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Home My WebLink About403.009a - Testing of Existing Emergency Responder Radio Coverage SystemsEffective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 01/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 01/19/2026 Page 1 of 6 Fresno City Fire Department 400 Fire Prevention Manual SECTION 403.009a TESTING OF EXISTING EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE SYSTEMS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) requirements regarding the annual maintenance testing of all emergency responder radio coverage (ERRC) systems. APPLICATION This policy applies to all ERRC systems within the City of Fresno (COF) and contract service areas. OPERATIONAL POLICY Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined the following: Permit Requirements 1. Prior to testing, all person(s) or firm(s) shall first obtain a permit to test an ERRC system. Testing Requirements 1. Prior to any ERRC testing, the testing contractor shall notify the Department to ensure the test is in conformance with the Department's required testing items, including every FFD required “critical point”. 2. It is the obligation of the property owner (and agents of the owner as necessary) to plan for and schedule the annual testing of an ERRC system. 3. As the permitting authority, FFD will determine which frequencies are to be tested, etc. These frequencies may include those at the local, state, federal or tribal level, and will be determined after a testing permit application has been submitted for review and approval. Effective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 1/19/2026 Page 2 of 6 Required Test Permit Application Documents 1. Copy of the current COF Business Tax Certificate. 2. Copy of the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license for the person(s) completing the test. 3. Copy of the formal testing procedures to be used. Formal testing procedures shall comply with the criteria noted in California Fire Code (CFC) §510.5.4 and shall not include algorithmic or extrapolated results. 4. Detailed information which shows the test instruments’ conformance with either Underwriters Laboratory (UL), FCC or other equipment listing agency requirements and last date of test instrument calibration. Test Results 1. Test results shall be shown in such form and detail as required in this policy and the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC). Test results shown in any other manner will not be accepted and will not be considered as satisfying the annual testing requirements noted in the CFC. 2. Where annual testing of any building indicates an inbound and outbound -95 dBm signal strength, as well as a signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD) of equal to or less than 20 (= / < 20), the test will be deemed an automatic failure, and the location will be required to submit plans and obtain permits to improve the system meet CFC and FMC requirements. Improvements to existing systems to meet these requirements are not considered “repairs”. 3. The use of “heat maps”, graph lines, dot plots, etc. to indicate signal strengths is not permitted. 4. Test data shall be provided as noted below: A. Test data may be shown on computer aided design (CAD) drawings as they would be for a new system. CAD drawings shall be in min. 1/8” scale and show clear delineation lines for each tested grid and critical point. The testing firm shall then indicate the tested signal strength and provide numeric coverage indications to show the signal strength and if the tested strength is compliant or not using only “Pass/Fail” language. An example of the proper way to show pass/fail for a grid is noted below: Effective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 1/19/2026 Page 3 of 6 B. Test data may also be shown in a report format. If shown in a report format, the testing firm shall provide a sufficient description of each tested grid and/or critical point. The grid/critical point description shall either use the grid/critical point description from the original, approved installation drawings or the testing firm shall provide a reference diagram (in at least 1/8” scale). The testing firm shall then indicate the tested signal strength and provide numeric coverage indications to show the signal strength and if the tested strength is compliant or not using only “Pass/Fail” language. An example of an acceptable means to show tested signal results is noted below: Effective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 1/19/2026 Page 4 of 6 Critical Point #1 – Fire Pump Room (See Attached Reference Diagram) FD1 FD2 FD Metro PD1 Uplink -96 -96 -91 - 101 Downlink -92 -96 -97 - 103 Results Fail Fail Fail Fail Outdoor Antenna, Conduit & Cabling: A. Outdoor antenna location on the building, it’s azimuth in degrees and height above the roof level. B. Statement of verification the outdoor antenna mounting is in compliance with the original design documents. C. Statement of verification all outdoor conduit, cabling, fittings, etc. is weathertight (including drip bends / loops) and adequately supported. D. Statement of verification the outdoor antenna mounting is in compliance with the original design documents. E. Statement of verification all grounding, bonding, and lighting protection is in compliance with the California Electrical Code (CEC) and original design documents. Exterior Signage & Knox Boxes: A. Statement of verification that the required Knox box and approved signage is installed. Signage must be located directly adjacent to the Knox box and state “ERRC”. See FFD Policy #403.009 for additional details. B. Statement of verification exterior doors to rooms housing ERRC equipment have approved signage installed. Interior Equipment, Conduit & Cabling: A. Statement of verification that interior ERRC equipment room is labeled and has signage per Fresno Fire Department Fire Prevention Manual Section 403.009 Emergency Responder Effective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 1/19/2026 Page 5 of 6 Radio Coverage Systems. B. Statement of verification clear working space is maintained per Fresno Fire Department Fire Prevention Manual Section 403.009 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems. C. Statement of verification all equipment is installed per CEC (and all other applicable) requirements and is adequately supported. D. Statement of verification all penetrations in fire resistance rated wall, floor ceiling, and any other assemblies are being maintained per CFC Ch. 7 requirements. E. Statement of verification all required system record documents (including last annual ERRC test documentation) are present and in good condition. F. Statement of verification FCC / COF permit to operate is posted and in good condition. G. Statement of verification all interior conduit, cabling, fittings, etc. is adequately supported and protected against physical damage. H. Statement of verification all grounding, bonding, and lighting protection is in compliance with the CEC and original design documents. I. Statement of verification all circuit disconnecting means, emergency power off (EPO) switch, direct current (DC) disconnect, battery marking, etc. is in compliance with the CEC, the original design documents. J. Statement of verification all ERRC circuit disconnecting means must are labeled and an approved lock off clip. K. Statement of verification of all required alarm features have been tested. L. Statement of verification of all required climate control equipment, fire protection, security measures, etc. are in compliance with the manufacturer’s listing requirements, the CEC and the original design documents. M. Designer shall note the branch circuit means supplying the ERRC, and circuit shall be permanently identified at the control unit. 1. Effective Date: January 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/19/2023 Section 403.009a Next Revision (1) Date: 1/19/2026 Page 6 of 6 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION As noted in the CFC, the fire code official has the authority to require permits and formulate policies they deem necessary based upon local conditions for all systems and applications. The requirements noted in this policy apply to both required and voluntary systems. DEFINITIONS 1. Critical Areas – Critical areas for the purposes of this policy are defined as a six-foot (6’) radius circle in front of all fire protection features, on every floor, including, but not limited to: Every required high piled storage access door, elevator hoistway door, all interior fire sprinkler system control valves, hose valves, fire alarm control units and remote annunciators, fire pumps and their associated appurtenances including controllers, etc., all emergency responder radio communications equipment, etc. CROSS-REFERENCES California Fire Code California Electrical Code Fire Prevention Manual Section 403.009, Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems Fresno Municipal Code