Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): For the purposes of BDA/ERCES systems in Newton, the AHJ is the Fire Chief. Fire Prevention and the Director of Technical Services serve as the Fire Chief's designees for BDA/ERCES system oversight.

Contact the AHJ:
Email: fireprevention@newtonma.gov
Phone: 617.796.2230

If you're planning new construction or wish to add a system to an existing building, contact Fire Prevention before starting your design process.

Federal law (47 U.S.C. § 301 and 47 CFR § 90.219) prohibits the operation of signal boosters on public safety radio frequencies without authorization from the frequency licensee.

The City of Newton is the licensee for public safety frequencies in our jurisdiction. Written authorization from the AHJ must be obtained before any system is installed or operated. Permission must be granted by the AHJ prior to any transmission on City of Newton licensed frequencies, regardless of permitting status or the existence of a system.

All vendors must obtain prior written authorization from the AHJ for each specific project before performing ANY work on BDA/ERCES systems—including site surveys, testing, installation, maintenance, or repairs.
 
All vendors must coordinate testing schedules and dispatch notifications through the AHJ. Vendors are prohibited from contacting the dispatch center directly. Unauthorized transmission on Newton's licensed frequencies violates federal law (47 CFR § 90.219) and may result in FCC enforcement action and immediate work stoppage.

Existing Buildings with BDA/ERRCS Systems

Annual Testing Requirements (780 CMR 916.6.1)

Emergency responder radio coverage systems must be inspected and tested:

• Annually, and
• When structural changes occur that could affect system performance

Newton Radio System Upgrades

Newton is currently re-testing and certifying all buildings with BDA/ERRCS systems due to recent radio system upgrades. These upgrades provide substantial coverage enhancements for first responders but require full grid testing with systems powered both on and off to ensure proper operation and prevent interference.

Your vendor will have more details about this program and can work with you and the AHJ on specific steps to take during your code-required annual maintenance. After testing is completed and reports are submitted to the AHJ by your vendor, in some cases buildings may be able to safely power down their BDA/ERRCS systems. In these cases, Newton's upgraded radio system now provides adequate coverage without the use of a BDA/ERRCS system.

Vendor Authorization Requirements

Per federal law (47 CFR § 90.219) and Massachusetts building code (780 CMR 916.5.2), written authorization & permitting from the AHJ is required for each project before any vendor may transmit on or install systems operating on City of Newton licensed public safety frequencies.

Authorization is project-specific and must be requested for each installation, modification, testing, or maintenance activity. There are no blanket approvals.

Vendors Familiar with Newton's Process

The following vendors have experience working in Newton and are familiar with the city's authorization and coordination process. This list does not constitute pre-approval, endorsement, or authorization for any specific project:

• Applied Communications Services Inc
• Commtronics / Bearcomm (Quincy only)
• Cybercomm
• Industrial Communications
• Radio Solutions

Building owners and contractors using vendors not on this list must contact the AHJ well in advance to ensure the vendor can meet Newton's qualification requirements and obtain project-specific authorization.

How to Obtain Project Authorization

For each project, vendors must contact the AHJ to:

1. Receive relevant technical specifications regarding the City of Newton Public Safety Radio System

2. Demonstrate personnel meet qualification requirements (780 CMR 916.5.2, NFPA 72 Section 10.5.3.4)

3. Provide evidence of required test equipment for grid testing

4. Obtain written authorization before any transmission or testing on Newton frequencies

5. Submit project-specific system design for review

*System design submittal required for new installations and system modifications. Initial site surveys to determine system need, repairs, and annual maintenance do not require design submittal but still require authorization per item 4.

No vendor may begin work without project-specific written authorization & permitting. Unauthorized transmission may result in FCC enforcement action and work stoppage.

Personnel Qualification Requirements

Per Massachusetts building code (780 CMR 916.5.2), NFPA 72 (Section 10.5.3.4), and requirements established by the AHJ, all personnel designing, installing, testing, or maintaining BDA/ERRCS systems must demonstrate competency through the following:

Required Certifications & Training:

• New vendors: NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) Certification at the appropriate level:
  • Level I minimum for installation personnel
  • Level II or higher for lead technicians
  • Design certification for system designers
• Valid FCC General Radio Operator License (required by 780 CMR 916.5.2)
• Manufacturer-specific certification for equipment being installed
• Documented experience and training acceptable to the AHJ
• Current Vendors must meet new Vendor requirements by January 2028

Required Test Equipment for Grid Testing:

Vendors must possess and utilize a Motorola APX 6000 BN subscriber radio that is:
• In current calibration for all system testing
• Programmed to include RSSI in dBm feature for testing

Additional Resources

The Safer Buildings Coalition, in partnership with NICET, has established the national standard for ERCES technician qualifications.

More information: www.nicet.org/IB-PSC