Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)
Cell phones are used more and more for business computing. Installing a DAS facilitates this mobile business.
In the past, the primary reason for deploying a DAS was to provide coverage. Today, the primary reason for deploying a DAS is capacity. In many cases, the user is not looking to make a call; but to download information, watch videos, navigate/find directions, send an e-mail or text, snap a photo or surf the web. The cell phone is no longer just a cell phone; it is a mobile device that supports many applications for business, social, and personal functions. All these applications require more bandwidth, which is very valuable to the WSPs.
Public Safety is also driving the need for DAS deployments. New ordinances have been introduced into the NFPA and IFC that require Public Safety Cover in a building with back up redundancy. In most cities and counties, a fire inspection will not pass unless there is coverage for the local first responders, and this trend will continue to grow. These mandates are critical in
ensuring fire, police, and other safety personnel have reliable communication services inside your facility during emergency situations.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Code Council, and the International Fire Code (IFC) developed codes and standards and are utilized by nearly every city in the United States to ensure safety parameters are met in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Over the past several years, these organizations have worked on the development of a nationwide uniform code for in-building public safety communications. The NFPA-1 2009, NFPA-72 and IFC 2009 codes outline the specifications for an in-building public safety communication system. These codes mandate that all buildings have adequate wireless signal to ensure mission critical communications for first responders via their radios or other wireless devices.
RSI will analyze your building's system to ensure your solution adheres to public safety codes and standards that require reliable and secure emergency communications. Industry standard best management practices dictate that having a baseline EME analysis and the necessary documentation is critical to positive public perception should questions arise, as EME levels must be within the FCC uncontrolled General Public Standards.
RSI can do both RF Safety as well as the required E911/Public Safety Certification. This doesn't just affect the wireless service provider as the building owner is responsible for E911 compliance.
Public Safety Certification or E911:
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Certification is required annually and specifically states that indoor cellular/PCS service is required for E911 locations. This problem was evident during 9/11, when first responders were not able to effectively communicate inside the World Trade Center towers.
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99% coverage in critical areas include command center, elevator lobbies, and exit stairs
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90% coverage for remaining areas
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Annual testing required for active components and the system, the equipment shall be FCC approved and with certification
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Section 510 of the International Fire Code (IFC), which is part of the International Building Code
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Annex O to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Code, aka NFPA 1
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NFPA 1 uses the term "radio enhancement system", or RES, such a system is better known in the industry as a bidirectional amplifier (BDA) system or a distributed antenna system (DAS).
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