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 network provider or the county/city?
It wasn’t long ago that they also chafed at the idea of having to put a Cellular DAS in their building, since they bore the costs but the carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) reaped the revenue (the cellular carriers will only subsidize large venues like stadiums not typical commercial, office or hotel buildings). Owners quickly realized, however, that residents/customers demanded this service or they’d go elsewhere. Cellular DAS, as the pundits professed, was the 4th utility – as necessary as water, electricity and gas.
And so, this leads us to the short explanation of our assertion of convergence toward similarity, which building owners should do well to observe. Namely, ERCES will begin to use newer cellular-type transmission technologies like LTE and 5G. Firstnet, the nation-wide public safety broadband network, already uses LTE technology.
Existing Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks, the predominant technology that ERCES amplifies in a building, have begun and will continue to morph into cellular-type networks. The low channel sizes of LMR networks are suitable for voice; real-time video will require larger channel size (like cellular). The First Responder of the future will be carrying a device that will demand larger bandwidth and channel size. As the Safer Building Coalition points out in their Complete ERCES Handbook, “Cellular technologies with their high-speed data capabilities will bring new solutions to the public safety toolkit.” (FYI – this book is a must-have for anyone in the ERCES business!)
This movement toward cellular-type technologies at higher frequencies means that Cellular DAS and ERCES together will be the necessary 4th utility. The requirements, infrastructure and cost will be part and parcel of every new building in this country and most likely a requirement of every existing building in this country (everything except single family residences which typically have good cellular and macro radio coverage). We, the public, will demand that any building we’re in have ubiquitous 911 cellular service to report any emergency and ubiquitous radio service for responders to that emergency.
So, our memo to building owners: prepare for this eventuality today and ensure that every new and existing building in your portfolio has the appropriate infrastructure in place to support both cellular and public safety DAS (ERCES). You will be responsible for these costs, but getting ahead of the curve will prevent bigger problems later.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the implications of this convergence:
1. Signal Penetration and Building Materials
- Higher frequencies (such as those in the millimeter-wave spectrum) are more susceptible to interference from common building materials like concrete, metal, and low-E glass. These materials can significantly reduce signal strength.
- Buildings with thick walls, metal structures, or energy-efficient windows will experience greater signal attenuation at higher frequencies.
- Owners should consider installing conduits throughout the building to ensure coverage everywhere, especially in hard-to-reach areas like basements and stairwells.
2. In-Building Coverage Gaps
- As frequency increases, signal range decreases, which means higher frequencies do not travel as far or penetrate through obstacles as effectively as lower frequencies.
- This could lead to dead zones in certain areas of the building, particularly in larger, high-rise, or complex structures.
- Regular site surveys and signal strength assessments can help identify weak spots.
3. Compliance with Public Safety Requirements
- Public safety communication systems (ERCES) are evolving to leverage higher frequencies, especially as technologies like FirstNet expand to use more of the spectrum, including 5G.
- Building owners need to be aware of updated fire and building codes that may require them to install or upgrade public safety DAS systems to meet new frequency standards.
- Ensure that public safety systems have redundancy, battery backup, and coverage in critical areas like stairwells, parking garages, and elevator shafts to comply with NFPA and IFC regulations.
4. Interference Management
- Higher frequency systems may be more susceptible to interference from other electronic devices, equipment, or even adjacent buildings using similar frequencies.
- Building owners should conduct an RF (radio frequency) interference study to prevent performance degradation and ensure that both commercial and public safety communications are not compromised.
- Properly shielding and configuring antennas can mitigate interference issues.
5. Infrastructure Upgrades and Costs
- Supporting higher frequencies often requires upgraded cabling, antennas, and network equipment to handle the increased bandwidth and lower signal propagation.
- For older buildings, retrofitting may be necessary to install fiber-optic cabling and advanced DAS systems that can support high-frequency communications.
- Building owners should budget for potential upgrades to their communications infrastructure to stay compliant and provide reliable connectivity.
6. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- Energy-efficient materials like low-E glass windows and reflective insulation can block higher-frequency signals. While these materials improve a building’s energy profile, they may require additional investments in signal boosters or internal antennas to maintain coverage.
- Building owners should balance the need for sustainability with the requirements for wireless and public safety communication systems.
7. Future-Proofing
- As both commercial cellular networks and public safety systems move to higher frequencies, it’s essential to design systems that can be easily upgraded in the future.
- Consider using modular systems that can adapt to changing frequency bands and technologies (like 5G and beyond).
- Working with consultants who specialize in in-building wireless systems can help in designing a solution that is scalable and ready for future requirements.
Key Recommendations
- Conduct a thorough RF site survey to assess current signal coverage and identify areas that may need additional equipment.
- Plan for the installation of DAS systems that support higher frequencies to ensure both commercial and public safety communication needs are met.
- Stay up to date with the latest fire and building codes regarding public safety communications.
- Invest in upgradable infrastructure to accommodate future technology changes and higher frequency deployments.
- Work with certified contractors who understand the complexities of high-frequency wireless communication and public safety requirements.
By proactively addressing these considerations, building owners can ensure their properties remain compliant, safe, and future-ready as the shift to higher-frequency wireless communications continues. If you need help with either ERCES or Cellular DAS, please reach out to IBWS.