Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-H - FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017
Chapter 12-H5 - FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
Rule 12-H510 - EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H510

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 12-H510 - EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE

Strike Section 510.1 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert a new Section 510.1 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

510.1

Emergency responder radio coverage in new buildings. All new buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the District of Columbia at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication systems.

Exceptions:

1. Where approved by the building official and the fire code official, a wired communication system in accordance with Section 907.2.13.2 shall be permitted to be installed or maintained instead of an approved radio coverage system.
2. Where it is determined by the District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and the fire code official that the radio coverage system is not needed based on procedures and criteria set forth in Section 510 and in OUC guidelines.
3. In facilities where emergency responder radio coverage is required and such systems, components or equipment required could have a negative impact on the normal operations of that facility, the fire code official shall have the authority to accept an automatically activated emergency responder radio coverage system.
4. Building covered by the Residential Code.
5. Group R- 2 buildings with four or fewer dwelling units per floor up to three floors above grade.
6. Group R- 3 buildings.

Strike Section 510.3 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 510.3 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

510.3

Permits required. No emergency responder radio coverage system or related equipment shall be installed or modified without a building permit and any required electrical permit issued by the building code official. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.

Strike Section 510.4.2.4 of the International Fire Code and insert a new Section 510.4.2.4 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

510.4.2.4

Signal booster requirements. If used, signal boosters shall meet the following requirements:

1. All signal booster components shall be contained in electrical enclosures that are rated for the environments in which they are located. The electrical enclosures shall be a minimum of National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA) 4-type waterproof cabinets.

Exception: A minimum of NEMA 3R-type cabinets are required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

2. Battery systems used for the emergency power source shall be contained in electrical enclosures that are rated for the environments in which they are located. The electrical enclosures shall be a minimum of NEMA 4-type waterproof cabinets.

Exception: A minimum of NEMA 3R-type cabinets are required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

3. The signal booster system and battery system shall be electrically supervised and shall be monitored by a listed fire alarm control unit in accordance with NFPA 72.

Exception: Where a fire alarm system is not provided, the signal booster system shall be monitored by a supervisory service, or when approved by the fire code official, shall sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location.

4. Equipment shall have FCC certification prior to installation.

Insert a new Section 510.7 into the Fire Code to read as follows:

510.7

Office of Unified Communications Requirements. Emergency responder radio coverage systems and related equipment shall comply with all additional requirements, specifications and criteria established by the District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications to satisfy the operational needs of emergency responders and to prevent adverse impact on the District of Columbia's public safety communications.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H510

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)