ERCES Compliance

⚠️ Michigan MPSCS compliance is now being enforced for new construction and major renovations.  Request a free site assessment →
Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement System

Is Your Building ERCES Compliant?

Michigan law requires reliable in-building radio coverage for first responders. We help facility managers, city officials, and building owners get compliant — and stay that way.

IFC 510Governing Code Section
95% / 99%Required Coverage Threshold
AnnualRequired Recertification
$0Cost to Assess with TCG
Free 2-Minute Tool

Does Your Building Require ERCES?

Answer 6 quick questions. We’ll tell you if ERCES is likely required, what testing you need, and your next step.

Building ERCES Needs Assessment

Free tool — no login required. Results in under 2 minutes.

Step 1 of 6

What type of building or facility is this?

Select the category that best describes your building’s primary use.

🏢
Commercial / Office
Office buildings, retail, mixed-use
🏛️
Government / Municipal
City halls, courthouses, police, fire
🏥
Healthcare / Hospital
Hospitals, clinics, medical centers
🏫
School / University
K–12, colleges, training facilities
🏭
Industrial / Warehouse
Manufacturing, distribution, logistics
✈️
Airport / Transportation
Terminals, transit, parking structures
🏨
Hotel / Multi-Family
Hotels, apartments, condominiums
🏗️
Other / Unsure
I’ll describe it to a TCG specialist

What is the approximate square footage of the building?

ERCES thresholds vary by jurisdiction — size is a primary trigger in most codes.

🔹
Under 10,000 sq ft
Small building
🔷
10,000 – 50,000 sq ft
Mid-size building
🏙️
50,000 – 250,000 sq ft
Large building
🌆
250,000 sq ft+
Major facility / campus

What are the primary construction materials?

Dense materials significantly block radio signals and increase ERCES likelihood.

🧱
Concrete / Masonry
Heavy signal attenuation — high ERCES risk
⚙️
Steel Frame / Metal
Significant RF blocking
🪟
Low-E Glass / Tinted Windows
Modern glass blocks radio signals
🔀
Mixed Materials
Combination of the above
🪵
Wood Frame / Light Construction
Lower attenuation — may still need testing

Does the building have underground levels or multiple floors?

Basements, parking structures, and tall buildings are common ERCES trigger points.

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Underground / Basement
Parking, mechanical, storage below grade
🏙️
High-Rise (5+ floors)
Upper floors often lose outdoor signal
🏢
Both Underground & Multi-Story
ERCES almost certainly required
🏠
Single Story / Above Grade Only
Size may still trigger requirements

Have you or first responders noticed radio dead zones inside the building?

Even if ERCES isn’t code-triggered, known dead zones create liability and safety risk.

📡
Yes — Known Dead Zones
Firefighters, police, or staff have reported coverage issues
Not Sure / Possibly
Haven’t formally tested — likely some weak areas
No Known Issues
No complaints — but formal testing may still be required

What is the construction or project status?

New construction and major renovations have specific code trigger points.

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New Construction
Building permit pending or in progress
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Major Renovation
Level 3 alteration or significant remodel
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Existing Building
Assessing current compliance status
📐
In Planning / Design Phase
Project has not broken ground yet
Who It Affects

Which Buildings Are Required to Have ERCES?

Michigan follows IFC Section 510 and NFPA 1225. Most large or dense buildings, new construction, and existing facilities with known coverage gaps are required to have a functioning system.

🏭
Factories & Industrial

Steel and concrete structures block signals. Manufacturing plants are high-priority ERCES buildings in Michigan.

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Schools & Universities

Educational buildings require reliable first responder communications throughout all floors and wings.

🏥
Hospitals & Medical Centers

Healthcare facilities require 99% critical area coverage. EMT and fire response depends on it.

🏛️
Municipal Buildings

City halls, courthouses, and government facilities are subject to ERCES under state and local codes.

✈️
Airports & Transit Centers

High-traffic public infrastructure with complex radio environments. AHJ requirements are stringent.

🅿️
Parking Structures

Underground and enclosed garages are near-universal ERCES triggers due to dense shielding.

🏨
Hotels & Multi-Family

High-occupancy residential and hospitality buildings in Michigan require in-building coverage per local AHJ.

🔋
Utilities & Infrastructure

Water treatment plants, substations, and remote utility facilities need first responder radio access.

