Permitting / Certification

The first step to submit for ARCS approval is using an RF engineering team to create a computer-aided designs of your building’s infrastructure with regards to it’s life safety network. This can be a rendered through drawings or iBWave modeling. We provide support and complimentary drawings to engineers and contractors throughout your ARCs approval process. After we initiate the drawings that we have been created, our hired engineer or contractor must have a Professional Engineer (P.E.) give a stamp of approval so they can be sent to the FDNY for approval. For the initial filing, the following documents must be sent to the FDNY:

1. Printed ARCS Designs in sizes 11″ x 17″ and 24”x 36”
2. TM-1 Form
3. A filing fee sent to the FDNY for $585.00
4. The original owner’s agreement, or ARCs agreement, that is signed and notarized
5. The TM-1 has to be signed by the owner before sent to FDNY

The first filing process can take from 4 to 6 weeks. If an objection is made, the process could cost engineers another four to six weeks in processing time. The installation can start after the first filing is approved. The antenna and cable are installed inside the building first, a line sweep (or line check) is reviewed by one of our technicians. Once our technician has approved, the component installation is completed and the coverage testing with FDNY can now be scheduled. This can also be a lengthy process as twenty points, or locations are tested per floor. These recordings are sent to our RF Engineering team for them to process into files for us and submittal to FDNY. As-built drawings are made from the results of the radio testing, and they detail every antenna, cable, and device location. For the next filing, the following documents must be sent to FDNY:

1. Plan review filing check to FDNY of $585.00
2. Professional Engineer’s (PE) office receives the original drawings to take to FDNY
3. TM-1 for Fire Department of New York
4. The test result recordings on a CD
5. Visual and Functional Testing Form (TM-ARCS-2) 

Objections may be made for various reasons, for example, not enough detail regarding equipment to be installed, the RAU location , what is in the RAU,, what type of antennas are used, and if the drawings differ from the initial drawings. This can also occur when equipment has moved floors or when there are changes to the infrastructure of the building. In some cases, a PAA, or Post Approval Amendment may need to be submitted to FDNY. This review process can typically take up to 4 weeks.

Once the building has been approved, FDNY will make the appointment for an inspection. This could be within one to two weeks from the filing. The appointment will potentially occur two months from that date. During an inspection, the FDNY will be testing the communications in-building and the radio system. FDNY will issue a report and we will pass it on to the professional engineer established to your account. When the letter of approval is received, the project is considered completed. The following forms will need to be sent for you to receive an inspection date: A4-33 signed and sealed by Electrical Contractor As-built riser and sealed by Electrical Contractor