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February 11, 2021
Public Safety First Responders need to have effective two-way communication in Florida commercial buildings so that everyone inside can get their messages across. This is especially true when first responders need to talk to one another in an emergency.
The Florida Fire Prevention Code requires that existing buildings are required to comply with minimum radio strength standards for fire department communications and two-way radio system enhancement communications by January 1, 2022.
To ensure that a call never gets dropped, BDA systems can be installed inside your Florida facility. However, these need to align with the mandates set forth by the local government. We’ll cover those mandates in this guide from BearCom.
What Is a BDA & Why Is It Important?
BDAs, or Bi-Directional Amplifiers, are signal boosters designed to sustain two-way
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August 20, 2020
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.
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August 13, 2020It is always important to have a way to communicate efficiently and effectively throughout any part of a facility. To sustain communications in any conditions, many buildings install amplifiers (signal boosters) that strengthen in-building wireless coverage. However, these amplifiers must be carefully deployed to follow FCC installation rules designed to prevent interference and meet compliance regulations. In this article, the team at BearCom will review what role the FCC plays in regulating communications and what guidelines you need to consider when deploying in-building wireless solutions and amplifiers in your facility.
The FCC and DAS/BDA Solutions
The FCC, or Federal Communications Commission, is an independent government agency that is responsible for regulating radio, television, and phone industries. -
May 25, 2018In an emergency, it is vital for first responders to effectively communicate with each other. If a building has poor reception, rescue efforts can be delayed, plus first responders can be put at higher risk. Therefore, an effective communication system needs to be installed that adheres to first responder codes. In this article, we will review what those codes are to help you determine if your building is compliant. Read through the guide below and let us know how BearCom can help.
Public Safety Bi-Directional Amplifiers
Before you can establish if your building complies with first responder codes for wireless signal coverage, it is important to know what kind of system is needed. To keep first responders connected with each other, it is important to have a properly installed in-building communications system. A Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) is a signal booster that sustains two-way radio communications throughout a building. This includes areas with poor reception, -
April 22, 2018In an emergency, first responders have to talk to each other, regardless of where they are. But sometimes, the facility they are in prohibits that from happening. That’s why amplifiers are needed to increase in-building radio signal strength. Read all about their importance below, along with how you can get them installed in your building. And be sure to contact the team at BearCom to get additional questions answered.
Importance of In-Building Communications Systems
Having a sufficient in-building communications system is crucial for first responders. With the right system in place, firefighters, police officers, and EMTs will never lose their point of contact in a dire situation. These men and women depend on indoor two-way coverage, often on multiple frequency bands, for team coordination and emergency -
April 22, 2018One of the biggest challenges of using two-way radios is moving outside of radio range and having your conversation cut off. Radio signals travel in highly specific ways. If you disrupt those principles, then your conversation will fade or end altogether. To avoid poor coverage and dead zones, you need a way to boost wireless signals. We will review how to extend wireless radio range with Bi-Directional Amplifiers, or BDAs. Read all about it below, and contact BearCom for assistance with your next wireless communications project.
Determining Radio Range
There are several factors that influence radio range. Type of Radio
Depending on the kind of radio you are using, a signal can travel anywhere from a few hundred feet to several miles. Portables typically offer 1 to 5 watts -
March 04, 2018Whether you’re a building owner, property manager, or operations supervisor, it’s essential to have a dependable line of communications inside your facility. It’s also crucial for first responders to remain connected when they are in your structure dealing with an emergency. Many localities enforce ordinances that require uninterrupted wireless signal coverage for public safety two-way radio bands. For public safety and facility team communications, it is vital that the line of communication is never broken. To learn more about BDA requirements for public safety, and also how these signal boosters can benefit daily operations for your team members who use two-way radios, BearCom created this guide. We invite you to read through this article as an overview about the basics of BDAs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance with BDA compliance.
Signal Boosters, Distributed Antennas, and Amplifiers: Defining BDAs