⚠️ Michigan Note: Do Not Assume — Test First

Under the Michigan MPSCS compliance framework, the correct workflow is: test the RF environment first, document the results, then design a system only if the building fails coverage requirements. TCG provides professional pre-design RF surveys that protect both the building owner and the compliance record. Schedule a free consultation →

Standards & Regulations

The Codes That Govern ERCES

ERCES compliance is governed by federal, national, and state-level codes. Your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) — typically the local fire marshal — enforces these at the building level.

IFC SECTION 510

International Fire Code

The primary model code governing ERCES in new and existing buildings. Requires 95% general coverage and 99% critical area coverage. Mandates UL 2524-listed equipment, standby power, annual testing, and fire alarm interface.

NFPA 1225

Emergency Services Communications

The 2022 NFPA 1225 standard consolidates NFPA 1221 and NFPA 1061 into one comprehensive ERCES document covering design, installation, testing, and maintenance. All components must be UL 2524 listed.

NFPA 72 · 2025 ED.

National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code

The 2025 edition clarifies how ERCES must be supervised, monitored, and interconnected with fire alarm systems. Expands lifecycle responsibilities for building owners.

FCC PART 90

Federal Radio Regulations

FCC rules require any non-licensee operating a signal booster to obtain express consent from the frequency licensee, maintain consent records, and operate on a non-interference basis. Installer must hold an FCC General Radio Operator license.

MICHIGAN MPSCS

Michigan Public Safety Comm. System

Michigan’s statewide 800/700 MHz digital trunked radio network — 355+ towers, 155,000+ radios. ERCES systems in Michigan must be coordinated with MPSCS for frequency consent before installation. TCG manages this coordination for all clients.

UL 2524

Listed Equipment Standard

All ERCES amplifiers must be UL 2524 listed — the certification verifying performance in emergency scenarios. The Nextivity SHIELD product line (installed by TCG) carries full UL 2524 listing and all required monitoring and alarming functions.

📋 Coverage Performance Requirements (IFC 510)

Signal must be achieved in 95% of all areas on each floor and 99% of critical areas (stairwells, elevator shafts, command centers). Minimum inbound signal level: -95 dBm. Systems must meet DAQ and SINR thresholds. Annual testing and documentation is required to maintain compliance.

TCG’s Approach

The Michigan ERCES Compliance Pathway

TCG packages ERCES as a complete Michigan Public Safety Radio Coverage Compliance Program — not just equipment installation. We guide you through every step, from initial survey to annual recertification.

1
RF Survey & Baseline Testing
Professional site test — not just predictive modeling
2
AHJ Coordination
Local fire marshal submittal and review
3
MPSCS / FCC Consent
Frequency licensee authorization — required by federal law
4
System Engineering
Full design package: BDA, antennas, standby power
5
Installation
Certified crew, UL 2524 equipment, no subcontracting
6
Acceptance Testing
Floor grid walk, oscillation test, AHJ sign-off
7
Annual Recertification
Ongoing IFC 510.6 compliance — ServicePAK covered
Why this matters for Michigan building owners: An ERCES system that isn’t properly coordinated with MPSCS, or that lacks AHJ documentation, creates liability exposure and can result in a failed acceptance test — even if the equipment is correctly installed. TCG manages the entire compliance pathway so your system passes the first time.
Nextivity — TCG Authorized Partner

ERCES Equipment We Install

TCG is an authorized installer of Nextivity’s CEL-FI SHIELD product line — the industry’s most advanced, all-digital public safety ERCES solutions. All products are UL 2524 listed and FirstNet-ready.

Small-to-Mid Buildings · Up to 238,000 sq ft

SHIELD SOLO

Formerly CEL-FI SOLO RED · Integrated Public Safety BDA

A complete 0.5-watt integrated BDA for LMR 700/800 MHz. Award-winning signal processing and end-to-end remote monitoring — the most advanced low-power ERCES solution available.

LMR 700/800 MHz 0.5W Class A/B UL 2524 Listed WAVE Portal Remote Monitoring
  • Coverage Area Up to 238,000 sq ft
  • Class A Channels 64 channels at 12.5 kHz bandwidth
  • Class B Channels 56 channels at 100/150 kHz
  • Monitoring End-to-end via CEL-FI WAVE Portal
  • TDI Detection Industry-first donor signal quality monitoring
  • Award 2023 BIG Innovation Award Winner

Ideal for: Schools, mid-size offices, government buildings, hotels

Large / Complex Buildings · Multi-Band DAS

SHIELD EXTEND

Formerly CEL-FI QUATRA RED · Integrated Public Safety DAS

The only ERCES solution delivering concurrent LMR coverage and true carrier-grade multi-band FirstNet support. All-digital RFoE over Cat cabling — up to 1,000× stronger than traditional analog BDA systems.

