Rod Baker Ford's New Dealership: Low Voltage Systems Design Build

In July of 2020, Rod Baker Ford set out for approval and plans for a new dealership on Route 59 in Plainfield, Illinois by the Village Board of Directors. The new building was approved for construction after consideration of creating new job opportunities in the area, further economic activity, and enhance the tax base of the village through increased property tax. The Rod Baker dealerships have been serving the community since 1963 being fully committed to customer satisfaction and quality service. The new facility will expand their service with approximately 55,000 square feet with vehicle display/inventory for 676 cars, 37 customer parking spaces, 198 spaces for vehicle servicing and 75 spaces for employee parking. The new dealership features a state-of-the-art showroom, a comfortable waiting area, a service center with certified technicians, and a finance department with competitive rates and options.

The team at Rod Baker Ford engaged Low Voltage Solutions for a complete design-build of their structured cabling, access control, intrusion, video surveillance, background music and paging systems within the facility. Through multiple design, construction, and planning meetings, our team solidified design and installation plans based upon the unique and specific use cases of technology throughout the facility.

Structured Cabling System

The structured cabling system infrastructure was designed with a PenGen Category 6/6A solution with Panduit NetKey Connectivity and General Cable’s GenSpeed cable to encompass 106 wall and floor mounted workstations, 46 locations for camera applications, 13 TV locations, 20 wireless access points, indoor/outdoor fiber connections into the main distribution frame (MDF) telecommunications room. The MDF was designed to house all the technology utilizing two 42U server cabinets & one 42U 2-post rack. The cabling enters the room and is distributed to the various patch panels by ladder rack, waterfalls, and mounting hardware. Throughout construction and installation of all other low voltage systems, the cabling and technology of the MDF steadily filled out into a complete powerhouse running the facility’s technology.

Access Control System

LVS Security Division led with a Kantech access control system to secure and monitor 48 areas of the facility. The importance of mobile device access was crucial in the end user’s security efforts in monitoring movement and permission of entry among the facility. Our team handled the entirety of the installation of control panels, door lock power supplies, card reader, request to exit devices, door contacts, card credentials, backup batteries, cabling, and overall programming + configuration of the system to be tailored to the end users needs and preferences.

Intrusion System

LVS Security Division led with a Honeywell Vista intrusion system with mobile device connect for ease of remote monitoring. The system consists of a 128BPT intrusion panel, cellular and IP communication interface, zone expansion modules, overhead door contacts, wireless duress buttons, wireless receiver and repeaters.

Video Surveillance System

LVS Security Division led with Exacq video management software and the Hanwha Vision’s Wisenet P-Series cameras. The facility is being monitored by 50 IP cameras with 82 total views surrounding the property. Included in the camera selection are 2MP & 5MP 4 channel multi-sensor/multi-directional cameras, 6MP outdoor vandal proof IR dome camera, 8MP outdoor multi-sensor/multi-directional camera, and mini dome cameras throughout the facility. The outdoor cameras are equipped with license plate recognition technology for enhanced security. The LVS team handled the installation, programming, and configuration of cameras into the new server, testing, and verification of remote viewing + access.

Background Music and Paging System

LVS AV Division assembled another state-of-the-art design build solution for the background music and paging systems. Key technology solutions include a diverse Harman Professional based ecosystem consisting of professional grade speakers, audio processing, amplification, and control peripherals providing an immersive audio reproduction for their customers and an intuitive, reliable, and fully controlled solution for the dealership. Included throughout the facility are JBL’s Control Contractor Series ceiling, pendant, and surface speakers. They are powered and processed by BSS London’s Digital Signal Processing and Crown Audio Amplification with digital Blu-Link technology. This solution provides clear communication of announcements through their VoIP phone system from their various departments as well as providing a high level of ambiance for Rod Bakers’ customers as they browse the showroom floor for their next car, truck, or SUV.