(A) The city requires that certain newly constructed buildings have approved levels of emergency radio signal strength (relative to existing levels of public radio coverage available at the exterior). Where the design of the building reduces the level of coverage inside of the building below minimum performance levels, a distributed antenna system, signal booster or other method approved by the city’s Fire Department (WFD) and Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center (HCPSCC) shall be provided.
(B) The following building types shall require emergency radio coverage testing prior to certificate of occupancy:
(1) Any building with one or more basements or below grade building levels;
(2) Any underground building;
(3) Any building more than five stories in height; or
(4) Any building 50,000 square feet or larger.
(a) Testing. Documentation of testing by a person in possession of a current FCC license, or a current technician certification issued by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) shall be provided to WFD prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy.
1. Testing shall take place after installation of all roofing systems; exterior walls, glazing and siding/cladding; and all permanent interiors walls, partitions, ceilings and glazing.
2. If the building fails the test, a distributed antenna system with FCC certified signal booster or other approved system shall be installed to achieve the required level of radio coverage. Plans and specifications for ERRC systems must be approved by WFD and HCPSCC prior to installation.
(b) Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center (HCPSCC) approval. FCC rules require anyone who has installed or will be installing a device that amplifies and rebroadcasts a public safety frequency must have an agreement with the public safety radio system owner. HCPSCC is the owner of the emergency radio frequency used by WFD and therefore must approve any amplification of these frequencies. HCPSCC has specific criteria that the system must be met and a legal agreement that parties must sign. Contact the technical services manager at Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center (HCPSCC), 317-776-4401 for forms and information.
(c) Technical criteria. Please contact the technical services manager at Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center (HCPSCC), 317-776-4401 for information related to frequencies used, radio sites and the like necessary for modeling or designing radio coverage or amplification.
(d) Plan submittal, inspection and acceptance testing (when a system is required). A set of plans for installation of a radio signal enhancement system shall be submitted to Westfield Fire Department Division of Fire and Life safety and the city’s Building Department. A final acceptance test report shall be provided to the division of fire and life safety prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. Final approval from HCPSCC is required prior to placing any system into service.
(e) Coordination with Building Department. WFD determines when an ERRC system is required and has final authority for all requirements and testing. An ERRC system may only be waived if a determination is made by the Division of fire and life safety. It is important that applicants installing a system coordinate with the city’s Building Department in addition to WFD.
(Prior Code, § 38-102) (Ord. 22-01, passed 2-14-2022)