Locations
When you are putting up a building, wireless signal boosters such as Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) can play a key role during the construction project and as part of the permanent infrastructure.
During a construction project, communication is key between you and your crew to improve job efficiency and overall safety. With good signal coverage, your work teams, crew members, and supervisors stay engaged to increase day-to-day productivity and improve site safety and security.
As part of the permanent building infrastructure, by code, many localities require wireless signal coverage on public safety frequencies, so first responders can stay in touch during emergencies. If you have not included adequate DAS and BDA infrastructure in your plans, you won’t pass public safety permitting inspections and won’t earn a Certificate of Occupancy.
With the right plans and deployment strategies, you can include signal boosters that benefit your work team and become part of the permanent infrastructure. Plus, specifying and installing DAS and BDA solutions early in the process rolls this vital infrastructure into the project up front to save money and optimize availability. Otherwise, you may come to the end of your project to find that it doesn’t fully comply with municipal codes.
What’s the difference between these systems, and how can they benefit your building? Keep reading this guide on boosting wireless coverage and communication for construction industry to learn more, and contact BearCom early for assistance in designing, planning, and deploying.
What Are BDAs?
Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) are signal boosters that help maintain wireless communications throughout a building. They are especially needed in hard-to-reach areas, such as:
- Stairwells
- Underground tunnels
- Equipment rooms
- Parking garages
BDAs help solve signal challenges caused by building materials, dead spots, and signal interference. A wireless signal is amplified and distributed throughout a building using RF antenna nodes and cabling.
Construction crews can communicate across the site on two-way radios with their signals boosted (usually UHF or VHF) through BDAs. Meanwhile, Public Safety BDA systems boost reception on emergency personnel radio network frequencies, including 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz. Better communication coverage improves safety and increases response efficiency.
What Is a DAS?
A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes three primary components:
- Donor antenna: Included in the DAS and is mounted on a building’s roof to grab an existing signal from outside.
- BDA booster: Used to amplify the signal inside the structure. Usually installed in a closet or other hidden place inside a building.
- DAS: Group of RF antennas placed throughout a building for additional coverage. The signals will be evenly distributed throughout a structure via the Distributed Antenna System infrastructure.
Together, DAS and BDA solutions are known as in-building signal boosters used to bring facilities into compliance with an Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) code.
These are coverage standards from organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Fire Code (IFC):
- To adhere to NFPA 72 Chapter 22, 90% of in-building coverage must be met; jumps to 99% in critical areas, like fire pump rooms and elevator lobbies.
- IFC-510 states that 95% of in-building wireless signal coverage needs to have a minimum signal strength of -95 dB.
How Do These Systems Work Together?
BDAs are the amplifiers/“super” repeaters that work within a DAS. Together, they boost communication between construction workers in a building or on a job site to improve day-to-day efficiency and worker safety.
In addition, BDA/DAS solutions installed to meet public safety code ensure that police, firefighters, and other emergency personnel can communicate with each other during an emergency.
In some buildings, a Distributed Antenna System is all that is required for adequate signal strength. However, most structures are large enough and contain materials such as concrete, steel, and glass that make a Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) necessary.
Deploying BDA/DAS Solutions on Construction Sites
Including BDA/DAS signal boosters in the design plans ensures that buildings will meet local public safety codes to pass permitting inspections and earn a certificate of occupancy.
Different localities use and enforce different wireless coverage code ordinances. Therefore, you will want to work with a provider who knows signal booster requirements and has the expertise to test and deploy the right solutions for your project.
The BearCom Difference
With coast-to-coast locations, BearCom has the local presence and expertise to work with all parties responsible for building compliance standards:
- Developers
- Architectural and engineering firms
- General contractors
- Electrical, fire alarm, and low-voltage contractors
- Building owners and facility managers
- AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction)
Whether you’re looking to improve site-wide team communications during your construction project, design signal boosters into your job to meet code requirements, or both, BearCom is a one-stop shop for design, solution procurement, deployment and maintenance.
Call 800.527.1670 today for a Free Wireless Signal Booster consultation.
