H. Stephen Jones and Associates, Inc.

H. Stephen Jones and Associates, Inc. Providing Technology, Data, Communications and Physical Security Systems Design. TECHNOLOGY. PHYSICAL SECURITY. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT. H.

WE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS. With 20+ years experience and hundreds of successfully completed projects, HSJ specializes in physical security, technology systems, data and communications systems engineering, design program management spanning the full spectrum of facility types. HSJ serves the following vertical market segments: Institutional, Corporate Campus, Healthcare, Educational, Depart

ment of Defense / Military, Criminal Justice, Municipal, Health Sciences / Laboratory, Aviation and Critical Infrastructure. Stephen Jones & Associates, Inc. designs and implements technology driven solutions for safe, secure environments throughout the project life cycle.

Only a few things can kill momentum on construction projects faster than late-stage door hardware surprises. Here are 3 ...
02/05/2026

Only a few things can kill momentum on construction projects faster than late-stage door hardware surprises. Here are 3 tips to prevent costly door hardware change orders on your projects...

🚨 1. Write Tight Specs Coordinated with Security Reqs & Life Safety Code

Many door hardware related change orders stem from loose or contradictory specifications, especially when life safety requirements and electronic access control functionality aren’t fully coordinated.

Ensuring your designers have a deep understanding of code requirements, system integration dependencies, and the owner’s functional needs reduces AHJ issues and prevents expensive rework.

If you don't want to bring in a specialized consultant for the full design, at least consider requesting a 3rd party specialist to provide QC.

🚨2. Consolidate Door Hardware + Access Control Design Under One Team

Split responsibilities between architects and MEPs during design often result in coordination issues between door hardware specifications, security designs, and life safety code requirements.

The result is mismatched hardware sets, missing electrified components, life safety code violations, and doors that won’t support the intended security functionality.

Leveraging a specialized expert for the security and door hardware design scope improves coordination, accelerates submittal turnaround, and gives project teams one accountable partner throughout the project life cycle.

🚨 3. Free is Never Free

As tempting as it can be, copy pasting old specs or hoping free specs from a manufacturer work for every door type on your project is a recipe for disaster.

Bring in a certified door hardware and security expert for complex projects so the door hardware specifications are tailored to your project and fully coordinated with security designs and life safety code requirements.

This eliminates coordination gaps, reduces submittal and RFI cycle times, and avoids unintended VE consequences.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from HSJ! We extend our sincere thanks to our team, clients, and industry partners for a year of collaboration, trust, and shared problem-solving.

As we reflect on the projects completed and the challenges we’ve overcome together, we wish you a safe, restful holiday season with those you cherish most!

Low-voltage systems are not just “Add-Ons” anymore.Modern facilities hinge on more than power, they depend on the “invis...
12/23/2025

Low-voltage systems are not just “Add-Ons” anymore.

Modern facilities hinge on more than power, they depend on the “invisible” technology layer (telecom infrastructure) that keeps operations connected and stable.

At HSJ, we treat low-voltage systems as more than an afterthought on construction projects.

From engineering to construction administration, our dedicated low-voltage experts ensure your systems meet your standards on day one.

We deliver…

🔹 Robust telecommunications infrastructure for complex network requirements in environments like healthcare, life sciences, critical infrastructure, and higher education

🔹 Physical security systems that enable efficient operations and are life safety code compliant

🔹 Detailed drawings and specifications that are thoroughly coordinated with architectural, MEP, and IT teams to keep projects on schedule

Too often, low-voltage systems are handled with boiler plate specs and dots on drawings that do not meet Owner standards/requirements.

This approach leads to contractor rework, project delays, frustrated IT teams, and budget overruns.

Our low-voltage team saves organizations countless fire drills and thousands of dollars in unplanned project costs by giving low-voltage systems the attention they need throughout the construction project lifecycle.

That’s the HSJ difference.

11/27/2025

Gratitude is at the heart of everything we do.

We’re thankful for our clients, partners, and talented team who make success possible every day. Your support and collaboration mean so much to us.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving filled with joy, gratitude, and togetherness!

Have you ever had a telecom design that looked perfect on paper but then your systems failed when they were turned on?Th...
11/25/2025

Have you ever had a telecom design that looked perfect on paper but then your systems failed when they were turned on?

The greatest telecom designs can be ruined by poor installation quality.

Here’s a real-life example.

During an inspection at a new hospital wing, our senior low-voltage engineer found fiber cables bent beyond the manufacturer's allowance and BICSI standards. If it had gone unnoticed, the hospital would have faced signal loss and intermittent network failures, right in the middle of critical patient care.

Network reliability isn’t just essential for hospitals though, it is the backbone of operations for every modern organization.

Expert design and inspection by a certified RCDD are more than a nice-to-have. They are peace of mind that your systems will perform consistently day after day and year after year.

Since 1999, our team at HSJ has served as an expert low-voltage resource for Owners and Architects throughout design and construction to ensure network-based systems are reliable, resilient, and scalable.

If you’re looking for more than boiler plate specs and dots on plans from your low-voltage engineer, we’d love to talk to you!

THANK YOU, VETERANS! Your sacrifice and bravery are the price of our freedom. We are forever grateful for your service!
11/11/2025

THANK YOU, VETERANS! Your sacrifice and bravery are the price of our freedom. We are forever grateful for your service!

Malicious. Negligent. Compromised. Here are the insider threats you need to watchout for and how you can best protect yo...
10/22/2025

Malicious. Negligent. Compromised. Here are the insider threats you need to watchout for and how you can best protect your organization...

🚨 MALICIOUS INSIDERS 🚨

These are employees or contractors that intentionally exploit their access to harm the organization.

