Tag Archive for: ERCES

Fall Testing: 8 Systems Your Business Should Get Inspected

Source: summitfiresecurity.com

Fall is the perfect time to book your fire and security maintenance and inspections.

Every building is different; each city and state has special codes and requirements. Please consult your local fire protection and security experts first. Here’s a list of some top building systems that require at least yearly checkups:

  • Video Surveillance Systems
  • Access Control Systems
  • Overhead, Pager, Audio Visual Systems
  • Data Center
  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Fire Sprinkler Systems
  • Portable Fire Extinguishers
  • Suppression Systems

This list does not include all systems that need annual inspections. If you aren’t sure which systems need to be inspected and how often, fire protection professionals, (like us) will know.

Why should I get my systems inspected?

It’s easy to forget about inspections and maintenance as you’re running a successful business, combating pandemic uncertainties, or settling into a building after a move. Like anything, even the best security and fire protection systems need a tune-up. With an ever-changing environment, the systems need maintenance to better adapt over time and keep your assets safe in the case of an emergency.

For older buildings, it’s essential to keep up on inspections and maintenance. That way you’ll know right away if your property needs an upgraded system and can budget it in. It’s also important to schedule your maintenance to ensure your building’s systems are up to code. Quite often and sometimes without notification, local rules and regulations change. A certified fire safety expert makes it easy to ensure your building is safe and up to date. These experts frequently work with your local fire marshal and understand the necessary fire and security codes. They’ll take the guesswork out of the necessary maintenance, so you can worry less about your building’s safety systems.

Ready to book your inspection and maintenance appointment?

Contact our team of experts today!

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.