Is your business following industry standards and best practices regarding the installation of new Motorola Two Way radio systems? Not sure? You might want to take a second look at updating your current system to an R56 standard.

So What Exactly Is R56 and Why Does My Business Need It?

R56 is essentially the correct grounding practices that are compliant with wiring standards and best practices required by your business, as it takes the following into consideration:

• Fire Codes
• Electrical Codes
• Lighting Protection
• Tower Grounding Codes
• Construction Codes

Combined these standards are called R56. Created and serviced by Motorola Solutions as an industry standard, all of your local and jurisdictional codes – in addition to safety standards – are followed when developing a site, as well the equipment used for the installation and the performance of regularly scheduled maintenance.

Is My Company Required to Follow R56 Compliance?

As with any wiring standard available today, not following the codes required during installation and then maintenance can be costly to your business, and unsafe down the road. R56’s standards have been carefully put into place to ultimately protect your electrical equipment and personnel. As with any type of installation, investing the time and effort in doing it right the first time is ultimately a cost saving exercise down the road.

What Are Some Things I Should Think About Before Using R56?

Before you start any new installation project, you begin with proper planning from the ground up. You’ll then decide where to place your utilities as they are brought on site. All wiring must be properly grounded, while at the same time ensuring each step of the installation is code compliant. Proper planning helps to ensure your project is compliant which ultimately saves time and money long term.

R56 ensures your company takes a broad look at everything required: from the Geotechnical aspect to obtaining the right permits to compliance with your local codes and by-laws. Fire hazards, electrical services and foundational monitoring, not to mention concrete foundations are taken into consideration with any R56 planned project.

Other issues often overlooked during the planning stage but covered by R56 are: the placement of the tower, the building, and fencing (just to name a few). Having any of those important items in the wrong place not only causes huge headaches, but will also drain your budget as well.

I Think This Is A Good Fit For My Business: Now What?

When it comes to planning, implementing and maintaining R56, its best to let the experts give you a hand. A capable integrator should not only be trained in the installation of R56, but also ensure that all work within the project’s scope is completed to code.

A capable integrator will meet with you first to discuss your needs. A site evaluation is highly recommended to ensure that there are no surprises when the needs analysis and scope of work are undertaken. From there a capable integrator will ensure you understand the layout and design requirements needed to ensure your new system is not only industry compliant, but safe, secure, future compatible and upgradeable in the years to come.

While Motorola ensures all sales staff meet a minimum standard of training on the products they sell, a capable integrator will meet and exceed those standards and be able to identify less obvious hazards. Selection of a capable integrator is also vital in the elimination of unnecessary costs, so you don’t  purchase materials or services you’ll never need.

Likewise on the Technical Services side: Motorola ensures that anyone working under their banner must meet a basic level of competency, but a capable integrator will have exceeded the basic expectations with specialized designations, such as Service Elite Specialist or a Green Band Safety Rating.