New NFPA 1225 Standard for Emergency Services Communications Officially Issued

By Don Bishop

September 23, 2021

The 2022 edition of NFPA 1225 Standard for Emergency Services Communications has been completed and officially issued, as reported by Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.), CFO, FM, the executive director of the Safer Buildings Coalition. The step has implications for the Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement System (ERCES) stakeholder community, Perdue said, in a statement he posted to the Safer Buildings Coalition website on Sept. 23.

Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.), CFO, FM, executive director of the Safer Buildings Coalition.

“Newer editions of NFPA standards often provide opportunities to better address the regulation of a particular component of the built environment,” the statement reads. “In the case of NFPA 1225, that relates to ERCES. As each year passes, our experiences and technological advances help shape where the standard needs to ultimately be for the benefit of all stakeholders. First and foremost is the safety of the public and our emergency responders. Additionally, it allows gray areas to become better-focused, providing clarity for those following and enforcing the standard.”

NFPA provides an avenue for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to use new versions before their next adoption process, which in some cases could be years away, Perdue said.

“As an example, let us say your jurisdiction adopts the 2016 Edition of NFPA 1221,” the statement reads. “If you look at Section 1.5 Equivalency of the 2016 edition, it states, “Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard”. That same language is also located within the 2019 edition of NFPA 1221.”

Citing his experience as a former fire marshal and AHF, Perdue said that he found it beneficial to be able to allow the use of a newer edition of a consensus standard. He said there was considerable comfort knowing that what he would be permitting to be used had been through an open, consensus-based process whereby many people participate in the code development process providing valuable insights. One caveat to that permission, he said, was that the applicable sections of the standard being used must be used in its entirety. One could not choose between different editions, he said.

What’s Changed?

There were too many changes within the 2022 Edition of NFPA 1225 to include in his statement on the Safer Buildings Coalition website, Perdue said, but he highlights a few key areas.

“One of the most important foundational aspects of the changes is that all the technical provisions related to ERCES were placed into their own chapter, which is Chapter 18,” the statement reads. “Additionally, definitions are in Chapter 2, and the testing requirements are in Chapter 20.”

Changes to Chapter 2 Definitions included new definitions created for backbone cable components, frequencies, frequency license holder, ERCES, link budget and RF system designer, the statement reads. It said these terms were defined to provide more clarity about their use within the standard.

Changes within Chapter 18 Technical Provisions included adding the term Frequency License Holder within multiple sections of the standard to ensure that those responsible for providing permission to retransmit on a licensed frequency is included in the process of planning, reviewing, installing and testing of in-building ERCES, Perdue said. He said it was imperative that this connection of these stakeholders be a requirement within the standard.

“Also notable are the significant changes within the pathway survivability requirements of the standard located in sections 18.12.3.3 and 18.12.3.4,” the statement reads. “The changes better clarify the difference between buildings less than 75 feet in height and those greater than 75 feet in height often referred to as high-rise. The new requirements also give credit for buildings that are protected with NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems and clearly identify what fire rating is needed if required for the backbone.”

Purdue also said to look at section 18.9.3, which addresses the noise floor and what actions one must take to ensure they do no harm to the macro system.

Chapter 20 Testing requires that the system initially be tested for acceptance and then periodically thereafter, Perdue said. He NFPA clarified the frequency of testing, and it left the method of testing required to the AHJ and Frequency License Holder. Those individuals conducting testing may use multiple methods as described within Annex A Section A.20.3.10, he said. According to Perdue, those methods include SINR, BER, POLQA and others. He said it is recommended that AHJs look at best practice methods for their jurisdiction.

Accessing the Standard

“If you are in the ERCES business, you must have a copy of the standard or I put you in the ‘Chuck and a truck trying to make a quick buck’ category,” Perdue said. “Why? Because if you do not read, understand and follow the rules, you are creating more problems than solutions. Visit the NFPA website at nfpa.org and go to the codes and standards section. Sign up for a hard or electronic copy of the applicable standard or standards that your organization will be utilizing.”

Perdue referred to what baseball player and commentator Dizzy Dean said in the 1940s when referring to a pitcher whose time on the mound was over. He quoted Dean as saying, “You can stick a fork in him folks; he’s done.”

Similarly, Perdue said, so is the development of the 2022 Edition of NFPA 1225 done.

“Now is the time to utilize the great work so many people put together in the code development process,” Perdue’s statement reads. “Review the document, utilize the document, and lets all work together to make the design, installation, and maintenance of ERCES the best it can be. Remember, the safety of our emergency responders depend on it.”

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Don Bishop is executive editor and associate publisher of AGL Magazine.