NOTIFIER ERCES-Bi-Directional Amplifier Systems (BDA) Webinar 6-4-2019

ERCES / BI-DIRECTIONAL AMPLIFIER
June 4th, 2019

(BDA) SYSTEMS
Derek A. Case, General Manager, Global BDA Systems Business
The Latest Code & Listings for ERCES / BDA Systems 2
• Intro to ERCES / Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) Systems

• The Coverage Problem / The ERCES / BDA System Solution
• Reliable Communications: First Responders Going into “the Unknown”
• Code-Driven Requirement (IBC, IFC, NFPA)
• Concerns About ERCES / BDA Systems
• Why a UL-Listed BDA? = Works the First Time and Every Time
• Ensure a Sustainable Solution to the Coverage Problem
• Properly Specifying a BDA System
• Additional Educational Resources Available
• Questions & Answers
© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.
3
Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement

System (ERCES)
In-Building Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

Enhancement Systems (IBERRCES)
Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) SYSTEMS

4
A short intro to Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Enhancement / BDA Systems
NOTIFIER Video

Public Safety Radio 5
“Reliable Radio Coverage is a Necessity!

Lives Depend on It!”
The Problem: In-Building Radio Signal Degradation 6
Radio signals are attenuated by:

• Concrete, Metal & Other Materials
• Low-E Glass
• Below-Ground Structures
• Other Obstructions
• Radio Frequency Interference
The consequence:
• Poor in-building Fire Fighter radio signal
coverage and “dead spots”
• Emergency responders lose communications
The Coverage Problem 7

ERCES / BDA - The Coverage SOLUTION 8

Going Into the UNKNOWN: 9
Will My Radio Work In This Building?

10
Polling Question 1:
How much experience have you had with In-Building Emergency

Radio Communication Enhancement Systems?
1.) Know of them, but have not included in projects
2.) Very knowledgeable, but they aren’t enforced in my area
3.) Actively including them in my projects, less than 50% time
4.) Actively including on my projects, >50% time

Radio Signal Survey – The “Coverage Map” 11

Radio Signal Survey 12
• Determines if a building has sufficient radio signal coverage or if it needs a signal

enhancement (ERCES) system.
• It is a responsibility of the building owner or construction company to perform survey and to

certify signal coverage on a 100% completed building. Survey report needs to be submitted
to the AHJ.
• AHJ Should have signal surveys for all buildings in the jurisdiction.
• Signal enhancement (ERCES) is required for building with insufficient coverage.
• Final survey / signal coverage certification is done upon building completion.
• Surveys are done by FCC GROL certified technicians. Minimum 20 readings per floor. Test
all critical areas. Report submitted to AHJ.
13
Life Safety Benefits of BDA Systems
Codes & Standards
13
Code-Driven Requirement 14
IBC 2015 - Section 916, NFPA 1 Section 11-10

• Refers to IFC section 510 or the state recognized fire code
IFC Section 510 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

• First appeared in the appendix of the 2009 IFC; the provision was moved to the body of
the code in 2012.
• At present 24 states have adopted the 2012 edition of the IFC and 12 states have
adopted the 2015 edition of the IFC.
• Section 1103.2 specifies the requirements for emergency responder radio coverage in
existing buildings.
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

