Page 111 - 2018_IFC

FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

tems utilized by the jurisdiction, measured at the exterior of 510.4.1.3 System performance. Signal strength shall
the building. This section shall not require improvement of be sufficient to meet the requirements of the applica-
the existing public safety communication systems. tions being utilized by public safety for emergency
operations through the coverage area as specified by
Exceptions:
the fire code official in Section 510.4.2.2.
1. Where approved by the building official and the fire 510.4.2 System design. The emergency responder radio
code official, a wired communication system in
coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sec-
accordance with Section 907.2.12.2 shall be permit- tions 510.4.2.1 through 510.4.2.8 and NFPA 1221.
ted to be installed or maintained instead of an
approved radio coverage system. 510.4.2.1 Amplification systems and components.
Buildings and structures that cannot support the
2. Where it is determined by the fire code official that
the radio coverage system is not needed. required level of radio coverage shall be equipped with
systems and components to enhance the public safety
3. In facilities where emergency responder radio cover- radio signals and achieve the required level of radio
age is required and such systems, components or coverage specified in Sections 510.4.1 through
equipment required could have a negative impact on 510.4.1.3. Public safety communications enhancement
the normal operations of that facility, the fire code systems utilizing radio-frequency-emitting devices and
official shall have the authority to accept an auto- cabling shall be approved by the fire code official. Prior
matically activated emergency responder radio cov- to installation, all RF-emitting devices shall have the
erage system. certification of the radio licensing authority and be suit-
510.2 Emergency responder radio coverage in existing able for public safety use.
buildings. Existing buildings shall be provided with 510.4.2.2 Technical criteria. The fire code official
approved radio coverage for emergency responders as shall maintain a document providing the specific tech-
required in Chapter 11. nical information and requirements for the emergency
510.3 Permit required. A construction permit for the instal- responder communications coverage system. This doc-
lation of or modification to emergency responder radio cover- ument shall contain, but not be limited to, the various
age systems and related equipment is required as specified in frequencies required, the location of radio sites, the
Section 105.7.6. Maintenance performed in accordance with effective radiated power of radio sites, the maximum
this code is not considered a modification and does not propagation delay in microseconds, the applications
require a permit. being used and other supporting technical information
necessary for system design.
510.4 Technical requirements. Systems, components and
equipment required to provide the emergency responder radio 510.4.2.3 Standby power. Emergency responder radio
coverage system shall comply with Sections 510.4.1 through coverage systems shall be provided with dedicated
510.4.2.8. standby batteries or provided with 2-hour standby bat-
teries and connected to the facility generator power sys-
510.4.1 Emergency responder communication tem in accordance with Section 1203. The standby
enhancement system signal strength. The building shall power supply shall be capable of operating the emer-
be considered to have acceptable emergency responder gency responder radio coverage system at 100-percent
communications enhancement system coverage when sig- system capacity for a duration of not less than 12 hours.
nal strength measurements in 95 percent of all areas on
each floor of the building meet the signal strength require- 510.4.2.4 Signal booster requirements. If used, signal
ments in Sections 510.4.1.1 through 510.4.1.3. boosters shall meet the following requirements:
510.4.1.1 Minimum signal strength into the build- 1. All signal booster components shall be contained
ing. The minimum inbound signal strength shall be suf- in a National Electrical Manufacturer’s Associa-
ficient to provide usable voice communications tion (NEMA) 4-type waterproof cabinet.
throughout the coverage area as specified by the fire 2. Battery systems used for the emergency power
code official. The inbound signal level shall be suffi- source shall be contained in a NEMA 3R or
cient to provide not less than a Delivered Audio Quality higher-rated cabinet.
(DAQ) of 3.0 or an equivalent Signal-to-Interference-
Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) applicable to the technology 3. Equipment shall have FCC or other radio licens-
for either analog or digital signals. ing authority certification and be suitable for pub-
lic safety use prior to installation.
510.4.1.2 Minimum signal strength out of the build-
ing. The minimum outbound signal strength shall be 4. Where a donor antenna exists, isolation shall be
maintained between the donor antenna and all
sufficient to provide usable voice communications
throughout the coverage area as specified by the fire inside antennas to not less than 20dB greater than
the system gain under all operating conditions.
code official. The outbound signal level shall be suffi-
cient to provide not less than a DAQ of 3.0 or an equiv- 5. Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) used in emer-
alent SINR applicable to the technology for either gency responder radio coverage systems shall
analog or digital signals. have oscillation prevention circuitry.

78 2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ®
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