Colo High School – PA and Evacuation System
Case Study
Colo High School, located in a large and sprawling campus, required an upgrade to its AV systems to improve both day-to-day operations and safety.
The existing analogue bell system lacked clarity and integration, with no clear distinction between regular bells and important announcements such as evacuations or lockdowns. Beyond Network Solutions was engaged to deliver a comprehensive AV system upgrade that would integrate the school’s bell system, public address system, school hall, quad, and theatrette.
Challenges
Given the large scale of the school, one of the primary challenges was the extensive cabling required for the bell and public address systems.
The entire campus required kilometres of cable to connect the new systems across various zones, including the school quad and all classrooms. Despite this, the project was successfully completed without disrupting the school’s schedule.
Scope of Work
To meet the school’s needs, Beyond Network Challenges Faced Solutions deployed a converged AV solution with two Q-SYS cores:
- One core was dedicated to AV control and audio routing, handling the integration of all audio-visual resources across the campus.
- The second core managed the school-wide public address and bell system, ensuring that messages could be distributed effectively throughout the school.
This robust solution was successfully deployed on the Department of Education’s internal network, ensuring compatibility and security with the school’s existing infrastructure. Additionally, the school hall and theatrette each received significant upgrades to their PA systems, enabling the school to manage both routine events and advanced school performances with ease.
Technologies Used
The project incorporated a mix of fit for purpose technology to ensure that all systems met the school’s requirements for both reliability and scalability.
Key equipment included:
- Q-SYS for centralised control and audio routing.
- QSC amplifiers and QSC/TOA speakers for high-quality audio distribution.
- Shure microphones and Allen & Heath mixers for flexible and clear audio capture.
- Epson projectors for the school hall and theatrette’s visual needs.
- Kramer video distribution systems to ensure seamless integration across different AV devices.
Results & Benefits
The new system has had a transformative impact on the school’s operations:
Improved Safety:
The integration of the bell and PA systems allows for clear and distinguishable announcements, especially in emergency situations. Unlike the previous analogue system, where the lunch bell sounded the same as an evacuation bell, the new system provides a distinct auditory cue for emergencies like evacuations or lockdowns, greatly enhancing the safety of the students and staff.
Simplified AV Management:
The school hall and theatrette now benefit from easy-to-use AV systems with advanced capabilities for events and performances, all
controlled through a unified interface.
Seamless Integration:
The deployment of Q-SYS technology across the campus enables seamless integration of audio and visual resources, ensuring smooth operation for all AV needs.
Timeline
The entire upgrade was completed during the Christmas school holiday break, ensuring minimal disruption to school activities.
This quick turnaround was possible due to the meticulous planning and execution by Beyond Network Solutions.
Conclusion
The AV system upgrade at Colo High School has not only simplified the school’s day-today AV management but also significantly enhanced the safety and experience of students and staff.
By deploying a flexible and future-proof system, Beyond Network Solutions has ensured that the school is prepared for the challenges of today and the technology needs of tomorrow.
Hardware Installed
- Q-Sys Networked Audio System on DET Network
- Over 100 ISO Compliant TOA Speakers
- Custom Paging Control Stations
Brands used
