![]() ![]() These systems’ intention is to provide reliable radio communications for all first responders within all buildings in their jurisdiction. Also, ERRCS has been introduced to serve not only fire department personnel, but all emergency responders. Since 2009, the building and fire codes require the installation of emergency responder radio communications systems (ERRCS) in all new and existing buildings where the fire department deems it is necessary for first responder safety or when the fire alarm system is replaced or extensively upgraded. Today, FFTs are not allowed to be installed except under a specific variance. When there were amplifier failures, the problem would not be discovered until the system was needed during an emergency. ![]() The FFTs were rarely checked when the fire alarm system was tested. Often gum, or some other substance, was stuffed into the jack, rendering it inoperable. A firefighter would have to get a phone and plug it into an available jack to communicate with the fire ground commander.įirefighters experienced numerous problems with the FFT jacks. Additionally, codes allowed the use of FFT jacks in lieu of an actual telephone at each specified location, with a bank of phones with the appropriate plug located in a cabinet at the building fire command center. There were several issues with the FFTs, in that they were generally only installed in the elevator lobby and inside the two exit stairwells from each floor. ![]() In fact, they were ancillary to the fire alarm system, even though the electronic portion of the telephone was a component of the fire alarm control unit. Therefore, everyone in the installation process-designers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and installers-wrongly assumed the FFTs were an integral part of the fire alarm system. The FFTs were generally supplied by the fire alarm system manufacturers. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, required all high-rise fire alarm systems to include FFTs to provide first responders with the ability to communicate within the building to other telephones and primarily to the fire ground commander at the fire command center. Since 1993, building and fire codes required dedicated firefighter telephone systems (FFT) in high-rises. Firefighters discovered early in their response to high-rise fires that their radios would not work well, if at all, once they got inside the building. ![]()
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