In-building radio coverage for first responders
Concrete, steel, metal walls, stairwells and basements block public safety radio signals. When that happens, firefighters and police inside the building can lose contact with each other and with dispatch.
We design and build public safety BDA / DAS systems (also called ERCES) that bring that radio signal into every part of the building. One team handles the whole project: RF survey, system design, permitting, installation, coordination with the other trades, acceptance testing, code compliance and ongoing maintenance.
Complete BDA / DAS services
From the first signal test to the yearly inspection.
RF surveys and grid testing
We measure the public safety radio signal on every floor and give you a pass/fail report.
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BDA / DAS system design
Engineered iBwave designs with antenna placement, riser diagrams and a permit-ready AHJ package.
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BDA installation
Certified technicians install the BDA, antennas, cabling, battery backup and fire alarm monitoring.
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Testing and commissioning
Final grid testing and acceptance with the fire marshal and the radio system license holder.
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BDA maintenance
Annual inspections, testing, battery service and repairs, including systems we did not install.
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BDA FAQ and codes
What a BDA and an ERCES are, which buildings need one, and the codes behind it.
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How a BDA system works
A BDA (bi-directional amplifier) system brings the outside radio signal into every part of your building.
Donor antenna
Mounted on the roof, it picks up the signal from the public safety radio towers.
BDA system
Amplifies the signal in both directions: into the building and from the radios back out. It sits in a red enclosure with battery backup and is monitored by the fire alarm system.
DAS antennas
Indoor antennas on each floor spread the signal to offices, stairwells, elevators and basements.
Our BDA process
Consultation
We meet with you to go over the project, the codes that apply, the process and the timeline.
RF testing
We measure signal strength inside the building with a PCTEL analyzer to find out if a BDA / DAS is needed.
Design and permitting
We handle the RF design, the documentation and the permits with the local fire marshal.
Installation
Our technicians install the BDA, antennas and cabling, and coordinate power and fire alarm connections.
Acceptance testing
Commissioning and final grid testing show the system meets the Florida fire code and local requirements.
Annual testing
Yearly inspections, maintenance and monitoring keep the system reliable and compliant.
Buildings we work in
Commercial real estate
BDA retrofits that bring existing office buildings up to NFPA and local fire codes.
New construction
We work with the general contractor to test, design and install the system before the final inspection.
Hotels
Coverage for stairwells, back-of-house areas and every guest floor.
Self storage
Metal buildings and hallways are hard on radio signals. We have solved it in multi-story storage facilities.
Warehouses and manufacturing
Large footprints, racking and concrete. We cover the areas where the signal drops.
High-rises and condominiums
We work with the property manager to complete the required RF testing and pass inspection.
Featured BDA projects
Schools, hotels, storage facilities and manufacturing campuses across Northeast and Central Florida.
Pershing Elementary, Orange County
Public safety fiber DAS plus a Motorola digital repeater for school radios, built to Orange County Public Schools fire codes.
Ette Hotel, Kissimmee
ADRF BDA in a 2-hour rated room, with antennas placed to cover the concrete stairwells.
Swisher International, Jacksonville
Fiber DAS across 8 heavy concrete buildings and more than 800,000 square feet.
Extra Space Storage, St. Johns County
Three-story metal building that failed its RF test during construction. Fixed with a Comba BDA system.
See every project
Before and after grid test maps, building details and the solution we used, on our BDA Projects page.
City of Jacksonville requirements
Download the City of Jacksonville survey and installation requirements for public safety BDA systems.
Where we work
Our BDA team is based in Jacksonville and serves Northeast and Central Florida.
Northeast Florida
Jacksonville and Duval County, St. Augustine and St. Johns County, Clay County and Nassau County.
Along the coast
Palm Coast and Flagler County, Daytona Beach and Volusia County.
Central Florida
Gainesville, Ocala and the Greater Orlando area.
BDA questions
Public safety BDA systems
Does my building need a BDA system?
It depends on the building and on the local fire marshal (the AHJ). In Florida, many buildings of 12,000 square feet or more, or with underground areas, need a radio signal strength assessment. An RF grid test shows whether the building passes or needs a BDA.
What is the difference between a BDA, a DAS and an ERCES?
The BDA amplifies the radio signal, the DAS (antennas and cabling) spreads it through the building, and ERCES is the name for the complete emergency responder communication system.
Can you test or repair a system you did not install?
Yes. We test, maintain and repair existing BDA systems from other installers and other manufacturers.
Which areas do you serve?
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, Flagler and Volusia counties, Gainesville, Ocala and Greater Orlando.
Need to pass your fire inspection?
Call us for an RF survey and a quote. Se habla español.