Your test, your acceptance
We do not replace the required test or your review. Both stay with your office and the testing provider.
For fire officials and plan reviewers
Buildings planned for the radio coverage test from the start.
Your office reviews and accepts emergency responder radio coverage. We help project teams plan the building itself to pass that test, so coverage problems are found during design, before acceptance.
How it relates to your review
Planning moves earlier. Your test and acceptance do not change.
Analysis the team can submit
Project teams can include our analysis, and the system design where one is needed, with their submittals.
Equipment where it is needed
When the building lets more signal in, any DAS that remains can be smaller and focus on the areas that still need it, such as stairs, elevators and lower levels. In some buildings, none is needed. A DAS is the antennas, cables and amplifiers a building would otherwise need throughout.
Try it
Run the radio test on a sample floor.
The test splits each floor into 20 areas and checks each one. Tap an area to test it, or test them all. Then apply the changes and test again.
Tap an area to test it
Apply the next change, then test again
In this sample, an area passes when at least half of it reads Fair or better. The required test checks one spot near the center of each area. Under the International Fire Code, a floor passes when at least 19 of its 20 areas pass (95%), with 99% in critical areas such as exit stairs and elevator lobbies. Local amendments can differ. Phones have no code test; the same grid is shown for comparison.
We want to hear from you
Tell us how you review radio coverage.
We are talking with fire officials and plan reviewers about what they need to see at plan review and acceptance. If you can spare 20 minutes, we would value your view.
Contact
Questions
Questions fire officials ask
Does a building with your assemblies still need the radio coverage test?
Yes. Every building still needs the test your jurisdiction requires and your acceptance. Our work helps the project team plan for that test.
Do you install radio systems?
No. We don't sell or install equipment. We specify building changes and, where a system is still needed, design it; the project's contractors build the work, and the required test and acceptance follow your process.
Which requirements do you design to?
The code your jurisdiction has adopted for emergency responder radio coverage, such as IFC Section 510 or NFPA 1225, with any local amendments.