Without proper communications, your work teams cannot stay connected, productive, or safe. A lack of communication also compromises guest and visitor safety.

Just as important, legal statutes in many jurisdictions require stringent in-building two-way radio signal coverage for Public Safety first responders. Signal boosters need to be deployed that deliver complete wireless coverage. What does that installation process look like, though?

To help answer that question, BearCom will describe the process of properly installing high-performance signal boosters. In addition, we will explain legal requirements designed to ensure that communication system coverage is fully compliant. By the end, you will be prepared to begin your bi-directional amplifier and distributed antenna system planning process.

Learn more about our BDA/DAS Solutions

BDA & DAS Installations & RequirementsWhat Is a DAS? What Are BDA Systems?

In-building signal booster solutions typically include three key components:

  • A donor antenna that is mounted on the roof to seize the wireless signal from the outside.
  • A Distributed Antenna System (DAS), which is a group of antennas placed throughout the structure to boost signal coverage.
  • Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) that extend two-way radio coverage into difficult-to-reach areas, such as stairwells, underground hallways, tunnels, parking garages, and other challenging zones. (Depending on size, materials, and structural design, some buildings may not require a BDA, or a standard two-way radio Repeater may be sufficient.)

Overall, these end-to-end solutions will boost wireless coverage so that everyone in and around your building can stay in touch, every day.

Who Benefits from Bi-Directional Amplifier & Distributed Antenna Systems?

Many buildings benefit from having BDAs, including hospitals, office buildings, schools, manufacturing plants, sports arenas, and more.

Depending on the equipment chosen and how it is installed and programmed, BDAs can be deployed to improve team communications for facility staff who use two-way radio systems (usually VHF or UHF bands) and/or to meet Public Safety radio coverage requirements, as required by law (usually on the 450/700/800 MHz bands).

Public Safety radios help keep first responders in contact with each other during an emergency. It increases their safety, but it helps public safety professionals serve building occupants and visitors better, as well.

Cellular BDA is also available to help improve cell coverage in buildings. These are specifically for cellular devices and will not increase two-way radio coverage. Therefore, it’s recommended to install two separate systems for your building: one for two-way radios and one for cell phones.

Deployment Process

There are many things to consider when installing a BDA/DAS system. That’s why many facilities and construction contractors turn to an experienced wireless provider for assistance.

To determine proper solution design and placement, your provider may ask for floor plans and wiring schematics, as well as conduct a site walk to measure radio signal strength and plan the system.

Most DAS installations require two antennas:

  • A directional one aimed toward the donor site
  • Another set distributing signal throughout the building

To ensure maximum signal input, the donor antenna should be line-of-sight to the donor source, while the distribution antenna(s) should be as close to the service areas as possible. Where they are needed, BDAs should be placed as close to the donor antenna as possible and point away from the donor site so they can deliver a clear signal throughout the facility.

Fulfilling Every Step of the Implementation Process

There are numerous steps involved when getting the right BDA/DAS systems for your facility. Luckily, we here at BearCom can handle everything for you.

We sell BDA and DAS systems, so we can ensure that you have the right ones for all your communication needs. In addition to providing the right equipment for extending coverage range, we’ll handle everything from design and testing to installation.

We have experience deploying in-building wireless solutions that meet nearly any operating condition. Plus, we offer the following services:

  • Free consultations and evaluations: We’ll use the latest signal analysis equipment and software to check for any signal coverage deficiencies.
  • Custom design services: We’ll work to develop the right solutions for you in order to achieve full communications coverage in your building.
  • Infrastructure and installation assistance: We’ll install everything correctly and to code so that it meets design and performance needs.

By partnering with our systems-integration company, you’ll have the solutions needed for a compliant and connected facility.

Compliance Requirements

To meet Public Safety statutes that require adequate communication signal strength for first responder teams during an emergency, many municipal and state jurisdictions operate under codes that impact BDA and DAS installations.

For example, many localities require high levels of in-building signal coverage to pass yearly fire marshal inspections, or to earn Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy during new construction projects. The two most commonly used statutes for wireless signal coverage are the International Fire Code (IFC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

  • IFC-510 code requires 95% in-building wireless signal coverage with a minimum signal strength of -95 dB.
  • NFPA 72 Chapter 24 code states that 90% of in-building coverage is mandatory. However, the requirement jumps to 99% for critical areas such as elevator lobbies, exit stairs and passageways, and fire pump rooms. Furthermore, public safety BDAs need to work under high heat and high humidity, while being able to function on a backup battery for 12 to 24 hours (depending on code requirements).

On top of that, all equipment supporting the public safety network should be housed in NEMA 4-compliant enclosures. These enclosures are constructed to withstand direct water spray from a fire hose, while also providing protection against rain, sleet, snow, and solid objects like falling dirt or windblown dust.

What Is the FCC?

Several Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations also impact wireless equipment installations.

The FCC is what regulates national and international communications by:

  • Radio
  • Television
  • Wire
  • Satellite
  • Cable

It’s responsible for not only implementing communications law and regulations, but enforcing them, as well.

What Does the FCC Do?

The FCC does this by organizing itself into various bureaus and offices, based on function. From there, staff members work together to meet obligations like:

  • Creating and executing regulatory programs.
  • Managing applications for licenses and other filings.
  • Supervising investigations and evaluating any complaints, if applicable.

Overall, the FCC works to promote innovations in broadband services and facilities. They want to encourage using the best spectrum both domestically and overseas, and they want new technologies to flourish, such as BDA and DAS systems.

FCC Regulations

Of course, any communication system that gets put into a facility needs to pass FCC rules and regulations, which is explained in their Rules to Improve Wireless Coverage Through the Use of Signal Boosters.

It needs to be FCC-certified and meet the Network Protection Standard, or a “series of technical precautions that minimize the chances of signal boosters interfering with wireless networks.” In doing so, all lines of communication can stay open within a facility.

It’s illegal to have a signal booster that wavers, so you’ll have to reduce gain settings to prevent this from happening. Therefore, you’ll want to have a strong, clear path between your roof antenna and the antenna nodes within your facility. Otherwise, the FCC could enforce fines or even commandeer any equipment that causes interference.

Contact BearCom for More Information About Our BDA & DAS Solutions

DAS and BDA systems must be installed by an experienced wireless solutions provider to meet performance needs, as well as complex and stringent compliance requirements. BearCom has vast levels of experience designing and deploying DAS/BDA systems in just about every sector.

For a FREE consultation or to request a site-walk, call the BearCompliance Hotline at 844.883.8904. Or submit an inquiry today.