Washington State Patrol EV Charging Infrastructure

Electrical Engineering Scope
Solar-Ready Future PV Capacity
Integrated Power, Safety & Security

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical engineering for a new Washington State Patrol equipment building. The facility protects a high-value, mission-critical asset that had previously faced weather exposure and vandalism risk.

CEG designed the power, lighting, fire alarm, and security systems for the new building. In addition, the electrical infrastructure supports future solar installation.

Protecting a Mission-Critical Asset

The project addressed both physical protection and electrical reliability. Previously, the asset remained exposed to outdoor conditions and potential vandalism.

Therefore, the new building needed dependable power, lighting, life safety, and security systems. CEG also planned for future energy upgrades so the electrical infrastructure could support photovoltaic panels later.

Electrical Engineering Scope of Work

CEG provided a complete electrical design focused on reliable operation, security, life safety, and future flexibility.

Power Distribution

CEG designed the power distribution system to support the building’s operational needs. The team also coordinated utility fault contributions as part of the electrical analysis.

Electrical System Studies

CEG completed fault current analysis, an arc flash study, load calculations, and voltage drop analysis. Together, these studies supported safe and reliable system performance.

Interior & Exterior Lighting

CEG designed LED lighting for both interior and exterior areas. Lighting controls also support efficient operation, visibility, and site security.

Fire Alarm System

The fire alarm system provides early warning and supports life safety within the equipment building. CEG integrated the design with applicable NFPA requirements and WSP protocols.

Intrusion Detection

CEG designed an intrusion detection system to strengthen facility security. The system supports alarm functions and remote monitoring capabilities.

Solar-Ready Infrastructure

CEG designed the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future photovoltaic panels. As a result, WSP can add solar generation later without starting from a completely new electrical approach.

Project Outcome

The new equipment building provides a protected environment for a high-value Washington State Patrol asset. CEG’s electrical design supports reliable power, efficient lighting, life safety, and facility security.

In addition, detailed electrical studies helped support system performance and safety. The solar-ready design also gives WSP greater flexibility for future energy improvements.

As a result, the facility addresses current operational needs while preparing the electrical infrastructure for future upgrades.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Protection for a Mission-Critical Asset

The new building protects valuable equipment from weather exposure and vandalism risk.

Detailed Electrical System Analysis

CEG completed fault current, arc flash, load, and voltage drop studies to support safe and reliable operation.

Integrated Security and Life Safety

Fire alarm and intrusion detection systems help protect both the facility and the equipment inside it.

Future Solar Readiness

The electrical design allows WSP to add photovoltaic panels as part of a future sustainability upgrade.

Eastern State Hospital Parking Lots Callbox System

14 Emergency Callbox Towers
Solar + Battery Standalone Power
Cellular Independent Communication

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical engineering for the Eastern State Hospital Parking Lots Callbox System in Medical Lake, Washington. The project added 14 emergency callbox towers throughout the hospital campus.

Each tower operates independently using solar panels with battery backup and cellular communication. As a result, the callboxes do not require a connection to the State’s network.

Standalone Emergency Communication

The callbox system gives campus users a direct way to request help from parking and outdoor areas. When activated, each tower provides its location and enables two-way communication.

In addition, each tower follows a programmed call sequence. The system contacts designated phone numbers, including the campus switchboard, before calling 911 if no one responds.

Electrical Engineering Scope of Work

CEG designed the electrical and communication systems needed to support reliable standalone operation across all 14 callbox towers.

Emergency Callbox Network

The project added 14 emergency callbox towers throughout the Eastern State Hospital campus.

Solar & Battery Power

Solar panels energize each callbox tower, while battery backup supports continued standalone operation.

Cellular Communication

The towers communicate through cellular service rather than connecting to the State’s network.

Programmed Call Routing

The system contacts a series of designated phone numbers. If no one responds, the call sequence continues to 911.

Remote Monitoring & Diagnostics

The design includes a web portal for remote monitoring and system diagnostics across all 14 callbox towers.

Project Outcome

The Eastern State Hospital callbox project created a standalone emergency communication network across the campus. Solar power, battery backup, and cellular service allow the towers to operate without State network connections.

In addition, location reporting, two-way communication, programmed call routing, and remote diagnostics support emergency response and ongoing system oversight.

What Made This Project Stand Out

14 Emergency Callbox Towers

The project added emergency communication points throughout the Eastern State Hospital campus.

Independent Power and Communication

Solar power, battery backup, and cellular service allow each tower to operate independently.

Emergency Call Escalation

The programmed call sequence contacts designated campus numbers before routing unanswered calls to 911.

Remote System Monitoring

A web portal provides remote monitoring and diagnostics for all 14 emergency callbox towers.

Columbia Holdings Building #2

20,000 SF Building Size
1.3 Acres Site Development
6 Engineering Disciplines

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering for Columbia Holdings Building #2 in Bush Prairie, Washington. The project included a 20,000 square foot pre-engineered metal building on a 1.3-acre site.

In addition to the building design, CEG supported full site development for the project. That scope included ADA-accessible parking, EV charging, landscape design, and an underground stormwater infiltration gallery. Together, these elements helped support a practical industrial and commercial facility with sustainability-focused features.

