Starwood General Audio-Visual Systems Design Guideline (Dec 2000)

AUDIO-VISUAL SYSTEMS DESIGN GUIDELINEINTRODUCTIONThis document is intended to serve as a guide in the design of Audio-Visual (AV) facilities for both new-build and refurbishment projects within the Starwood Asia Pacific Division.While there are differences in specific requirements of the AV systems for the various Starwood Brands, the main focus of this document is to list out the core-standards in AV systems design which are application to all the brands.It should be reiterated that it is not the intention of this Design Guideline to replace the design of the AV facilities by a professionally qualified and Starwood-approved Audio-Visual Consultant. ACCEPTABLE DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION SOFTWAREFor the purpose of compatibility between the AV Consultant and the Owner’s Project Team, the following list of application software is recommended for the design of systems:•Autodesk AutoCAD for layouts and System Schematics•Microsoft Office Excel for equipment, cabling, power and other schedules•Microsoft Office Word for written documents and reports•Microsoft Office PowerPoint for presentations and concept design•Microsoft Office Project for project management software•Adobe Acrobat for issue of drawings to all project team members (Note: All drawings shall always include PDF-format, even if AutoCAD drawings are also issued)•EASE, or similar application software, for simulation and analysis of loudspeaker performance in demanding venuesDOCUMENTATION STANDARDSAll drawings, documents, schedules, and presentations shall be numbered as follows:•Project Name and Reference Number• Document Number•Revision Number•Revision Date (very important)QUALIFICATION OF AV CONSULTANTAll Audio-Visual Consultant must be qualified and approved by Starwood Design & Technical Services Department and shall posses the relevant professional qualifications and suitably certified by the AV industry.The AV Consultant must be highly knowledgeable of the latest trend and requirements of the hospitality industry and should be able to provide the most current and up-to-date AV design for the hotels as directed by Starwood and the Owners.THE DESIGN PROCESSThere shall be a structured approach to the design, tendering, and realization of the AV facilities for the hotel. The following structured design stages shall be followed:CONCEPTUAL PHASE STAGE•Obtain a detailed brief on the operations, functional and systems requirement from the Starwood and client•Arrange for AV systems design team to visit the site•Arrange meeting and design workshop with Interior designer, architects, other consultants and introduce the AV systems, and list out potential interfacing/coordination requirements with the rest of the design team•Establish the quality and cost expectations of the client•Provide Overall budget of systems proposed, summarised by areas of the hotel•Provide a description of systems function by areas, based on the layout plan of the hotel •Presentation of concept design to Starwood and the client•Revised the design as necessary•Obtain approval from Starwood and the client on the concept designDETAILED DESIGN STAGE•Provide coordination to Interior designer, E&M consultant, ELV consultant and other relevant consultant/designer as necessary•Provide detail budget for the entire AV system in the form of BOQ complete with unit pricing, specification, manufacturer, model number etc, generalised Schedule of Rates (SOR) or Bill Of Quantities (BOQ) is unacceptable•Provide detail equipment layout drawings based on interior designer’s layout drawings, reflected ceiling plan (preferably with lighting layout)•Provide E&M requirement schedules (including power requirement, IPTV, CATV, VOICE/DATA, technical earth)•Provide any structural loading requirement to structural consultant•Provide typical installation drawings for coordination with interior designer•Provide Specification of equipment Present the Detailed Design to the client, for approval •Make final Amendments to the designs and budgets•Obtain approval from Starwood and the client on the detail design, and budget•Provide technical portion of the tender document, these includes at least the following: o Description of AV systems by areaso Detailed Bill of Quantityo Detailed Systems designo Detailed Equipment layout drawingso Technical requirement of systems to be achieved, and appropriate clauses and conditions regarding the performance and contractual restraints on the contractors, tobe