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| Bosch's Praesideo solution replaces outdated PA system in the Rotterdamse Schouwburg |
Introduction
Any public building or enclosed space where a large number of people gather in high concentration is subject to strict safety regulations, primarily in connection with fire detection, alarm and evacuation. A prime example is a theatre in which public address is an essential element in the mandatory fire detection and alarm system. This article briefly describes the Praesideo Digital Public Address and Emergency Sound System from Bosch Security Systems installed in the Rotterdamse Schouwburg, one of the most avant-garde theatere in the Netherlands. The system, installed by Verspuy Audio of Rotterdam, replaced an outdated analogue system and posed an interesting challenge in the re-use of much of the existing cabling.
Radical Design
The Rotterdamse Schouwburg was completed in 1988 to the design of Quist Architects on the site of an emergency theatre that had been built after World War II. The design is considered quite radical in that the building does not follow the traditional theatre layout of entrance, foyer, auditorium and staging. Because of space constrictions and existing buildings, it was necessary to combine the theater in a complex including offices, shops and indoor parking. An additional requirement was that the new building should not block daylight from the private dwellings surrounding it. The design, therefore, is in the form of a number of different sized cubes raised to a height of seven metres with the 900-seat main auditorium (Grote Zaal) rotated through 180 degrees and located on an upper floor level. Technical areas, rehearsal halls and dressing rooms are situated below the main auditorium. A smaller auditorium (Kleine Zaal) can seat an audience of 160 and a studio (KB Studio) is available for 80 visitors.
Outdated system
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| Bosch's Praesideo Digital Public Address and Emergency Sound System in the Rotterdamse Schouwburg |
The previous public address system was based on a non-standard, customised analogue paging configuration that was lacking in efficiency and functionality. The decision was made to replace the PA part of this system with a modern, digital solution and tenders were invited from three manufacturers through Verspuy Audio, an experienced Rotterdam-based installer of public address and other professional audio systems. Bosch's Praesideo system was chosen on the basis of its flexibility, the fact that it is digital and from a number of proven references.
Basic system description
The Praesideo Digital Public Address and Emergency Sound System uses an optical network configuration that allows optimal freedom in system design. This flexible system architecture permits any type of equipment to be located wherever required in a building. Multiple systems can be easily connected and controlled over TCP/IP using optical or standard copper cabling. Distributed signal processing enables the central system unit - the Network Controller - to concentrate on functions such as supervision, routing announcements, background music and pre-recorded messages. These and other key features made Praesideo the ideal solution for the new theater. The entire Praesideo system is certified according to international and national standards including IEC60849 and BS5839. It also complies with all harmonised European standards for fire resistance, functionality and installation of emergency voice alarm systems.
| Bosch's Praesideo system was chosen on the basis of its flexibility, the fact that it is digital and from a number of proven references |
The Schouwburg configuration
The Praesideo system configuration for the Rotterdamse Schouwburg comprises a Network Controller, six Power Amplifiers providing a total loudspeaker power of 3,000 W, one customised fireman's panel, seven call stations, 90 loudspeakers and associated connectors, switches and cabling. The cabling, especially, posed a challenge since the new system had to be integrated using most of the existing wiring, much of which was encased in the concrete structure of the building and difficult to access. Fortunately, this meant that the wiring behind the concrete was not required to be fire-resistant. Optical fibre cabling is used for interconnecting the 19-inch rack-mounted power amplifiers and the call station interface units, which, in turn, are connected to the seven call stations with CAT-5 cabling. Upgrading the public address system included increasing the number of zones from nine to 19, for which the number of loudspeakers per zone varies from four to 30. The fireman's (evacuation) control panel was custom-built by Verspuy Audio because no off-the-shelf panel was available that conformed to the evacuation regulations of the Netherlands. Selection panels in the two auditoriums and the studio allow artists to monitor the progress of a performance and when they are due on stage. This system also provides ambient background music through a fourth line.
Part of the existing pager and fire detection system remains in use and is now connected to the Praesideo system. This set-up also includes fault-warning indication that alerts technicians by phone or pager. In addition to the fire detection and PA systems, fault warning of lighting and power is also given. A unique feature of the Praesideo Rotterdamse Schouwburg installation is Automatic Volume Control (AVC) of the sound system in the two auditoriums with special sensing microphones, provided by Bosch, located in the adjacent foyers.
Rotterdamse Schouwburg Public Address System
Main elements of the Praesideo Digital Public Address and Emergency Sound System:
- 1 network controller
- 6 power amplifiers (4 x 500W, 2 x 480W)
- 16 ceiling loudspeakers
- 58 cabinet loudspeakers with individual volume control
- 8 line array loudspeakers
- 7 call stations (3 in main auditorium, 1 in small auditorium, 1 in studio, 1 in reception, 1 at ticket desk)