Give Your Feedback: AV Systems Design Standard
Nov 5, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D.
InfoComm International has opened its second draft standard, Audiovisual Systems Design and Coordination Components, for public review. This review process is being conducted in accordance with the ANSI Accredited Standards Developer process. During this period, the document, designated “Draft Standard 1” (DS1) will be made available for review at www.infocomm.org/standards.
A successful professional AV system installation depends on the clear definition and coordination of processes, resources, and responsibilities of the design and installation project teams. A properly documented AV system provides the information necessary to understand and implement the system goals and project requirements in a logical and efficient manner. The documentation should complement and coordinate related architectural, engineering, and construction documentation. This standard outlines a consistent set of the standard tasks, responsibilities, and deliverables required for professional AV systems design and construction.
The purpose of this standard is to provide a description of the methods, procedures, tasks, and deliverables typically recommended or applied by industry professionals in medium- to large-scale commercial AV systems design and integration projects. The intention of the structure outlined in this standard is to enable clients and other design and construction team members to assess confidently whether the responsible parties are providing the expected services.
Modern AV systems have become increasingly complex and interconnected to other building systems such as network, electrical, HVAC, and building automation/energy conservation. In many instances, AV systems provide critical operational functions for the owner, warranting a thoughtful and well-organized approach to commonly accepted planning, design, and integration procedures.
In addition, the AV systems design and integration process may span and parallel a lengthy design and construction cycle, including input and review by many key personnel from divergent disciplines, trades, and backgrounds. This standard provides a practical guideline for defining the AV system requirements and a clear accountability structure for the development and execution of the system design components. It provides a consistent reference for the project team from the initial design phase through construction, project completion, building occupancy, and beyond.
This standard applies to all phases of an AV project. It incorporates all of the activities and deliverables for the most common project management models of consultant-led projects and design-build projects.
Verification of conformance to this standard must include the delivery of the Audiovisual System Design and Coordination Components checklist. This serves to verify the documentation of applicability, consideration, and completion. The checklist includes three checkboxes for each item for the project team to address: the activity code, the responsible party, and who it is accepted by. The determination of which items are to be included in the project is to be made in conjunction with the contractual agreements.
This standard has been developed using the ANSI imperatives of consensus, openness, balance, transparency, due process, flexibility, timeliness, and coherence. Architects, facilities managers, owners, and technology managers will benefit from a checklist that verifies that their AV systems have been designed, installed, and tested according to a thorough set of industry-recognized documentation and procedures.
This is your opportunity to comment on a standard that is important for the future of the industry and how it is perceived for years to come. Please comment today or contact us at [email protected] to become a performance standards volunteer.
Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., is the executive director of InfoComm International, an ANSI Standards Setting Organization and the leading trade association representing the commercial audiovisual industry.
