In-Building Emergency Communications Coverage

[Justin BillerParticipant]

Greetings,

We are are in the design stage to retroactively install an in-building emergency communications coverage in one of our high-rise buildings as part of a full replacement of our fire alarm system in lieu of providing “Two-way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems (i.e., fire-fighter phones – NFPA 72 section 24.5), per VCC/IBC section 907.2.13.2.

My question is this: NFPA 72 also covers the installation of  “Two-way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems under section 24.5.2, however it does not seem to be the intent of  VCC/IBC section 915 and SFPC/IFC section 510 to require installation of “coaxial cable or equivalent” to meet the requirements of NFPA 72 section 24.5.2.  There is clearly a code path in VCC/IBC section 907.2.13.2 to require fire-fighter phone installations to meet NFPA 72, but this same code path does not exist for the radio enhancement systems covered under VCC section 915.

Have others had experience in interpreting this section and how have you ruled in this instance?  As a side point, I have not discussed this with local building official and I am just doing the research on it at this point.

Thank you kindly for your insights.

Best,

Justin Biller, P.E., MCP, CFPS

Senior Life Safety Engineer | Carilion Clinic

[Author]

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