Complete electrical construction for a new preschool
LH Block Electric provided the complete ground-up electrical installation for Guidepost Montessori at 2 E. Phillip Road in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Working with general contractor DCS Midwest, our team delivered new utility infrastructure, electrical distribution, lighting, equipment power, and a complete fire-alarm system.
The approximately 11,000-square-foot, single-story facility was developed on the former PNC Bank site near Route 60 and Deerpath Road, with seven classrooms in the original plan. Originally constructed for Guidepost Montessori, the building subsequently changed operators and is now Children’s Land Daycare.
ComEd coordination and underground utility infrastructure
A new electrical service starts well before the interior installation. LH Block coordinated the utility infrastructure with ComEd and installed a precast concrete transformer pad on a gravel base, together with two 4-inch PVC primary conduits from the utility pole to the pad. Each conduit run measured approximately 75 feet.
The installation included four heavy-wall steel conduit elbows required by ComEd and underground service conductors from the transformer to the CT meter cabinet. Coordinating the pad, conduit routes, and service equipment established the utility connection for the new building.
400-amp service and building distribution
Our team installed a new 400-amp, three-phase electrical service with CT metering, interior distribution panels, service feeders, and associated grounding. Two surge protection devices—one for each electrical panel—were rated at 40,000 surge amps each.
Interior, exterior, and emergency lighting
The lighting scope served classrooms, offices, common areas, and the building exterior. It included interior fixtures and lighting controls, architectural wall sconces, emergency lighting, and illuminated exit signage.
LH Block also provided electrical feeds for two existing parking-lot lighting poles and additional wiring and junction boxes for exterior signage illumination.
Power for daily operations and building equipment
Tamper-resistant receptacles, branch circuits, and HVAC power connections completed the building’s general power installation. Additional equipment requirements included:
- Upgraded dishwasher: A dedicated 208-volt, 40-amp circuit with disconnect, conduit, and wiring.
- Electrical-room heating: A supplemental 4-kW electric heater to maintain temperature in the sprinkler-equipped space.
Underground telecommunications pathways
LH Block installed two 2-inch PVC telecommunications conduits and additional underground conduit work to accommodate the final utility routing. Our scope provided the conduit infrastructure for telecommunications; it did not include the complete low-voltage telecommunications installation.
Fire-alarm installation and life-safety coordination
The complete Notifier fire-alarm installation included the control panel, manual pull stations, horn/strobes, detection equipment, and associated wiring. LH Block provided system drawings and coordinated the approval process with the authorities having jurisdiction.
As the project requirements developed, our team installed 24 additional smoke detectors, related wiring, and system modifications to meet State Fire Marshal requirements. Coordinating these additions with the project team was an important part of completing an early childhood education facility.
One coordinated electrical installation
From the new utility connection to the final equipment and life-safety connections, LH Block delivered the electrical systems needed to support the completed building.
The project demonstrates our experience with ground-up commercial electrical construction in Vernon Hills and across Chicagoland, bringing utility coordination, distribution, lighting, equipment power, and fire-alarm work together within one installation.