incorporated into a tender package (Contract Terms and conditions by others) •Assist with Tender Interviews and final recommendation. Lead the Tender interviews for the technical part, ensuring that the bidders:•Submit Tender Analysis Report, highlighting:o Bid amounts and % of bids relevant to the lowest (except where the Owner/QS withholds financial data)o Very high and very low pricing (as neither is desirable and is indicative of either error or equipment substitution)o Summary of Maintenance Support and Site-Response from the bidderso Comments on Equipment substitutions, with “Accepted”/”Rejected” commentso Comments on Company experience and Team structureo Comments on submitted Project ScheduleCONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIONAfter appointment of a contractor to undertake the necessary works:•Hold briefing meeting with awarded AV Contractor, thoroughly review the design and ensure their full understanding•Periodically visit the site to inspect the ongoing works; review workmanship, progress, and outstanding works•Inspect and sign-off the Shop Drawings by the AV Contractor, with “Accepted”, or “Rejected”, along with comments/feedback•Review proposed Touch-screen and other User-interfaces with the Contractor, and feedback •Co-ordinate with the contractor on-site for final testing and commissioning witnessing and client training. At a minimum, the following shall be tested:o Operation and Equalisation of the sound systems using a real-time Analyser (RTA)o Testing of Audio Tielines for Short-circuit, open-circuit, earthing, and cross-wiringo Testing of Video Tielines for Signal ground/chassis earth isolation, and correct performanceo Testing of UTP Tielines for correct wiring, and crossed pairso Inspection of certification of fibre Tielineso Full-System Testing, including all aspects of Touch-screen and other User-interfaces•Review the System Schematics, Layouts, schedules, User-interface documentation for correct and adequate standards. All cable identity numbers shall be shown on the system schematics.Panels and equipment shall be cross-referenced between the schematics and the layouts •Review the ‘operations manual’ prepared by the contractor to prior to presentation to the client, •Recommendation for practical completion, work in defects liability periodThere will also be other aspects of the work, including the following:•Liaison with the architect and other consultants as necessary•Liaison with the E and M consultants to include proper interfacing between the emergency paging system (provided by others) and the A/V systems•Liaison with the E and M consultants to ensure co-ordinated design of the conduit work, and power distribution system (provided by others)THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESSSELECTION OF AV CONTRACTORThe Audio-Visual Consultant shall recommend ideally 5 local AV Contractors with good reputation and the preferred AV contractors shall ideally be a Certified Audio-Visual Solutions Provider (CAVSP). AV companies not located in the country shall have a base in the same city or in collaboration with a local AV systems provider.The Ballroom and Meeting Rooms in particular are demanding systems, and essential to the effective operation of the Hotel; the Tendering AV Contractors therefore need to be experienced already in Audio-, Video-, and Control Systems, as well as in the implementation of these kind of large and demanding systems.SCOPE OF AV CONTRACTORUpon appointment, the AV Consultant shall provide a detailed briefing to the AV Contractor. The AV Contractors scope is as follows:SHOP DRAWINGS PRODUCTIONA full set of detailed system schematics, layouts, specifications and schedules shall be issued to the AV Contractor, who shall provide immediately for comment and sign-off by the AV Consultant the following:•Detailed system schematic drawings including cable numbering•Layout drawings with setting-out in plan and elevation of all AV Equipment•Containment requirements – trunking, conduit, flexible conduit drops (Supply and installation of conduit normally by the Electrical Contractor)•Installation shop drawings as required•Detailed Cable schedules• Power requirementsSOFTWARE DOCUMENTATIONAs the project develops, the AV Contractor shall also provide for comment and sign-off:•Any touch panel layouts and description•Any Push Button layouts and description•Any screen layouts for control system / DSP etc, and description•Algorithms for Control systems / DSP programming etc•Testing and Commissioning Documentation for