Your building failed a radio coverage test. Here is what to do next.

A coverage test (often called a grid test) divides each floor into roughly equal squares and measures the fire department's radio signal in each one. Under the 2021 model fire code, a floor passes when 95 percent of its area and 99 percent of its critical areas meet the signal level the fire department set: at least -95 dBm inbound and clear voice, measured as DAQ 3.0 (IFC 2021 510.4.1, 510.4.1.1). NFPA 1225 uses the same 99 percent rule for critical areas such as exit stairs, elevator lobbies and the fire pump room (NFPA 1225 18.8.3).

So "failed" means one of three things, and the report tells you which:

1. A floor fell under the general area number. Often the garage, the basement or the core of a large floor plate.
2. A critical area fell short. One stairwell or elevator lobby can fail the whole floor.
3. The voice check failed even where the signal number looked fine, which points at noise or a system that is oscillating.

Ask the tester for the full report with the floor grids, not just a pass or fail letter. Every installer will need it to design a fix.

Two things are needed for any new system or change to an existing one: written consent from the agency that holds the radio license (47 CFR 90.219(b)(1)(i), and in Florida F.S. 633.202(18)(d)) and a permit from the fire department (IFC 2021 510.3). An installer who skips either one is a red flag.

For the full sequence from survey to sign-off, see the ERRCS project, step by step. For how the annual and acceptance tests run, see how a BDA system is tested.

Florida requires existing buildings to meet the minimum signal level the local fire marshal sets, with exemptions for small and low-rise buildings (F.S. 633.202(18)(a), (18)(h)). Existing high-rises had until January 1, 2025.

If the fire marshal requires an existing building to retrofit after those dates, the owner gets at least one year from the notice of code violation (F.S. 633.202(18)(g)). That year goes fast:

• 2 to 4 weeks to collect bids on the same scope.
• A board vote or owner approval, and for condos often a special assessment.
• The radio license holder's consent and the permit review.
• Installation, then a new acceptance test on every floor.

If your test was a routine re-check rather than a fire marshal finding, Florida limits how often the fire marshal can require a coverage assessment: once every 3 years for high-rises and buildings over 12,000 gross square feet, once every 5 years for others, with exceptions after major alterations or a reported radio failure (F.S. 633.202(18)(c)2).

Send every installer the same packet:

1. The full test report with floor grids and the date tested.
2. Building height, floors below grade and gross square feet.
3. The fire department's own ERRCS criteria (most publish them; your local requirements page links to it where we found one).
4. The deadline on your notice, if there is one.

Then ask each one the same four questions: which failed squares their design covers, whether the price includes the license holder's consent and the permit, who runs the acceptance test, and what the annual test and monitoring will cost after. Condo boards can print these as a board brief.

If you want help finding installers, the form below sends your request to up to 3 licensed installers who serve your area. They contact you by email, or by phone only if you choose calls.