§ 510-01 In-Building Auxiliary Radio Communication Systems.
RCNY § 510-01
(a)Scope. This section sets forth requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of in-building auxiliary radio communication systems. In-building radio communication systems that were approved for installation by the Department of Buildings and/or the Department prior to December 31, 2014, and that were designed to enhance Department communications in a manner similar to an in-building auxiliary radio communication system, shall be subject to the requirements of this section to the extent set forth in 3 RCNY § 510-01(j).
(b)Definitions. The following terms shall, for purposes of this section and as used elsewhere in the rules, have the meanings shown herein: Appendix Q. Section BC Q107 of Appendix Q to the Building Code, which amends NFPA Standard 72, a Referenced Standard to the Building Code and Fire Code. ARC system. An in-building auxiliary radio communication system. Base station. A transceiver that receives radio signals from an antenna system and retransmits them through the antenna system in an amplified and/or otherwise enhanced manner. Critical areas. Areas of a building within which radio communication is critical for emergency response operations. FCC. United States Federal Communications Commission. General areas. All areas of a building within which radio communication is to be made available for emergency response operations, excluding critical areas. In-building auxiliary radio communication system. A wireless two-way building communication system dedicated for Department use and designed in accordance with Appendix Q to propagate Department wireless radio frequencies within a building. Such a system typically consists of a radio console, base station, cabling, amplifiers and antenna system. Technical criteria. Technical specifications and standards for the design and operation of ARC systems established pursuant to Appendix Q. Technical criteria include but are not limited to operating frequencies; maximum time domain interference; unit ID and emergency alert signaling; dedicated radio console and other installation specifications; and testing equipment specifications. Testable area. Locations within a building in which an ARC system commissioning test can be conducted, including all areas designed for human occupancy. Mechanical rooms and other utility areas are testable areas if, and to the extent that, they are accessible.
(c)Permit. Pursuant to FC 105.6, a permit shall be obtained from the Department to maintain or operate an ARC system. Application for a permit shall be made in accordance with 3 RCNY § 510-01(d)(3).
(d)General Provisions.
(1)General. ARC systems, whether required by Sections 403 or 917 of the Building Code or installed voluntarily, shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with FCC regulations, FC 510, Section 916 of the Building Code, NFPA Standard 72 as amended by Appendix Q, this section and applicable technical criteria. Any potential conflicts among these requirements shall be promptly reported to the Technology Management Unit of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(2)Required frequencies. An ARC system shall be designed to operate on the simplex Department frequencies designated as Channels 1 through 10 and Channel 16, or the duplex Department frequencies designated as Channels 11 and 12, as set forth in the technical criteria. Pursuant to Section 24.9.4.2 of Appendix Q, ARC systems shall be designed to be upgraded to accommodate changes in Department frequencies. The design, installation, operation and maintenance requirements set forth in Appendix Q, the technical criteria and this section may not be applicable to other Department communications and the frequencies on which they are propagated. Any owner seeking to install and maintain an in-building radio communication system that operates on any Department frequency other than the channels specified in this section shall first obtain Department approval in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the Department may prescribe.
(3)Application and approval process. The following Department approvals shall be obtained to install and maintain an ARC system: (A) Application for system design approval. An application shall be filed by or on behalf of the owner, and include design and installation documents prepared in accordance with FC105.4 and 3 RCNY § 510-01(e) and detailing the design and intended operation of the ARC system; a written agreement executed by the owner, for use of Department frequencies, as set forth in 3 RCNY § 511-01(d)(4); and such other documentation as the Department may require. (B) Plan approval. The Department will review the application for system design approval in accordance with FC 105.4 and, if it determines the application to be satisfactory, will approve the documents in accordance with FC 105.4.4. (C) Commissioning test and application for system acceptance and permit issuance. Upon installation of an ARC system in accordance with the Department-approved documents, a commissioning test shall be conducted in accordance with FC 510.2.2.1 and 3 RCNY § 510-01(f)(2). The test shall be performed by a person holding a certificate of fitness for ARC system professional, who is employed by a business holding a Department company certificate, as set forth in 3 RCNY § 115-01. Upon successful completion of the commissioning test, the owner shall file an application with the Department requesting an acceptance test of the system and issuance of a permit. The application shall include a detailed report of the results of the commissioning test, as set forth in 3 RCNY § 510-01(e)(2) and 3 RCNY § 510-01(f)(2), and such other information and documentation as the Department may require. (D) Acceptance test. The owner shall request that the Department schedule an acceptance test. The certificate of fitness holder who conducted the commissioning test shall be present at the acceptance test and demonstrate operation of the ARC system in the presence of Department representatives. The Department representatives will not conduct a second commissioning test but perform a limited test of the ARC system to confirm its operational readiness for Department use. (E) Permit issuance. Upon successful completion of the acceptance test, the Department will issue a permit to maintain and operate the ARC system.