• 2010 / 2013 Edition, section 24.5.2
• The 2016 edition of NFPA 72 relocated the requirements to NFPA 1221
• NFPA 1221, 2016 & 2019 Editions, Section 9.6 is a standard for Emergency Service
Communications Systems
ERCES / BDA System Codes & Standards 15
NFPA* IFC
Code Requirements NFPA 72 - 2013 NFPA 1221 - 2016 IFC 510 - 2015 IFC 510 - 2018
In-Building Solution Required Section 24.5.2 Section 9.6 Section 510.1 Section 510.1
Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Pathway 2 Hour for Riser Coaxial 2-Hour for Riser Coaxial Cable Not Addressed in Section 510. Yes, Section 510.4.2.
Survivability Cable Section 24.3.6.8.1 Section 9.6.2.1.1 Referenced in 24.3.6.8.1 of Reference to NFPA 1221
NFPA 72-2013
Plenum Rated Coaxial Cable Required Yes, Riser & Feeder Coaxial Yes, Riser & Feeder Coaxial Cable Not Addressed in Section 510. Yes, Section 510.4.2. Reference to NFPA
Cable Section 24.3.6.8.1.1 Section 9.6.2.1.1.1 Referenced in 24.3.6.8.1.1 1221
of NFPA 72-2013
Lightning Protection Required Not addressed in Section Yes, In accordance with NFPA 780 Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510 Yes, Section 510.4.2 Per NFPA 780 as
24.5.2 Section 9.6.3 Referenced in NFPA 1221
Isolation of Donor Antenna Required Yes, 15 dB Yes, 20 dB Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510 Yes, 20 dB -
Section 24.5.2.3.3 Section 9.6.9 Section 510.4.2.4 (4)
Secondary Power Source 12 Hours 12 Hours 24 Hours - 12 Hours - Section 510.4.2.3 or 2-Hours
Section 24.5.2.5.5.2 Section 9.6.12.2 Section 510.4.2.3 Battery with Emergency Generator
Signal Strength & Area Coverage Required -95 dBm - Section 24.5.2.3 DAQ 3.0 - Section 9.6.8 -95 dBm - Section 510.4.1 DAQ 3.0 - Section 510.4.1.1
90% General - 90% General - Section 9.6.7.5 95% General - Section 510.4.1 95% General - Section 510.4.1
Section 24.5.2.2.2 99% Critical - Section 9.6.7.4 99% Critical - Not Specifically Addressed in 99% Critical - Section 510.4.2 Reference to
99% Critical - Section Section 510 NFPA 1221
24.5.2.2.1
Monitoring By Fire Alarm Required Yes - Section 24.5.2.6 Yes - Section 9.6.13 Yes - Section 24.5.2.6 Yes - Section 9.6.13
NFPA 72 -2013 NFPA 1221-2016
Cabinets for Equipment & Battery Backup Yes, NEMA 4/NEMA 4X - Yes, NEMA 4/NEMA 4X - Section Yes, NEMA 4 - Section 510.4.2.4 (1) & (2) Yes, NEMA 4/NEMA 3R - Section 510.4.2.4
Required Section 24.5.2.5.2 9.6.11.2 (1) & (2)
Monitor Antenna Malfunction Required Yes, Donor Antenna - Yes, Donor Antenna - Section Yes, Section 24.5.2.6(2)(a) NFPA 72-2013 Yes, Donor Antenna -
Section 24.5.2.6(2)(a) 9.6.13.1(2)(a) Section 510.4.2.5
System Acceptance/Testing Section 24.5.2.1.2 Section 9.6.4, 11.3.9 & 11.3.9.1 Section 510.5.3 Section 510.5.3
*NFPA 1 Section 11.10: In all new and existing buildings, minimum radio signal strength for fire department communications shall be maintained at a level
determined by the AHJ. Where required by the AHJ, two-way radio communication enhancement systems shall comply with NFPA 1221.
International Fire Code Adoption 16

17
Polling Question 2:
Are Minimum RF Signal Requirements / ERCES

currently being enforced in your market?
1.) Yes, only for New Construction
2.) Yes, for both New & Existing Structures
3.) Not at this time

How do you know that the product was Listed for 18
the Intended Purpose?
NFPA 1221  NFPA 72 Chapter 10.3.1
• “The equipment constructed and installed in conformity with this code shall
be listed for the purpose for which it is used.”

IFC 510 Coverage Requirements 19
510.4.1 Radio signal strength.

• The building shall be considered to have acceptable emergency responder
radio coverage when signal strength measurements in 95 percent of all
areas on each floor of the building meet the signal strength requirements in
Sections 510.4.1.1 and 510.4.1.2.
510.4.1.1 Minimum signal strength into the building.

• A minimum signal strength of -95 dBm shall be receivable within the
building.
510.4.1.2 Minimum signal strength out of the building.

• A minimum signal strength of -95 dBm shall be received by the agency’s
radio system when transmitted from within the building.

