Engineering Services
Low Voltage Systems
Complete low voltage system design including structured cabling, data/communications, security and surveillance, access control, fire alarm systems, and audio/visual technology.
Structured Cabling & Data/Communications
In today's connected world, a building's data and communications infrastructure is as essential as its electrical and mechanical systems. EBS Engineering PC designs structured cabling systems that provide the reliable, high-performance backbone needed to support voice, data, video, and wireless communications throughout the building's service life.
Our structured cabling designs follow the ANSI/TIA-568 standards and are organized around a hierarchical topology that includes the entrance facility (where outside plant cabling enters the building), the main equipment room (housing core network equipment, servers, and telephone systems), telecommunications rooms on each floor (housing intermediate distribution frames, switches, and patch panels), and horizontal cabling runs to individual work area outlets.
We specify cabling media appropriate for the project's current and anticipated future bandwidth requirements. For horizontal cabling, we typically specify Category 6A (Cat 6A) unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper cabling, which supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet over distances up to 100 meters and provides ample headroom for future network upgrades. For backbone cabling between telecommunications rooms and the main equipment room, we design fiber optic cabling systems using single-mode or multimode fiber as appropriate for the distances and bandwidth requirements involved.
Our designs include detailed floor plans showing outlet locations, cable routing paths, conduit and cable tray layouts, telecommunications room layouts with rack elevations and equipment placement, and comprehensive cable schedules. We coordinate with the architect to ensure that telecommunications rooms are properly sized, located, and equipped with adequate power, cooling, lighting, and fire protection. We also design wireless access point (WAP) locations based on coverage analysis to ensure seamless Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building.
For specialized environments such as data centers, we design high-density cabling solutions including overhead cable tray systems, under-floor cable management, and hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment strategies. We also design outside plant cabling systems including underground conduit banks, direct-buried cable, and aerial cable routes for campus environments.
Security & Surveillance Systems
Building security is a multi-layered discipline that encompasses physical barriers, electronic detection and surveillance, access management, and emergency communication. EBS Engineering PC designs integrated security systems that address the specific threat profile and operational requirements of each facility, from basic commercial office buildings to high-security government and healthcare facilities.
Video Surveillance (CCTV): We design IP-based video surveillance systems using high-resolution network cameras positioned to provide comprehensive coverage of building entrances, exits, parking areas, lobbies, corridors, loading docks, and other areas of security concern. Our designs specify camera types (fixed, PTZ, dome, bullet), lens selection, mounting details, and field-of-view calculations to ensure that every camera provides useful, identifiable images. We design the supporting network infrastructure including dedicated security VLANs, network video recorders (NVRs) with appropriate storage capacity for the required retention period, and video management software (VMS) platforms that enable live monitoring, playback, and event-driven alerts.
Intrusion Detection: We design intrusion detection systems using door contacts, glass break sensors, motion detectors, and other sensing devices to detect unauthorized entry into protected areas. Our designs include alarm monitoring panels, keypads, annunciators, and integration with the building's access control and video surveillance systems to provide a coordinated security response.
Intercom & Emergency Communication: We design intercom systems for building entrances, parking garages, elevators, and areas of refuge, providing two-way communication between visitors and building security personnel. For buildings requiring emergency communication capabilities, we design area of refuge communication systems, elevator emergency phones, and mass notification systems in accordance with ADA requirements and applicable building codes.
Access Control Systems
Access control systems regulate who can enter specific areas of a building and when, providing both security and an audit trail of access events. EBS Engineering PC designs access control systems that balance security requirements with operational convenience, using technologies appropriate for each facility's security level and user population.
Our access control designs include card readers (proximity, smart card, or mobile credential), electric locks and strikes, magnetic locks, request-to-exit devices, door position switches, and access control panels. We design systems using enterprise-grade access control platforms that support multiple credential technologies, anti-passback, time-based access schedules, elevator floor control, and integration with video surveillance and intrusion detection systems.
For higher-security applications, we design multi-factor authentication systems combining card credentials with PIN codes or biometric verification (fingerprint, facial recognition, or iris scan). We also design mantrap and sally port configurations for facilities requiring positive identification before granting access to secure areas.
All our access control designs are coordinated with the fire alarm system and building code requirements to ensure that access-controlled doors release automatically upon fire alarm activation, maintaining free egress during emergencies. We specify hardware that is compliant with ADA accessibility requirements and coordinate with the architect and hardware consultant to ensure that access control components are integrated seamlessly with the door hardware schedule.
Fire Alarm & Mass Notification Systems
The fire alarm system is the central nervous system of a building's fire and life safety infrastructure, detecting fire conditions, alerting occupants, notifying the fire department, and initiating the operation of other fire protection systems. EBS Engineering PC designs fire alarm systems in accordance with NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) and the applicable building code requirements.
We design addressable fire alarm systems that provide individual device identification, enabling rapid pinpointing of alarm locations and simplified troubleshooting. Our fire alarm designs include the selection and placement of initiating devices — including smoke detectors (photoelectric, ionization, and multi-criteria), heat detectors (fixed temperature and rate-of-rise), duct smoke detectors, beam detectors for high-ceiling spaces, manual pull stations, and waterflow and tamper switches for sprinkler systems — based on the specific hazards and code requirements of each space.
Notification appliance design is equally critical. We perform detailed calculations to ensure that audible notification appliances (horns and speakers) provide sound levels that meet the minimum audibility requirements of NFPA 72 throughout all occupied areas, including sleeping areas where higher sound levels are required. We design visible notification appliances (strobes) with proper candela ratings and spacing to ensure code-compliant coverage in all required areas, including restrooms, corridors, and open office areas.
For larger and more complex buildings, we design emergency voice/alarm communication (EVAC) systems that allow fire command personnel to deliver live voice instructions to building occupants during emergencies, supplementing or replacing the standard alarm tones. We also design mass notification systems (MNS) for facilities requiring the ability to communicate emergency information for threats beyond fire, such as severe weather, active shooter, or hazardous material release.
Our fire alarm designs include comprehensive system riser diagrams, floor plan device layouts, conduit and wiring diagrams, battery calculations, and voltage drop calculations. We specify fire alarm control panels with adequate capacity for the initial installation plus future expansion, and we coordinate all fire alarm system interfaces including elevator recall, HVAC shutdown, door holder release, access control override, and fire suppression system monitoring.
Audio/Visual & Specialty Systems
Beyond the core low voltage systems, EBS Engineering PC designs a range of specialty systems that enhance building functionality and occupant experience. Our audio/visual system designs include conference room AV systems with displays, projectors, audio conferencing, and video conferencing capabilities; distributed audio systems for background music and paging in retail, hospitality, and healthcare environments; and digital signage systems for wayfinding, information display, and advertising.
We also design nurse call and patient monitoring systems for healthcare facilities, distributed antenna systems (DAS) and bi-directional amplifiers (BDA) for in-building wireless coverage and first responder radio communication, and building-wide clock and program bell systems for educational facilities. Each of these specialty systems is designed with the same attention to detail, code compliance, and coordination with other building systems that characterizes all of our engineering work.
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