About these Standards

Foreward

This document outlines the standards and procedures for Audio Visual (AV) installations within Curtin University. It has been compiled by the Curtin Digital Technology & Solutions (DTS) AV team to ensure that installations are appropriate for the Curtin environment, are supportable and secure. This document is intended for use by the Audio-Visual contractor, Audio Visual consultant, the builder and also provides useful references for a number of other disciplines. Where this document, the Building Code and other Curtin standards conflict, the highest standard is to be used.

AV Design Process

These Standards have been developed with reference to standards created by a number of related bodies – including, but not limited to, the AETM Design Guidelines (3rd Edition), ANSI/INFOCOMM 2M-2010 and assorted Australian Standards Design of Audio-Visual systems must be performed in consultation with a representative of the DTS AV team and utilise only approved hardware. The approved hardware list is available to approved Curtin Associates on the AV website (PENDING). If items outside of this list are required, DTS will be required to review and approve. DTS AV may act as the consultant for projects where an approved Audio-Visual consultant is not appointed.

Standards

• AS/NZS 2107:2016 – Acoustics – Recommended design sound levels and reverberation times for building interiors
• AS/NZS 1680.2.3:2008 - Interior and workplace lighting, Part 2.3: Specific applications - Educational and training facilities
• AVIXA202.01:2016 – Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems

Roles and Responsibilities

The design and construction of a modern learning space requires a collaborative effort by a coordinated project team of internal and external parties. The people or parties who take an active role in the delivery of projects containing one or more Audiovisual systems are shown in Table 1. It is essential that the DTS–AV team, through the AV Project Manager, is involved in any project that includes an addition or modification of the university’s AV infrastructure. The team is a valuable resource with years of practical experience specific to educational technology. In addition, the DTS–AV team will be supporting the new environment after the project has closed.

Table 1: Project Roles

Role	Description
DTS–AV Project Manager	Provides the liaison, consultation and approval contact for external personnel regarding Audiovisual specifications
External Project Manager	Provides the overall scheduling and resource management for the building project
Architect	Acts as lead consultant regarding building design and construction
Properties and Facilities Development (PF&D)	Responsible for contract management and acts as the Responsible Officer on behalf of the University
Builder/Head Contractor	Provides the construction team and resources
Electrical & DataComms Contractor	Provides the installation of electrical and data under the advice of the Electrical Consultant
AV Consultant	May be engaged to provide detailed design documentation, tender specifications and design assurance.
AV Integrator	Provides the AV system installation team and resources. It is preferred if the team manager has at least five years’ experience with relevant qualifications including CTS.
Learning and Teaching	Provides consultation on design and final user acceptance testing for AV systems in classrooms
DTS – Networks	Provides the network procurement, installation and configuration services
DTS – Desktop	Provides computer and software procurement (Via DTS – IT Asset Management), and installation and configuration services
DTS – IT Asset Management (ITAM)	Responsible for the procurement of standard hardware and the lease contracts with IT Vendors.

The responsibilities of the people and groups in the delivery of capital projects containing Audiovisual functionality are shown in the RACI matrix of Appendix B. For smaller Audiovisual design/build projects, the project team may not include external resources such as architects and builders. In this case the roles and responsibilities will be defined under the engaging contract.

Audio Visual Integrators

DTS AV has a list of approved integrators.

Requests for Tender are only to be submitted to integrators who are on the DTS AV approved list.

Where specialist system integrators are required due to specific integration requirements, DTS AV approval must be sought.

DTS AV approved integrators are expected to maintain a working knowledge of AV practices at Curtin University and to always act in accordance with DTS standards, even when not directly engaged by Curtin.

DTS and the integrator will remain in close contact throughout any Audio-Visual project which is occurring within a Curtin University managed space. It is expected that the integrator will co-ordinate with DTS AV throughout and ensure that any changes are properly communicated through the project team.

