The training of who is going to operate an AV system is essential to be able to count on a correct functioning of the installation.
By Juan Tamayo*
In the universe of audiovisual systems, hotels can be one of the projects that contain the greatest diversity of solutions of this type. In this article, the reader will be able to know some of the recommended solutions for hotels, from security solutions to entertainment solutions will be explored. It depends on the administration and guidelines of each hotel, which will be the best solution for its guests.
Safety
Safety is at the heart of any solution. It has become the central column and sound does not escape this world premise. For hotels, at least two different security systems can be taken that can be joined on the same platform.
The first of these is to use the audio system for security calls or operational calls. If the communication radios fail or there is no good reception, the speaker system can be used to deliver information to operational or security personnel. Generally the sound areas are the common guest areas such as lobbies, corridors, elevators, swimming pools and the internal operating areas of each hotel, among others.
The second safety system is audio evacuation systems, designed to preserve human integrity, at least that's what the rules say. What is sought with these systems is to inform in an adequate way that must be done in case of a strange event. This information must be clear, concise and efficient, it must reach all spaces where there is a possibility that a human being is present.
I have had the possibility to analyze audio evacuation designs of several hotel chains and I have found that every time hotels place more speakers in places that were not common. For example, in the suites a speaker is located in each room, even in the bathroom speakers are located. These speakers are low consumption, maximum three watts and only have to play evacuation audio messages, this means that they have an exclusive circuit and are not officially linked to any input source of the hotel, either player or microphone.
Additional systems in bars, restaurants, spas and others, which we will talk about later, must also be connected to the evacuation system, either in line signal or power signal. In both cases they will be priority signals in reproduction.
The systems for these cases are 70.7v or 100v line distributed audio systems. This is just the means of connection, it is actually based on audio matrix systems with input selection and operation priority, which may or may not meet evacuation standards such as NFPA72 or EN54. The designer will be the one who selects the standard to be used according to the specifications of the hotel chain.
Bars, restaurants and casinos
Generally, hotels have spaces where the guest can have fun, change the atmosphere or simply get out of the monotony of a room. In these spaces are located sound systems that aim to play music, but every day guests ask for more, so the designer must be attentive to the possible needs of users.
For example, in executive hotels users want to be informed. It is common to see in the restaurant intended for breakfast televisions with the morning news, but they forget to link the audio of the television signal to the sound system. As a designer I always have a small list of questions to design these spaces.
What is the purpose of the space, if it is a restaurant, what kind of restaurant?
What are the signals from required sound sources, television, music, called?
If the systems must be linked to the evacuation system, what is the area that I should link? What is the (partial) space evacuation plan?
What security systems does the space have to be integrated into the audio evacuation plan?
Who will operate the sound system?
The clearer the operation, the more complete and efficient the design of the sound system of the special zone.
Meeting rooms and auditoriums
Generally, spaces for presentations are managed by third parties. Hotels hire rental companies that are strong in the corporate field to develop the events. Many of the presentation spaces are architecturally designed as empty boxes and the audio operator locates speakers, black boxes that "decorate" the place.
Not bad, but these spaces can be improved by properly designing an audiovisual network based on design standards. A personal recommendation, use the audiovisual mathematics of InfoComm, so the hotel can optimize the cost of operation of the event generating better income and a return on investment of equipment for audio and video.
Room automation
The home automation effect has created the trend of automating hotel rooms. But what should a designer take into account when making the automation plan? As a designer I always consider that the fundamental objective is that the person who operates the control system feels comfortable when using it, so it is essential that the designer and programmer develop the appropriate protocol so that the guest does not have to take a course to use the automation systems. Generally the simplest buttons are the ones that work best and not the super complex routines.
In hotel room automation there is too much to explore. I have even seen automatic inventory control systems in minibar, but I have always said it, the important thing is that the person feels so good when using it, to do it as humanly as possible.
I take advantage of this space to send a special message to the electrical engineers who design the electrical circuits in the room. Take into account the connectivity of the users, when locating the switch that connects or disconnects an electrical outlet leaves without the possibility of using the socket when the user rests or is not in the room. I have been a victim of the non-loading of my equipment in hotels.
We can only touch on some aspects in the development of hotel projects because the topic is very broad. The hotel will always be a very big universe in AV design, so here are some tips:
Analyze before starting a design the specifiers of the hotel chain.
Be aware of the location of items that do not belong to your area, always have communication with the designers of other systems.
When making the design, not only deliver the plan, but also give a document in which you explain how the operation of the system will be and what the personnel who are going to use it require.
Generate an evacuation operation plan if EVAC systems are designed
Always keep the guest in mind
As always I hope that this information will be useful for the development of your audiovisual project. If you have any questions or comments, please write to us that we will gladly try to resolve it.
*Juan Tamayo is a Sales Engineer for sound installations in Latin America from the company Audio Technica. You can contact him through [email protected] or [email protected]
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