⚠️ Common Risks: Stealing of intellectual property. Workplace violence (active shooter). Leaking of sensitive info.

🟢 Mitigation Tips:

- Leverage smart access control systems to flag anomalies when employees/contractors are going into areas they are not typically in.

- Utilize video analytics to alert security when people are in unauthorized areas.

- Conduct extensive background checks for people with access to security sensitive zones.

🚨 NEGLIGENT INSIDERS 🚨

These are well-meaning employees that inadvertently expose the company to risk.

⚠️ Common Risks:

- Being polite and holding the door for an unknown person to access a secure facility. Ignoring security protocols because they are inconvenient. Falling for phishing scams.

🟢 Mitigation Tips:

- Implement anti-tailgating / piggybacking technologies

- Provide ongoing security awareness training

- Promote a security sensitive culture and reward good security habits

🚨 COMPROMISED INSIDERS 🚨

Employees/Contractors that have had their credentials stolen or have been coerced by someone to perform an attack.

⚠️ Common Risks:

Theft (data/property), corporate espionage, and system sabotage.

🟢 Mitigation Tips:

- Use behavioral analytics to detect unusual activity.

- Implement the Principle of Least Privilege to limit exposure when credentials are lost or stolen.

- Ensure system redundancy and disaster recovery procedures are in place.

-----
Insider threats are one of the biggest challenges facing organizations in every industry. Protect yours by fostering a strong security culture and adopting security solutions and procedures to address your greatest risks.

Our team at HSJ provides independent assessments of your risks, threats, and v

Here’s the trap… construction projects get designed around structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements...
10/02/2025

Here’s the trap… construction projects get designed around structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements.

Then, near the end of design (or sometimes after bid if we are being honest), telecom, Wi-Fi, AV, and security are considered.

At this point, it’s too late…

Owners don't have enough time to provide input so requirements are missed.

Cabling pathways are missing or clash with other disciplines (hopefully you don’t end up with surface mounted conduit on your new building).

IT rooms are undersized for network equipment.

And suddenly… change orders 💰, delays ⏱️, and unhappy Owners 😡.

The fix?

Bring in dedicated low voltage design and engineering consultants (like our team at HSJ) early. We will…

- Ensure every system has the space, pathways, and infrastructure it needs

- Coordinate low-voltage designs with architects, MEPs, and manufacturers so they don't become a problem

- Uphold Owner product standards and inspect installations for quality and design conformance

- Save your projects from being case studies in costly rework (and the source of constant Owner IT staff frustration after occupancy)

If you're ready to move on from boiler plate designs with recycled specs for low-voltage systems, let’s talk.

Did you know?🚪The #1 reason door hardware related change orders are on the rise is the lack of coordination between acc...
09/26/2025

Did you know?🚪

The #1 reason door hardware related change orders are on the rise is the lack of coordination between access control systems and electrified door hardware.

Even though access control systems and door hardware are tightly connected, they are typically designed by separate teams. Then when changes are made on one team, they are not coordinated with the other. This leads to life safety code issues, mismatched components, overlooked power requirements, and delays that impact both budget and schedule.

Corporate Headquarters Case Study…

During construction of a new multi-floor corporate headquarters, we were brought in to resolve a door hardware issue. In short, the access control vendor provided electric strikes and magnetic locks for perimeter doors but unfortunately the door hardware schedule had already been approved with electrified mortise locks and exit devices. The doors were already shipped and the frames were installed without the necessary prep for wiring or power transfers.

Project Impact...

❌ A complete redesign of the affected openings

❌ Emergency change orders totaling $150,000

❌ A six-week delay in certificate of occupancy

❌ Frustration across the project team, especially the owner

How to Avoid This...

Early collaboration is critical. Architects, hardware consultants, security designers, and electrical engineers should align during design development and then thoroughly coordinate construction documents to ensure compatibility/compliance.

Where HSJ can Help..

Our team of specialized consultants at HSJ handles the design and engineering of security systems, doors/frames/hardware, and telecom infrastructure to ensure seamless coordination between these interdependent disciplines throughout design and construction.

You can't rely on reactive measures to protect your people, assets, and operations. You must have strategic foresight an...
09/16/2025

You can't rely on reactive measures to protect your people, assets, and operations. You must have strategic foresight and the right security tech. That’s where we come in.

With over 25 years of experience across government, healthcare, finance, higher education, transportation, and lab environments, our team of security experts helps organizations identify their biggest vulnerabilities and implement tailored solutions that actually work.

Our services include:

• Risk, threat & vulnerability assessments

• Security systems gap analysis

• Design & engineering of security systems

• Master planning & program management

• Remote monitoring & maintenance

Security threats are evolving fast and no industry is immune. If you're ready to reduce your liabilities, let’s talk.

Is your telecom team stretched thin trying to keep up with new construction and renovation projects? We can help.Our low...
09/12/2025

Is your telecom team stretched thin trying to keep up with new construction and renovation projects? We can help.

Our low-voltage experts learn your standards, then handle everything on construction projects from the design of your systems to the inspection of the contractor's installation.

No more:

🔥 Fire drills from missed requirements and late change orders

💥 Headaches from unauthorized product substitutions, undersized telecom rooms, overflowing cable trays, overextended cable runs, and poor wireless performance.

🕒 Putting your team through endless design meetings, site inspections, RFIs, and submittal reviews

We serve as an extension of your telecom team ensuring:

✅ Your requirements are met

✅ Your product and installation standards are upheld

✅ Everything is ready for operations on day one and scalable for future growth


📩 Let’s talk. Your telecom team and construction partners will thank you.

Address

5836 Richard Street
Jacksonville, FL
32216

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19042600024

Website

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