The Wellington Fire station nr. Telford required a multi-functional audio broadcast system to assist in site communications (fire station tannoy) and in support of incident ‘turn out’ alerts triggered from the county HQ contact centre.

This fire station is typically configured and constructed, with a training tower and main building containing offices, training areas, control and management. Multiple fire engine bays are integrated with access from the front and rear yard areas. Our customer required

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Fire Station Tannoy
• ‘Turn Out’ alert / sonix alarm (audio message playout)
• Doorbell voice alerts (audio message playout)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• Traditional audio message player (MP3)
• Single audio zone, multi-microphone for voice input

Installation Details

Our design solution was based on traditional 100v line. Cables to speakers were installed through existing cable ducting between the main support building and fire engine bays. A single audio broadcast zone was created (all audio to all areas/speakers).

Paging microphones were installed within the main ground floor fire station control office (manned 24/7) and within the crew room area on the first floor.

The installed system was used for general use Public Address (PA) / fire station tannoy announcements – operated from standard paging microphones based in the service control room. The system was integrated to the main Shropshire HQ control offices. The system received a basic contact change signal from the control centre – this trigger was used to playout the recorded ‘turn out’ sonix alert throughout the fire station.

The site contained a number of main door access for personal and visitor access. We installed separate weatherproof doorbells. These were connected to the audio system and to dedicated audio message files so that staff could determine which door to attend to eg. “ding dong, front door…” or “ding, dong, back door”

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The Potter & Moore site in Newcastle is manufacturing and production facility specialising in personal care and beauty products This industrial site is based around a number of production areas / buildings with supporting logistics, warehousing and offices.

Our customer required a multi-application sound system, installed to provide site wide Tannoy, Public Address (PA), Paging and background music (radio) to the main work space, manufacturing and production areas.

As with all ‘open product’ production facilities, our installation works were considered and closely controlled to mitigate any possibility of contamination with the production processes. Working with the production manager and local site services and maintenance team, we were able to carry out much of the main installation works without disturbing or restricting production.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Radio Back Ground Music (BGM)
• Shift / Break change message playout

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• DAB radio tuner
• Audio message player

Installation Details

Utilising the small roof void above much of the main hall production facility, we installed all of the distribution 100v speaker line cabling. For smaller rooms / areas, a mix of existing re-use and new cable containment was installed to provide cable routing to agreed speaker locations.

Music and radio input options and technology options were discussed with the customer. An appreciation to the benefits of an IP derived solution was understood. However, a ‘keep it simple’ traditional pro audio DAB radio tuner was installed to provide radio input.

A traditional MP3 audio store & playback device was installed to provide shift change and breaks audio playout. Partnering with this device, we installed a specialist programmable timer with user LCD display – to provide user controlled time based scheduling and trigger for message playback.

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The four star Clayton Hotel Birmingham has 174 bedrooms and is located in the heart of Birmingham city centre. This large hotel offers a wide range of hospitality services for visitors, guests as well as for business and commercial events.

Various existing audio systems were in place at the hotel (believed to have been installed in 2012). Most of these systems were performing poorly and with limited coverage, especially within some of the communal guest / bedrooms and also large sections of the staff and back of house areas.

With the site maintenance team, we conducted a series of surveys to establish an inventory of audio system/s equipment, speakers, coverage and performance. With these details were were able to advise and plan for upgrades and improvements.

Audio Applications

• Background Music (BGM)
• Events and Conferencing
• Security Messaging
• Public Address (PA, Paging / tannoy)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• IP Audio Matrix with local wall inputs and zone control
• IP audio message player (security announcements)
• IP microphones
• 100v and IP speakers (utilising mixed media audio technology)

Installation Details

Working through the hotel management and maintenance team we conducted a series of surveys on the site to obtain a baseline of capability and limitations / issues with the existing installed audio systems. These surveys were extensive and also sensitive – care and attention to guests at all times, testing schedules limited.

We identified that much of the existing audio and speaker cabling was available for re-use. However, large scale changes were required to re-design the audio zones to better match the coverage areas and client requirements. Cabling alteration and extension works was carried out in line with new audio zone specifications. A new IP audio zone matrix was installed to provide improved audio routing capability.

A number of public announcement messages and security / informational audio messages were created using a mix of audio studio recordings and natural ‘text to speech’ software conversions. The resulting MP3 audio message files were stored on a series of IP based message players. Secure access to these was made available via web browser – direct and scheduled playback.

