What is a Public Safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS)?
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.
Why are Public Safety DAS Systems Essential?
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.
Following the tragedies of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pa., the 9/11 Commission stated:
“The inability to communicate was a critical element at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pa., crash sites … the occurrence of this problem at all three very different sites is strong evidence that compatible and adequate communications among public safety organizations at the local, state, and federal levels remains an important problem.”
And with that conclusion, a renewed emphasis was placed on establishing local ordinances, codes, and dedicated frequencies to guarantee a communications infrastructure that would support first responders’ radios and other communications systems within buildings and large structures.
Codes, Ordinances & Public Safety DAS
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. They establish performance thresholds for the reliability and coverage area of the Public Safety DAS solution, and set testing and certification requirements that must be met for buildings to meet code. Additionally, a Public Safety DAS design will also need to 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.
How Does a Public Safety DAS Work?
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.
A Public Safety DAS design also needs to account for:
Small Coverage Area
Coverage up to ~150,000 square feet
Examples include:
- Small-to-medium sized single-story retail
- Warehouses
- Small to medium-sized office buildings
Medium Coverage Area
Coverage up to ~500,000 square feet
Examples include:
- Multi-story commercial buildings
- Healthcare facilities
- Apartments and residential buildings
Large Coverage Area
Coverage up to ~4 million square feet
Examples include:
- Large industrial complexes
- High-rise buildings
- Entertainment venues
Monitoring & Maintenance
Your organization depends on the performance and reliability of your Public Safety DAS to support critical first responder communications during an emergency situation. Pierson Wireless offers a variety of Monitoring & Maintenance programs that provide 24/7/365 peace of mind and confidence your Public Safety DAS is operating optimally.
Through our Monitoring programs, Pierson Wireless technicians proactively identify issues and outline solutions BEFORE your critical functions are interrupted. Active monitoring solutions result in reduced expenses related to service visits, improved system performance, and reliable communications during an emergency situation.
Pierson Wireless’ Maintenance programs assign highly-skilled technicians to quickly and efficiently resolve issues with your system.
Monitoring & Maintenance
Your organization depends on the performance and reliability of your Public Safety DAS to support critical first responder communications during an emergency situation. Pierson Wireless offers a variety of Monitoring & Maintenance programs that provide 24/7/365 peace of mind and confidence your Public Safety DAS is operating optimally.
Through our Monitoring programs, Pierson Wireless technicians proactively identify issues and outline solutions BEFORE your critical functions are interrupted. Active monitoring solutions result in reduced expenses related to service visits, improved system performance, and reliable communications during an emergency situation.
Pierson Wireless’ Maintenance programs assign highly-skilled technicians to quickly and efficiently resolve issues with your system.
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Annual ERCES Recertification Testing
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Codes, Ordinances, and Requirements for Public Safety Communication Systems
A Public Safety Communication System, also known as an Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES), is an antenna-based system that ensures . . .
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