Section 510 of the California Fire Codes
New buildings more than 3 stories high above grade or with total building area more than 50,000 square feet will be subject to the requirements of Section 510 of the California Fire Codes. The enforcement of Section 510 to new constructions is relatively new in the City of Los Angeles.
In sum, a minimum radio signal strength of -95 dBm shall be provided (i.e. -100 dBm is not acceptable whereas -90 dBm is) throughout the building with these two specifications:
- 90% coverage of general area;
- 99% coverage in critical areas such as elevator lobby, exit corridors and stairs.
Buildings that don't meet the required level of radio coverage shall be equipped with Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) -certified signal boosters with a distributed antenna system (“DAS”). These systems shall be provided with standby power for a duration of not less than 24 hours.
The minimum qualifications of the system designer and lead installation personnel shall include the following:
- A valid FCC-issued general radio operator’s license.
- Certification of in-building system training issued by a nationally recognized organization, school or a certificate issued by the manufacturer of the equipment being installed.
Acceptance testing shall be conducted at the time of installation as well as during subsequent annual inspections. Agency personnel shall have the right to enter onto the property at any reasonable time to conduct field testing to verify the required level of radio coverage.
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