Campus environments have diverse electrical needs—from quiet classrooms and labs to loud gymnasiums and residence halls. Dr Electric helps public and private K‑12 schools, community colleges and universities in the DMV modernize lighting, ensure code‑compliant egress and equip labs and makerspaces. We handle everything, so administrators can focus on teaching and student success.
Outdated fluorescents waste energy and strain eyes. We retrofit classrooms, lecture halls and auditoriums with high‑CRI LED fixtures and smart controls. LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use up to 90 percent less energy, reducing maintenance and utility costs. Dimming and scene presets allow teachers to adjust light levels for lectures, group work or multimedia presentations, while daylight sensors harvest natural light.
Keeping students safe during an outage is non‑negotiable. NFPA 101 requires emergency lighting to provide at least one foot‑candle of illumination along exit routes for a minimum of 90 minutes; stairwells need up to ten foot‑candles. Backup power systems must activate automatically, and life‑safety luminaires should be tested monthly for 30 seconds and annually for 90 minutes. We install and test code‑compliant emergency lights, exit signs and battery systems so students can evacuate safely.
Science labs, makerspaces and computer rooms demand clean, reliable power. We install dedicated circuits for fume hoods, 3D printers, kilns and IT racks, with isolated grounding to protect sensitive electronics. Ground‑fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc‑fault protection reduce shock and fire hazards. For network closets and server rooms, we provide UPS systems, surge suppression and redundant circuits to keep data flowing.
Gyms, auditoriums and outdoor fields require high‑intensity lighting and robust power for scoreboards, sound systems and concession stands. We engineer three‑phase service upgrades, high‑bay LED retrofits and programmable lighting controls that meet IES foot‑candle requirements while reducing energy costs. Durable wiring and weatherproof fixtures stand up to student use and harsh outdoor conditions.
School calendars are unforgiving. Dr Electric can mobilize crews during summer break, spring break or nights to minimize classroom disruption. We provide detailed schedules and manage permits and inspections to ensure projects are complete before students return.
Educational facilities must adhere to several codes. NFPA 101 mandates that emergency lighting supply at least one foot‑candle along exit routes for 90 minutes and recommends higher levels in stairwells. NFPA 70 (NEC) governs wiring methods, receptacle spacing and GFCI/AFCI requirements. The International Building Code and OSHA require adequate emergency lights, exit signs and independent backup power sources. Energy codes like ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC require manual lighting controls and dimming steps between 30 % and 70 % and demand occupancy sensors in classrooms and other small spaces that turn lights off after 30 minutes of vacancy. We design every system to meet or exceed these standards and stay current with local amendments.
Schools are large energy consumers. Switching to LEDs can reduce lighting energy use by up to 90 percent and cut maintenance because LEDs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Connecting LEDs to Internet‑of‑Things (IoT) controls and occupancy sensors allows lights to dim or turn off automatically when a room is vacant and adjust to daylight, delivering up to 75 percent energy savings per classroom. We also install networked daylight harvesting, scheduling and load shedding to meet ASHRAE 90.1/IECC mandates. Preventive maintenance programs, surge protection and power‑quality solutions ensure reliability for sensitive labs and technology equipment.
Keep students safe and your campus efficient. Plan your summer electrical projects with Dr Electric today and see how our expert solutions can modernize your school.