Code-Required Inbound and Outbound Signal Strength 20
Q: If signal strength readings are not performed at the donor site, how can you ensure a minimum outbound signal strength of -95 dBm?
A: Calculate outbound signal strength based on the inbound signal strength.
1. Determine the signal strength difference between the donor site ERP (effective radiated power) and the portable radio’s ERP, typically 34 dBm
2. Then subtract the signal strength difference from our in-building signal strength reading to determine the outbound signal strength
-85 dBm is the inbound signal strength and 13 dB is the signal strength difference (47 dBm – 34 dBm = 13 dB).
We can calculate the outbound signal strength as -98 dBm (-85 dBm - 13 dB = -98 dBm).
Although the minimum inbound signal strength is met, the site survey will fail
since the outbound signal strength is below the required -95 dBm minimum.
NFPA Coverage Requirements 21
Critical Area Coverage – 99% (NFPA 2013 / 2016) coverage required in

Critical areas:
• Emergency Command Center(s)

• Fire Pump Room(s)
• Exit Stairs
• Exit Passageways
• Elevator Lobbies
• Standpipe Cabinets
• Sprinkler Sectional
• Valve Locations
General Area Coverage – General building areas should have 90%

NFPA Requirements 22
Dedicated Monitoring Panel

A dedicated monitoring panel shall be provided within the emergency
command center to annunciate the status of any signal booster(s). The
monitoring panel shall provide visual and labeled indication of the following
for each signal booster:
• Normal AC power
• Signal booster trouble
• Loss of normal AC power
• Failure of battery charger
• Low-battery capacity
• Antenna failure
INDEPENDENT OF THE FIRE PANEL!

23
CONCERNS ABOUT ERCES

Concerns About ERCES Systems 24
• Improper installation or a failure could lead to oscillation (donor antenna

signal feeds back into the DAS), creating harmful interference to Public Safety
Radio System.
• Noise on uplink can potentially add up & cause signal degradation for firefighter
radio systems.
• Failure of A System Component may go unnoticed without proper monitoring &

supervision (required by NFPA 1221), resulting in the system NOT being
available when you need it most.
• “Competency” of System Designer & Installer
• How do Architects & Engineers specify & ensure compliance?

25
Polling Question 3:
Which of these is your biggest concern about ERCES?
1.) Impact of Improper Installation

2.) Noise Floor Concerns
3.) Component Failure
4.) Competency of Designer & Installer
5.) OTHER (please write into chat box)

26
THE SOLUTION

UL 2524-Listed ERCES / BDA System 27
Oscillation Suppression Noise Suppression
• BDA Detects Oscillation & Reduces Gain • Most BDAs normally generate a small
in 5dB steps until no further oscillation amount of noise when idle.
• BDA Sends Trouble Signal to Fire Alarm

Control Panel • The cumulative effect of all this noise
raises the “noise floor” on a frequency.
• BDA Indicates Trouble on Remote

Annunciator / Monitor • NOTIFIER/Honeywell BDAs operate in
“stand-by mode” and do not transmit
any noise while idle.
• BDA Continues normal operation with
the maximum allowable gain

Compliance, Safety and Reliability = UL 2524 28
• IFC & NFPA Compliance

• Supervision & Monitoring
• UL-Listed Power Supplies
• Battery Backup (24 hrs @ 20% derated)
• Monitoring of Secondary Power Supply
• Type 4 Enclosure (certified as an assembly)
• Supervised dedicated monitoring panel
• Electric Shock & Fire Safety (UL 60950)

• Product Reliability (O.O.I. & 1st Edition)
• FCC Compliance
• Oscillation Suppression

Elements of a TRUE Life Safety ERCES / BDA System 29
Each UL2524 Listed BDA is installed by Factory-Certified Life

Safety Systems Technicians with F.C.C. G.R.O.L. Licenses as
required by IBC/IFC.
Standardized Training, Tools & Equipment, Standardized

Design Process (using iBwave software)
Each ERCES system design is either certified by or

completed by the manufacturer with manufacturer-certified
components
Proficiency ensures that the entire system meets Honeywell’s

Quality Standards

2524
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE 30
Certificate Number 20180608-S36081

Report Reference S36079-20180608
Issue Date 2018-JUNE-08
Issued to: NOTIFIER

12 Clintonville Rd
Northford, CT 06472-1610
This is to certify that representative samples of IN-BUILDING TWO-WAY
EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATION ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS
UL Fire Alarm Equipment:

In-building two-way emergency radio enhancement system equipment , Bi-
Directional Amplifier (BDA) models
NF-BDA400-1B, NF-BDA400-2B, NF-BDA150-1B
NF-BDA800-1B, NF-BDA7800-2B, NF-BDA700-1B.
Have been investigated by UL in accordance with the Standard(s) indicated on

this Certificate.
Standard(s) for Safety: UL 2524, Outline of Investigation for In-building 2-

Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems
Additional Information: See the UL Online Certifications Directory at

www.ul.com/database for additional information
Only those products bearing the UL Certification Mark should be considered as

being covered by UL's Certification and Follow-Up Service.
Look for the UL Certification Mark on the product.

