NFPA, IFC, AND ERCES REQUIREMENTS Building and fire codes increasingly require compliance with local emergency radio standards such as NFPA 72 3 , NFPA 1221/1225 4 , and International Fire Code (IFC) Section 510 5 , all of which govern ERCES. ERCES requirements mandate that buildings maintain adequate radio coverage for first responders within all critical areas, including equipment rooms, stairwells, and basements. Data centers, given their high-security construction and electromagnetic shielding, often struggle to meet these coverage mandates without dedicated in-building systems. A properly engineered DAS can fulfill ERCES functions or operate in parallel with a dedicated public-safety DAS, ensuring compliance and interoperability with fire, police, and emergency-medical services. Reports from the ERCES Alliance 6 emphasize that integrated in-building solutions not only enhance first-responder safety but also streamline code compliance and simplify long-term maintenance. By incorporating ERCES-compliant design into broader DAS infrastructure, facility owners can minimize duplication, reduce cost, and ensure mission-critical communication continuity.
• Enhance lone worker safety and communication, improving OSHA and other regulatory compliance and safety outcomes. • Enable private LTE or 5G networks for secure, high-performance internal communications and automation.
is workforce mobility. In modern facilities, technicians and IT staff routinely traverse large server halls, rooftop cooling systems, and underground utilities. With cellular connectivity, staff can maintain communication with network operations centers, initiate maintenance workflows, and coordinate in real time without losing service as they move between zones. Cellular also complements Wi-Fi by providing seamless connectivity for calls that originate outside the building and continue indoors. Unlike Wi-Fi, which may experience dead zones or handoff issues, cellular ensures consistent voice and data quality. This improves both productivity and employee satisfaction—key metrics for facilities that operate on 24/7 schedules. According to a 2025 report from Kore Wireless, organizations that improved on-site cellular connectivity reported up to 48 percent increases in operational efficiency and reductions in downtime exceeding 50 percent across IoT-driven monitoring systems. 1 These findings reinforce that cellular
connectivity delivers tangible returns beyond communications convenience—it strengthens process resilience. REDUNDANCY, NETWORK RESILIENCE, AND IOT ENABLEMENT Wi-Fi and wired networks form the backbone of data transmission in data centers, but they are not infallible. Network congestion, hardware faults, or localized outages can disrupt connectivity. In these moments, cellular networks provide a crucial redundant path for operations, monitoring, and incident management. Through IoT integration, cellular networks also extend reach beyond the server floor. Wireless sensors connected through cellular or private 5G can continuously monitor temperature, humidity, vibration, and air quality across large or isolated areas without the need for complex cabling. Industry data underscores these benefits: asset condition monitoring enabled by cellular IoT can yield up to 36 percent savings in maintenance costs and a 51 percent reduction in unplanned downtime, according to Cellular Connectivity for Industrial IoT. 1 For facilities measured in megawatts, even small efficiency gains translate into significant operational savings SAFETY, SECURITY, AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE A resilient cellular environment increases worker safety. Workers in confined or shielded zones must always be able to contact security or emergency services. DAS-enhanced cellular coverage ensures that every person on-site—employees, contractors, and visitors—can make and receive calls in emergencies (Figure 3). OSHA AND WORKPLACE SAFETY Under OSHA standards (e.g., 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S) 2 , employers are required to maintain safe work environments, which include reliable communication pathways for reporting hazards or emergencies. Cellular service, when properly integrated, supports compliance by ensuring staff can summon aid even if wired or Wi-Fi systems are down.
• Provide connectivity for IoT and sensor devices, including environmental and security monitoring.
• Enhance emergency and first responder communications, including integration with Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), improving regulatory compliance and safety outcomes. This multi-use capability transforms DAS from a cost center into a long-term strategic asset — one that can scale alongside future wireless standards and use cases.
WORKFORCE MOBILITY AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
The most immediate business case for improving in-building cellular coverage in a data center
FIGURE 3 : Example of a worker using cellular service within the data center environment.
FIGURE 2 : Technicians and IT staff routinely traverse large server halls, rooftop cooling systems, and underground utilities.
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