I still believe that you need to define the problem a
bit more before looking at potential solutions. For example, is it always the same content to every room or do you want or need to be able to select what is going where or what rooms receive the music or messages? Do the rooms need to be able to control their volume locally and if so, do you need to be able to override that for some purposes? Would the
system be used just for music and general informational announcements or might it be used for emergency announcements? How far away are some of the spaces, what paths are available to them and what infrastructure (
conduit, cable tray, boxes,
power,
etc.) exists that can be used for this
system? Is there a budget for the
system?
I'm not trying to make too much of this, but if licensing relating to the
system installation is relevant then it is in the school's best interest to make sure it is properly addressed. It has been a number of years, it was new construction (or at least a new tenant fit out) and we weren't the Owner working on our own property, which may have been a factor, however the one AV installation project I worked on in Providence was very picky about licensing, inspections,
etc. Rhode Island does apparently license Telecommunication
System, which includes audio and AV, Contractors, Technicians and Limited Installers, stating that "In order to protect the public interest and property, assure compliance with standards of technical competency, and promote safe practices in the act of designing, installing, servicing, and testing of telecommunications systems in this state, telecommunications are declared to be subject to regulation in the public interest."
Two specific exemptions are entities that have permanent staff dedicated to designing, installing and servicing systems within their own facilities and "The work and equipment employed in connection with kindergarten through grade 12 schools or public libraries utilizing volunteers under the direct supervision of a Rhode Island licensed telecommunication
system contractor (TSC), with no more than two (2) volunteers being directly supervised by a telecommunication systems contractor (TSC)." The latter does seem to indicate that any work may have to be either provided by or supervised by a licensed professional.