll use the term “ERRCS,” the preferred acronym in San Francisco. We thought it would be helpful to revisit some basics, as many building owners remain uninformed about the requirement (our...
ERCES and NFPA 1225 and NFPA 72
Last month’s blog focused on NFPA 1225’s pivot from ERRCS (RC = radio communication) to ERCES (CE = Communication Enhancement) with the inclusion of cellular based systems like LTE and 5G. There are other changes in NFPA 1225 that we didn’t highlight and a number of...
NFPA 1225, ERRCS, ERCES and Cellular Frequencies
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1225 code outlines the latest requirements for what is now refers to as ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems). I’d previously argued that ERCES is substantially equivalent to ERRCS, but I was...
Cellular DAS versus WiFi for Voice Calls
Many building owners have been told/convinced that an installed WiFi network is sufficient to handle voice traffic when there is a problem with cellular service in the building. Given the cost of a cellular Distributed Antenna System (DAS), it’s natural for them to...
The End of 2024 | Kicking Off 2025 | Happy Holidays from In Building Wireless
As 2024 comes to an end, we wanted to thank our customers, partners, prospects (and whoever else you are) for your continuing interest and support of IBWS and its mission to provide superior in-building cellular (DAS) and radio (ERRCS) communication services. We know...
Why ERCES and Cellular DAS Will Start to Look More Alike
Many building owners chafe at the additional costs imposed by the code requirement of ERCES. (aka public safety DAS). Why, they ask, should they bear the costs of ensuring that First Responder radios work in their building? Shouldn’t this be the problem of the radio...
Do new ERRCS codes always improve Life Safety?
As a company in the ERRCS ecosystem, we seemingly would have a vested interest in the proliferation of more stringent codes that would both expand the number of buildings required to have an ERRCS and increase the complexity of testing and design. Unfortunately, we’re...
Should Cellular DAS and ERRCS be Integrated?
The short answer is yes. Despite some challenges, the financial and technical benefits outweigh the operational and code objections. The local AHJ can advise on the requirements if they allow the integration of these systems. The long answer is perhaps. Read on for...