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MAGPAS Air Ambulance is an emergency medical charity that provides pre-hospital emergency care, in the air or on land, including treatments normally only available in hospital.

The MAGPAS management team required an audio system installation to help improve communications and activation response and to alert the doctors / pilots across the support building and helicopter hangars.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Audio activation system (message playout)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• Bespoke signal relay interface used during alert activation
• Traditional audio message player (MP3)

Installation Details

Our design solution was based on traditional 100v line. Cables to speakers were installed through existing cable ducting between the main support building and helicopter hangars. A single audio broadcast zone was created (all audio to all areas/speakers).

The system was used for general use Public Address (PA) / Tannoy announcements – operated from a standard paging microphone based in the service control room.

A series of wall buttons were installed to the office block and helicopter hangars – these were to be used by staff to instigate a response ‘call out’ alarm. Medical staff, doctors and pilots used this alarm to respond and ready for service and flight as required.

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Award winning chain of large leisure and garden centre sites, the management team at the Woburn Sands HQ site required a garden centre sound system installation. We specified a multi-application audio solution (PA/Tannoy, BGM and Scheduled Announcements) for use throughout the various retail and hospitality settings.

This project site nr. Milton Kynes had no existing audio systems in place. An audio system solution was required throughout the site to help improve staff co-ordination and customer information. Background music (BGM) was also required to elevate the ambiance and improve the wider customer experience.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Background Music (BGM)
• Mass Notification
• Audio Player – scheduled playout of messages (notices and advertisements)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• IP Audio message player
• Audio matrix for zone routing

Installation Details

Our garden centre sound system design solution was based on traditional 100v line for primary distribution to speaker line circuits and loud speakers. Five audio zones were created to enable targeted audio – corresponding customer services and microphones were installed to enable zone selection for announcements. Multi-zone, multi-channel power amplifiers were installed to provide independent zone volume control. This design approach also provides improved resilience should one speaker zone and line fail, the remaining will continue functioning.

An IP / network based audio message player was installed to provide the following audio functions:

1. Background Music (BGM) – from stored music library and playlists
2. Recorded Messages (eg. store closing)
3. Advertisements – scheduled playback

To ensure high quality audio and music playout, full range, 2-way, wide dispersion loud speakers were installed throughout. Local volume controls were installed to each zone to provide levels control for different areas – especially useful in the cafe and restaurant areas, where ambient volume levels change regularly and predictably through the course of the day.

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Hotel background music system – the St. Ermins Hotel is situated in Westminster London, close to Westminster Abby. This 120+ year old hotel packs a historical punch, more recently noted for it’s connection to the second world war as a meeting place for the British Intelligence Service (BIS). Today, the Grade II listed hotel maintains many of it’s historical roots with impressive distinctive Art Nouveau/Rococo white plaster décor throughout.

Working with the hotel management and local IT/maintenance teams, we were asked to test & apprise all of the existing audio / sound systems, against planned improvements to functionality, capability, coverage and of course to provide a modern interface via IP audio (AoIP) where possible.

Audio Applications

• Background Music (BGM)
• Events and Conferencing

Audio Specification & Technologies

• Audio Matrix / Mixer with local wall inputs and zone control
• Bose speakers installed throughout
• Specialist curated hosted music services – background music

Installation Details

Most hotels have similar installation works considerations and challenges. Small to mid-sized projects (such as this) are often run during normal operation of the hotel and other hospitality activities. St. Ermins was no different, requiring considered co-ordination of works with the hotel staff to minimise disruption to the hotel and guests.

The hotel background music system design is based on a traditionally mixed/amplified solution via an audio matrix/mixer. The hotel contains various hospitality & leisure settings, requiring different music source / type options (eg. modern, upbeat for the gym, traditional for reception and concierge). Control and management of these various background music sources is provided via subscription based web hosted, curated music services. Audio and music is controlled, managed and regularly updated, uploaded locally to provide redundancy.

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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.

1. Building works schedule
2. Production process lines and equipment
3. Temperature – high & low areas
4. High ambient background noise (production and other workplace noise)
5. 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).

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The iconic Lloyds Banking Group buildings in Aylesbury required an audio system installation to provide improvements to staff communication. General use Public Address (PA) / Tannoy was required to notify staff about any serious issues or security measures (including lockdown).

