What is an ERCES?
An ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System) is an in-building radio system that amplifies and distributes first responder radio signals — police, fire, and EMS — throughout a building. It typically consists of a bi-directional amplifier (BDA), a distributed antenna system (DAS), and battery backup. Fire codes such as IFC 510 and NFPA 1225 require an ERCES in buildings where public safety radio coverage falls below minimum signal levels, most commonly a 95% coverage requirement on every floor.
What is the difference between a BDA and a DAS?
A BDA (bi-directional amplifier) is the signal booster: it amplifies radio signals coming into and out of a building. A DAS (distributed antenna system) is the network of cabling and antennas that carries that boosted signal to every floor and room. In practice they work together — the BDA provides the gain, the DAS provides the coverage. A complete public safety system (ERCES) includes both, plus NEMA-rated enclosures, battery backup, and annunciator panels required by fire code.
Do I need a BDA system for code compliance in Georgia?
In Georgia, most jurisdictions enforce IFC Section 510, which requires new commercial buildings — and many existing ones undergoing renovation — to provide minimum public safety radio coverage, typically 95% on all floors and 99% in critical areas like fire command centers, stairwells, and elevator lobbies. If a radio signal survey shows your building fails those levels, the fire marshal will require an ERCES/BDA system before issuing a certificate of occupancy. Requirements vary by county and city, so the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) makes the final call.
How much does a DAS or BDA system cost?
A code-compliant public safety BDA/ERCES system typically costs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot installed, so a 100,000 sq ft building usually lands between $150,000 and $400,000 depending on construction materials, frequency bands, and AHJ requirements. Cellular DAS for carrier signal ranges more widely — roughly $1 to $10 per square foot depending on whether it is a passive booster system or a carrier-grade active DAS. The only way to get an accurate number is a site survey and RF benchmark, which is where every project should start.
How long does a BDA/ERCES installation take?
Most BDA/ERCES projects complete within 4 to 8 weeks. A typical timeline: site survey and RF signal analysis in weeks 1–2, system design, AHJ submittal, and FCC-required frequency license holder approval in weeks 2–3, installation in weeks 4–6, and final grid testing with fire marshal witness in the final phase. Large high-rises or campuses can take longer, and AHJ review time varies by jurisdiction.
What are the NFPA 1225 and IFC 510 requirements?
NFPA 1225 (which consolidated NFPA 1221 and 1061) and IFC Section 510 set the standards for emergency responder radio coverage in buildings. Key requirements: 95% radio coverage on every floor and 99% in critical areas, minimum signal strength of -95 dBm inbound and outbound, NEMA 4-rated enclosures, 12–24 hours of battery backup, dedicated annunciation to the fire alarm panel, and annual retesting. Non-compliance can mean failed inspections, certificate of occupancy delays, and fines.
How do I know if my building needs in-building radio coverage?
Warning signs include dropped calls or dead zones inside the building, first responder radio failures noted during fire inspections, low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, concrete or steel construction, and below-grade levels. The definitive answer comes from a radio signal survey: a technician measures signal strength on a grid across every floor and compares results against the code minimums. If any floor falls below 95% coverage, an ERCES is required. AG Hicks Consulting performs these benchmark surveys as the first step of every project.
Do I need separate systems for cellular and first responder radio?
Yes, in most cases they must be separate systems. Public safety ERCES operates on licensed first responder frequencies (typically 700/800 MHz) and must meet strict fire code requirements — dedicated power, battery backup, and alarm supervision — that prohibit sharing with commercial cellular equipment. Cellular DAS improves phone service for tenants and visitors but is not code-mandated. The two systems can share pathways and be designed together to reduce total cost, which is why designing them at the same time saves money.
Does an ERCES need annual testing or recertification?
Yes. IFC 510 and NFPA 1225 require annual testing of installed ERCES equipment, including signal strength verification, battery backup load tests, and alarm supervision checks. Many Georgia jurisdictions require the test report to be filed with the fire marshal to keep the certificate of occupancy in good standing. AG Hicks Consulting provides annual testing, certification, and maintenance for systems we install as well as systems installed by others.
What types of low voltage cabling do you install?
We install CAT6 and CAT6A structured cabling for data networks, single-mode and multi-mode fiber optics for backbone and outside plant connections, and coaxial cabling for video and RF applications. Services include complete MDF/IDF buildouts, rack and cable management, pathway and conduit work, fiber splicing, and full testing with certification documentation. All work is performed to BICSI standards under a Georgia Low Voltage License.
Do you design and install commercial Wi-Fi networks?
Yes. We design and install enterprise wireless networks for offices, warehouses, hotels, schools, and healthcare facilities. Every project starts with a predictive design or on-site wireless survey to map coverage, capacity, and interference, followed by access point placement, structured cabling to each AP, and post-installation validation testing. We engineer for the real demands of the space — high-density conference areas, roaming for voice and handheld scanners, and secure guest network segmentation.
What should I consider when installing commercial video surveillance (CCTV)?
The key decisions are camera coverage and placement, resolution, storage retention, and network design. Modern commercial systems use IP cameras over CAT6 cabling with Power over Ethernet, recording to a network video recorder (NVR) or cloud platform. Plan for the retention period your insurance or compliance requirements demand — typically 30 to 90 days — and make sure entrances, loading docks, parking areas, and cash-handling zones have unobstructed views. We design camera layouts, run the cabling, and commission the full system with remote viewing access.
Can access control and video surveillance run on the same network?
Yes — modern access control (card readers, keypads, mobile credentials) and IP video surveillance are both network-based systems and are frequently designed together on shared structured cabling and network infrastructure, usually on a dedicated VLAN separated from tenant data traffic. Designing them at the same time reduces cabling cost, simplifies management, and lets events tie together — for example, pulling video automatically when a door is forced open. We design, cable, and commission both systems as an integrated security package.
Do you handle audio/visual (AV) system installation for conference rooms?
Yes. We install commercial AV systems including conference room displays, video conferencing setups, digital signage, sound masking, and paging systems. Because AV runs on the same low voltage infrastructure as data networks, we handle the full scope — display mounting, HDMI-over-IP or AV-over-IP distribution, in-ceiling speakers, cable pathways, and rack buildouts — under one Georgia Low Voltage License. Coordinating AV with the structured cabling design during construction avoids exposed wiring and costly retrofits.
What areas does AG Hicks Consulting serve?
AG Hicks Consulting is headquartered in Conyers, Georgia and primarily serves metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, with the capability to support projects throughout the Southeast. We work in commercial high-rises, healthcare facilities, hotels, industrial complexes, schools and universities, and government buildings. Call 1 (888) 711-2545 to discuss a project anywhere in the region.
What certifications does AG Hicks Consulting hold?
AG Hicks Consulting, LLC is a BICSI Corporate Member with BICSI Technician certification, holds a Georgia Low Voltage License, and maintains OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certifications. The firm is a Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with CAGE Code 857V8 and UEI QTE2J9XDC6Y4, with over 35 years of technical experience in low voltage and RF engineering.