City halls, courthouses, police stations and federal offices serve the public every day and cannot afford electrical failures. Dr Electric provides comprehensive electrical services for municipal and government facilities across Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland. From energy‑saving lighting retrofits to secure power for critical operations, we keep your buildings safe, efficient and code‑compliant.
Government offices and courts require quiet, reliable power for IT equipment, lighting and HVAC. We install dedicated circuits, UPS systems and surge protection to keep records and court proceedings running. Energy codes require manual controls in spaces enclosed by ceiling‑height partitions and mandate at least one dimming step between 30% and 70% of full lighting power. Automatic controls must be manual‑on or limit automatic‑on to 50% power, and they must shut lights off within 30 minutes of vacancy in many rooms. We specify occupancy sensors and programmable scheduling to meet these requirements and enhance security.
Lighting represents 10–25% of a building’s electricity consumption. The GSA’s guidance on LED retrofits notes that switching to LED fixtures can halve electricity use compared to traditional fluorescent lighting. Lighting controls—such as occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting and scheduling—can boost energy savings by up to 80%. LED lamps also last up to 25 times longer and use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and tubular LED retrofits can save 25–40% of lighting energy compared to fluorescent lamps. We upgrade offices, council chambers and exterior lighting with high‑efficiency LEDs and smart controls to reduce operating costs and maintenance.
Government buildings must remain operational during outages. NFPA 110 classifies emergency power systems by class (duration), type and level. Type 10 systems must restore power within 10 seconds, and Level 1 systems serve loads where a power failure could lead to loss of life or serious injury. We design and install generators, automatic transfer switches and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to meet these requirements. Our team performs monthly and triennial testing, provides documentation for inspectors and integrates remote monitoring to ensure readiness.
Law enforcement, public safety and municipal buildings rely on security cameras, access control, metal detectors and badge readers. These systems demand clean, uninterrupted power. We provide redundant circuits, surge protection and battery backups for security systems, integrate low‑voltage cabling and coordinate with IT departments to ensure compliance with cybersecurity policies. Lighting in secure areas is tied to occupancy sensors and emergency systems, supporting energy codes while maintaining safety.
Public projects require transparency and accountability. Dr Electric prepares detailed scopes, sealed drawings and line‑item budgets. We navigate permit approvals, coordinate with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and work within procurement and funding cycles. After installation, we deliver as‑built drawings, test reports and maintenance plans for auditors and facility managers.
Government facilities must adhere to multiple standards. NFPA 101 Life Safety Code requires emergency lighting to provide at least one foot‑candle of illumination along exit routes for a minimum of 90 minutes; OSHA and the International Building Code require independent backup power and regular testing. ASHRAE 90.1/IECC mandates manual controls and dimming steps between 30% and 70% of full lighting, with automatic controls limited to 50% automatic‑on and required to turn lights off within 30 minutes of vacancy. NFPA 110 states that Type 10, Level 1 emergency power systems must restore power within 10 seconds for life‑safety loads. Dr Electric designs systems that comply with these codes and stays current with federal sustainability mandates and local amendments.
Public agencies are under pressure to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Upgrading to LEDs and adding controls can cut lighting energy use by 50% or more, while LEDs last up to 25 times longer and use 90% less energy than incandescent lamps. Tubular LED retrofit kits save 25–40% compared to fluorescent lamps. Lighting controls can further boost savings by up to 80%. We integrate these technologies, along with high‑efficiency motors and HVAC controls, into capital plans. Backup power systems designed to Type 10 standards ensure continuity, and our preventive maintenance and remote monitoring programs keep facilities operational.
Empower your public buildings with reliable, efficient electrical systems. Coordinate a facility power review with Dr Electric today and ensure your government or municipal building meets the highest standards of safety, sustainability and performance.