(4)City agreement to operate on FCC-licensed radio frequencies. ARC systems operate on radio frequencies licensed by the FCC to the City of New York. The installation of an ARC system in accordance with Building Code and Fire Code requirements does not constitute legal authority to operate on such licensed radio frequencies. The owner, prior to operating an ARC system, must obtain the consent of the City of New York to operate on such licensed radio frequencies by executing a written agreement with the City of New York in a form approved by the Department and submitting it to the Department as set forth in 3 RCNY § 510-01(d)(3)(A). The City will grant temporary consent for purposes of system installation and commissioning testing at time of plan approval, and final consent upon permit issuance.
(5)Prevention of interference. An ARC system shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in a manner that does not interfere with any other FCC-licensed radio frequency, including police department, fire department and other public safety agency radio communications. Immediate measures shall be taken to remedy any such interference, including interference intermodulation and spurious emissions, in accordance with FCC regulations (as set forth in 47 C.F.R. Part 90), this section and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The owner, and its contractors and agents, shall cooperate with the Department in immediately addressing interference issues, and shall repair or replace any ARC system or system component causing interference.
(6)Supervision. Operation of the ARC system, other than by Department personnel, including inspection and testing for the commissioning test, annual certification and five-year recertification required by 3 RCNY § 510-01(f) and (g), shall be under the personal supervision of a person holding a certificate of fitness as ARC system professional and a General Radiotelephone Operator License issued by the FCC pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 90, who is employed by a company holding an ARC testing company certificate. The duties of such certificate of fitness holder include ensuring that: (A) use of the ARC system is immediately discontinued if, upon testing, it is found to cause interference in violation of FCC regulations and/or other applicable laws, rules and regulations, or upon being directed to do so by a Department representative; (B) the portable radios programmed with Department frequencies are used solely for purposes of ARC system testing, and for no other purpose; and (C) notifications to the Department required by this section are made in accordance with this section.
(7)Sharing of system components. All ARC system components shall be dedicated for system use, except that system radio frequency (RF) cabling may be shared with other in-building radio communication systems if such sharing does not interfere with or otherwise impair the operation of the ARC system.
(8)Citywide standard key. Owners, impairment coordinators, and persons authorized to install or maintain ARC systems, may possess a citywide standard key.
(e)Design and Installation Requirements. An ARC system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 916 of the Building Code, the Electrical Code, FC 510, NFPA Standard 72 as amended by Appendix Q, this section and the technical criteria. ARC system design and installation documents shall set forth the information and documentation required by Section 916 of the Building Code and such other information and documentation as the Department may require, including the following documents: (1) Application for system design approval. A riser diagram and floor plan showing the location of base stations, amplifiers, antennas and other ARC system components, formatted and submitted for Department review and approval in the same manner as fire alarm system installations, as set forth in 3 RCNY § 105-01(c)(1). Any sharing of system radio frequency (RF) cabling with other in-building radio communication systems shall be clearly indicated and accompanied by documentation demonstrating that such sharing will not interfere with or otherwise impair the operation of the ARC system.
(f)Commissioning and Acceptance Testing. Commissioning and acceptance testing shall be conducted in accordance with the following requirements, standards and procedures.
(g)Operational and Maintenance Requirements. An ARC system shall be operated and maintained in accordance with FC 510, this section and the technical criteria.
(h)Out-of-service systems. The following actions shall be taken to mitigate the consequences of any ARC system that is not fully functional, whether as a result of planned removal from service for maintenance, repair or construction, or an unplanned malfunction affecting system operation.
(i)Recordkeeping. A logbook or other approved form of recordkeeping for the maintenance of the ARC system shall be maintained for a period of six (6) years, together with a complete copy of test results and other documentation of ARC system maintenance. The logbook shall include entries for the following maintenance requirements: (1) Commissioning test results, as required by 3 RCNY § 510-01(f)(2); (2) Daily inspection of the system status, as required by 3 RCNY § 510-01(g)(2); (3) Annual certification test results, as required by 3 RCNY § 510-01(g)(3); (4) Five-year recertification test results, as required by 3 RCNY § 510-01(g)(4); (5) Planned removals from service for maintenance, repair or alteration of the ARC system, including the extent and duration of any removal and related notifications to the Department; and (6) Unplanned out-of-service conditions, including a description, extent and duration of any system malfunction, corrective actions taken, and related notifications to the Department.
(j)Lawfully Existing In-Building Radio Communication Systems. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the operation of an in-building radio communication system that was approved for installation by the Department of Buildings and/or the Department prior to December 31, 2014, and that was designed to enhance Department communications in a manner similar to an ARC system, may be continued under the following circumstances and subject to the following requirements: (1) Prior approval. Such system must have been approved for installation by the Department of Buildings and/or the Department prior to January 1, 2015.
