A Premier Global Infrastructure Partner

ERCES
( Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System)

First responder using a tablet, representing A/Coe Communications code-compliant ERRCS public safety radio coverage.

Definition: An Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (also known as ERCES, ERRCS or Public Safety) is mandated in-building wireless infrastructure that boosts public safety radio coverage. It captures external emergency signals, to amplify and redistribute them inside structure to guarantee reliable two-way radio communication for first responders during emergencies.

Current Challenges

You want a Certificate of Occupancy (COI) for your building, but you have a problem. Your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) needs you to certify your Emergency Responder Radio Communication System (ERRCS) complies with their local regulations. The problem is that while most every state now requires ERCES compliance before you can move-in, the local regulations to do so can be unique to that local area. Further complicating matters, every building has a distinctive layout and construction materials that may interfere with first responder communication. This is why signals need to be reliable. It’s a matter of public safety.

Comba CriticalPoint UHF/VHF bi-directional amplifier installed by A/Coe for certified emergency responder communications.

CRITICALPOINT™ PUBLIC SAFETY UHF/VHF

Comba’s CriticalPoint UHF/VHF NG V3 BDA is a Bi-Directional Amplifier solution that was designed with public safety, first responders in mind.

Urgency

ERCES is mandated by the International Fire Code (IFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for most commercial, high-rise, and large structures throughout the United States. A configuration issue can delay your Certificate of Occupancy (CO), trigger a failed fire marshal inspection, or — in the worst case — leave first responders without reliable communication during an emergency. The cost of getting this wrong can be devastating.

Solution

This is exactly where A/Coe delivers for you. As a premier infrastructure partner since 1972, we’re the authority on designing and installing code-compliant ERCES, DAS, and BDA systems engineered for your specific building. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all.

To meet your time sensitive schedule, A/Coe can be on-site to determine if you are compliant, and if not - where you might fall short. Using our 50 years of technical heritage with RCDD/BICSI credentials and certifications across leading manufacturers, every plan, installation and (follow-up with inspectors?) will be turnkey and perfect. In the end, your certified system will be seamless, compliant, and built to last.

Westell NFPA 72 and 1221 compliant Class B amplifier for A/Coe emergency radio signal boosting.

Next Steps

The earlier A/Coe Communications is involved — ideally during the design or permitting phase — the smoother your path to occupancy. Regardless of which point of the process we partner with you, we can coordinate directly with your local authorities to ensure the entire engineering project is documented correctly and done right before urgency rears its ugly head. Reach out to bring us into your project timeline before code compliance becomes a bottleneck to occupancy.

Westell NFPA 72/1221 Compliant Class B Amplifier

The latest standard for public safety BDA systems. Westell has the solutions you need for all your Public Safety Communications needs.

Talk to us about ERCES