Public Safety and Cellular Distributed Antenna Systems
There are two types of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). Public Safety DAS, sometimes referred to as a BDA or ERRCS system, ensures comprehensive coverage with clear and consistent two-way radio voice communications for First Responders. Compliance requirements mandate at least 90% of the structure must be covered including 99% of the critical areas. Similarly, Cellular DAS provides amplification and distribution of the carrier’s cellular signal for sufficient coverage throughout the targeted areas.
Public Safety DAS is necessary in most structures, especially ones built with concrete and low-e glass, below ground level areas such as underground garages, or buildings rated “H” or “S” occupancy. Building materials can have a negative effect on radio transmissions blocking signal penetration for critical coverage areas. In a crisis, it is imperative for emergency personnel to be able to communicate in all areas of a structure, such as stairwells, elevators, and basements. National Building Codes such as NFPA and IFC are now being enforced requiring radio coverage for emergency responders in all new buildings. In some cases, the codes are even adopted retroactively to apply to existing buildings. Proven, tested, and certified two-way radio coverage is a requirement for the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or the Fire Marshal’s approval in obtaining and retaining a Certificate of Occupancy.
Cellular DAS provides reliable quality cellular service within the targeted areas. Once viewed as a luxury, complete cellular coverage has been proven to be a necessity. 95% of the US population owns a cellular phone, which in addition to being used for personal or business reasons, is also needed for crucial communication in the case of an emergency. For building owners, Cellular DAS provides their tenants access to strong cellular service.
TELECO works closely with the AHJ’s, Fire Marshals and Construction Professionals to provide a fully compliant solution. Building testing, certifications, system installation, commissioning and maintenance are all performed by manufacturer-trained certified technicians. We use the latest industry-leading testing equipment such as PCTEL and Anritsu. TELECO in-house Engineers use design tools, including iBwave and AutoCAD. TELECO is registered with the FCC and holds all their required certifications and the General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL) for both Public Safety DAS and Cellular DAS systems. We manage the permitting process, interact with all trades, and streamline the entire process, ensuring a professional installation.