News

BSI publishes standard for the installation of audiovisual equipment (20/7/2009)

BSI has published a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) which will provide a reference point for audiovisual (AV) and electrical installers to ensure that the quality of installations is raised to a sustainable level.

PAS 122 Specification for the installation of audiovisual equipment in classrooms and general publicly accessible areas is for use by AV installation companies in the UK who provide installations which include a component such as a computer, projector, interactive whiteboard, plasma screens of loud speakers. PAS 122 is intended to give improved assurance to customers and end user of AV installation services such as schools and other private and public sector organizations.

PAS 122 has been developed by BSI and Becta to meet the need for a framework that will help ensure increased safety and management of risks, whilst demonstrating due diligence in these areas. Until now there has been no strict guidance relating to how the installations are carried out and processes have varied greatly. It is believed that this contributes to the risk, as in a few isolated cases, of installations being carried out without adhering to the appropriate processes.

PAS 122 specifies requirements in the areas of health and safety, such as checking for asbestos, and in the pre-install, install and post-install of AV equipment. In the post-install for example, PAS 122 specifies that a full visual inspection of the installation should take place, complete with audit trail and official sign-off. The document references a number of British Standards which are indispensable for the application of PAS 122.

PAS 122 has been developed with contributions from a number of organizations including Extron, HSE (Health and Safety), Infocomm, Intenect Ltd, Sky and Unicol.

www.bsigroup.com/PAS122