FEATURED PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Encore Building Products Delivers Seismic Solutions for San Bernardino’s New Valley Communications Center

Encore Building Products is proud to highlight our role in one of Southern California’s most critical public safety infrastructure projects—the new Valley Communications Center in San Bernardino County. In partnership with National Building Specialties of Riverside and Swinerton Builders, Encore was selected to supply and coordinate the seismic expansion joint systems for this cutting-edge emergency operations facility.

Purpose-Built for Resilience

Currently under construction and slated for completion in October 2025, the Valley Communications Center will consolidate the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch, CONFIRE, Office of Emergency Services, and Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) under one roof. Spanning 75,085 square feet over three stories and anchored by a 200-foot communications tower, the LEED Gold-certified structure is designed to be self-sufficient and fully operational for up to 72 hours during disasters.

"This facility will provide the space and technology to bring all of our local, state, federal, and volunteer allies together in one place to plan, prepare, respond, and recover in service to our residents," said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe.

Engineered for the Unexpected

The facility is built on a base-isolation system using 33 isolators, offering maximum protection during seismic events. At the core of this strategy are massive moat-style expansion joint assemblies, custom-engineered to accommodate wide joint openings of 10 to 15 feet and integrated directly into the isolation system. These expansion joints ensure the structure remains secure and functional during and after a significant earthquake.

Encore Building Products collaborated closely with National Building Specialties and MM Systems, the project’s manufacturer, to deliver these highly technical seismic solutions. Our involvement extended beyond materials—providing technical support, coordination, and integration services to ensure performance and compatibility with the facility’s complex structural and architectural design.

Installed by Experts

The seismic joint assemblies are being installed by Swinerton Builders, one of the nation’s most respected self-performing construction firms specializing in civic, healthcare, and high-resilience structures. The system is designed not only to manage seismic movement but also to meet the demands of a 24/7 emergency response environment—preserving both structural integrity and life safety.

Sustainable Design Meets Emergency Readiness

Beyond its robust seismic engineering, the center is also built for sustainability and energy efficiency, with features like a 700-kVA photovoltaic solar array, redundant utility systems, and green infrastructure designed to meet LEED Gold standards. The goal: a facility that offers maximum service with minimal environmental impact.

“This is a structure that will serve our community for decades, ensuring we are better prepared, better connected, and better able to respond to emergencies when they occur,” said Supervisor Curt Hagman.

Encore’s Role

At Encore Building Products, we are proud to serve as a trusted resource for advanced building envelope and seismic joint systems. Our collaboration with National Building Specialties, Swinerton Builders, and MM Systems on this landmark project reflects our ongoing commitment to public safety, technical excellence, and resilient infrastructure across the Western United States.

As construction continues, Encore remains dedicated to supporting the project team every step of the way—ensuring on-time delivery, precision coordination, and solutions that meet the highest standards of safety and performance.

Encore Building Products – Delivering Expansion Joint Solutions Where Performance Matters Most.