LMR + FirstNet Class A & B UL 2524 Listed All-Digital No Noise Guarantee Fiber Option
  • Technology All-digital RFoE over Cat cabling or fiber
  • Frequencies LMR 700/800 MHz + multi-band FirstNet
  • Signal Strength Up to 1,000× stronger than analog BDA
  • Cabling PoE over Cat6 — no coax runs required
  • Monitoring Built-in tools + WAVE Portal remote visibility
  • Fiber Option QUATRA RED Fiber Range Extender available

Ideal for: Hospitals, airports, large industrial facilities, high-rise buildings, campuses

🛡️
TCG is a Nextivity Authorized ERCES Installer

As an authorized partner, TCG installs, commissions, and maintains the full Nextivity SHIELD product line across Michigan. All systems include manufacturer warranties, UL 2524 certification, and TCG’s lifetime workmanship guarantee. We handle MPSCS coordination and AHJ submittal documentation as part of every installation.

Common Questions

ERCES FAQ

ERCES stands for Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement System — a life-safety system ensuring firefighters, police, and EMTs can use portable radios reliably throughout your building. Modern construction materials like concrete, steel, and low-E glass block radio signals. Without ERCES, a first responder in your basement or elevator shaft may be unable to call for backup. Michigan fire codes and IFC Section 510 require compliant systems in most new and many existing buildings.
There is no single universal square footage threshold — requirements depend on your local AHJ, building occupancy type, construction materials, and whether it’s new construction or existing. The correct approach is a professional RF survey first. If the building passes the IFC coverage threshold (signal in 95% of general areas, 99% of critical areas), no ERCES is required. If it fails, an engineered system must be installed. Don’t assume — test first.
MPSCS is Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System — the statewide 800/700 MHz digital trunked radio network used by law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other agencies. It’s one of the largest trunked communication systems in the world (355+ towers, 155,000+ radios). Before installing an ERCES/BDA system in Michigan, FCC rules require written frequency consent from the licensee — typically the MPSCS authority. TCG manages this coordination process for every project.
A BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier) is a single amplifier unit that boosts public safety radio signals in both directions — used for smaller buildings. A DAS (Distributed Antenna System) is a network of antennas distributed throughout a building, driven by a central head-end — used for larger or more complex buildings. The Nextivity SHIELD SOLO is a BDA-class solution (up to ~238,000 sq ft). The SHIELD EXTEND is a full DAS solution for complex, large-scale deployments.
IFC Section 510.6 requires ERCES systems to remain operational at all times and be inspected and tested annually. Testing must also occur after structural changes that could alter original field performance. Annual testing follows the IFC acceptance test procedure: floor-grid walk-testing, amplifier gain records, oscillation testing, voice quality testing, and FCC compliance verification. TCG’s ServicePAK program covers annual ERCES recertification.
No. IFC Section 510 requires that the system designer and lead installation personnel hold an FCC-issued General Radio Operator license and manufacturer certification. MPSCS frequency consent must be obtained before any amplifier is activated. Systems operating without proper authorization violate FCC Part 90 and can result in significant fines and forced shutdown. TCG’s team holds all required credentials and manages the entire regulatory process.
A failed ERCES inspection can result in a fire code violation notice, occupancy holds on new construction, and in some jurisdictions, fines or mandatory evacuation of the non-compliant area. Beyond regulatory consequences, a building without functioning first responder radio coverage creates significant liability exposure. TCG recommends proactive testing before AHJ enforcement visits so deficiencies can be addressed on your timeline — not the fire marshal’s.
TCG is headquartered in Clinton Township and primarily serves Southeast Michigan and the greater Detroit Metro Area — including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. For larger or mission-critical projects, we travel throughout Michigan. Call us at 586-765-0770 to discuss your location and project scope.

Ready to Get Your Building Compliant?

TCG handles the entire ERCES compliance pathway — from RF survey and MPSCS coordination to installation, acceptance testing, and annual recertification. One call covers everything.

✓ Free Initial Consultation ✓ Nextivity Authorized Installer ✓ Michigan MPSCS Coordination Included ✓ Annual Recertification via ServicePAK