Chicomm Blog

If you had to choose a single profession or industry that relies on quality communication perhaps more than any other, you would be hard-pressed to select anything other than those in public safety or emergency medical services. That’s not to downplay how important communication is in industries like education or manufacturing (it is actually incredibly important), but police officers and EMS crews rely on communication to save lives.

For those currently using Intrinsically Safe two-way radios approved to the FM3610_88 standard, there are some changes being made by Motorola Solutions that will directly impact you.

The FM3610_88 may only be manufactured through the end of December 2015 - at which point the switch from FM to UL will begin. To help you understand this transition and what it means for you, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the change.

What does “Intrinsically Safe” actually mean?

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), “intrinsically safe” is an equipment design protection method for Division 1 which encompasses hazards that may be present under normal operating conditions - or,  frequently present during repair or standard maintenance work.

This term is especially relevant for those who operate in what are known as “hazardous locations.” These locations are areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist “due to flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings,” according to the NEC.

The moment your assembly line stops, profitability goes down. Even a small pause in work can cause delays throughout the chain, which in turn causes losses. This is why manufacturing managers across the world spend much of their time researching and implementing new ways to limit downtime and improve efficiency.

One of the best ways that manufacturers are improving their efficiency is by improving their communications through the use of digital two-way radios. To illustrate how these radios can make such a difference, here are two scenarios - the first one without two-way radios, the second one with.

We live and work in an era that will most likely go down as a time where we all became more connected than ever. Think about it – smartphones, tablets, and computers have completely changed the way in which we communicate with each other. Not only do we personally benefit from the ability to connect with friends and family across the globe in a matter of seconds, but we all benefit professionally, as well.

Business-critical communications have evolved over the years and are now at the point that mobile workers can connect with others regardless of their physical location or even their network. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of our work.

The technology is readily available for organizations to adopt, however, corporate infrastructure and IT spending is constantly under pressure. So, the challenge for decision makers is no longer “how do we connect our employees?” – the challenge is now “how do we most effectively and affordably connect our employees?”

Your community depends on you. Sure, this may sound a bit dramatic at times, but the truth is that for those who work in the public safety sector or public works, this dependence is a very real thing – especially when an emergency arises.

Power outages, severe weather alerts, or even an issue with the water supply are considered community-sensitive events – meaning they impact an entire population at the same time. When these events occur, it is absolutely vital for those responsible for keeping the public safe or remedying the issue that they stay in constant contact, and their communications are dependable (regardless of the environment).

It seems that most organizations have at least some degree of emergency preparedness ready to go. This can include an evacuation plan, alarm systems, or a detailed list of who is responsible for what. As the very nature of an emergency is that it is unexpected or unplanned, how you respond to it needs to be based off of a clear and effective plan. This all starts with being prepared.

One of the most common emergencies that can impact any and all industries, is a weather emergency. You know the kind: storms, hurricanes, high winds, blizzards, fog, etc. All of these natural events can cause delays and safety issues to some extent, and they can all impact you in a major way.

Using a digital two-way radio is pretty start forward. You go the the docking station and grab a handset. From there you turn it on and make sure that you’re on the right channel to begin or join a conversation. After double checking the volume and receiving a message, you hold the Push to Talk Button while you share your response.

The first time that you used a two-way radio, you probably didn’t need detailed instructions to operate the device. Although using this system is simple and doesn’t require any technical training, understanding the science behind the technology is slightly more intricate.

Radio Frequency

Over the past decade, companies from every industry have made advancements in making their organization more eco-friendly, or "green." This push for clean business practices has made great strides recently, and there are even opportunities to be found in the telecommunication market. 

Are Company Cell Phones Necessary?

Students heading off to college in the fall expect to be safe as they settle into their dorms and navigate their way through new campuses. With that expectation comes a need for colleges and universities to continually improve tactics for campus communucation, security and emergency response to ensure students remain safe during day-to-day activities, sporting events, and other school functions.

In the Midwest, we often celebrate warm, beautiful summer weather with months of events. These warm months often signal that graduations, parades, festivals and concerts are just around the corner. Although these events are fun to attend, most don’t realize just how much work goes into planning and executing a successful event. One of the most important things to ensure a smooth and safe event, regardless of the event, is clear communication.

So what does clear communication look like? For one, it involves digital, two-way radios being supplied to event staff. Notice that line says “two-way radios,” not “cell phones” (there’s a big difference). These radios allow the event staff to communicate effectively regardless of their location or the noisy environment they may be in at the time.