Room Standards

DTS have a number of standard room types. Existing reference designs and functionality are detailed on the AV website. These fall into the following general types:

• Learning Spaces (LEC) – these are teaching spaces – classrooms, laboratories, lecture theatres etc. The technology design of these rooms is based around a common core, with a number of modules for additional inputs and outputs and process outcomes. These spaces must be specified in consultation with DTS AV and the user groups utilising the space to ensure that the correct technology is installed.

• Meeting Spaces (MET) – these are meeting rooms for academic and professional staff. The core design of these rooms is fixed, with some variability around screen sizes, speakers and microphones, and interactivity. As these rooms have full access to the staff directory, these rooms should not be generally accessible by students. Meeting rooms that do not deliver the full functionality specified will not be supported by DTS.

• Group Study Spaces (GROUP) – Group spaces are intended for group study locations which are accessible to, and intended primarily for use by students.

• Office Spaces (OFFICE) – Office spaces are for installation into individual staff offices. These are typically simple installations and DTS have a number of approved office solutions

• Digital Signage (DS) – screens for messaging, digital artwork, wayfinding, room bookings etc. DTS has approved signage players which integrate with Curtin’s Digital Signage Platform. Other solutions are by approval only.

• Media/Micro Studios (MS) – Studio spaces are optimised for producing long and short form video and audio content intended for distribution. These rooms are not intended to have an audience or in-room presence, however, may be utilised for live delivery to remote campus’.

• Special Function Environments (SFE) – These spaces are bespoke and DTS AV will work with the AV Consultant, user groups and project team to develop the systems for these spaces, utilising standard equipment and workflows where possible. SFE’s include rooms such as Incident Response Rooms, Immersive Shell theatres and AV laboratory spaces.

AV Stages and Signoff

Briefing

AV engagement should start at the initial concept/briefing phase. DTS AV will assist with extracting user requirements from an AV perspective and can assist with high-level costing from a QS perspective. AV spaces are not able to be quantified using standard QS processes as they do not scale linearly.

Design

Once the project progresses to design, DTS AV will discuss with the project whether DTS AV will be handing design internally, or whether a consultant is being used. When a consultant is involved, DTS AV is still to be kept abreast of the design process and will provide sign off on the concept design brief and at all detailed design milestones. DTS AV is required to review and sign off on all AV documentation prior to progression to documentation progressing to for construction.

Construction

Additionally on large projects, AV is to witness the successful recovery from a black start test.

Commissioning and Handover

Once the project is nearing practical completion the integrator will be required to undertake DTS quality assurance audits on all spaces. DTS AV will review these audits and then perform an acceptance test and return audit prior to signing off that AV has been practically completed. Where commissioning and programming of a space is delayed due to Curtin supplied components being installed post PC, provisional practical completion may be granted based on a review of installed technology and adherence to base technological requirements.

As Built Documentation

Approved AV integrators have access to an online shared directory with DTS AV. DTS AV requires that, in addition to any O&M’s provided under the project contract, the integrator provide schematics, device backups, code, DSP files, CMDB Load Sheets (DNIS) and AV general arrangements filed in accordance with DTS AV Policy. A pre-compiled PDF for the entire project is not an acceptable format, it must be separated on a per room/space basis. Documentation is to be provided in unlocked PDF as well as in its editable source format (docx, vsdx, xlsx, dwg etc)

Contractors to Fully Self-Inform

It is expected in any capital or design/build project that contractors shall fully self-inform and not rely on representations. This includes requirements such as to:

• read necessary documents so referred in contract documentation
• inspect site, conditions, and existing installations
• make provision for travel
• check lead times of local and imported equipment to ensure they can be supplied in time
• use supplied templates for touch panel files, network information, venue configuration, digital signal processing, and commissioning
• understand and use the University’s global code and version management services.

Application Code

Curtin University engages a third party for programming services.

Under certain circumstances Curtin University may make its code available to AV integrators in order to provide custom code to meet the needs of speciality spaces. In these circumstances, Curtin University will also provide access to its source code management system.

Curtin retains all intellectual property rights to code developed for use. Where licensed code is used, Curtin is to be provided license in perpetuity and without limitation to use and edit across Curtin properties.