The installation of Ampetronic induction loops in universities across the UK is rapidly increasing, with a number of ongoing projects ensuring that students with hearing impairment are at no disadvantage to their fellows.
One of the latest projects to be completed is at Middlesex University’s Hendon campus, where the establishment’s business and computing science schools are housed.
Installed by A/V specialists DMS Controls, the loop system is part of a major renovation and upgrade to two lecture theatres and is an extension to a system the company previously installed in three adjacent lecture theatres.
Comprising two ILD 1000G and two ILD 500 loop amplifiers, two SP5 signal processors and loop tape, the equipment complements a large Crestron-based A/V system, which includes projectors, plasmas, DVD, VCR, MD, radio mics, CCTV cameras, and computer sources. Each lecture theatre has the ability to relay the CCTV cameras or projected images (or both in dual projector mode) and audio from any of the other theatres.
The loop amplifiers and signal processors are located in a dedicated control room, along with additional A/V sources and recording facilities.
“There were some challenges with the job,” says Richard Smith, DMS Controls senior project engineer. “The loop had to be installed on tiered seating, which is on a metal frame and they needed to be low spill due to the close proximity of the other lecture theatres.”
DMS Controls called on Ampetronic’s unsurpassed experience at loop system design, ensuring that the loop tape was in the optimum position throughout the installation and that the system would function perfectly. “Ampetronic’s team were very helpful,” Richard continues. “We needed the design quickly and, despite Ampetronic’s obvious workload, they responded quickly and with a design that ensured we had absolutely no problems with the installation.”