approval by AV consultant•Training documents for approval by AV consultantTEST DOCUMENTATIONAt least 4 weeks before commencement of Test and Commissioning (T&C), the AV Contractor shall submit for approval the T&C Documentation. This shall include at least:•Method Statement for the T&C process•Sign-off sheets listing out all:o Equipment Lists (Contract BOQ/SOR) organized into areas, and sub-divided into site- and AV Rack-/Control Room, for convenience of checkingo Areas, with functional tests of all facilitieso Audio Zoneso Tielines and Connections, with checkbox for each connectiono Software-based systems – Touch-screens, pushbutton panels, computer-based interfaces, etc•Test Data, including certification of any optical fibre connections•Preliminary Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manual•Preliminary as-builts – hand-marked-up system schematics, layouts, schedulesTRAININGThe AV Contractor shall co-operate with the Hotel Management to allow engineering and banquet department personnel and other relevant persons to witness installation work/commissioning, for their better understanding and handling of the systems once handed over. Training shall be provided prior to opening, and also upon handover, for at least:•System Users - This shall be less technical, and focus on the setting up and use of the systems. For complex areas such as the Ballroom and Meeting Rooms, the users shall be encouraged to carry out set-ups; it is not enough to provide classroom lecture only•System Maintenance Personnel. This shall focus on the technical aspects, although necessarily must include training in use of the systems too•There will be several such trainings, since the hotel operates shifts, and all related persons must be trained•The Maintenance period/Defects Liability Period (DLP) shall include the responsibility to provide additional training sessions quarterly for all shifts of User- and Technical staff. This is because of the high initial staff turnover.FINAL DOCUMENTATIONWithin 2 weeks of the T&C inspection by the AV Consultant, submit at least 3 sets of:• As-Built documentation• O&M Manual• Product Manuals• Test Results•Compileable source code for all AMX, Crestron, DSP, and other customized software for the project. This is to be regarded as an essential part of the deliverables for the ProjectHANDOVERThe system shall be deemed as handed-over once the following have been achieved: •All defects successfully corrected•All As-built documentation signed off•All software source code submitted•Training carried outSYSTEM SPECIFICATIONSAUDIO SYSTEMREQUIREMENT1. GENERALThe audio system is to provide a comfortable listening ambient for the hotel Background music, based on the different venues of the hotel. The selected loudspeaker needs to meet the requirement of the music consultant.The AV consultant needs to recommend to Starwood and the client on the latest technology to be used in the property. Where possible, Audio DSP should be used, and Audio Streaming (such as Cobranet) should be deployed to minimized cabling installation cost and improved the quality of the audio system. The used of Audio transmission via twisted pair technology is accepted for some cases and for certain of our hotel brands.MUSIC2. BACKGROUND•Starwood uses the DMX Profusion music server for all its hotels. The current DMX server is a Computer based system, each with 4 channels of audio output. The BGM system should allow for integration of the DMX music server, and distribute its to all public area / F&B outlets / Meeting space of the hotel•Other Audio Source such as MP3 player/CD-player/AM-FM Tuner to be installed only if requested during initial design brief•Computer Based Music Server to be provided for SPA area (in some cases DMX music server can also be used, depending on the availability of the music selection at the time)ZONING3. AUDIO•70V / 100V Line system to be deploy for General Front of House area•Low impedance for ballroom, cabinet loudspeakers and subwoofer•Zone segregation to depend on ceiling heights / and other interior design issues•All Volume control panel to be installed at BOH area or areas where is not accessible by the hotel guest (like at back of bar counter or behind the reception desk)4. TYPE OF SIGNAL PROCESSING•DSP should be used for most areas of the hotel•Where there is a live performance venue, manual EQ / Compressor should be added5. TYPES OF LOUDSPEAKERSLoudspeakers specified, and any substitutes accepted during the Tender Process, shall have capability to produce the Sound