To support security and incident alarm strategy, our client also asked us to install system inputs and microphones in defined secure locations, easily accessible by local site security, fire marshals and to visiting external emergency agencies.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Audio message playout (security and alarm)
• Lockdown with enhanced system input / control measures

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• Traditional and IP speakers
• Audio matrix
• SIP / IP Telephone interface
• Secure microphone input locations

Installation Details

Our particular challenge for this project came from the glass wall construction of much of the perimeter of the building. This restriction limited choice for speaker locations and also cable containment plans. To add to this, the office ceilings were made using a suspended bespoke long length slotted metal grid and sectional tiles. It was possible to remove short sections to install cables and associated containment but we elected to install wall mount speakers to internal walls/fixing areas (it was not possible to cut and install recessed ceiling speakers).

An audio matrix was installed to provide flexible routing of audio to different floor levels throughout the building. The primary input for making announcements was via telephones (no microphone). We installed an IP SIP interface (IP decoder) which was registered for service from the building IP telephone system.

A series of secure wall interface panels were installed to key security locations and stairwells to provide local security staff, fire marshals and any visiting security and emergency agencies access to the system and to make building wide announcements.

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The Algram / Olympus Group site near Plymouth is materials manufacturing facility specialising in thermoplastics production. This industrial site is based around a main production building with supporting logistics, warehousing and offices.

Working directly with the customer IT management we were asked to install additional speaker lines and speakers to a number of the production areas (with existing poor speaker numbers and coverage) and to the main office block offices (without any coverage or speakers).

IP telephony integration to allow user access to the system from telephones was required, providing system input location flexibility. This capability was a particular challenge at the time due to limited adherence to generic SIP / IP telephony standards from the site IP telephone system.

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Mass Notification
• Radio Back Ground Music (BGM)

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• SIP / IP Telephony Interface

Installation Details

To provide coverage and performance audibility improvement within a number of production areas, we extended existing 100v speaker line circuits and installed additional speakers. Upgrade of existing system and zone amplification – larger capacity power amplifiers were installed to accommodate the additional speaker loading / power requirements.

The site IP telephony system was based on the prevailing SIP IP telephony standard, but did not allow for configuration of a number of important DTMF SIP signalling through standard ‘ports’. This was a particular challenge – configuration flexibility of the chosen SIP audio interface was required.

The main building office block had relied on a ‘paging’ function from their telephone system to broadcast announcements. This capability worked well where there were telephones but did not provide good audibility in corridors or other offices / rooms without telephones. To resolve this issue and to provide audibility improvement, we installed a mix of wall and ceiling speakers throughout the offices, connecting back to the main site audio system and a dedicated supporting power amplifier.

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£18m new build project site at the Peterborough Gateway. Smart Garden Products (SGP) required audio sound system installation throughout the huge warehouse, within the office block, showrooms and also external for security through CCTV playout / talkback. Working through the primary project M&E contractors with the appointed engineering architect, we scaled our design solution to create a new audio system design. Specification for this project as follows:

Audio Applications

• Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
• Background Music (BGM) / Radio
• Mass Notification
• Security & CCTV Talkback
• Perimeter Door Security – Message Announcement

Audio Specification & Technologies

• 100v line, high impedance
• IP Audio / Message player & scheduling
• IP / SIP telephony interface

Installation Details

For the warehouse areas, our design solution for this project was based on traditional 100v line for primary distribution to speaker line circuits and loud speakers. Three audio zones were created and installed. Multi-zone, multi-channel power amplifiers were specified to provide independent zone volume control. Importantly, this design approach also provided improved resilience should one speaker zone and/or speaker line fail, the remainder of the system to continue functioning. The installed loudspeakers were positioned at a high level throughout the warehouse (positioned away from possible contact with fork truck rack loading). Full frequency, 2-way music pendent ‘sphere’ speakers were installed to provide excellent audio quality reproduction and a wide distribution at ground / ear level.

For the office and showroom areas, again our design was based on 100v line audio. A simple, single zone was installed, with local volume controls for levels within the different rooms / areas.

For the CCTV and external areas, we worked with the appointed CCTV contractors to connect and interface a series of externally mounted loud speakers around the perimeter of the building. A mix of traditional 100v line and IP audio was used to provide efficient and flexible routing of audio.

For the perimeter doors, working with the appointed security contractors, we installed and interface into the building security system. Opening any of the doors the security system provided a relay combination state change which enabled us to trigger corresponding MP3 and WAV audio message files for playback. For example: “door 12, North is open…..” As a result, local site management and security staff could immediately target any possible security issues to a specific door.

An IP / SIP telephony interface was installed to enable announcement and audio routing from telephones – providing additional location flexibility for users.

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