DAS Requirements

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) in King County are required to meet both public safety and usage of radio frequency regulations. The PSERN Project is partnering closely with local authorities to ensure that the DAS Transition aligns with the following:

Notification Letters

The PSERN Project has supported DAS stakeholders in preparing for the DAS Migration Process by directly sending the following notifications to contacts on record related to their DAS Shutdown Dates:
• 2023 – Wave 4 (North of I-90) Shutdown Day-of Notice
• 2023 – Wave 4 (North of I-90) Shutdown Reminder
• 2023 – Wave 4 (North of I-90) Shutdown Notice
• 2023 – Wave 3 (South of I-90) Shutdown Day-of Notice
• 2023 – Wave 3 (South of I-90) Shutdown Reminder
• 2023 – Wave 3 (South of I-90) Shutdown Notice
• 2023 – Wave 2 (Seattle) Shutdown Day-of Notice
• 2022 – Wave 2 (Seattle) Shutdown Update
• 2022 – Wave 2 (Seattle) Shutdown Notice
• 2022 – Property DAS Migration Overview Letter
• 2022 – DAS Vendor DAS Migration Overview Letter
• 2021 – Property Notification Letter
• 2020 – Property Notification Letter

Reminder notices prior to the DAS Shutdown Dates will be sent directly to contacts on record to support them in their preparedness. More information can be found here.

Public Safety/Fire Code Requirements

Authority: In King County, the Fire Marshals are the Authority Holding Jurisdiction (AHJ) for DAS fire code enforcement. The Fire Marshals are represented by the King County Fire Chiefs Association and this official notice was sent to all DAS properties on record announcing the upcoming transition to PSERN and actions they will need to take to remain compliant with the fire code.

DAS Fire Code: Providing in-building DAS emergency radio coverage is required by Section 510 of the Washington Fire Code with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1221 as the reference standard and any local amendments. Statewide, this fire code has been adopted per RCW 19.27.031 and WAC 51-54A-003.

Broadcast Radio System Fire Code: Section 510.6.2 of the Washington Fire Code indicates that a DAS Property Owner is required to incorporate changes made to the broadcast radio system, which will be PSERN.

Enforcement: Fire Marshals in King County have adopted Technical Criteria for the PSERN System and are updating their annual confidence testing process and certification of occupancy to include the transition to PSERN. If you have questions, please contact your local Fire Marshal.

Radio Frequency/FCC Requirements

Authority: The King County government is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensee for the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN). The licensee may grant consent to non-licensees, such as properties with DAS, to rebroadcast the emergency radio system.

Use of Signal Boosters Requirement: Per 47 Code of Federal Regulations § 90.219.b.1.i “(i) Non-licensees seeking to operate signal boosters must obtain the express consent of the licensee(s) of the frequencies for which the device or system is intended to amplify. The consent must be maintained in a recordable format that can be presented to an FCC representative or other relevant licensee investigating interference.” More information on the use of signal boosters can be found here.

Enforcement: DAS properties should currently hold a Rebroadcast Agreement with KCERCS. The PSERN Project, which is in the Emergency Radio Communications Division of King County IT, will be working with DAS Properties to have them sign a new Rebroadcast Agreement with PSERN. Once the agreement is signed, the DAS Property will have consent to connect to the new PSERN System. If you have questions about the Rebroadcast Agreement, please contact das@psern.org.

More information about requirements for DAS here.