ARC System

[MGest]

Hi All,

Does anyone where an auxiliary radio system is required by code and under what circumstances. I know that in NYC it's a relatively new requirement for certain buildings as a result of 9/11. But I can't imagine that there aren't other locales that do not make it necessary by code.

Thanks

 

[ron]

I have only run into it in the NYC building code for highrise buildings.

 

[gadfly56]

I have only run into it in the NYC building code for highrise buildings.

It's a-comin' fast all over. There are two flavors, NYC and everybody else.

ARC is NYC. It's an in-building system for use by first-responders, primarily fire fighters. It establishes an "A" channel and a "B" channel. Only one is used at a time in a building. It is NOT designed to transport the radio signal outside the building. Every building is its own silo.

BDA, or bi-directional antenna, ports the signal out of the building and then back in and doesn't discriminate. If you have multiple buildings in an emergency condition, everybody at each scene is on the same frequency (normally). The advantage is that if you have central disaster management, all the efforts can be coordinated.