UL-Listing Update 2524 31
NOTIFIER BDAs are listed to the UL 2524 Outline of Investigation, which was originally published Dec. 21st, 2017.
Companies that were listed to the UL 2524 O.O.I. will be “grandfathered” for eighteen (18) months, unless they make
any changes in the construction of their BDAs.
UL will publish this “Continuing Certification Program” extending to May 2020.
NOTIFIER BDAs will be UL 2524 Listed for the NEXT 18 months!

October 19th, 2018, UL published an update to UL 2524 O.O.I., becoming UL2524 1st Edition, an ANSI Standard, which
expanded the robustness requirements for BDA Systems.
NOTIFIER has 18 months to make any changes to its BDA systems to be compliant with the new requirements in UL
2524 1st Edition standard.

Integrated, All Inclusive UL-Listed Solution 32
• NOTIFIER/Honeywell is the first Fire & Life Safety Co. to market

a UL 2524 Listed, fully integrated BDA solution
• The first, and the only all-inclusive, turnkey, code compliant BDA
System on the market. (It is also CSFM-Listed)
• Independent N.R.T.L. Testing & Verification of Performance Assures

AHJs, A&Es & Building Owners that Honeywell’s BDA Systems
Perform the First Time and Every Time, exactly as prescribed in
IFC 510.5.3 and NFPA 1221 / 72
• Oscillation Detection & Prevention
• Zero-Noise Squelch Feature
2524 • Award-Winning ERCES!

Are In-Building ERCES Regulated? 33
NEW UL 2524 Product Performance Listing ensures safe, reliable equipment as

required by code:
• Until recently, there was no certification process for ERCES systems.
• UL has created a product standard by publishing an Outline of Investigation (OOI) in
December 21, 2017. 2524
• NOTIFIER/Honeywell BDA now complies with and is listed to this new UL Standard as
of June 11, 2018.
FCC-Certified
• Signal Boosters must be FCC certified (manufacturer product brochures and product
labels must include FCC ID number).
• The end-user must ensure that all equipment is FCC-certified.
• FCC will not approve a BDA for both Cellular & Land Mobile Radio.
UL 2524 Technical Requirements 34

35
How To Specify & Ensure Compliance

Elements of the Engineering ERCES 36
Specification
• General Requirements
• BDA System Components
• UL 2524 Listing
• Meet AHJ Approval Requirements
• Design Requirements
• 100% Critical Areas, 95% General
• -95 dBm Uplink & Downlink
• FCC GROL Licensed Technician
• Survivability
• FCC-compliant
• Isolation Between Donor & Inside Antennae
• Technical Specifications and Performance Requirements
• Installation Requirements
• Acceptance and Test Procedures
ERCES Engineering Specification Development 37
NOTIFIER Distributors & BDA Team can help you develop your specifications!
38
BDA Systems: Design Considerations
https://www.sfpe.org/general/custom.asp?page=FPEExtraIssue35

BDA Floor Plan Design 39

Typical Signal Survey Report 40

iBwave Design 41
• Benefits of iBwave Modeling

• Signal Prediction for new construction
• Design layout for installers
• Submittal documentation for AHJ’s and A&E’s
• Predict Installed ERCES Project Costs Before Construction Starts!

FCC Certification & Registration Requirements 42
• Signal Boosters must be FCC certified (manufacturer product brochures and product
labels must include FCC ID number)
• BDAs are FCC certified to operate on the licensee’s frequencies
• FCC Requires frequency licensees (FD, PD, municipality, etc.) to register all signal
boosters that operate on their frequencies
• Registration is free and FCC has a simple on-line registration tool:

https://signalboosters.fcc.gov/signal-boosters
• Registration needs to be done by the AHJ (frequency licensee) because it requires

the licensee FRN (federal registration) number and FCC password.
• BDA vendor can assist if needed

43
Polling Question 4:
Does your company have a Specification for the

installation of ERCES / BDA Systems?
1.) Yes
2.) No, but one is in development
3.) Not at this time.
4.) Not yet. Please Contact Me.
44
Public Safety Signal Booster

Class A vs. Class B?

