With a new Australian building standard published in May this year and now in force, Melbourne-based distributor Group Technologies held an awareness seminar promoting awareness ands discussion of its implications to sound contractors.

The AS 1428.5 standard specifies the requirements for the installation of assisted listening systems (ALS) alongside the communication accessibility requirements related to those with a hearing impairment. Two seminars were held on the day, each with guest speakers presenting information from various perspectives, as well as providing insight into some of the available ALS products.

Tina Thoms from the German Chamber of Industry & Commerce was present, along with Karl-Heinz Sicklinger, Director of Engineering at Humantecnik in Germany, and Nicole Lawder, CEO of the Deafness Forum of Australia.

Tina Thoms opened by highlighting Australia’s trade relations with Germany and commending Group Technologies on their work with Humantecnik to deliver a quality range of ALSs to the Australian market. In promoting general awareness of both AS 1428.5 and the social stigmas related to those with a hearing impairment, Nicole Lawder discussed some of the challenges concerning hearing impairment that the sound community faces, and how often the issue is not correctly addressed in public buildings. In addition, she covered the relevance of the new standard and how Deafness Forum Australia would begin monitoring its consideration.

Karl-Heinz Sicklinger offered a wealth of information on the European standards that have been in effect for some time, as well as a giving background on both the theoretical and practical principles of ALSs. With a history spanning 25 years, He also presented the Humantecnik induction loop and infrared product range.

The latest specialist product was on show, a Proloop Low Overspill System (LOS), which provides highly localised coverage where accuracy and discretion between adjacent rooms is a key requirement. Proloop LOS has already been installed in a number of high profile projects in Australia.

With many industry professionals attending on the day, the seminars were received extremely well and a lot of awareness surrounding the new standard was raised.

Standards Australia: http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=1396046