Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to install a DAS application?
A: That depends on numerous factors. If the building is ready, it can be accomplished in as little as 2-4 months. It also depends based on the size of the building.
Q: Can we finance the system?
A: Yes, SEI provides financing. Inquire about financing for your project.
Q: How long does a needs analysis take?
A: Site survey parameters will depend on how many frequencies are being tested and how large the property is.
Q: How long does the design take?
A: It depends on the size of the project.
Q: How much does a DAS | BDA Cost?
A: A DAS | BDA Solution can range from as low as $25,000 up to $500,000+
Q: What is the difference between a BDA and a DAS?
A: BDA means ‘Bi-Directional Amplifier’. It is a term primarily used for a Public Safety system, but can also be part of a DAS. DAS stands for ‘Distributed Antenna System’ and can encompass a BDA or repeaters and indoor antennas / outside donor antennas and cabling for each frequency needed.
Q: What carriers should we use?
A: Whichever are either required for Public Safety or that you prefer (cellular).
Q: What happens when we need a quote in the pre-construction phase?
A: During the pre-construction phase, SEI provides quotes based on floor plans. Pre-construction quotes are strictly budgetary. To come up with quotes, we take the building plans and use iBwave software for our estimates. We also factor in what we know about what the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will require.
Resources & Partners
Put PDF resources here: We have several PDFS to add to the website
Use Case – why BDAs | DAS systems are critical to Public Safety
Using mobile devices has become the industry norm for everyday use. This has made having reliable in-building coverage critical for public safety, in addition to everyday communication needs. Expectations are high for everything we do today; this includes quality safety, security, and speed. We expect all of our technology to work seamlessly, especially our devices. These high expectations come with a price tag.
Have you ever walked into a building and had no coverage on your mobile phone? To make matters worse, when the coverage is spotty, chances are your phone was busy searching for connectivity, which drains the device battery. We have all experienced this, but what’s worse, think of how deadly this could be if this occurred during a fire, a natural disaster or a tragic public event?
On 9/11 our first responders were not able to effectively communicate inside the World Trade Center Towers. This catastrophic event was the catalyst that caused the industry to create new heightened standards in security and public safety. Back in 2009, the International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association added first responder radio coverage requirements to their required fire codes for buildings.
Lack of signal coverage happens when the radio frequencies (both radio and cellular) are reduced when passing through dense building materials such as concrete and metal. Today we are building better buildings. New advances in disaster-proofing, storm resistance, and environmental sustainability are the essential parts of our landscape today. New structures are built with enhanced building materials such as solid-poured concrete walls, and LEED-certified windows, which are critical for withstanding hurricanes. They do, however, inhibit clear coverage for radio signals and cell phone reception. These enhanced building materials keep radio signals from entering the building, which causes communication issues with mobile devices.
REFERENCES & HAPPY CUSTOMERS
- City of Sunrise Public Safety Complex – All frequency Bands, Police and Fire Rescue Administration
- The “W” Fort Lauderdale, Hospitality – Public Safety BDA, Meisner Electric
- One Plantation, Luxury Apartments – Public Safety BDA & Cellular DAS, STILES Construction
- Elan 1640, MDUs, –Cellular DAS, STILES Construction
- Motorola, Enterprise Corporation – Public Safety BDA, Fisk Electric
- 8th Avenue Residences, MDUs, Public Safety BDA, STILES Construction
- Nine at Mary Brickell Village, MDUs, Public Safety BDA, The Lynd Company
- Pinnacle at Tarpon River, MDUs, Public Safety BDA, Pinnacle Housing
- Brickell View Terraces, MDUs, Public Safety BDA, Pinnacle Housing
- Crimson Tower, MDUs, Public Safety BDA, Facchina Construction
- The Fresh Market, Public Venue – Commerical, Public Safety BDA, J Raymond Construction
- LA Fitness, Public Venue – Commerical, Public Safety BDA, J Raymond Construction
- Franklin Academy, Education, Public Safety BDA, McGarvey Development
- Sheraton Suites, Hospitality – Commerical, Public Safety BDA, Fillmore Hospitality
- Palmetto Park Promenade, Public Venue – Commerical, Public Safety BDA, KAST Construction
Glossary of BDA | DAS
AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction
Aggregater – A 3rd party company that designs, builds, finances, operates and maintains the DAS system. They will also negotiate agreements with the carriers on the landlords’ behalf.
Lead Carrier – A cellular carrier that also fills the role of an aggregator.
Carrier – ATT, Verizon, Sprint. They pay for it. Cost shared, depends on how large. Typically a single carrier, Carriers may form a consortium.
Neutral – host – a 3rd party that will negotiate with the Carrier and the Landlord, to get ubications Enterprise or Public
Landlord – funded by building owner, deployed and operated by DAS integrator, Carriers 3rd party may partially fund. Multi Carrier
Public Venues – large events, interest from many carriers, lease arrangments
Private
Radio Enhancement System is made up of three parts: Donor antenna system, BDA, and DAS.
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) code
In Summary, why SEI for your BDA | DAS System
SEI Wireless Solutions knows two-way-radios, and the need for reliable communications does not stop at the door of a building. Increasingly, public safety entities, commercial wireless service providers, and wireless users require reliable communications inside buildings. For public safety, reliable coverage is often essential throughout a broad jurisdiction, including coverage on-street, and in buildings. In such cases, there is no substitute for a properly designed dedicated mission-critical communications system with sufficient transmit sites to provide the level of signal required for reliable coverage anywhere within the jurisdiction, whether outside or indoors.
RF in-building coverage has become a fast-growing market in recent years. Commercial wireless users increasingly demand reliable communications inside office and residential buildings for their business and personal needs. At the same time, local municipalities have issued ordinances to ensure that construction of new buildings includes adequate radio coverage of public safety signals. Efforts are also underway to develop and implement national level model codes for public safety in-building communications, as seen by recent initiatives at National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Code Council (ICC).
SEI is a leader in the installation of in-building RF coverage. Call today to speak to one of our highly qualified BDA | DAS experts. Our passion for excellent customer experience will give you peace of mind when designing and installing your DAS| BDA Public Safety Solution.
