BDA inspection checklist for building managers

• Acceptance test report, including the amplifier gain values. If lost, the owner can be required to rerun the acceptance test. IFC 510.5.4 item 6
• Every annual test report since acceptance. IFC 510.6.1; NFPA 1225 20.3.10
• Written consent or retransmission agreement from the frequency license holder. 47 CFR 90.219(b)(1)(i); NFPA 1225 18.7.2; F.S. 633.202(18)(d)
• FCC registration confirmation with booster ID for each Class B booster. 47 CFR 90.219(d)(5)
• As-built drawings showing every antenna, amplifier and cable route. IFC 510.4.2.7; NFPA 1225 20.3.10.1.3
• Secondary power (battery) calculations from the original installation. NFPA 1225 20.3.10.1.3
• Permit, fire marshal acceptance letter and any renewable operating permit. NFPA 1225 18.7.3
• Service and monitoring contracts, if your county requires them (Miami-Dade asks for maintenance, monitoring and runner service agreements). MDFR checklist
• Log of trouble signals and repairs since the last test. Suggested

These are suggested checks for facilities staff. No code we cite requires them monthly, but each one catches a problem the annual test would otherwise find.

• Annunciator panel shows normal AC power and no trouble lights. Suggested; signals per NFPA 1225 18.14.2.2
• No open BDA trouble or supervisory signal on the fire alarm panel. Suggested
• Donor antenna in place and undamaged; "do not move" sign present if it is on a sled. IFC 510.5.1; NFPA 1225 18.3.3.1
• BDA and battery cabinets closed, dry and not used for storage. Suggested; cabinet types per NFPA 1225 18.3.1
• No indoor antennas removed, painted over or boxed in by tenant or repair work. Suggested
• No new cell boosters or wireless systems installed without checking with the BDA vendor. IFC 510.6.3; NFPA 1225 18.6.2

• Tester is approved by, or meets the credentials required by, your fire marshal. NFPA 1225 20.3.10; IFC 510.5.3
• Last annual report and acceptance gain values sent to the tester. IFC 510.5.4 item 6
• List of renovations, roof work and window replacement since the last test sent to the tester. IFC 510.6.1
• Open trouble signals fixed before the test. Suggested
• Keys, cards and an escort for every area: stairs, roof, elevator rooms, pump room, electrical and telecom closets, garage levels, tenant spaces. Suggested; Miami-Dade requires access to all areas for its tests
• Monitoring company told to expect BDA trouble signals during the battery test. Suggested
• Elevators available to the tester. Suggested

The model fire code's annual test. Ask for each item to appear in the report.

• Grid coverage test on every floor, 20 areas per floor, using a calibrated radio through the agency's system. IFC 510.6.1 item 1; 510.5.4
• Critical areas (fire command center, pump room, exit stairs, elevators, elevator lobbies, standpipe and valve locations) tested to their higher standard. NFPA 1225 18.8.3
• Amplifier gain compared with the acceptance values. IFC 510.6.1 item 2
• Batteries and power supplies tested under load for at least 1 hour. IFC 510.6.1 item 3
• All active components checked against the manufacturer's specifications. IFC 510.6.1 item 4
• Spectrum analyzer check for oscillation. IFC 510.5.4 item 7
• Trouble and supervisory signals confirmed at the fire alarm panel and annunciator. Suggested; signals per NFPA 1225 18.14
• Test documented and signed by the approved tester. NFPA 1225 20.3.10

• Full written report received, with results per floor, gain readings and the battery test. Suggested
• Report submitted to the fire code official. IFC 510.6.1
• Any failures have a written repair scope and a retest date. Suggested
• Report filed with the records above. Suggested
• Next test date set in your BDACheck reminder. Suggested

Rules vary by state and county. Confirm what your fire marshal (AHJ) requires, and look up local rules on ERRCSCheck.