NEW YORK, NY — Marconi Technologies, a New York-based manufacturer of in-building emergency communication equipment, this week shared findings on recurring installation errors affecting emergency responder radio coverage (ERRC) systems in older New York buildings, along with engineering practices intended to reduce the need for costly rework. The announcement comes as building owners and fire safety compliance officers across the city continue to face inspection delays tied to signal coverage gaps in aging structures. Marconi Technologies compiled the information from its work conducting propagation studies and commissioning support for buildings constructed before modern radio coverage codes were adopted.
Older buildings present particular challenges for emergency radio coverage because their steel and concrete construction, added over decades of renovation, was not designed with modern life-safety communication standards in mind. Fire and building code authorities across the country, including the Fire Department of the City of New York, have increased scrutiny of in-building radio systems in recent years, according to guidance published by the National Fire Protection Association. That heightened scrutiny has led more property owners to seek engineering review earlier in the construction or renovation process rather than after a failed inspection.
According to Marconi Technologies, one of the most frequent errors observed in older buildings involves incomplete or outdated propagation studies that fail to account for renovations, added floors, or changes in interior materials that affect signal strength. The company also cited undersized amplification equipment, improperly placed antennas, and a lack of coordination between electrical, fire alarm, and mechanical contractors as recurring sources of system failure during final inspection. These issues often surface only after equipment is installed, requiring contractors to remove and reconfigure hardware at additional expense.
Marconi Technologies said its engineering process addresses these issues by conducting building-specific propagation studies using current modeling software, producing as-built and shop drawings before installation begins, and coordinating directly with authorities having jurisdiction during design review. The company noted that its systems are designed for non-proprietary, modular installation, allowing adjustments without waiting on third-party technicians when field conditions differ from initial plans. Marconi Technologies also provides on-site commissioning support intended to identify coverage gaps before a formal inspection takes place.
“Many of the failures we see in older buildings trace back to a system that was designed for a different building than the one that exists today,” said Zvi Greenspan, Owner of Marconi Technologies. “Addressing coverage gaps and equipment placement during the engineering phase, rather than after installation, is what allows a project to pass inspection without rework.”
About Marconi Technologies: Marconi Technologies manufactures in-building emergency communication systems, including bi-directional amplifier and auxiliary radio communication equipment used by fire departments and building owners. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures its products domestically and is headquartered in New York, New York, where it also provides engineering, commissioning, and technical support services for commercial and municipal buildings.
Building owners, developers, and fire safety compliance officers managing older properties in New York who are evaluating emergency radio coverage requirements can review Marconi Technologies' engineering and commissioning services at Marconi Technologies - ERRC System.
Marconi Technologies
55 Broadway 3rd floor, New York, NY 10006
(212) 376-4548
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