Signal Boosters – Class A or Class B? 45
What is the difference? Which one is better?

• FCC classifies signal boosters as either Class A or Class B.
• FCC Definitions per 47CFR90.219 rule:

Class A signal booster: “A signal booster designed to retransmit signals on one or
more specific channels. A signal booster is deemed to be a Class A signal booster if
none of its passbands exceed 75 kHz.”
Class B signal booster: “A signal booster designed to retransmit any signals within a
wide frequency band. A signal booster is deemed to be a Class B signal booster if it
has a passband that exceeds 75 kHz.”
Note: This classification is different from Class A and Class B fire alarm circuit wiring.

Signal Boosters – Class A vs Class B 46
Class A Class B
Maximum Passband is 75KHz. Intended to amplify no Maximum Passband is more than 75KHz. It can
more than one channel at one time amplify more than one channel at the same time It
can either be broadband or band-selective.
Introduces signal delay (aka “group delay”) of over 50 Very low to negligible signal delay (usually less than 2
microseconds resulting in signal distortion and us). Does not introduce signal distortion and
interference in signal overlap areas interference in signal overlap areas.
Higher power consumption, higher heat dissipation = Lower power consumption, less heat dissipation =
lower efficiency higher efficiency
Class A BDAs support Advanced Features like Noise NOTIFIER Class B BDAs also offer these advanced
Suppression and Automatic Uplink Squelch. features—without the added cost & complexity of
Class A.

Additional Resources / Training Available 47

Free 2-Day BDA Training Classes for Engineers 48
DATES:
On-Demand, Based on Interest
(Combined with Authorities Having Jurisdiction)
LOCATION:
Radio Solutions Inc
55 Accord Park Drive
Norwell, MA
(~22 miles from Boston Logan Airport)
REGISTRATION:
Contact your local Independent NOTIFIER Distributor or Regional Sales Manager

49
Polling Question 5:
Would this IN-DEPTH Training on ERCES / BDA

Systems be of benefit to personnel in your company?
1.) Yes, definitely.
2.) Not at this time.

50
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS?

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ERCES / BI-DIRECTIONAL AMPLIFIER

June 4th, 2019

• Intro to ERCES / Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) Systems

Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement

In-Building Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) SYSTEMS

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

A short intro to Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Enhancement / BDA Systems

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

“Reliable Radio Coverage is a Necessity!

Radio signals are attenuated by:

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Will My Radio Work In This Building?

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

How much experience have you had with In-Building Emergency

1.) Know of them, but have not included in projects

2.) Very knowledgeable, but they aren’t enforced in my area

3.) Actively including them in my projects, less than 50% time

4.) Actively including on my projects, >50% time

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

• Determines if a building has sufficient radio signal coverage or if it needs a signal

• It is a responsibility of the building owner or construction company to perform survey and to

• Signal enhancement (ERCES) is required for building with insufficient coverage.

• Final survey / signal coverage certification is done upon building completion.

Life Safety Benefits of BDA Systems

Codes & Standards

IBC 2015 - Section 916, NFPA 1 Section 11-10

IFC Section 510 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Are Minimum RF Signal Requirements / ERCES

1.) Yes, only for New Construction

2.) Yes, for both New & Existing Structures

3.) Not at this time

the Intended Purpose?

NFPA 1221  NFPA 72 Chapter 10.3.1

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

510.4.1 Radio signal strength.

510.4.1.1 Minimum signal strength into the building.

510.4.1.2 Minimum signal strength out of the building.

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Critical Area Coverage – 99% (NFPA 2013 / 2016) coverage required in

• Emergency Command Center(s)

General Area Coverage – General building areas should have 90%

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Dedicated Monitoring Panel

INDEPENDENT OF THE FIRE PANEL!

CONCERNS ABOUT ERCES

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

• Improper installation or a failure could lead to oscillation (donor antenna

• Failure of A System Component may go unnoticed without proper monitoring &

• “Competency” of System Designer & Installer

• How do Architects & Engineers specify & ensure compliance?

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Which of these is your biggest concern about ERCES?

1.) Impact of Improper Installation

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.

Oscillation Suppression Noise Suppression

• BDA Sends Trouble Signal to Fire Alarm

• BDA Indicates Trouble on Remote

© 2019 by NOTIFIER by Honeywell Inc. All rights reserved.