ARTICLE 40
SHARON ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY IN-BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS
Section 1:
New buildings or structures or portions of existing buildings or structures undergoing renovations or rehabilitation in accordance with the State Building Code (780 CMR Chapter 34 “Existing Structures”)shall be equipped with in-building radio systems as an integral component of the life safety equipment of the building or structure. The primary function of this requirement is to provide reliable public safety communications within 95% of a building or structure’s floor area including any stairwells.
Section 1 does not apply to:
a. One and Two Family dwellings as defined in the Massachusetts Building Code;
b. Buildings constructed of wood frame with no metal construction and no underground storage or parking areas and portions of buildings or structures where the fire/police departments have performed radio tests for signal reception and determined radio coverage is adequate.
Nothing in this by-law shall be construed to be, nor in
practice or implementation shall be, inconsistent with the State
Building Code (780 CMR).
Section 2:
For the purpose of this by-law, adequate radio coverage shall include a minimum signal level of DAQ 4 (Delivered Audio Quality 4 [speech easily understood, with occasional noise/distortion]). This shall be determined utilizing hand-held portable radios used by the Sharon Fire and Police Departments.
Section 3:
The in-building radio system shall provide signal strength as follows:
a. A minimum of –95 dBm available in 95% of the floor area of each floor of the building, including any stairwells, when transmitted from the Sharon Fire or Police Departments or Norfolk County Fire Dispatch centers.
b. A minimum of –95 dBm received at the Sharon Fire or Police Departments or Norfolk County Fire Dispatch centers from 95% of the floor area of each floor of the building, including stairwells.
Section 4:
Buildings and structures shall be FCC certified class B Bi-Directional UHF Amplifier(s) (BDA) as needed. The system as installed must comply with all applicable sections of FCC rules part 90.
Section 5:
Assembly and installation of the Bi-Directional Amplification System shall be in accordance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code as applicable and shall meet NFPA 72 section 6.9.10.4.3, 2007 addition.
Section 6:
The radio system may utilize a radiating cable system or an internal multiple antenna system.
Section 7:
Radiating coaxial cables shall be run without conduit. Where installed in a plenum type ceiling, the cable insulation shall be a fire-resistant low-smoke producing type, with a minimum rating of CATVR.
Section 8:
The Sharon Fire and Police Departments and Norfolk County Fire ground frequencies are established and the BDA shall be designed for uplink and downlink for the appropriate public safety department’s frequencies designated by the Sharon Fire and Police chiefs.
Section 9:
There shall be no connectivity between the in-building radio system and the fire alarm system.
Section 10:
The system shall be capable of operating on an independent battery system for a period of at least 12 hours without external power input. The battery system shall automatically charge in the presence of external power input.
Section 11:
Each amplifier shall be monitored for operation, primary and low battery voltage. Failure of the amplifier, loss of primary power or low battery voltage shall cause an audible alarm or other indication as approved by the fire chief or his designee. The audible alarm or other indication shall not be silenced or disabled until the fault has been corrected.
Section 12:
Amplifiers shall be installed in secured in a 2 hour protected space in watertight NEMA 4 metallic cabinets. The words “Sharon Fire/Police Department Radio” shall be marked on the cabinet as well as the maintenance vendor and vendor phone number.
Section 13:
No Certificate of Occupancy will be issued for any structure covered by this by-law unless and until the building owner demonstrates full compliance with this by-law.
Section 14:
The building owner shall be responsible for modifications, updating system as required and testing all active components of the system, including but not limited to amplifier, power supplies and back up batteries a minimum of once every 12 months. Documentation of the test shall be maintained on site and a copy forwarded to the Sharon Fire and/or Police Department. All tests shall be conducted, documented and signed by a person with a current FCC General Radiophone Operator License or equivalent.
Section 15:
The building owner shall provide reasonable access to Fire Department and/or Police department personnel to conduct field-testing of the radio systems to determine if the radio coverage is adequate.
Section 16:
All cost and upkeep of the system will be the responsibility of the building owner. Upon resale or transfer of the building, the new owner shall assume all conditions of this occupancy requirement. Upon failure of the system, the owner or his designee shall notify the Sharon Fire and Police Departments and all repairs shall be mitigated within 24 hours of the failure.
Section 17:
The Chief of the Fire Department is hereby authorized to adopt regulations consistent with this by-law for the implementation hereof.
Section 18:
Whoever violates any of the provisions hereof may be subject to a fine for each violation as set forth in Article 11 of the General By-laws.
And further, to see if the Town will vote to amend Article 11 Section 2 of the General By-laws, relative to violations of the General By-laws, by adding thereto the following:
|
BY-LAW, RULE OR REGULATION |
AMOUNT OF FINE |
ENFORCING PERSON |
|
Art. 40 (Public Safety In-building or Structure Radio Communications Specifications) |
$100 first offense $200 second offense $300 third offense and each subsequent offense, or alternatively, loss of Certificate of Occupancy
|
Building Inspector |