COMMUNAL TV AERIAL INSTALLATION & REPAIR (FIRS & IRS)

If you’re looking for communal aerial installation specialists with expertise in coaxial cabling, fibre integrated reception systems and Sky satellite dishes, this is your place.

Capital Aerials are long standing members of the Confederation of Aerial Installers (CAI) and as such our work meets the highest standards. 

We’ve been providing Fibre Integrated Reception Systems, otherwise known as FIRS or IRS, and installing Sky Q Dishes to apartment blocks, hotels and offices for more than 30 years.

If residents in your block are complaining they can’t watch TV because of poor reception or communal satellite problems, we’re the people to call. 

For all your communal aerial solutions, we’ve got you covered. 

Communal aerial installers: FIRS and IRS specialists

A single set of dishes and aerials can serve, in theory, any number of apartments or offices. 

An IRS communal TV system is based on coaxial distribution which allows access to television, Freeview channels and communal satellite signals via a system that serves apartments, offices or other buildings where a number of people require a television signal.

We’ve been at the forefront of communal TV system technology from the moment of its invention and through the many changes since. 

Reliable and trusted communal aerial installers with a strong track record

We employ a dedicated team of engineers with expertise in communal TV aerials and dish installation. They are also repair specialists who have evolved, trained and maintained their skills in line with technological developments. 

We can solve all coaxial cable and Fibre Optic TV/radio/satellite aerial problems that are commonly found in a block of flats, offices and any other property with multiple occupants or residents.

Our range of services apply to a new build property or an existing block of flats and we also provide surveys and advice on upgrading an older aerial system or communal satellite dish. 

Fibre optic and coaxial expertise

Our team has extensive knowledge and a strong understanding of all FIRS and IRS systems.

We can work with you if your building is large or small and with all manner of communal TV and satellite dish installation service requirements. We provide a professional service delivered by skilled technicians with years of experience.

Cables in risers and other technical knowhow

Our engineers place all long trunk cables into distribution location risers for a seamless finish. At each location the trunk cables will be connected to a multi-switch unit which combines them to provide services over a single cable.

The dedicated trunk cable for television signals and generally 4 dedicated trunk cables for each required satellite so a system with terrestrial and single satellite would generally be referred to as a 5 wire system, 2 satellites would be a 9 wire system, 3 would be a 13 wire system and 4 would be a 17 wire system.

FIRS systems can be Fibre To The Home (FTTH) which comprises fibre optic distribution to the services cupboard in each apartment. Here the signals are converted back to coaxial which feeds outlets or hybrid systems to provide a strong reception in each flat, room or office.

Honest, upfront and trustworthy: communal aerial installation advice worth listening to

As well as our membership of the well-regarded industry trade body the CAI, we are Trustmark and Sky systems registered. 

This means we can provide an approved systems service and are able to register all installations with Sky to ensure a smoother client/Sky installation.

When to use fibre optic cabling with communal aerial systems

The advantage of using fibre optic cabling in communal aerial installations is realised where the cabling lengths are long or apartment blocks are extremely large due to signal losses incurred.

In small apartment blocks and buildings, there is no technical advantage to using fibre over coaxial and our engineers would not recommend fibre because the cost is significantly higher.

Whether your requirements are large or small (2 or 700 outlets), single or multiple, we will be more than happy to provide help, upgrade advice, design expertise and costings.

Communal aerial installation services: what we provide 

We can provide detailed system designs to include:

• Dedicated project manager to oversee your communal TV system
• On-site meetings and surveys
• Detailed schematic drawings
• Project-specific technical submissions,
• Project-specific Risk And Method Statements (RAMS) together with Commissioning Method Statements if required.
• Full detailed commissioning test logs
• Operation & maintenance manuals to include Compliance statements Completion Certificates.

Communal aerial TV installations: legislation and specifications

All of our communal TV systems comply fully with the following legislation and specifications:

• BS EN 60728 which covers system design, installation & performance.
• BS EN 50117 which covers types of coaxial cabling used.
• BS EN 60966 which covers cabling connections.
• CAI Code of Practice for the Installation of Terrestrial & Satellite TV Reception Systems.
• Sky Homes Specification for New Build IRS
• Including the new Sky Q operation requirements.

Fully qualified and trained: communal aerial engineers with specialist skills 

All our engineers are fully qualified for installing FIRS and IRS in blocks of flats and know the range of common problems linked to communal TV systems and the equipment involved in them. They are trained in:

• CAI Foundation Diploma in Signal Reception.
• Working at heights and Harness training certificates.
• Ukata Asbestos awareness certificates.
• Skilled CSCS Cards.
• SMSTS or SSSTS certificates.

Health and safety is at the centre of all our services. To reassure yourself of this, please feel free to review our Health & Safety section for further details and phone us on the number below if you have any questions.

Need a trusted company to install or repair your communal satellite, Freeview and aerial system? Call us today on 020 88945665 or email sales@capital-aerials.co.uk

FAQs – communal aerial installations

Who is responsible for a communal aerial? 

That depends on the communal aerial installation system. Generally the residents own an installed communal aerial system, unless it has been leased or rented from the installation company. Generally the system will be maintained by the appointed residents’ managing agents.

How do I connect to a communal aerial? 

That depends on the communal aerial system installed on your block. Advice should be obtained from the managing agent or the company who provided it. You must not try to connect to the communal aerial system yourself or let someone who is not qualified do this, as this could affect the reception of other occupants in the building. 

What sort of communal aerial problems are there? 

There are many problems that can arise with communal aerial systems, especially with installations that have been carried out by unqualified communal aerial installers. A poorly designed system can also cause problems as can a dish blown off direction or damaged by poor weather conditions. Other issues that affect the function of communal aerials are lightning strikes, faulty equipment or user error.

What does a communal TV system look like? 

That depends on the block. There isn’t really a standard communal aerial TV system installation. If you check out our projects page there are schematics for systems we have installed recently.