During the construction of a new multi-story residential care facility in Michigan, testing revealed that critical emergency radio signals could not penetrate the building envelope. Modern construction materials like masonry, metal siding, and low-E glass acted as barriers, creating "dead spots" with signal strengths as low as -97 dBm. This was well below the -95 dBm failure threshold required for emergency responder use.
The Solution: Midwest Alarm Services designed and installed a code-compliant Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES). The final system utilized Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA) and a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to boost signal readings to levels between -49 dBm and -88 dBm.
Is Your Building a Dead Zone for First Responders?
Modern materials like steel and concrete silently block emergency radio signals. If first responders cannot communicate from every corner of your facility, lives are at risk. Code requires reliable two-way radio coverage, but most facilities are unaware they fail the minimum signal strength threshold. Avoid compliance delays and secure your tenants' safety: Schedule an official Radio Frequency (RF) Survey with our certified experts today.
Gaps between design, installation, and inspection create risk; we close them by providing a comprehensive, end-to-end path for your facility’s life safety.
Integrated System Design & Engineering: We provide professional, code-compliant blueprints for your entire network to eliminate the risk of integration failure or costly rework.
Installation & Commissioning: Our in-house, NICET-certified technicians close the gap between design and reality, ensuring components are rigorously tested to match approved blueprints.
Inspection & Maintenance: We offer a single, unified service agreement for proactive Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) of all Fire, Security, and Mass Notification assets.
24/7 Professional Monitoring: Our UL-Listed central station ensures that every alert—from a smoke detector to an access control breach—triggers a coordinated, immediate response.
In the latest episode of Code Corner with Dan Decker, we explore IBC Chapter 4, which covers special occupancy requirements. Key takeaways include:
High-Rise Buildings: Defined as having occupied floors more than 75 feet above fire department access, these require two-way emergency responder radio coverage and specific smoke detection.
Mall Buildings: Any mall over 50,000 square feet must feature an emergency voice/alarm communication system.
Atriums: These complex vertical spaces require a fire alarm with a smoke control feature.
Midwest Alarm Services Named Potter Distributor of the Year For the Third Year Running!
We are proud to share that Midwest Alarm Services was named Distributor of the Year at this year’s Potter Business Development Conference. This marks our third consecutive year receiving this prestigious honor.
"This award is a reflection of an outstanding partnership with Potter as well as the efforts of a very talented sales team," says Doug Richard, MWAS President. "We look forward to making it a fourth straight year of winning this award in 2027."
For our clients, this recognition reinforces our technical expertise and consistent service across the region. It ensures you have reliable access to the industry’s leading life safety technology, backed by a team that Potter recognizes as the best in the business.
We thank Potter for this honor and remain committed to delivering high-quality protection to your facilities for years to come.
Midwest Alarm Services Gives Back to the Community
At Midwest Alarm Services, we believe protecting people goes beyond the systems we install. It is about supporting the communities we serve. That is why we were proud to donate and install a new video surveillance system at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa in Des Moines.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families with children receiving medical care. They offer comfort and support during some of life’s most challenging moments. Our team had the privilege of enhancing the safety and security of their facility, helping ensure families can focus on what matters most: being together.
This project reflects our commitment to making a positive impact, not only through life safety solutions but through meaningful partnerships in the communities we call home. We are honored to support such an incredible organization and look forward to continuing to give back wherever we can.
New Partnership: West-com Nurse Call
Midwest Alarm Services is expanding our healthcare solutions through a new partnership with West-Com.
We now provide West-Com nurse call systems designed for hospitals and high-acuity environments. These tools simplify caregiver workflows and improve patient response times. This partnership allows us to offer healthcare facilities a direct path to better operational efficiency. Our team manages the full lifecycle of these systems, including design, installation, and technical support.
In healthcare, life safety isn’t just about hardware—it’s about documentation and zero-fail communication. Midwest Alarm Services provides specialized support to help facilities navigate the transition to the Joint Commission’s new "Physical Environment" (PE) chapter, effective January 1, 2026.
Nurse Call & Patient Safety: We design and service UL-compliant nurse call systems—including Cornell and TekTone—that integrate with wireless phones, fall protection, and wander prevention to ensure no call for help goes unanswered.
The "Healthcare Book" Advantage: We provide a tabbed, documented healthcare book updated quarterly with all necessary EC/LS codes, specifically designed to streamline Joint Commission, CMS, and local AHJ surveys.
NFPA 99 Compliance (2024 Edition): With the latest code cycles, we help facilities implement new requirements, such as Carbon Monoxide detection now required in new healthcare occupancies and surgical smoke control management.
Comprehensive Asset Testing: From fire/smoke damper testing to 90-minute emergency light burn tests and kitchen hood inspections, we manage the rigorous ITM (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance) schedules required for high-acuity environments.
Compliance Tip: Under the new 2026 Joint Commission standards, many individual explanations have been consolidated into National Performance Goals (NPGs). Ensure your documentation references the specific regulatory codes (e.g., NFPA 25) directly on work orders to avoid survey deficiencies.
Is your facility audit-ready? From Joint Commission standards to NFPA 99 compliance, we provide the documentation and technical expertise healthcare administrators trust.
This section curates high-impact, third-party articles, emerging technologies, and critical regulatory changes that shape how we protect people and assets.
DMP at ISC West 2026: The Future of AI Monitoring
Security Info Watch (SIW)
An exclusive look from the show floor at how our partners at DMP are leveraging AI and the "AlarmVision" platform to transform traditional intrusion detection into proactive video verification. Watch the Interview
The Rise of "Agentic AI" in Physical Security
Security Journal Americas (SJA)
A major theme at this year’s conference is the shift from reactive software to "Agentic AI," which can interpret context and help security personnel make faster, more accurate decisions. Read More
Potter Electric Wins 2026 SIA New Product Award
Security Industry Association (SIA)
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has officially announced the winners for 2026. We are proud to see our partner, Potter Electric Signal Company, take home a top honor for the "PotterNet-FOW Floor Overview Window," a major advancement in fire and life safety graphical monitoring. See Full List of Winners
Preventing Workplace Fires with AI Detection
viAct
New AI driven video analytics are taking fire prevention a step further by identifying early stage ignition indicators. This allows for intervention before a fire fully develops, which is a game changer for high risk facilities like warehouses. Read More
2026 Security Trends: From Complexity to Control
Open Systems
The security landscape is shifting from reactive responses toward integrated, proactive platforms. Key trends for this year include the rise of Zero Trust as a baseline and the use of AI to automate routine tasks for more efficient protection. Read the Blog
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