Before and after: real buildings, real grid tests

Each project started with a failed RF grid test. Red areas are below the signal level the fire marshal requires; green areas pass.

Swisher International HQ, Jacksonville

Buildings: 8
Size: over 800,000 sq ft
Construction: heavy concrete
Scope: RF testing, BDA design and installation
Solution: ADRF fiber DAS

The first grid test showed failing areas across several buildings. We designed a fiber DAS: fiber remote units placed at key points feed indoor antennas throughout the campus, all connected back to the BDA headend.

This let us use one donor antenna to receive the city radio signal and distribute it across the whole facility.

ADRF fiber DAS equipment installed at Swisher International

Swisher International grid test with most areas failing — Before: failed grid test

Swisher International grid test passing after the fiber DAS installation — After: passed grid test

Extra Space Storage, St. Johns County

Buildings: 1
Stories: 3
Size: 110,000 sq ft
Construction: metal
Scope: RF testing, permitting and installation
Solution: Comba BDA system

We ran the RF grid test during construction. Metal buildings are hard on radio signals, and this one failed.

We coordinated permits, inspections, cable pathways and the fire and electrical trades, and installed the cabling, antennas and the Comba BDA. We also coordinated the annunciator alarm connections with the fire alarm company and the dedicated power with the electrician.

Comba BDA system installed at Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage grid test failing during construction — Before: failed grid test

Extra Space Storage grid test passing after the Comba BDA installation — After: passed grid test

Pershing Elementary, Orange County

Buildings: 2
Stories: 3
Size: 160,000 sq ft
Construction: concrete tilt-up and steel
Scope: design, permitting, installation and commissioning
Solution: ADRF fiber DAS plus a Motorola digital repeater

We were awarded the contract to design, permit, install and commission a public safety BDA and a UHF radio system for this new school, which failed its RF grid test after construction.

The solution was an ADRF fiber DAS for public safety and a Motorola digital repeater for the school’s own radios, installed to Orange County Public Schools fire codes and guidelines, with OTDR, DTF line sweep and commissioning reports.

Public safety DAS equipment installed at Pershing Elementary

Pershing Elementary grid test failing after construction — Before: failed grid test

Pershing Elementary grid test passing after the fiber DAS installation — After: passed grid test

Ette Hotel, Kissimmee

Buildings: 1
Stories: 6
Size: 60,000 sq ft
Construction: concrete tilt-up and steel
Scope: RF testing, design, permitting and installation
Solution: ADRF BDA

The hotel passed in the common areas but failed in critical areas. Stairwells are a challenge for radio signals because they are enclosed in concrete.

We placed antennas near the stairwells to get a passing result. The ADRF BDA sits in a 2-hour rated room, and the donor antenna cable runs inside a 2-hour rated chase.