Site Development and Permitting

This project required more than building systems design alone. CEG also led entitlement and permitting, which included land use applications, traffic studies, pre-app meetings, utility coordination, and DEQ approvals.

As a result, the project moved forward with coordinated support across both site development and regulatory review. That broader role helped align the building, site, and utility infrastructure from early planning through permitting.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG delivered a coordinated multidisciplinary scope for the building and site. Overall, the work combined site development, utility infrastructure, fire protection, and core building systems within one integrated design effort.

🏗️ Building Engineering

CEG provided structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering for the 20,000 square foot pre-engineered metal building.

🌿 Site Development

The site scope included ADA-accessible parking, EV charging, landscape design, and an underground stormwater infiltration gallery.

🔥 Fire Protection Infrastructure

The fire protection scope included a firewater main, hydrants, and FDC infrastructure to support the site and building fire protection needs.

⚡ Sustainability Features

The project included EV charging and landscape and stormwater design elements that supported broader sustainability goals for the site.

📋 Entitlement and Agency Coordination

CEG managed land use applications, traffic studies, pre-app meetings, utility coordination, and DEQ approvals as part of the entitlement and permitting process.

Project Outcome

Columbia Holdings Building #2 combined a new industrial and commercial building with full site development on a 1.3-acre site in Bush Prairie, WA. Through coordinated civil and MEP engineering, CEG helped deliver a project that addressed building systems, site infrastructure, accessibility, and fire protection within one integrated scope.

Just as importantly, CEG led entitlement and permitting for the project. By managing land use, traffic, utility, and DEQ coordination, the team supported a more complete development process from planning through approvals.

What Made This Project Stand Out

🏢
Full Building and Site Coordination

The project combined a 20,000 square foot pre-engineered metal building with full site development on a 1.3-acre property.

✓
Entitlement and Permitting Leadership

CEG led land use applications, traffic studies, pre-app meetings, utility coordination, and DEQ approvals for the project.

🔥
Integrated Fire Protection Infrastructure

The fire protection scope included a firewater main, hydrants, and FDC infrastructure to support the new development.

🌿
Sustainability and Site Features

The site included EV charging, ADA-accessible parking, landscape design, and an underground stormwater infiltration gallery.

SunModo Warehouse Storage and Distribution

35,000 SF Facility Size
2-Story Office Facility
Rooftop PV Renewable Energy

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for the SunModo Warehouse Storage and Distribution project in Vancouver, Washington. The project included a 35,000 square foot tilt-up warehouse and an adjacent two-story office facility designed to support SunModo Company’s operational growth and sustainability initiatives.

To support those goals, CEG designed high-efficiency heat pump-based split HVAC systems, energy-efficient water heating, and EV charging stations for a transitioning electric fleet. In addition, the project incorporated a roof-mounted photovoltaic array to supply renewable energy, reduce utility demand, and support long-term energy resilience.

Facility and Sustainability Goals

This project combined warehouse and office functions within one coordinated development. Therefore, the MEP design had to support day-to-day operations while also aligning with SunModo’s broader sustainability goals.

At the same time, the systems needed to remain practical over the long term. As a result, CEG designed the MEP infrastructure for reliability, maintainability, and energy efficiency so the facility could operate smoothly and remain easier to support over time.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG provided coordinated MEP design for the new warehouse and office facility. Overall, the scope focused on efficient building performance, renewable energy integration, and long-term operational reliability.

🌬️ Mechanical

The mechanical design included high-efficiency heat pump-based split HVAC systems to support building comfort and energy performance across the warehouse and office areas.

⚡ Electrical

The electrical scope included EV charging stations to support a transitioning electric fleet. In addition, the design integrated a roof-mounted photovoltaic array to provide renewable energy for the facility.

🔧 Plumbing

CEG designed energy-efficient water heating as part of the coordinated plumbing scope for the warehouse and office facility.

☀️ Renewable Energy Integration

The roof-mounted PV array was integrated into the facility to reduce utility demand and support long-term energy resilience.

🛠️ System Reliability and Maintainability

All MEP systems were designed for reliability, maintainability, and energy efficiency. As a result, the project supports smooth operation and ease of upkeep over time.

Project Outcome

The SunModo Warehouse Storage and Distribution project delivered coordinated MEP systems for a warehouse and office facility designed to support both operational growth and sustainability goals.

Through high-efficiency HVAC, energy-efficient water heating, EV charging, and rooftop solar integration, CEG helped create a facility that reduces utility demand while supporting long-term building performance.

Just as importantly, the design emphasized reliability and maintainability. As a result, the project supports smoother day-to-day operation and more practical long-term upkeep.

What Made This Project Stand Out

🏭
Warehouse and Office Integration

The project combined a 35,000 square foot tilt-up warehouse with an adjacent two-story office facility. As a result, the MEP design had to support multiple building functions in one coordinated system.

✓
High-Efficiency Building Systems

CEG designed heat pump-based split HVAC systems and energy-efficient water heating to support long-term performance and energy efficiency.

⚡
EV and Solar Readiness

The facility includes EV charging stations for a transitioning electric fleet and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array for renewable energy generation.

🛠️
Long-Term Maintainability

All MEP systems were designed for reliability, maintainability, and energy efficiency. Therefore, the facility is better positioned for smooth operation over time.