Pressure levels and Frequency Ranges specified in this document. However, the loudspeakers shall also be of pleasing or unobtrusive appearance, and shall be accepted by the Interior Designer (concealment of the loudspeakers is crucial to preserve the décor and look and feel of the various event venues)The drawings issued by the AV Consultant shall include specification of the transformer tapping required for high-voltage loudspeakers. Where low-impedance drive is used, this shall also be made clear in the drawings.6. EVACUATION OVERRIDE OF LOUDSPEAKERSIn all cases, the design shall allow for cut-off of loudspeakers during any emergency announcement, by means of connection to the override relay of the building life-safety systems. Such interface shall be simple and in the form of either dry-contact closure or 24VDC signal from the Emergency Paging Announcement (EPA) system, wired by the EPA Contractor to an interface box adjacent to the AV Rack serving those loudspeakers. The design of the AV System shall always include a relay operated by the signal, and the contact closure then either open-circuit the loudspeakers, or else mute the controlling circuits.We do not recommend using changeover methods, i.e. sharing the AV Systems loudspeakers with the EPA amplifiers. AV systems loudspeakers and the EPA systems loudspeakers should be separated into different groupings.7. FLUSH CEILING LOUDSPEAKERSFlush ceiling loudspeakers shall not use screws for grill-fixings, except for large format ones, for example in the Ballroom. In all cases, secondary safety fixings shall be used and connected to the ceiling slab or other safe fixing point within the ceiling void. Under no circumstances shall any loudspeaker rely only upon the structural integrity of the false ceiling for its fixing.Where cabinet-type loudspeakers are flush-mounted into a ceiling, a means shall be devised for invisible, yet maintainable fixing. For cabinet sub-woofers, matching trims to the down-lights shall be employed, as a finishing effect.Where the Interior Designer requests it, the Tender process shall include the specific requirement for re-finishing or painting of loudspeakers, and the AV Contractor shall be required to submit a finished sample for acceptance by the Interior Designer, at an appropriate time.8. SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS & FREQUENCY RESPONSEThe Hotel Audio Systems shall be capable of operating at normal levels 24 hours, 7 days a week for 10 years or more without degradation due to stress or overload. For areas such as Ballrooms and Meeting Rooms, the Audio Systems shall be capable of higher sound levels for special events and presentations, without distortion; these areas will typically also have Front-of-House (FOH) loudspeakers for presentation (and not speech) use. The achieved SPL at listening level and frequency response for normal operation is recommended to be as follows (unless otherwise specified by the AV Consultant):AREA NORMALOPERATIONALSPL ATLISTENINGLEVELMAXIMUM SPLAT LISTENINGLEVELFREQUENCYRESPONSE ATLISTENINGLEVEL(-3db)Speciality F&B Outlet 70-80dB 90dB 70Hz – 20KHz*All-Day Dining 70-80dB 90dB 70Hz – 20KHz*Lobby Lounge Ceiling 70-80dB 90dB 90Hz – 16KHzLobby Lounge Stage 70-80dB 100dB 50Hz – 20KHz*Lobby 70-80dB 90dB 70Hz – 20KHzGym 80-90dB 100dB 70Hz – 20KHz Aerobics 90-100dB 105dB 70Hz – 20KHzHealth Club Wet Areas/Changing 70-80dB 80dB 90Hz-16KHz SPA – Public areas 60-70dB 80dB 70Hz – 20KHzSPA – Treatment Rooms 55-65dB 75dB 40Hz-20KHz Circulation Corridors 60-70dB 70dB 90Hz-16KHz Washrooms 60-70dB 70dB 90Hz-16KHz Bar Ceiling 70-90dB 100dB 70Hz – 20KHzBar FOH 70-90dB 100dB 40Hz-20KHz*Meeting Rooms/Function Rooms70-80dB 100dB 70Hz – 20KHzCeiling Loudspeakers70-80dB 100dB 50Hz-20KHz* Meeting Rooms/Function Rooms FOHLoudspeakersBallroom Ceiling Loudspeakers 70-90dB 105dB 50Hz – 20KHz** Ballroom FOH Loudspeakers 80-90dB 105dB 50Hz-20KHz** where applicable, Good quality sub-woofer should be installed**Due to high ceilings, care to be taken in specifying loudspeakers with high-ceiling performance capability, ensuring even frequency coverage between loudspeakersSYSTEM9. VIDEOAs the Video system is undergoing a migration from Standard video definition to the High definition standard, it is the responsibility of the AV consultant to recommend to Starwood and the client onthe appropriate standard to be adapted for the property.One main obstacle to satisfactory video display is the size of the image, and for projection, achieved contrast ratio, that is, the ratio of brightest