AV Technology - February/March 2009 - (Page 17) General Contractors: One of the general contractor’s (GC) concerns is the successful coordination and installation of all “architecturally integrated equipment.” From the AV standpoint, this includes items such as front and rear projection screens, projectors, monitor and loudspeaker cluster mounts, and motorized window shades. These may be designed and/or provided by the AV designer or integrator, but they are sometimes installed by the GC or one of its subcontractors. Since the GC has the overall responsibility for a building project, significant coordination with the AV contractor is required. Interior Designers: Interior designers are responsible for furnishings and the aesthetic appearance of the building’s interior spaces. The location of necessarily visible equipment (like screens, loudspeakers, displays, etc.) is a common topic of dialog with the interior designer. Consultants: Depending on the overall project scope and size, consultants from other specialties — not normally associated with AV installations — may be called in to participate in decision making. Mechanical consultants are experts in systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Electrical consultants can be a valuable resource for designing the high-voltage power distribution systems, and as well as conduit and cable tray layouts to support lowvoltage systems. In some cases, a plumbing expert may need to communicate and work with AV designers in the routing and location of hidden infrastructure such as water pipes and gas lines as they relate to AV and electrical infrastructure. Structural consultants can lend expertise on fundamental decisions and knowledge of building load capacities. This perspective is valu- able since large audio and video systems may require significant structural support. Most projects will involve a lighting consultant who is responsible for required lighting and specialized lighting control in spaces where AV systems are used. Typcially, an acoustical consultant will be hired to analyze the effect of building materials and interior design on the acoustical environment, and determines treatments or building plan alterations that best address any potentially negative acoustic conditions. Another consultant specialty whose participation may be warranted are security consultants, who are responsible for equipment such as cameras, microphones, video recording equipment, and displays that may be used in security systems design and share infrastructure such as network access. PROJECT PHASES AV projects typically proceed through three main and desires of the end-user. All of the information gathered in the program phase is interpreted and presented in a written program report. Once this document is distributed, reviewed, and approved, it becomes the basis for the design phase. The Design Phase: The design phase translates program information into drawings and specifications. It also includes two interrelated parallel processes: one for infrastructure involving the entire building design team and one primarily involving the AV designer for the electronic systems. The Construction Phase: This phase is focused on three key processes: coordination, procurement, and installation. Prepared designs are finally translated into physical form, and the systems are brought into functionality. The major steps for the AV/IT professional in this phase include: 1. The construction kick-off meeting stages or phases: the program phase, the design phase, and the construction (or installation) phase. The Program Phase: The first phase of any project, the program phase is where the architect, AV/IT professionals, and other design team members discover the end-user’s needs by examining the required application(s), the tasks and functions that support the application, and the wishes The Program Phase [Source: InfoComm International] GUIDE TO WORKING WITH AV INTEGRATORS 17
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