Project Outline
Lifeplus Europe is a leading international wellness, health & nutrition manufacturer and supplier with world wide factory production and product distribution. Opened as part of development and expansion plans, the Lifeplus Europe site in Bedford was a completely refurbished industrial site to accommodate factory production and warehousing / distribution activities.
After initial project discussions to define functionality and capability, Abletek was selected to design and install a new audio sound system throughout the site, with a focus on quality background music (radio) to the factory production and wider workplace settings (packing, warehouse and distribution areas).
Our customer required an audio system solution to provide a means of communication (tannoy, pa, paging) between the office staff, the production management team and technical / maintenance team. Background music (radio) was required throughout the wider production areas to offset the production noise and to lift the overall mood / ambiance. Priority audio playout was also required to indicate shift change and break times.
As with all production facilities, our installation works were arranged and closely controlled to mitigate any possibility of contamination with the production process and supporting workplace activities. Working with the production manager and local site maintenance team, we were able to carry out much of the main installation works without disturbing or restricting production (a large percentage of our works were carried out along central and peripheral girder runs).
Audio Applications
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy
- Radio Back Ground Music (BGM)
- Shift / Break change message playout
Audio Specification & Technologies
- 100v line, high impedance
- IP Audio / Media Player
- Audio message player
Installation Details
Utilising main structural girder ‘runs’, we installed the distribution 100v line cabling. Existing appropriate cable containment was used where possible, small sections of new cable containment (mostly to speaker points) were installed on a speaker by speaker basis. Cabling at all speaker points was terminated through small industrial enclosures and glands ensuring protection and longevity.
Wide frequency response, 2-way ‘music’ speakers were installed throughout to provide best possible audio quality and audibility. Speakers were strategically positioned to provide best results against variable and sometimes high level ambient noise levels.
Background Music and radio was derived from an IP based audio player. This device was installed connected to the customer IP network, enabling simple secure browser access for configuration, music / radio channel and playlist selection as well as scheduling (eg. radio 1 in the morning and radio 2 in the afternoon).
A traditional MP3 audio store & playback device was used 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.
