Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA)

Here’s what we include when installing your building’s BDA.

Benefits of Public Safety BDA/DAS System

A Public Safety BDA/DAS in your facility helps ensure that emergency first responders remain in contact with each other in the event of an emergency.
Even in challenging areas (dead spots) such as stairwells, underground tunnels, parking garages, and pump rooms or areas with interferance because of the building structure materials i.e. concrete, steel etc.
Boosting their radio signals not only increases safety for emergency first responders, it also helps public safety professionals better serve building occupants and their visitors and pets.

What Is a BDA?

Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) help to ensure that first responders entering your building can communicate with one another during an emergency. BDA systems are an extension of a public safety radio systems and thus must be carefully designed by an experienced and knowledgeable BDA vendor.

There are two types of BDAs, one for two-way radios and one for cell phones. Public safety BDA systems are two-way radio systems used to assist first responders in the event of an emergency.

In short, the goal of a BDA/DAS is to eliminate communication “dead spots” or “dead zones” in a building by extending coverage range so that first responders can communicate as needed.

BDA | ERRCES: There are many different terms that are used in Fire Codes across the USA - here is a list of the most common ones used:
• Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems - ERCES
• Bi-Directional Amplifier - BDA
• In-building public safety radio signal booster - IBPSRSB
• In-building radio system -IBRS
• In building emergency communication radio enhancement systems – IBECRES
• In-building emergency responder radio enhancement system – IBERRES
• In-Building Public Safety Communication Systems - IBPSCS
• Auxiliary Radio Communication | ARC System (in New York City & Long Island)
• Public safety signal booster – PSSB
• Public safety in-building communications systems - PSIBCS
• Public safety bi directional amplifier –PSBDA
• Public safety radio enhancement system – PSRES
• Emergency radio coverage system - ERCS
• Emergency Communications Radio System – ECRS
• Emergency responder radio coverage systems – ERRCS
• Signal booster system – SBS
• Distributed antenna system –DAS
• 2-way radio communication enhancement systems – RCES

How important are BDAs to Public Safety? (IAFC Survey 2017)

Level of Expertise with BDA / ERRCS systems:
• 5% no knowledge
• 26% Some awareness of the topic
• 32% Basic Training / Some Experience
That is a total of: 63%

How important is reliable in-building communications coverage during emergencies?
94% Agree
RELIABLE Communications are CRITICAL!

Have you experienced a communications failure within a building during an emergency incident?
• Last 6 months 31%
• Last Year 16%
• Last 2 Years 9%
That is a total of 56%

% Buildings with Poor Radio Frequency Coverage:
Fire Departments Report that 98.5% of the buildings have dead spots.

Signal Booster Code Requirements

The Fire Code on In-building signal coverage statutes are based on standards set by organizations such as:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA 72 Chapter 24 code requires 90 percent in-building two-way radio signal coverage, which jumps to 99 percent for critical areas like fire pump rooms, exit stairs and passageways, and elevator lobbies.
• International Fire Code (IFC): IFC-510 code requires 95 percent in-building wireless signal coverage with a minimum signal strength of -95 dB.
• FCC13-21: Part 90 regulations describe requirements for signal boosters for Public Safety and private Land Mobile Radio (LMR) service operations.

Complying with wireless signal code improves personal safety, minimizes the risk of property damage and reduces the possibility of legal liability. County Fire will design and install your system that will meet the FIRE CODE Requirements in your locality.