McDonald Observatory at Fort Davis

FPCG is proud to support the McDonald Observatory, a landmark institution of astronomical research and public education located in Fort Davis, Texas. As part of a major renovation effort—generously funded by a $4 million gift from the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation—FPCG is providing comprehensive fire protection engineering services to enhance life safety across several key facilities. These improvements directly support the Observatory’s goal of enriching the visitor experience and expanding its education and outreach programs, which serve over 75,000 guests annually.

Our scope includes life safety assessments, fire alarm system evaluations, and fire protection system reviews across nine buildings on campus, including high-profile structures like the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center, Harlan J. Smith Telescope Building, and Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) Summit. Based on assessment findings, FPCG also developed engineered design and construction plans for targeted fire alarm system upgrades. Through our work, we are helping the McDonald Observatory protect its visitors, staff, and world-class research facilities while continuing to inspire future generations in the science of astronomy.