Florida guide
Florida's ERRCS law in plain English
Florida law put dates on firefighter radio coverage. Existing high-rises had to comply by January 1, 2025, and a building cited after that gets at least one year to finish the fix. Here is the statute, paragraph by paragraph, in plain English.
The short version
Florida law says all new and existing buildings must meet the minimum radio signal strength for public safety communications in the Florida Fire Prevention Code, except for the exemptions listed in the statute (F.S. 633.202(18)(b)). Your local fire marshal sets the actual signal level (18)(a). If your building's interior falls short, the fire marshal may require a two-way radio communication enhancement system, which the industry calls a BDA system or ERRCS (18)(c)1.
Who is exempt
The statute lists four groups that do not have to meet the signal requirement or have a signal assessment (18)(h):
| Exempt group | Conditions in the statute | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses | None beyond the building type | (18)(h)1 |
| Small buildings | Less than 12,000 total gross square feet and no underground areas | (18)(h)2 |
| Low-rise apartments and lodging | Apartments and transient public lodging under three stories, with direct access from the unit or guest area to an exterior means of egress | (18)(h)3 |
| Some wood-frame apartment buildings | 75 feet or less in height, wood frame, fewer than 150 dwelling units, every unit discharges to the exterior or to a corridor leading directly to an exit | (18)(a) and (18)(h)4 |
Note the 12,000 square foot figure is an exemption with a condition attached, not a statewide trigger. A smaller building with an underground area is not exempt under that paragraph.
Florida exemptions
Is your building exempt in Florida?
- One- or two-family dwelling, or a townhouse?ExemptF.S. 633.202(18)(h)1
- Under 12,000 total gross sq ft, with no underground areas?Both must be true. A small building with a basement is not exempt here.ExemptF.S. 633.202(18)(h)2
- Apartments or lodging under three stories, with direct access from each unit to an exterior exit?Condominiums are normally classed as apartments.ExemptF.S. 633.202(18)(h)3
- Wood frame, 75 ft or less, fewer than 150 units, every unit discharging to the outside or to a corridor straight to an exit?Shown with the building permit documents.No enhancement system neededF.S. 633.202(18)(a), (h)4
The high-rise deadlines
Existing high-rise buildings, as the Florida Building Code defines them, had until January 1, 2025 to comply. By January 1, 2024, an existing high-rise that was not in compliance had to apply for the permit with the local agency and show it would comply by January 1, 2025. The same two dates apply to existing high-rise apartment buildings (18)(a).
Florida deadlines
The dates in Florida's statute, and the clocks that follow
- Permit application dueExisting high-rises not yet in compliance had to apply for the permit and show they would comply by January 1, 2025.F.S. 633.202(18)(a)
- Compliance dateExisting high-rise buildings, including high-rise apartments, had to meet the minimum radio signal strength.F.S. 633.202(18)(a)
- Proposed 9th edition fire codeThe proposed Florida Fire Prevention Code points to NFPA 1225 for the signal rule. Proposed, not yet in force.Notice of Proposed Rule 69A-60.003
Clocks that start from an event
If you are cited
If the fire marshal requires an existing building to retrofit its system after those dates, the owner gets at least one year to finish. The year starts when the fire marshal issues the notice of code violation (18)(g). Separately, if the local public safety radio system changes in a way that forces changes to existing systems, owners get at least 180 days' notice (18)(f).
Your notice
How long do we have?
Every date here comes from the statute or rule cited under it.
In Florida, after the fire marshal issues a notice of code violation, the owner gets at least 1 year to complete a required retrofit. The date written on your notice controls; it may give you more. F.S. 633.202(18)(g)
How often coverage can be re-checked
The fire marshal may require an assessment of interior radio coverage no more often than this (18)(c)2:
| Existing building | At most |
|---|---|
| High-rise, or over 12,000 total gross square feet | Once every 3 years |
| Any other existing building | Once every 5 years |
Exceptions allow more frequent checks after a Level III alteration, reconstruction, a reported radio failure inside the building, or an imminent life safety threat (18)(c)2.
The statute does not set an annual system test. Testing schedules come from the fire code and your local fire marshal, so check your county or city page.
Limits on local rules
Local fire marshals may not enforce requirements stricter than the Florida Fire Prevention Code and this statute for whether a system is required, or how it is designed or installed (18)(i). Signal levels, radio bands and permit steps still differ by county because the statute gives the local AHJ that job (18)(a).
Two more rules owners miss
- License holder consent. Any new system or change to an existing one needs the express consent of the holder of the radio frequency license being amplified, kept in a recordable format that can be shown to an FCC representative (18)(d).
- Weak signal outside. If the fire marshal finds the public safety signal inadequate at the outside of the building, neither a system nor an assessment is required (18)(e).
Confirm with your fire marshal (AHJ) before you design, permit or test anything.
Next step
Take the board a plan, not just a problem
Ask for up to 3 quotes from vetted installers who serve your area, or start with a one-page brief the board can read before the next meeting. Free for owners, boards and managers. No texts, no cold calls.
Questions people ask
Does every Florida building need a BDA system?
No. Every building not exempted must meet the minimum radio signal strength the local fire marshal sets. A BDA system is needed only if the building's interior falls short of that level, and the fire marshal may then require one (F.S. 633.202(18)(b) and (c)1).
Who decides the required signal strength?
Your local fire marshal, the authority having jurisdiction. The statute says the local AHJ "shall determine the minimum radio signal strength for fire department communications in all new and existing buildings" (F.S. 633.202(18)(a)).
Sources
Primary documents we read for this page. Rules change; confirm with your fire marshal (AHJ).
- Florida Statutes 2026, section 633.202, subsection (18), The Florida Senate
Related
ERRCS requirements in Florida
Florida ERRCS law: F.S. 633.202(18) exemptions, high-rise deadlines, the fire code's DAQ 3.4 exterior rule, the 9th edition and local fire marshal pages.
ERRCS and BDA requirements in Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's BDA rules: -95 dBm and DAQ 3.0 in 90% of general and 99% of critical areas, pre-test before plans, 4-hour service contract.