Page 8 - Summer 2020 Digital

IMPACT OF REGULATIONS
One of the most important jobs for building operators is keeping up with the latest building codes that are mandated to adequately safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants . That is why the NFPA, a United States trade organization, drafted NFPA 72: National
Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, which provides the latest safety provisions to meet society’s changing fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications demands .
Because regulations and requirements are constantly being updated and can vary by location, keeping up to code often becomes a
full time job . To help our clients understand these changes and how they will be enforced moving forward, we offered a seminar that covered the many intricacies of NFPA 72 and the impact the regulations will have on new and existing building owners .
Where is Public Safety DAS Needed?
Anywhere that communications between first responders is a must .
• Hospitals
• College / University campuses
• Government buildings
• Military installations and bases
• Transit authorities (tunnels, stations, ...)
• Public venues (stadiums, airports, malls, ...) • Assisted Living Facilities
NFPA 72 requires the use of a public safety distributed antenna system (DAS) strictly for use by first responders . While DAS can be essential
for tenants or personnel within your building to communicate effectively on an everyday basis, public safety DAS is installed to enable first responders within the building to communicate during an emergency . It must be on a different spectrum than commercial wireless and cover the entire building, including basements and stairwells
– areas you likely aren’t concerned with having commercial wireless . Public safety DAS must also have backup in case of an outage .
Who relies on in-building signal?
• Police
• Fire
• Federal Marshals • TSA/Customs
• Medical
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To help many of our local Jacksonville clients understand how this new requirement will be enforced, Fire Marshal Kevin Jones served as a keynote speaker at the seminar .
Do you have questions about NFPA72 code in your facility?
Kevin Flanigan
kflanigan@mecojax .com 904 .981 .0265