Improving In-Building Wireless Dead Zones for Safety Communication

 

But these in-building wireless dead zones impact more than worker productivity or communication quality. They impact the ability of first responders to react to emergency calls and provide assistance to those who need it most. They also make it more difficult for emergency response teams to coordinate efforts.

 

An International Association of Fire Chiefs survey reports that, when out on emergency calls, nearly all first responders (98.5%) have experienced dead spots in buildings. Wireless dead zones exist in all types of facilities—from large stadiums and entertainment venues to multi-story hospitals and K-12 schools.

 

Whether in an underground parking garage, mechanical room, tunnel, stairwell or elevator, connectivity and communication from any location inside a building are critical for not only first responders, but also for the people inside the facility who need to be able to receive mass alerts and place emergency calls for help.

 

Once they’re on the scene, field units also need to be able to communicate with their emergency command center and one another, even as they move around the building. Meanwhile, the communication center needs to remain in contact with the person who placed the call for help.

 

But wireless dead zones aren’t only found in remote areas of buildings. Even in public spaces or common areas like offices, hallways and lobbies, certain building materials—such as concrete, brick, metal and low-E glass—can make communication difficult. Cellular signals sent from a tower can’t reach the communication device through these barriers.

 

That’s because cellular networks were originally designed to support user mobility—not indoor cellular coverage. For example, as someone moves down the street, radio frequency from their phone passes seamlessly from one cell tower to the next without service interruption.

 

Today, however, cellular networks need to work inside all of America’s 6.2 million commercial buildings—not just outside—to combat dead zones and make communication possible from anywhere. It’s not an issue of convenience but of public safety.

 

The answer can be found in in-building wireless networks. These can include distributed antenna systems (DASs), small cells and Wi-Fi—and they help eliminate wireless dead zones by bringing cellular signals inside to support communication whenever and wherever it’s needed.

 

A Coalition on a Safety Mission

 

To help U.S. buildings improve emergency communication, the Safer Buildings Coalition is dedicated to resolving in-building wireless dead zones that impact first responders and citizens.

 

It emphasizes the importance of the three pillars of in-building public safety communications:

 

1. Mobile 911 calls must be sent successfully—and with location accuracy
2. Mobile mass notification efforts must reach occupants everywhere inside buildings
3. First-responder communication systems must always work inside buildings

 

We fully support the Safer Buildings Coalition’s efforts to ensure that critical communication can happen at all times—from anywhere inside a building—and to connect first responders with civilians across all U.S. facilities.

 

The Safer Buildings Coalition and its 175+ member organizations, including fire departments, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), building owners and manufacturers like Belden, are dedicated to educating the industry on the latest codes and standards for the installation, maintenance and use of emergency communication systems while advancing policies, technologies and ideas that enable reliable wireless connectivity.

 

Because the Safer Buildings Coalition is a nonprofit organization focused solely on these important communication issues, the advocacy group can also help building owners make better decisions about the scope and scalability of their in-building networks. In other words: Consider the coalition as a resource for your in-building wireless projects.

 

We not only support the Safer Buildings Coalition’s endeavors to prioritize public safety, but also align the in-building wireless solutions we manufacture with the most recent codes and standards to ensure safety and compliance.

 

Learn more about Belden’s in-building wireless solutions.

 

Related Links:

 

The Secret to Navigating In-Building Wireless: Find the Right Partner

Seamlessly Connecting Your In-Building Wireless Systems

Effective In-Building Wireless Design Relies on Interoperability