Business Details
We have been providing electrical engineering and consulting services since Brian S. Smith became the sole owner of Smith Engineering Associates in January 1991. Our firm brings over three decades of handson experience to every project we undertake. Prior to founding the company, Brian accumulated six years of specialized training at Square D Company working with circuit breakers, switchboards, highvoltage equipment, and motor control systems. He then spent two years as a project engineer at John Buss & Associates before becoming a partner in 1990. We hold professional engineer licenses in California, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona, and are NCEES certified for electrical engineering. Our team combines this licensing background with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University to deliver technically sound solutions. We specialize in lighting design, power distribution, telephone and data systems, fire alarm systems, and precise AutoCAD drafting for clients across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Our problemsolving approach integrates utility coordination, highvoltage design, metering, subpanel layout, feeder design, and circuiting for both general and specialized loads. We maintain rigorous professional standards by adhering to the codes and guidelines of the Illuminating Engineering Society, National Fire Protection Association, and International Association of Electrical Inspectors. Client satisfaction drives our commitment to clear communication, cost estimating, site inspections, and timely delivery of drawings on bond, vellum, or mylar up to 3048. Whether serving museums, hightech campuses, commercial offices, or institutional facilities, we apply the same depth of expertise to ensure safe, efficient, and codecompliant electrical systems.
Our problemsolving approach integrates utility coordination, highvoltage design, metering, subpanel layout, feeder design, and circuiting for both general and specialized loads. We maintain rigorous professional standards by adhering to the codes and guidelines of the Illuminating Engineering Society, National Fire Protection Association, and International Association of Electrical Inspectors. Client satisfaction drives our commitment to clear communication, cost estimating, site inspections, and timely delivery of drawings on bond, vellum, or mylar up to 3048. Whether serving museums, hightech campuses, commercial offices, or institutional facilities, we apply the same depth of expertise to ensure safe, efficient, and codecompliant electrical systems.
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of engineering experience since 1991.
- We are NCEES certified and PE licensed in six states.
- We designed lighting for offices, hotels, hospitals, and factories.
- We have expertise in power, emergency power, and motor control.
- Our AutoCAD drawings are plotted up to 3048.
Services
Lighting Design
We provide interior and exterior lighting design for offices, hotels, hospitals, retail, schools, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. Our designs cover parking lots, roadways, sports fields, landscape, and security floodlighting using advanced software modeling. Clients receive energyefficient, codecompliant lighting solutions that enhance safety, aesthetics, and operational efficiency.
Power Engineering/Design
We design power distribution systems, including utility coordination, highvoltage layout, metering, subpanel placement, and feeder design for diverse facilities. Our expertise extends to emergency/standby power systems and motor control systems for critical operations. Clients benefit from reliable, codecompliant power infrastructure that ensures safety, reduces downtime, and supports future expansion.
Telephone/Communications
We design flexible telephone, data, and intercom systems that are scalable for growing business needs. Our work includes coordinating with telephone and cable TV providers, creating conduitonly raceway layouts, and specifying outlet locations. Clients receive seamless communication infrastructure that supports voice, data, and security systems while minimizing installation complexity.
Fire Alarm Systems
We design fire alarm systems ranging from basic coderequired installations to complex networks for hospitals, dormitories, and highoccupancy buildings. Our designs integrate detection, notification, and emergency control functions to meet local fire department and NFPA standards. Clients gain reliable lifesafety protection that ensures early warning, facilitates evacuation, and maintains compliance with safety regulations.
Drawings
We produce precise construction drawings using AutoCAD on IBMcompatible workstations for electrical, lighting, and power projects. Our HP plotter outputs these designs on bond, vellum, or mylar media at sizes up to 30 inches by 48 inches. Clients receive clear, scalable documentation that facilitates accurate bidding, streamlined construction, and effective facility maintenance.
