Wireless Coverage Systems for Architectural Planning
When engineers and designers put together an architectural plan for a building they generally include details such as floor plans, building materials, utility lines (gas, electric, and water), land surveys, and a plethora of components critical to the construction of their proposed designs. However, one major detail is regularly overlooked during initial planning, and can often remain overlooked even after they have broken ground.
Today’s construction projects need to include plans for in-building cellular and radio communications — and here’s why…
Business Overview | Navigating Federal, State, and Local Codes
There are numerous building codes to which construction companies and architectural firms must adhere. Those codes can be difficult to navigate, especially codes specific to a particular state, county, or local municipality. Many, if not most, of those codes are familiar to seasoned builders and designers, but a handful are newer, and knowledge about them is less widespread. Because of this, some projects experience sizable delays while organizations work to find ways to incorporate those previously unknown requirements into their plans. One such set of codes that often go overlooked are those that deal with in-building communications for public safety — specifically IFC-510 and NFPA-72.
Current Challenge | Ensuring Adequate In-Building Wireless Coverage
The materials used to assemble most commercial structures tend to utilize large volumes of wood, metal, brick, cement, and low-e glass. Such materials interfere with a structure’s ability to propagate cellular and radio frequencies indoors. This means that signals from nearby cellular and radio towers, and those from devices inside, cannot easily penetrate a structure’s exterior, reducing in-building signal strength and capacity.
Per the two codes we previously mentioned, the frequencies that public safety agencies use to communicate during emergency situations must be able to effectively propagate within your buildings. If signals are weak, or non-existent, your building will not be approved for occupancy — increasing project timelines and expenses.
Solution Overview | PSR, PSC, and Cellular DAS Solutions
The key to preventing project delays, and the costs associated with revisiting the design phase of a project that is already underway, is to line up a partner that specializes in systems designed to enhance a building’s wireless capacity before you ever break ground.
And while ensuring adequate in-building public safety cellular and radio signal strength levels is a legal requirement, it is also wise to include signal boosting public cellular enhancement systems within your designs as well. Many organizations depend on major public network carrier frequencies for various operational communications needs. Incorporating solutions into your architectural plans that account for both public safety and general communications needs will save your clients the expense of installing critical systems later — bolstering their confidence in your firm’s ability to handle future projects.
As a Tier 1 National Integrator of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), we at MCA design, install, commission, inspect, test, and provide ongoing maintenance and support for solutions that enhance both in-building public safety and general cellular and radio frequencies.
Our Team | Solution Engineering, Installation, and Support
For over 30 years, MCA has provided expertly tailored communications solutions to architects and builders in need of two-way radios, job-site connectivity, and wireless signal enhancement systems. Our team provides top-tier support for every aspect of your business and mission-critical communications projects from start to finish. Our engineers assess your needs, design custom solutions, and install systems that fit your organization’s exacting requirements.