Kansas City BPU

The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has been a cornerstone of Wyandotte County since 1909, providing reliable electric and water services to the community. To continue supporting its mission of safety, sustainability, and operational excellence, BPU needed a major upgrade to its fire alarm systems.

Control Service Company (CSC) partnered with BPU to design and install a new Edwards EST4 system across multiple critical facilities. The retrofit brought each building up to current fire codes, replacing outdated systems with modern, code-compliant solutions.

Many of BPU’s facilities are older, with unique configurations that presented challenges for demolition, integration, and installation. The client required upgrades without disrupting essential services, making it crucial to maintain continuity during construction.

Additionally, CSC needed to integrate the new system seamlessly with existing HVAC and security infrastructure, ensuring a coordinated response during emergencies.

CSC designed and installed the new EST4 systems in parallel with the existing infrastructure. This approach ensured that each building maintained a fully functional fire alarm system throughout the project. Once testing confirmed reliability, the old systems were carefully decommissioned.

Key integration steps included:

• Interfacing the EST4 system with building HVAC and security shutdown protocols.

• Coordinating upgrades across five separate facilities, each with different operational demands.

• Ensuring compliance with all applicable codes and safety standards.

CSC has successfully outfitted five BPU facilities to date, including:

• Industrial Water Treatment Plant

• Water Engineering Operations Center

• Water Operations Facility

• ECC Dispatch

• NERC ESDC High-Security Facility

Each building now operates on a unified Edwards EST4 platform, allowing continuity across sites. Facilities staff can view and monitor multiple systems from a central location, reducing complexity and making troubleshooting more efficient.

This streamlined approach not only improves safety but also enhances operational efficiency by standardizing processes and equipment across BPU’s network.

BPU has trusted CSC for over 20 years. That long-standing relationship, paired with proven expertise, gave BPU confidence in CSC’s ability to deliver cost-saving solutions while maintaining high standards. Each building was bid separately, and CSC consistently won by demonstrating value, knowledge, and reliability.

By modernizing BPU’s fire alarm systems, CSC has helped ensure the safety of employees, infrastructure, and the community that depends on this essential utility provider.