The fire marshal says your building must install ERRCS. Here is your plan.

A general notice asks you to look into radio coverage. An order to install a system is more specific: the fire marshal has decided your building needs a two-way radio enhancement system, usually called a BDA system or ERRCS. In Florida, the fire marshal may require one when a building cannot support the minimum signal level (F.S. 633.202(18)(c)1).

Before you call an installer, mark these on the order:

1. What it requires: a test, a design, a permit application, or a working system.
2. The code section: in Florida usually F.S. 633.202(18), elsewhere often IFC Section 510.
3. The date: when the work must be done, or when the fire marshal expects to hear from you.
4. The evidence: whether a test was run, by whom, and on which floors.

If you only have a short letter with no code section or date, the general walk-throughs at Got a notice? and what to do after a citation cover that first triage. This page is for owners who already know a system is being required.

Florida law exempts some buildings outright (F.S. 633.202(18)(h)), and it requires no system or assessment where the fire marshal finds the public safety signal inadequate at the outside of the building (F.S. 633.202(18)(e)).

The building checker applies these and cites each one. If you think one fits, put it in writing to the fire marshal before you spend money on design.

A signal test (also called a survey or grid test) shows which floors and areas fall short. The model code sets the bar at 95 percent of all areas and 99 percent of critical areas on each floor (IFC 2021 510.4.1). Ask the fire department for its technical criteria document first, which lists the frequencies and design details (IFC 2021 510.4.2.2), so the test is run on the right channels.

A good test can shrink the job. A building that fails only in the garage and stairwells may need far fewer antennas than one that fails on every floor. If you already have a failed report, see failed a radio coverage test.

Existing Florida high-rises had to comply by January 1, 2025 (F.S. 633.202(18)(a)). If the fire marshal requires an existing building to retrofit after the statewide dates, the owner gets at least one year to finish, starting when the notice of code violation is issued (F.S. 633.202(18)(g)). The date on your order controls if it is later.

Work backward from that date. Leave room for bids, an owner or board vote, the license holder's consent, permit review, installation and the acceptance test on every floor (IFC 2021 510.5.4). The ERRCS project, step by step shows who does each part.

1. License holder consent. The agency that holds the radio license (usually the county, city or regional radio system) must give express consent before a booster operates, kept in a recordable format (47 CFR 90.219(b)(1)(i)). Florida requires the same for any new system or change to an existing one (F.S. 633.202(18)(d)).
2. Permit. Installing or modifying a system needs a construction permit (IFC 2021 510.3).
3. Monitoring. The system reports trouble to the fire alarm panel (IFC 2021 510.4.2.5), so your fire alarm contractor is part of the job.

Ask every bidder whether consent, the permit and the fire alarm tie-in are in the price.

There is no public price list. One news report on Fort Lauderdale high-rises said systems can cost $250,000 or more (Sun Sentinel via Firehouse, November 2025). Your building may cost much less or more; only a test and written bids will tell you. Add the yearly test the code requires after installation (IFC 2021 510.6.1). For a condo, split the bid with the cost per owner calculator, and see the condo board quote checklist.

A short written reply shows good faith and creates a record. Send it to the contact on the order, by email or letter, and keep a copy. Include:

1. The building address and the order or case number.
2. One contact person for the building, with phone and email.
3. Any exemption you are claiming, with the citation, or a statement that you accept the order.
4. Your plan: test date, bid date, expected permit application date and target completion.
5. A request for the fire department's technical criteria document if you do not have it.
6. A request to confirm in writing what will close the order (often the acceptance test report and permit sign-off).

Update the fire marshal when a date slips, before the deadline, not after.

When you are ready for prices, the form below sends your request to up to 3 licensed installers who serve your area. They reach you by email, or by phone only if you choose calls.