UNDERSTANDING ERRCS AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Emergency Responder Radio Communication Systems (ERRCS) are typically designed and built according to national and local codes (NFPA, IFC). These are so-called “Life Safety” systems and co-exist with fire sprinklers and Fire Alarm Systems. Most jurisdictions now require an ERRCS to be monitored by the Fire Alarm Control Panel.

The following is a typical requirement and comes from the San Francisco Fire Department’s ERRCS requirement (Addendum G): 2.01 2016 Fire Alarm Submittals (Revised 03.20.18).pdf (sf-fire.org)

  1. The ERRCS shall be monitored by the building fire alarm system if installed or by the dedicated function fire alarm system if installed (where the building fire alarm system is not provided) in accordance with 2016 NFPA 1221 Section 9.6.13.
  2. In all buildings provided with a building fire alarm system or a dedicated function(s) fire alarm system, a dedicated monitoring panel (LED fire alarm annunciator) shall be provided by the fire alarm contractor in accordance with the requirements of 2016 NFPA 1221 section 9.6.13.2 and shall monitor all ERRCS conditions (a) through (g) listed in 2016 NFPA 1221 Section 9.6.13.2 (1). This dedicated monitoring panel shall be installed in the fire command center in new high-rise buildings or adjacent the FACU in low-rise buildings.
  3. If the building is not provided with a building fire alarm system or a dedicated function(s) fire alarm system, an approved dedicated monitoring panel shall be provided by the ERRCS contractor on the ERRCS permit plans. This dedicated monitoring panel shall meet the
  4.  Per 2016 NFPA 1221 Section 9.6.13.2 (1) (g), all ERRCS components including the donor antenna and the in-building distributed antennas and all system wiring and cables shall be monitored for integrity for trouble conditions at the building fire alarm control unit or at the dedicated function(s) fire alarm control unit, if provided, and on the required dedicated monitoring panel.