FMV sub-contracted the electrical installation work to the Norwegian firm Elpro, who in turn contacted Scandec Systemer to help with the onboard PA/VA, video and show lighting systems. Working side-by-side with the Elpro consultant responsible for the job, Jan Arve Monsen, was Scandec project manager Håkon Bjartveit.
For the public address/voice alarm requirements, the designers dipped deep into the vast TOA catalogue to deploy almost 3,000 PA/VA enclosures of which nearly 2,000 are TOA PC 1867 ceiling-mounted enclosures. These are used in the guest apartments and many of the leisure areas, which include marina, nightclub, casino, golf, gym, internet, tennis court - and even a helipad.
Scandec also specified no fewer than 148 CS-64 wide-range paging speakers, 153 F101-CM full-range speakers, 257 F160WP two way white Fashion speakers, 1972 PC-1867 ceiling loudspeakers, 70 PC-2668 ceiling speakers, 62 PC-3WR's, 158 PSP-106R's, 103 SC-615M paging horn speakers - all powered by a large selection of VP Series amplification. "These numbers are a reflection that on a ship, safety is the number one priority and the regulations are getting tougher all the time," reflects Bjartveit. He points out that as well as an even and consistent distribution of PA/VA, there must also be significant redundancy built into a system such as that on 'The World'. Thus Bjartveit and his team had to design two identical rack rooms to house identical arrays of TOA VP1060B, VP1120B and VP1240B amplification (providing 60W, 120W and 240W respectively), plus associated zoning and self-diagnostic equipment, even though only one is theoretically needed to drive the PA/VA system. Elpro then built the racks and cabinets to Scandec's specifications. "The idea is that if there is a fire onboard, or there is water ingress, and one of the rooms is disabled, the other takes over automatically and the integrity of the system is maintained," explains Bjartveit.
As well as safety, Scandec's system design also had to satisfy BGM and entertainment requirements. An onboard AV studio provides audio and video programming to all 110 apartments and guest rooms. For audio, this required the fitting of the 257 TOA F160WP two-way bass reflex speakers, which also form an integral part of the PA/VA system. These are fitted mainly to the walls of balconies and were chosen partly for their IP-X4 weatherproof rating. Scandec managing director Knut Børke reports: "The crew tell us that this is the only ship they have worked on where they can actually hear the messages being relayed onboard when they are standing on the quayside."
Finally, Scandec specified PA/VA and entertainment systems for the vessel's public outdoor spaces. Around the main Pool and Sports decks at the top of the ship, weatherproof TOA SC615M and CS64 horns and further F160WPs are used for the PA/VA. The World's pioneering odyssey takes the form of a worldwide itinerary coinciding with major international events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Grand Prix of Monaco and the British Open in Scotland. Extended stays of up to five days are designed to give residents and guests the time to experience all the sights, sounds and flavours of the world's most exciting ports.
(Lee Baldock)
