Project Overview

Professional Systems Engineering, LLC’s (PSE) specialized experience in forensic facilities includes the first psychiatric institution in America, Friends Hospital, as well as the nation’s first federal psychiatric facility, Saint Elizabeths. Our experience in secure environments, while being sensitive to humane needs, sets our firm apart from ordinary design firms. Saint Elizabeths Hospital was established in 1855 as the Government Hospital for the insane. It was the first and only federal mental facility with a national scope. The complex is situated on more than 300 acres, and in the 1940s, housed over 7,000 patients. Professional Systems Engineering, LLC staff established functional requirements for a new hospital security system including the grounds, and determined equipment re-use and integration with existing and new systems. The hospital now houses 600 patients.

PSE staff established secure designs and functional requirements for the new hospital security systems including the grounds, and determined equipment re-use and integration with existing and new systems. The new 440,00 SF hospital on 49 acres now houses 600 patients.

PSE provided fire and life safety manuals including evacuation planning and training for the entire hospital. These services included Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP), disaster preparedness, and evacuation preparation. Training with hospital staff was extensive.

Our team recommended design techniques including “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” (CPTED) principles for the site and parking areas. PSE staff prepared the security portion of the overall Pre-design Report containing functional requirements for the security system encompassing alarm sensors and access control points, communications, surveillance, lighting, personnel processing, package screening and contraband detection, along with requirements for system interfaces, redundant/backup power and security system expansion.

PSE provided full design documentation and commissioning services for the following scope:

Services Provided

Safety and Security Services
  • Wifi distribution
  • Industrial network
  • Data center planning

Physical Security Designs
  • Turnstiles
  • X-ray package screening
  • Personal search equipment

Electronic and Security Designs
  • Access control and monitoring
  • CCTV and digital video recording
  • Security intercom
  • Personal duress
  • Central control console

Perimeter Security Designs
  • Security fencing and gates
  • Redundant perimeter detection systems
  • Security lighting
  • Site CCTV

Life Safety Consulting Services
  • Fire safety plan
  • Fire evacuation plan and signage
  • Keying grouping and Hierarchy planning
  • Training