displayed image, to the brightness of the screen without projection (ie “black” projection, or brightness of the screen due to ambient light). Ina Ballroom, the other risk is obstruction by chandeliers of the projected image, or of the visibility ofthe image by the guests. Again, the Consultant needs must co-ordinate and negotiated sufficiently with the Interior Designer, in particular, during the design process, to achieve a workable design.SIZE10. IMAGEAs a rule of thumb (and unless otherwise specified by the AV Consultant) the image size is based roughly on the following quick calculation:Ballroom:Minimum image height>= Maximum normal Viewing Distance / 8Meeting Rooms and Boardrooms:Minimum image height>= Maximum normal Viewing Distance / 6This may need compromise according to details of the space, but every effort shall be made to achieve this.RATIO11. ASPECTThe industry is changing to 16:9 for most sources, and Starwood requires hotels of the appropriate grade to have 16:9 ratio image display, whether flat panel or projected. Due to costs presently, large format Ballroom projection is expensive, and some of our hotel brands will continue to use4:3 in the Ballrooms. AV Consultant will specify screen and projector to suit the hotel needs.RATIO/BRIGHTNESS12. CONTRASTExcept for outdoor displays, flat panel displays of >20” will have acceptable contrast ratio. For projection, the following is to be achieved, based upon new lamps, and 100% white projection, (Projector Lumens/Image Area = Lux).Ballroom:Minimum 500 lux at screen, or (500x Width x Height) Lumens from the projector Meeting Rooms and Boardrooms:Minimum 1000 lux at screen, or (1000x Width x Height) Lumens from the projectorLighting dimming shall be co-ordinated to ensure the following lux levels for front-projection presentation is achieved:Ballroom:Ambient light at screen <=50luxTask Lighting (ambient at viewers) >=160lux (PC presentation)Task Lighting (ambient at viewers) >=50lux (Video Entertainment presentation) Meeting and Function Rooms:Ambient light at screen <=100luxTask Lighting (ambient at viewers) >=160lux (PC presentation)Task Lighting (ambient at viewers) >=50lux (Video Entertainment presentation)13. TYPE OF VIDEO DISTRIBUTIONDepending on the Video standard and budget, the AV Consultant shall recommend the type of video transmission technology to be deployed.•Raw Video Signal• Twisted Pairo Computer display signal (VGA or above) to be converted to Twisted pair signal prior to transmissiono All Twisted Pair Product needs to have SKEW adjustment• Matrix, streaming• Wireless14. CONFERENCING SYSTEM / SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATIONSYSTEM / CONGRESS SYSTEMThe needs for these systems varies based on different countries, and the market positioning of the hotel and the AV Consultant shall recommend the appropriate systems to match the needs of the or to specify the cable and infrastructural provision only for such systems15 AV CONTROL SYSTEM•AMX or Crestron-equivalent•Wall mount touch-panel for Ballroom•Wall mount removable wireless touch-panel for Meeting space•Wall mount removable wireless touch-panel / table top touch-panel for meeting room / boardroom with fixed conference table•Central Processing unit, with either touch-panel / Computer based User interface•Central Processing Unit is required to control all AV equipments, and interface to lighting systems, curtain, etc16 TIE-LINESYSTEMThe Tie-line systems are divided into the Internal Ballroom Tie-line system and the External Tie-line systems.The Ballroom Internal Tie-line systems link all AV Panel signals from within the ballroom and the ballroom pre-function area back to the Ballroom AV control room.The External Tie-line systems link the Ballroom AV control room to all other meeting spaces. Any linkage to F&B outlets will depend on the need of the particular property.There shall also be an IP65-rated Outside Broadcast Cabinet located within easy reach of the TV and Radio Company vans, for connection to the Ballroom AV Control Room. As a minimum, 6 x HD-SDI coax, 6 x SD coax, 6 x audio mic-level-capable, 6 x UTP connections shall be provided. For properties using fibre tie-lines to the Ballroom, 2 x 6-core multi-core terminated in ST-connectors shall be provided.The AV Consultant shall recommend the means of transmission, either the traditional point to point transmission, the current networked transmission based on TCP/IP protocol, or a hybrid system.17 STAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR BALLROOM•At least 