(HB 768 / Session Law 2025‑50 | Effective July 2, 2025)

Issue Description:

Change in North Carolina Emergency Responder Communication Coverage requirements for future, current and existing construction from HB 768.

Summary of statewide changes to NC Fire Code Section 510 affecting Emergency Responder Communication Coverage (ERCC/ERRCS) for existing, current, and future projects.

What changed

• State law directs amendments to NC Fire Code Section 510 and immediately establishes statewide exemptions from in‑building ERCC.
• Applies statewide; local jurisdictions must apply these exemptions now (until matching rules are adopted).
• Who is exempt (applies to new and existing buildings)
  • R‑2 apartment buildings of Type V construction (e.g., wood‑framed) that meet code egress requirements.
  • Apartment buildings and transient lodging (hotels/motels) not exceeding two stories above grade plane with direct exterior egress from each dwelling unit/guest room.

Proposed Resolution:

Existing ERCC systems in newly exempt buildings:

Systems may remain or may be formally disconnected. Required decommission steps:

• Disconnect supervisory/monitoring tie‑ins to the fire alarm (coordinate with FA vendor).
• Remove primary and secondary power (open/lock breaker; remove batteries/generator tie).
• Disconnect donor antenna from the booster (retain lightning protection if mast remains).
• Label booster enclosure: “Emergency Responder Communication Coverage is disconnected as permitted by Section 510 of the NC Fire Code.”
• Provide completion letter/photos to the AHJ and update life‑safety sheets/as‑builts.

Interim enforcement (now):

• Until the Building Code Council adopts substantively identical rules, jurisdictions shall not enforce Section510 against exempt buildings and shall apply the disconnection provisions.

Context: Section 510 (pre‑change):
Section 510 requires approved in‑building radio coverage for new buildings with acceptance testing and annual compliance. HB 768 carves out the exemptions above from that baseline.

Impacts for project teams

• Existing occupied buildings: If exempt, owners may decommission per steps above with AHJ notification; otherwise, continue annual testing/maintenance.

Additional Information or Links

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H768

NC_HB 768_Summary.pdf

Disclaimer:

Technical Information & Proposed Solutions (T.I.P.S.) documents are an open forum for sharing information among staff members. They represent threads of knowledge from lessons learned during the history of this firm too important to be forgotten. They are meant to be tools to help each team member elevate the standard of care and practice of architecture by helping head-off and avoid these conflicts and issues on future projects. T.I.P.S. documents reflect “Resolutions Achieved” and “Commentaries” based on applicable codes, products available, and interpretations of the specific jurisdictions where these issues initially surfaced. They may not in part or as a whole apply to any future projects. They are intended for general reference only and do not relieve the team members on future projects from the responsibility of thoroughly familiarizing him/herself with each applicable codes for each project developed in this firm.