A Public Safety DAS, also known as an Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES), is an antenna-based system that ensures first responders and safety officials will maintain mission-critical wireless communications during emergency situations within building structures of all sizes.

The single most important reason Public Safety DAS systems exist and are necessary is to ensure critical communications between members of first responder teams that can mean the difference between life and death as they coordinate and execute emergency response tactics.

States, cities, and counties across the country have established ordinances within their building codes that require the presence of a Public Safety DAS.  These ordinances typically cover new building construction and in many cases, renovated buildings.  These buildings must meet standards for emergency responder communications reliability to receive a Certificate of Occupancy.

They establish performance thresholds for the reliability and coverage area of the Public Safety solution, and set testing and certification requirements that must be met for buildings to meet code. Additionally, a Public Safety DAS design must meet the standards of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and the IFC (International Fire Code).

Building owners and operators are responsible for adhering to all codes and ordinances related to their properties, but Pierson Wireless’ team of Public Safety DAS experts will assist you in understanding and navigating the requirements of your municipality. To learn more about the most common standards, check out this Pierson Wireless blog entry.

Public safety distributed antenna systems are utilized to enhance cellular signals throughout a structure. A Public Safety DAS leverages a donor antenna to receive RF transmissions from first responder radios, and those signals are in turn collected, amplified, and rebroadcast within the structure via a connected network of antennas.

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) mandates which private frequencies are required to operate across a Public Safety DAS. They also determine the acceptable signal strength thresholds, the extent of property coverage that’s required, and the frequency of testing and certification for the system.