Given the compliance complexities and the importance of proper installation — in terms of cost efficiency and building occupant safety — it’s absolutely critical that building managers work with dedicated installation experts who can help determine what is needed for compliance.

The industry is moving toward more standardized credentialing. In December 2019, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies and the Safer Buildings Coalition announced a partnership to create a certification program for Emergency Responder Radio Communications Systems. Also, in March 2020, ETA International said that the organization would update its DAS certification to cover rules from the Federal Communications Commission concerning public safety two-way radios.

As credentialing updates expand, we expect to see more requests for proposal that specify a need for certified installers.