The City of Kamloops is considering a public safety bylaw that would require in-building radio repeaters in high-rise structures for the use of emergency responders. This bylaw would be applicable to all new construction or as part of renovations to existing high-rise structures.
Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) presented a report last week to the community services committee, stating the increase in high-rise structures in the city is hampering radio communication within the buildings and to parties on the outside (incident command, dispatch, etc.). Communication is completely ineffective at times.
“This is due to the inability for radio waves to penetrate into and out of the structures themselves as well as between specific levels, depending on the materials used for construction,” the report states. “Communications are further complicated by limitations in the current radio infrastructure, Kamloops’ challenging topography, and increased signal loss as these taller structures block the signal paths.”
The report zeros in on modernized construction techniques to increase energy efficiency, such as the metallic content of the cladding and high-efficiency windows.
Responders need to clearly communicate with one another to be made aware of critical situational information in real time within and around the building’s parameter.
One such case where this has become an issue is at Royal Inland Hospital’s new tower.
“In order for responders inside the building to communicate with incident command, a responder must stand outside to reach the KFR repeater and use one radio to communicate with the incident command and use another radio on an independent channel to communicate with interior crews,” the report states. “If emergent transmission or general operational communications on tactics are required, communication cannot be achieved between floors or back to dispatch.
Public safety radio in-building amplification systems can be installed using various infrastructure. As the report lays out, some of this comes at a cost between $4,000 and $25,000.
In addition to the proposed bylaw, KFR is procuring a consultant for establishing the entire range of possible radio interoperability levels that could be required for any spectrum designated for public safety applications.
