Overview

The Illinois School for the Deaf serves students from across the State of Illinois and operates a historic multi-building campus that required a complete modernization of its physical security, communications, and life safety infrastructure.

Senergy was selected to deliver a comprehensive campus-wide solution that included access control, video surveillance, mass notification, networking, and fiber optic infrastructure improvements spanning 16 buildings across the campus.

The project presented challenges rarely encountered on a single deployment, including historic structures, aging infrastructure, asbestos abatement requirements, extensive underground construction, state procurement processes, and the need to perform work in an active educational environment serving hearing-impaired students.

Through careful planning, engineering collaboration, and disciplined execution, Senergy delivered a modern, scalable platform designed to serve the campus for years to come.

The challenge

The project began when Hirsch Rosche Engineers contacted Senergy to review an existing design that had been delayed for several years before construction. Technology, security requirements, and industry standards had evolved significantly since the original design effort.

Before the project could move forward, the engineering team needed confidence that the specified systems would meet the operational needs of the campus while remaining feasible to implement.

Senergy worked closely with the engineering team during the review process, helping evaluate technology options, identify potential risks, and align the project with modern security and life safety best practices. As part of this collaboration, Senergy assisted with specification updates, RFP development, and project addendums to ensure the final design reflected current technology capabilities and long-term campus needs.

Designing a scalable security platform

A key outcome of the design review process was the selection of Genetec Security Center as the foundation of the campus security platform.

Genetec was incorporated into the specification because of its enterprise scalability, unified access control and video management capabilities, open architecture, interoperability with third-party systems, and long-term flexibility for future campus growth.

The resulting solution provided a unified platform capable of managing hundreds of cameras, numerous access-controlled openings, and future expansion requirements from a single interface.

Campus-wide infrastructure modernization

Delivering modern security systems required far more than installing cameras and card readers. The existing campus infrastructure required significant upgrades to support the new technology platform.

  • Extensive fiber optic backbone upgrades
  • New underground conduit systems
  • Handholes and pathway infrastructure
  • Network modernization
  • Access control panel installations
  • Video surveillance deployments
  • Mass notification system implementation
  • Life safety system improvements

Many buildings on campus presented unique construction challenges due to their age, historic significance, and existing conditions. Senergy coordinated closely with project stakeholders to overcome unforeseen field conditions while maintaining project momentum and minimizing disruption to campus operations.

Integrating life safety and mass notification

A major component of the project involved implementing addressable mass notification capabilities throughout the campus.

Senergy partnered with Johnson Controls to leverage the existing fire alarm infrastructure while providing the upgrades needed to support modern notification requirements.

  • Addressable mass notification strobes
  • Fire alarm system enhancements
  • Integration between life safety and security systems
  • Campus-wide notification capabilities

This collaborative approach allowed the project team to maximize existing investments while significantly enhancing emergency communications capabilities.

Managing complexity in a historic environment

Few projects combine as many logistical and technical challenges as the Illinois School for the Deaf modernization effort.

  • Historic campus buildings
  • Asbestos abatement activities
  • State of Illinois procurement requirements
  • Capital Development Board processes
  • Active educational operations
  • Hearing-impaired students and staff
  • Existing underground utilities
  • Aging building infrastructure

Success depended on continuous communication among engineers, contractors, campus leadership, state agencies, and specialty trades.

Senergy's role extended beyond traditional security integration. The project required organization and leadership typically associated with a general contractor, construction expertise associated with an electrical contractor, the problem-solving discipline of an engineering team, and the integration capability of a specialized technology partner.

The result

The Illinois School for the Deaf now benefits from a modern, unified security and life safety platform spanning 16 campus buildings.

  • Campus-wide video surveillance
  • Enterprise access control
  • Enhanced emergency communications
  • Modern mass notification capabilities
  • Improved network and fiber infrastructure
  • Scalable security management through Genetec Security Center
  • A foundation for future technology expansion

The project demonstrates Senergy's ability to execute complex public-sector infrastructure and security initiatives where technology, construction, engineering, and stakeholder coordination must work together.

Why Senergy

Projects of this scale require more than technical expertise. They require a partner capable of managing complexity, navigating changing conditions, and delivering results in challenging environments.

  • Lead complex multi-building security deployments
  • Collaborate with engineering and design teams
  • Navigate public-sector procurement requirements
  • Integrate security, networking, and life safety systems
  • Manage construction challenges in occupied facilities
  • Deliver enterprise-class physical security solutions from concept through commissioning

When critical infrastructure, public safety, and long-term operational success are at stake, organizations rely on Senergy to provide the experience, leadership, and technical expertise needed to get the job done right.