ERCES – Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System

ERCES – Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System

At Fire Systems Professionals our focus has always been to protect property and people. That includes First Responders who come to protect and rescue you in the event of an emergency. The ability to maintain communication is essential to make that possible. Despite improved coverage, it is still not uncommon to lose a signal for a cell phone call in a building. Imagine holding an emergency radio in that same building under an emergency situation and lose the ability to communicate! We can help correct that issue.

An Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System is based on testing a building for deficient or spotty communications and putting a system in place to correct that deficiency. This is how it works:

Emergency responders communicate with each other over a specific channel or frequency. That signal is relayed by radio towers around the city.

Once they enter into a building the signal can be inhibited by the building materials like concrete and steel. Also today energy-efficient low-E (low-emissivity) glass is designed to reflect long-wave infrared energy, but it also reflects radio waves. On the far side of the building or in floors that are below grade the signal may no longer be strong enough to maintain communications.

This is where we can help by taking a strong signal and distributing it into all the parts of the building that are weak. This is done using a DAS – Distributed Antenna System. This signal not only is received by emergency personnel, but it also has to be transmitted. This is done with a BDA – a Bidirectional Amplifier. 

Because this is part of a life safety system it is regulated by the International Fire Code – IFC Section 510, and the National Fire Protection Association – NFPA 1221 Section 9.6, and is monitored by the Fire Alarm control panel.

At Fire Systems Professionals we continue to protect you, your property, and those who have dedicated themselves to keep you safe in an emergency. We are here to help install, service, and support your critical life safety systems.