When firefighters enter a building or police officers respond to an emergency call, they rely on something most occupants never think about—radios.
Their communication equipment must work deep inside stairwells, underground garages and concrete basements. Yet, radio coverage is not a consideration during construction design. Contractors and building owners may not fully understand it. Even public safety officials charged with enforcing the fire code are not always radio specialists. That combination makes for a dangerous blind spot. It leaves room for overspending, for underserving, and, in rare cases, for outright fraud.
Into that space steps in RFSignalman, a California-based company with a simple mission to test, document and tell the truth.
"Our support extends beyond the test itself. Free training, plan reviews, and technical advice - all reinforce a sense that RFSignalman is a partner in getting projects approved, systems accepted and buildings occupied."
Ethics First
In an industry where contractors often play both seller and evaluator, RFSignalman has drawn a firm line. It is strictly focused on its role is to provide objective evidence about whether a building meets code.
That neutrality matters. A single, faulty amplifier can degrade communications across an entire jurisdiction, affecting multiple emergency response agencies. At the same time, contractors eager to finish jobs sometimes persuade owners to install complete systems when only part of a building requires coverage. Without an independent voice, owners can end up paying hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for systems they do not need.
By focusing solely on testing, RFSignalman removes the conflict of interest.
“Our job is to make sure systems operate as intended, and protect owners and public safety agencies,” says Paul Niemann, president.
Platform and Process: Two Sides of the Work
Niemann is careful to distinguish between the company’s test platform and its test process. The platform is a sophisticated suite of calibrated instruments and software. It automates data collection, records signal strength, documents audio quality and identifies interference. Inspectors can listen to transmissions in real time while the system logs numerical values.
The process is the disciplined way the platform is used. This includes selecting test points, ensuring sufficient coverage on every floor, interpreting results against code requirements, and formatting reports in a manner that enforcement officials can trust. Confusing the two can lead to poor enforcement. Together, platform and process make RFSignalman’s results both reliable and actionable.
All of the data collected at every level flows into RFSignalman’s database, where it is compiled into a structured report. The reports are formatted to meet both fire code and NFPA requirements. They are also written in a way that non-specialists can interpret. For fire marshals and plan reviewers who are not radio experts, that clarity is essential.
Savings through Testing
The first and most obvious benefit of independent testing is cost savings. RFSignalman’s records show that between 65 and 70 percent of buildings tested pass with native coverage from the macro network. Those buildings require no additional system. Without testing, owners risk paying for expensive distributed antenna systems that are unnecessary.
Even when systems are required, testing narrows the focus. Perhaps only a basement garage or an underground corridor fails. Rather than equipping every floor, owners can invest where improvements matter most. This targeted approach not only reduces costs but also shortens schedules, since systems can take months to design, install and accept.
Case in point is a recent condominium project with 140 units. The building had a system covering every floor, though only one underground level actually needed it. The system was never formally accepted, leaving the owner with retrofit costs years later. Had RFSignalman tested earlier, the owner would have avoided both wasted investment and ongoing disputes.
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Our job is to make sure systems operate as intended, and protect owners and public safety agencies.
Another example comes from a low-income housing development. Contractors insisted the property required a complete in-building system. RFSignalman’s repeated tests showed that the coverage already exceeded the requirements. The project avoided unnecessary systems and preserved funds for its core mission: housing.
Preventing Fraud and Overselling
Beyond saving money, testing prevents fraud. In the early days of enforcement, one contractor claimed a system was installed, collected payment and walked away without doing the work. Lacking technical expertise, the jurisdiction signed off. The building owner lost a million dollars, and the system never existed.
Those days may be less common now, but overselling still occurs. Contractors under schedule pressure sometimes propose full systems that are not required.
Owners anxious to meet occupancy dates may agree, fearing delays. Independent testing interrupts that cycle, supplying evidence that protects both owners and agencies.
Helping Officials Do Their Job
Many fire marshals and code officials face a challenge in enforcing radio coverage requirements, as this demands technical knowledge they may not possess.
RFSignalman bridges that gap. The company performs plan reviews, checking contractor submittals before work begins. Its automated record tracking system manages corrections and resubmittals, keeping communication clear.
“Our training sessions, offered at no charge, give officials the background they need to evaluate results confidently. A free online course dives deeper into fire code requirements, available to anyone who needs it,” says Niemann.
By equipping officials with tools and knowledge, RFSignalman helps reduce disputes during acceptance inspections. Projects move more smoothly, occupancy dates are met and everyone leaves with confidence in the outcome.
A Depth of Experience
The credibility of RFSignalman rests not only on independence but also on expertise. Niemann and his team have been involved since the aftermath of 9/11, when radio coverage inside buildings emerged as a national concern. They have designed macro networks, consulted with government agencies and tracked code revisions as they evolved.
This background enables them to see both sides of the equation—the needs of the public safety agencies operating the networks, and the needs of the owners and contractors building within them. That dual perspective informs testing, reporting and the advice they provide.
RFSignalman’s work also extends to interference mitigation. Poorly configured amplifiers can inject noise into public safety channels, degrading communications across entire jurisdictions. Using its platform, the company can detect and document interference, then work with agencies to correct it.
In some cases, buildings are simply unsuited for amplifiers. Small structures may lack the physical environment to contain signals. RFSignalman’s reports provide the evidence officials need to grant exceptions, saving owners from impractical requirements while maintaining overall system integrity.
Success at Scale
The impact of testing becomes even clearer at scale. In one development with dozens of high-rise buildings, poor macro coverage necessitated the installation of amplifiers in every building. When a new radio site was added nearby, thirty amplifiers were switched off. That change represented a huge cost saving for owners and reduced interference risks for the jurisdiction.
Examples like this illustrate RFSignalman’s larger philosophy that public safety communications cannot be managed building by building alone. They require a holistic view that balances macro coverage, in-building systems and enforcement practices. Independent testing supplies the data needed to make those decisions rationally.
Owners and contractors who work with RFSignalman often return for one simple reason—trust. They know the company’s reports are vendor-neutral, grounded in data and free of sales motives. They know questions will be answered honestly. And they know Niemann’s team brings both technical depth and approachability.
“Our support extends beyond the test itself. Free training, plan reviews, and technical advice - all reinforce a sense that RFSignalman is a partner in getting projects approved, systems accepted and buildings occupied,” says Niemann.
Making the Invisible Visible
As fire codes and NFPA standards continue to evolve, RFSignalman plans to adapt its reports and processes to match. Technology will change, and data formats may shift, but the principle of impartial testing will remain. Niemann also sees opportunities to expand services beyond California and to apply the firm’s automated platform in new markets.
At the same time, the company emphasizes that enforcement officials must also evolve. Jurisdictions should consider radio coverage during zoning and development, not only at the building acceptance stage. Proactive planning can reduce the need for amplifiers, improve macro coverage and cut costs across entire regions.
In the end, RFSignalman occupies a middle ground that serves all sides. Owners save money by avoiding unnecessary systems. Public safety agencies gain confidence that radios will work when they are needed most. Contractors receive guidance that helps them pass acceptance tests. And jurisdictions build trust with constituents by enforcing codes consistently.
The company’s work is not flashy. It does not leave behind gleaming equipment or visible structures. Instead, it leaves a certainty that radios will connect when first responders call for help. By making the invisible visible, RFSignalman ensures that public safety communications remain strong, reliable, and trusted.
