Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) may be required in your building

There are several new building codes which require newly constructed structures and depending on your location, existing structures as well to meet minimum “Emergency Radio” signal strength.  The purpose of these codes is to ensure that the radios of fire, EMS, and police emergency responders will operate effectively throughout a given facility.

Some new or existing construction may already meet the minimum signal strength requirements based on the facility’s proximity to existing Public Safety Radio Repeater infrastructure and the building’s construction material makeup. To determine if a BDA system is required a site survey is conducted by a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) representative and a BDA system-certified technician.  If the building meets the minimum signal strength throughout then there is no need to install a BDA system.  However, if some portion of the facility fails to meet minimum signal strength a BDA system will be required. All municipalities have their own specific requirements, so for requirements in your area contact your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).  Click for Seattle’s requirements or Portland’s requirements (section 510).

In order to ensure the effective operation of emergency radios for fire, EMS, and police responders, it is becoming increasingly important for buildings to meet minimum "Emergency Radio" signal strength requirements. This may require the installation of a Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) system. To determine if a BDA system is necessary, a site survey is conducted by an FCC representative and a BDA system-certified technician. If the building fails to meet the minimum signal strength in any area, a BDA system will be required. Absco Solutions, as an expert in this field, can assist with conducting a BDA survey or installing a BDA system if needed. For more technical information on BDA systems, you can refer to the Honeywell BDA system details provided. Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we will share a case study on a retrofit BDA installation.

Just as with the site survey for signal strength, BDA systems are: designed, installed, certified, and maintained by an FCC and BDA-certified technician(s).   Absco Solutions can assist you should your facility require a BDA survey or subsequently a BDA system.

For more on technical information, reference Honeywell BDA system details here. In our next newsletter, we will share a retrofit BDA installation case study.