Failing an ERRS test in Ohio may put the brakes on your certificate of occupancy. Does your building have to be tested?
If you own a commercial building, the answer is likely yes.
Fire and building codes require all newly constructed commercial and multi-tenant-residential buildings to provide adequate indoor radio coverage for first responders. If a building fails this mandatory test, the owner may be required by local authorities to install a dedicated in-building distributed antenna system called an Emergency Responder Radio System (ERRS).
ERRS testing could also be triggered by a commercial building’s change of use application, a major renovation (measured by size or cost), or signal deficiency identified simply by radios not working well during the delivery of emergency services.
Cities across the U.S. have developed ordinances on how the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will work with building owners to ensure ERRS standards and system design requirements are met.
In Ohio, ERRS codes apply to all commercial facilities, including:
High-rise buildings
Office buildings
Retail facilities
Hotels
Medical facilities
Multi-use properties
Apartments
Senior living facilities
Performance halls
Schools and universities
Factories
Warehouses
what can building owners do to prepare?
Every building is unique. Owners should communicate with the local AHJ to learn their ERRS procedures and talk with a licensed ERRS firm like Integrated Building Systems to understand the timeframe and budgeting for testing and possible system installation.
Keep in mind that many factors affect radio signal transmission and ERRS testing results.
The building’s size, location, and proximity to communications towers will affect radio signal strength.
Certain construction materials like concrete are notorious signal blockers, as are specific building locations like stairwells and elevator shafts.
ERRS testing can only occur once the building’s core and shell are complete, with all final doors, windows, and glazing installed.
The local AHJ has final authority on requiring ERRS.
lessons learned: errs projects in central ohio
office buildings
The top floors of the historic Buggyworks building in downtown Columbus passed the ERRS test, benefiting from a direct line of sight to a downtown radio tower. But signal strength failed to penetrate dense construction materials primarily around the elevators.
Medical facilities
Nationwide Children’s Hospital recently opened the new Behavioral Health Pavilion. Despite proximity to a radio tower, the low-e glass and concrete construction materials stopped radio signals from traveling throughout the building.
Public buildings
The new National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, failed its ERRS test, primarily due to its multiple concrete layers.
Senior living
At this senior-living facility in New Albany, an out-of-state developer and contractor were not aware that ERRS testing would be required, which led to a delay in the certificate of occupancy. The building, which ironically is next door to a fire station, failed the test.
Retail and professional services
Location, location, location: The mantra definitely applied to Heartland Bank, whose new, 60,000-square-foot headquarters in Whitehall, Ohio, passed its ERRS test while this much-smaller branch location in Upper Arlington did not.
Multi-tenant residential
For new construction, like this fraternity house at Ohio State University, design-stage planning gives the building owners the opportunity to budget upfront for potential ERRS costs.
get errs answers
Integrated Building Systems is licensed to provide ERRS testing, design, and installation. Our resume of recently completed first responder communication projects gives us unique insights that will help you successfully navigate local code and system design requirements.
Call, email, or Zoom with us to ask questions about your building project or to request ERRS testing, design, or system installation.