60 channels of 10A per ballroom•500W PAR Fixture•Fresnel and Profile Spot Fixtures•Cycloramas for backdrop illumination•DMX or Ethernet control DMX•DMX Patching system•Bank of 6 channels of 10A per outlet location18 EFFECTS LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR BALLROOM•Moving head lighting where appropriate•Computer based lighting control system, 1 universe per partition19 ITEMS TO BE PROVIDED BY OTHERS FOR THE AV SYSTEMS •Emergency Paging system interface• SMATV, IPTV• Voice Data•Environmental control ( Air-conditional, Humidity control, work light)• Hanging System•Fixed Rigging System•Hanging Bars 500Kg point-load minimum•Hoisting point with portable motorized chain hoist (Property-dependant)•Hanging point with 3-4m grid at ceiling level, each capable of at least 500Kg point load •Linear hanging system around whole perimeter of Ballroom for curtaining/backdrop etc (semi-flush, powder-coated Unistrut type)• E&M Requirement• Power Requirement•Independent earthing point for Main AV rack for ballroom•Interface to Fire service PA system ( relay change-over)•Voice / Data Requirement•IPTV / SMATV Requirement•Interface to IT backbone system20 SYSTEMS REQUIREMENT BY AREA:PUBLIC AREA / WASHROOM / CIRCULATION AREA / LIFT CAR / LANDSCAPE / GARDEN•BGM sharing the same DMX music server music source as the Main lobby•Emergency Paging override•Ceiling loudspeakers to be used with ceiling height of less than 6m•Any area with ceiling height higher than 6m, wall mount / column mount loudspeakers can be considered•Weatherized loudspeaker to be used for outdoor area•Depending on the interior design, some venues will need to have independent volume control, located either at the equipment rack or locallyF&B OUTLETS / EXECUTIVE LOUNGES•BGM from DMX music server•Emergency Paging override•Each outlet will have its own system with local amplifiers and processors•Audio DSP to be deployed for area where high grade sound system is required•Ceiling loudspeaker system divided into zones, depending on layout and interior design of each outlet•Better quality ceiling loudspeakers / cabinet loudspeakers with Sub-woofer can be used where better and full-range sound is required•Independent volume control for different zone, Private dining, outdoor area•Local Audio input to be provided•Local MP3 Player ( such as ipod) or CD-player to be deployed for special events •Weatherized loudspeakers to be used for outdoor area•Where there is a Video Screen, the sound must be connected to the local sound system•All AV signals to LCD screen should be control at the local AV rack•TV Tuner / IPTV decoder to be provided by ELV contractor•Routing of SMATV / IPTV signal to be via the AV equipment rack, unless otherwise specified •DVD player should be installed if specified•PDR – independent Volume Control and Local Audio Input panelMEETING ROOM / BOARDROOM (WITH FIXED CONFERENCE TABLE )• Audioo Ceiling loudspeakerso Front of house loudspeakerso Audio Mixing / Matrixo Table top microphone for conferencing systemo Emergency Paging override• Videoo Video matrix / routingo Wall mount LCD TVo Projection screen ( size depending on room size)o Ceiling mount Video projectoro Video Project Lifto Either 4:3 or 16:9 Video formato Table top video input panel (with audio)o Skirting video input panel (with audio)• Conferencing systemso Table Top (fixed or portable) conferencing system for large meeting room with 16 seats or moreo Audio Conferencingo Video Conferencing systems, fixed or portable systems• Control systemo Audio DSPo Video Matrix / streamingo Dimmer / effect lighting / LED lighting system where applicableo Motorized Curtain where applicableo Video Projection screeno Video Projector lifto Partition wall sensing•AV Tie-lines to BallroomFUNCTION ROOM / MEETING ROOM (WITHOUT FIX TABLE)• Audioo Ceiling loudspeaker audio systemo 2 wireless microphone per roomo 2 wired microphone per roomo Front of house Audio system ( portable or fix installed)o Audio Mixing amplifier / DSP / analogue processoro Audio DSP for partitioning for high profile function rooms with partitioning requirementso Relay type Partitioning switch for simpler Function with partitioning requirementso Emergency Paging override• Videoo Video matrix / routingo Wall mount LCD TVo Projection screen ( size depending on room size)o Ceiling mount Video projectoro Video Project Lifto Either 4:3 or 16:9 Video formato Table top video input panel (with audio)o Skirting video input panel (with audio)o LCD screen when required, at least 50” or above for Function room。