League City United Methodist Church
New Facility Design Concepts
Information Technology Team
April 2008
The Information Technology Team proposes the following
Dedicated Computer Server/Communications Room
The Computer Server/Communications Room will:
1. Accommodate the church network server, data mass-storage devices, and associated network hardware
2. Accommodate controllers for church HVAC System (Specifics TBD)
2. Accommodate the church telephone system
5. Accommodate church security system
6. Provide a terminating point for all computer network, telephone, security, and HVAC control circuits.
Key Features of this room will be:
1. Dedicated HVAC to maintain pre-set temperature on a 24/7 basis.
2. At least four dedicated 20 amp circuits to provide power for equipment in the server/Communications room. (Power will be scaled to provide for future growth)
3. Uninterruptible power supplies and power conditioning will be provided for all electronic equipment in the server room.
4. Adequate storage space for computer, security, and telephone hardware, software, and documentation (Square footage TBD)
5. Computer Electrical hardware will be rack mounted to provide for physical protection, adequate air circulation, and maximize space management.
General Church Wide Requirements
Every room should be pre-wired for computer network communications. Wiring conduit trays should be accessible and sized to accommodate future expansion.
All rooms should be pre-wired for telephone/intercom communications. Even if a campus wide telephone/intercom system is not immediately implemented, it would be more cost effective to pre-wire for it during the construction phase.
The network and telephone wiring should terminate in the Computer Server/Communications room.
Church Electronic Security
The church facility should be pre-wired for a security system. This includes providing for the installation of alarm sensors at all external doors and windows. Wiring will also be installed for motion detection sensors in key areas. (TBD) The church facility should also be pre-wired for video surveillance of complete exterior and interior areas. If a security/surveillance system is not immediately implemented, pre-wiring during construction will minimize the installation cost should either system be desired down the road. All security/surveillance wiring will terminate in the Utility room.
Weekday and after hours building access should be controlled with electronic key cards to open outside doors and key inside doors. The use of electronic key cards will make it easier to monitor and control access to the facility without the needing to track or recover keys. The church would also have a record of entry, the card keys can not be easily duplicated, and when a person no longer needs access, their key card can be removed from the computer. The electronic access system would also allow for the church office to remotely unlock doors to admit visitors. The up-front cost of an electronic access system should be offset by not needing to re-key doors when too many unaccounted keys are in circulation.
Church Staff Security (This may overlap with office team recommendations)
Where applicable, church staff offices should be grouped together in one area of the new church facility. This will increase staff efficiency and physical security. Not having the church staff spread throughout the facility will also make it easier to secure and minimize heating and cooling requirements for portions of the church that are unused during the week.
It may be necessary to locate the Weekday Ministries offices in the children’s education wing to control access to the school. Likewise, the Youth Directors Office may need to be located in the youth wing so that they can control and monitor access to that facility.
Money Counters
A secure and private area needs to be provided for the Sunday morning money counters. This area could be combined with the financial secretary’s office but must include a copy machine and computer access.
Alternative Approach: The money counters do not require a dedicated room. The counters could use a work room co-located with the church office. The church could have a workroom adjoining the office for the copier, storage, office supplies, the folding machine, etc. A large table in the center of the work room would make a good work area for the counters. This table would also provide a work area for the office volunteers and staff who are assembling mailings, bulletins, etc. The money counters will need computer access.