Project Overview
The Philadelphia Zoological Gardens project was part of the on-going effort to provide fire protection for the Zoo including installation of smoke and fire detection and alarm systems. The long-term goal was a central site-wide fire alarm monitoring system. Professional Systems Engineering, LLC (PSE) was selected to perform design & engineering for site-wide safety and communications upgrades for America’s First Zoo! The fiber optic infrastructure incorporates voice, data, video, security, and point-of-purchase systems. PSE helped to form the foundation supporting the Zoo’s Master Plan calling for the rehabilitation of buildings and other support infrastructure.
PSE provided new telecom/data site backbone network infrastructure, security, fire alarm, and audio for this 35-acre historical landmark. A keen sensitivity of site surroundings was required to blend systems with animal, vegetation, and human environments in America’s first zoo.
PSE supports the Zoo’s mission by providing investigative reporting, program development, design, bid documentation, award review, and construction services including testing, inspection, and commissioning.
Services Provided
- Aerial messenger backbone
- Underground duct bank
- Telephone, IDF, MDF
- Data network
- CAT 3, 5E, and fiber optics
- Networked
- Central command
- ADA audio/visual
- External audio with override
- VESDA smoke sensitive areas
- Full unified communication system
- VoIP phone structure
- Rich automated attendant features
- Video/teleconferencing for direct meetings
- Audio/visual support
- Wireless audio
- Site-wide distribution horns
- 800 MHz spread spectrum
- Recorded messages
- Frequency hopping
- High-speed fiber
- Credit/sale integrity
- Perimeter enhancement low intensity
- Visitor pathway lighting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
