Big buildings, schools pay their share for new Utah communications system

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Frequency amplifiers required by the International Fire Code for large buildings are needing an update or upgrade in order to function properly with Utah’s new P25 communications system.

Bi-directional amplifiers, or BDAs, are required in large buildings such as hospitals, schools, state buildings and more. BDAs must be registered with the Utah Communications Authority, which repeats signals in these buildings.

According to the UCA, older BDA models are contributing to interference issues with their new digital system.

“Digital penetrates buildings differently then the old system and so when you have all the new construction, low e-glass and some of the building materials, it doesn’t get into the buildings as good as maybe the older system did or perceived to do,” said Tina Mathieu, Executive Director for the Utah Communications Authority. “(Law) requires the State Fire Marshal to ensure that schools and state buildings have BDAs.”

According to the State Fire Marshal, funding is not available for the owners of buildings required to upgrade to a new amplifier.

Some Class B amplifiers are contributing to radio interference or simply won’t provide signal coverage in buildings. Therefore, businesses operating in these larger buildings will need to pay for the new BDA to comply with the new P25 system.

Some Class A, or approved dual-band amplifiers, cost thousands of dollars.

“I am not insensitive to this problem, and I do have to consider the cost to our tax payers and the availability of funding to our schools,” wrote Ted Black, Utah State Fire Marshal in an email obtained by 2News.

The email in response to the Spanish Fork Fire Chief’s inquiry over BDAs within their jurisdiction.

“As we have over 1,200 schools to test and hundreds of state buildings to test this will take some time,” Black said.

Black declined to interview with 2News on Thursday, deferring to UCA.

“Our first responders currently experience communications failures within these buildings, and their safety is paramount regardless,” wrote Eddie Hales the Spanish Fork Fire Chief, who mentioned requiring BDA installation in Spanish Fork to meet code requirements.

Shortly after an interview with UCA, a published newsletter referencing BDA interference on their website with additional information.

“Starting March 1, 2025, the Utah Communications Authority (UCA) will no longer allow Class B bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) on the Statewide Public Safety P25 network,” wrote UCA in the letter. “However, if you already have a Class B BDA installed, you can continue using it until it either causes interference or fails, at which point, it must be replaced with a Class A BDA.”

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