What is a Public Safety DAS? Things to Know About the Public Safety DAS
The advent of distributed antenna systems (DAS) has multiple benefits as it brings unparalleled networking and reliability to various commercial and industrial applications.
While DAS solutions have evolved vastly, active and passive DAS continue to remain the foundation of most applications.
DAS systems are designed to enhance network performance in a large area. The network of antennas used provides robust coverage compared to a single antenna in a large area. They can be used to improve coverage in subways, buildings, hotels, hospitals, large venues etc.
Let us diver deeper into public safety distributed antenna systems.
Understanding Public Safety DAS
A public safety distributed antenna system ensures consistent RF coverage throughout a large building or area. This wide coverage ensures that the mobile radios used by firefighters, emergency medical technicians and police work seamlessly in elevators, basements, and other shielded areas. There can be many shielded areas in a large building that are outside RF signals.
Things to Know About Public Safety DAS
- Providing Consistent and Reliable Coverage
DAS systems use a network of antennas which receive and redistribute the radio signals. The network consists of several repeaters that are connected by coaxial cables or fiber optics cables. The repeaters are strategically placed to provide even coverage without any interference. Having consistent and reliable public safety radio coverage can be crucial to safeguard people during an emergency.
The building code authorities such as IFC and NFPA require buildings to provide mandatory Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems (ERRCS). These rules include specific requirements depending on the buildings needs and considerations.
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Approval of Design & Equipment by AHJs
A copy of the DAS design and equipment is submitted to the authority having jurisdiction for approval. It includes the list of frequencies being used, effective radiated power readings and other details of the system. Also, the equipment must be compliant for use in public safety DAS.
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Proper Backup
To ensure proper functioning of the system during an emergency, it must have 24 hours of battery backup.
Also, the system must be regularly checked for any malfunction such as loss of power, loss of power, battery breakdown.
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Regular Testing to Ensure Compliance
Regular testing should be performed to ensure proper functioning during emergencies. This includes initial testing to verify that the system meets the regulatory standards. Also, annual operational tests are done to make sure each component is functioning normally.
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Coverage at Critical Areas
The DAS system must provide 99% coverage at critical areas of the building including the fire pump room, stairwells, the fire command room or any other area deemed critical by the local authority having jurisdictions (AHJs). While the coverage must exceed 90% at common spaces, garages and other general areas.
The task of maintaining compliance of public safety DAS can be daunting, that is why it is critical to partner with experienced engineers that ensure compliance with new ERRC DAS/BDA requirements. Our team of experts makes sure that the entire area gets consistent and reliable coverage.
