Project Outline
Installation of a dairy factory sound system and background music/radio to national dairy site in nr. Swindon, Wiltshire. A large industrial food production site with various food processing channels – inc. cheese & butter.
This project site is an existing production facility, with large areas undergoing major refurbishment (including re-build of some areas). Much of the site is dedicated to the various processing channels and stages of the food production, with extensive goods/logistics, offices and warehouse areas. A food factory tannoy system and background music/radio system was requested and installed to provide communication in support of important employee announcements and to help support improved ambience with background music/radio.
Audio Applications
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
- IP Microphone (reception & security)
- iOS/Android Paging App (wifi paging from mobile-app devices)
- Background Music (BGM)
- Streaming of internet radio & music content service
- Scheduled Audio Message (break times, process changes)
Audio Specification & Technologies
- 100v line, high impedance speaker distribution
- IP Paging / IP Tannoy Gateway
- IP music/radio player (tacks, playlists and web streaming)
Installation Details
Prior to the installation phase of the project, we visited the site on a number of occasions to assess and test the existing production processes. Large fluctuations to process ambient noise levels were observed and forecast similarly for the new-build processing buildings/areas. These works were essential in helping us to create our detailed ‘coverage plan’. Working with the end customer and the main electrical contractors, we compiled a coverage roll out plan against a number of practical installation challenges.
- Building works schedule
- Production process lines and equipment
- Temperature – high & low areas
- High ambient background noise (production and other workplace noise)
- Confined & limited access
These challenges are not unique and were somewhat expected. Having previously installed sound systems into many similar factory and production projects these challenges were discussed with the client and supporting project teams, with a number of provisioning and protective measures put in place to assist the installation whilst mitigating possible disruption to the production.
High impedance, 100v line speakers (wide range, 2-way), were installed throughout. To cope with regular wash and clean down processes, specialist high ingress protection speakers (IP66) were specified and installed throughout.
To provide flexibility for tannoy access and announcements, we installed an IP audio gateway which allows users to make tannoy announcements via wifi connected devices through a mobile-paging app. This tannoy announcement option offers a simple user interface with location independence (not from a fixed location, like a microphone).
