First responders rely on Emergency Responder Radio Communication Systems (ERRCS) to maintain critical communications in buildings during times of emergency. ERRCS ensures radio signals penetrate into all areas of buildings, including stairwells, basements, elevators, and thick-walled areas where connectivity in an emergency is critical.

That’s why ERRCS requirements are found in building codes for most jurisdictions in Florida, where inRange Solutions provides end-to-end telecommunications program management services to so many of our clients, especially in the Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

While the National Fire Protection Agency and International Fire Code have developed standards for these in-building first-responder radio networks, the codes are not very specific. It is the task of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – often the local Fire Marshall, but sometimes another municipal employee – to interpret the NFPA and IFC codes (along with applicable local building code) and determine the equipment and operational requirements of ERRCS in their jurisdiction.

AHJs in Florida and New York, where inRange focuses much of our clients’ efforts, will only grant a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) with a fully operational ERRCS system in place. While we are experts in ERRCS requirements for these jurisdictions, AHJs in other jurisdictions often lack the resources to articulate their requirements, which can vary substantially from one jurisdiction to the next.

Furthermore, each AHJ uses a different set of frequencies – VHF, UHF, 700MHz, 800MHz, etc. inRange Solutions knows which frequencies each jurisdiction operates on and can provide solutions for the specific frequency range required for code compliance no matter where your project is located in the United States.

This is why we at inRange support the Safer Buildings Coalition’s commitment to promoting “standards, practices, policies, and codes that are technically rational and commercially feasible, and that achieve the SBC mission of making buildings safer through technology.”

In 2019 the SBC recommended ERRCS best practices, including: “The AHJ should identify the FCC License Holder (frequently the jurisdiction’s radio operations department) and provide their contact information to Building Owners and their Contractors to ensure compliance to FCC rules.” However, these best practices are not always followed, leaving integrators with the laborious process of coordinating multiple parties in order to get needed guidance and sign-offs.

Our clients know that experience matters and our contacts with and access to AHJs and FCC license holders help us maintain deadlines and budgets. The inRange Solutions team is highly experienced at delivering projects on time and at scale, having more than 15,000 projects under our belt, including more than 10,500 completed leases and in excess of 7,500 zoning/permitting approvals to our credit.

We are the leading end-to-end telecommunications program management firm helping every major U.S. provider in the United States get on-air faster. The inRange approach combines process, people, and a technology platform to deliver proven results – consistently, expertly, and accurately completed.

At inRange Solutions, our iBwave design engineers, on-site engineers, and installers can take your Public Safety project from concept all the way to completion, using industry-leading NFPA-approved manufacturers. No matter what jurisdiction your project resides in, inRange Solutions can design and install an ERRCS that meets your local code requirements while achieving the SBC mission of making buildings safer through technology.

For more information about how inRange Solutions can help you get on-air faster, visit inrangesolutions.com, email info@inrange-llc.com, or call 201-335-0090.