Project Managers Are the Electromagnetic Force of Our Organization

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by rfsolutions

Project Managers Are the Electromagnetic Force of Our Organization

The hats our Project Managers must wear are many; the skills they must have are diverse. In-building public safety systems can take years to complete and include various sub-contractors and local authorities throughout a project’s lifecycle. They require consistent oversight over long periods, which is why excellent project management skills are so crucial in our business. Any delay in the timeline could mean a delayed Certificate of Occupancy for the building’s owner. Our rapid growth since our firm’s inception in 2016 wouldn’t have been possible without their technical expertise and steady hands on the tiller.

Jude Fauteux, the first Project Manager we hired, started with RF Solutions in June 2017. Since then, he’s been responsible for getting many of our Auxiliary Radio Communication Systems (ARCS) over the finish line and receiving their FDNY Letter of Approval. Some of his recent successes include three projects in the Bronx, a mixed-use project in the Soundview neighborhood, an affordable senior housing rental apartment building, and the redevelopment of a long underutilized manufacturing district, overlooking the Sheridan Expressway and the Bronx River, as well as a 32 story tower in Brooklyn.

Neil Shore started with us in August 2018, having spent decades working as a product specialist at Mercedes Benz, USA. Neil is known for surpassing expectations to receive the sought after FDNY Letter of Approvals. Some of his recent projects include a 10-story affordable housing building developed by L+M Development Partners and B&B Urban in Brooklyn, a distinguished new property with 11 boutique residences built by Extell Development Company in Manhattan, a 14-story building with 82 apartments, part of Locust Manor Estates in Queens, a new apartment development by Velocity Management in Brooklyn, a unique, state of the art office building in Noho developed by CBSK Ironstate, and a 25-story residential tower developed by SHVO, in the up-and-coming Hudson Square bordering Soho. Many of these projects are repeat clients. Neil says, “I will go to any length to get the job done. The show must go on!”

These are just two members of our project management team. Our PMs have many years of construction management experience and have acquired substantial knowledge of RF propagation and principles. They are well versed in NFPA, IFC, electrical and building codes required for in-building systems in public safety and cellular enhancement. Our PMs join a project at its inception and play an integral role over the project’s lifespan. The PM begins with a top-level project review with clients to discuss the design and the proposed implementation. They’ll ensure all of the system’s components on the Bill of Materials arrive safely at the job site. They take the time to train the installers on reading blueprints and proper cable installation. They return to the job site to confirm the installed system meets our firm’s expectations so that when the time comes for the inspection, there are no surprises. And finally, the PMs submit the necessary documents to the FDNY for filing. Our PMs are on the frontline, managing all aspects of the project, ensuring adherence to all regulations and requirements. They see the big picture, and they are excellent prioritizers. And, they almost always do it with a sense of humor and a smile. At RFS, we take pride in the work we do, and it’s incredibly rewarding for our PMs to know that they play a part in making NYC safe for the people who live and work there.

Why Process Is Critical When Lives Are At Risk

Posted on January 14, 2020July 21, 2021 by rfsolutions

Why Process Is Critical When Lives Are At Risk

From Sub-Basement to the 104^th Floor

When a fire alarm is activated, people rush from a building, desperate to escape. That’s when our end user, the brave members of the NYFD race inside. Providing the most robust, long-lasting, wireless two-way in-building communications systems is our company’s mission, and we take it very seriously. In New York City, new construction over seventy-five feet tall, and existing buildings undergoing a renovation of a legacy safety system require the installation of an Auxiliary Radio Communications Systems or ARCS. These systems provide in-building radio communications for the FDNY, ensuring vital connectivity between the Fire Chief in the Fire Command Center and his or her firefighters. The ARC system must function uniformly no matter where the firefighter is in the building from the sub-basement to the 104th floor.

RFS – Subject Matter Experts

That’s why RFS gets involved at the earliest stages of a building’s lifecycle, often requested by the engineering or consulting firms working on the project. They look to us as subject matter experts in the field of wireless communications. RFS will perform a complete building structure analysis to determine accurate radio frequency (RF) propagation. From there, we’ll discover the most cost-efficient antenna placement and cable routes, verifying coverage against code requirements. We’ll thoroughly review the plan with our client and installers for acceptance. Once installed, we return to the job to test the installed cable plant before commissioning, identifying any known issues or problems. Finally, we’ll commission the system as operational.

iBwave

iBwave is the global industry-standard technology for developing accurate wireless propagation. At RFS, we’ve raised the bar for engineered designs by using iBwave models since our inception. When we started our company, we specifically hired iBwave certified engineers that already had years of experience with the technology. We are proud to say that we are the most proficient ARCS users of iBwave, with the greatest experience in the business. We are not satisfied with providing estimates for placement of antennas, so we run propagation analysis, and provide heat maps that depict wireless coverage in a building.

FDNY Approvals Through Teamwork

An ARCS project is a collaborative effort between a wireless system integrator, such as RFS, the electrical contractors responsible for the installation of life safety and security systems in a building, and at times the fire alarm and security company whose systems are installed simultaneously with an ARCS and follow the same strict code requirements from the Department of Buildings (DoB) and the FDNY. We take great pride in our high-level of communication amongst our strategic partners. We work together to assure a smooth and successful installation. Many of our ARCS are getting approval on the first inspection due to our eye for detail, which reduces problems and minimizes the time to completion of a project.

Predictive Analysis Ensures Adequate Coverage

At RFS, our ARCS pass inspections, allowing our building owners to receive their Certificate of Occupancy. We do this by using predictive analysis to ensure adequate coverage. Other companies without this level of sophistication risk not having their systems meet the stringent coverage requirements. They will try to overcome design deficiencies by turning up the power, in many cases making the situation worse. It’s always financially beneficial to do the right thing from the start; instead of taking the chance that a failed FDNY inspection delays the receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy.