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PLANNING YOUR NEW RADIO FACILITY

Don MullallyWILL-AM-FM-TV

University of Illinois

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Basic Site Issues Adequate site size, including

setbacks? Adequate satellite access? Existing structures? Adequate utility access? Adequate parking areas for staff &

guests? Suitable public transportation?

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BASIC SPACE ISSUES Site determines building footprint. Building footprint and number of floors

control total size: “gross square footage.” Gross square footage minus “non-useable”

areas = Net Assignable Square Feet. Ratio of NASF to GSF = “Efficiency factor” Maximize efficiency

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MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY Use “high density” filing and shelving

systems Have as few hallways as possible Use hallways as “rear-door” service areas Modular office systems reduce walls and

hallways Modular systems reduce air handling cost Modular systems allow future flexibility

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OPTIMIZE USE OF NON-ASSIGNABLE SPACE Hallway wall-space is valuable Determine what equipment must

move through hallways. Think of restrooms as “public

space.” Think of lobbies and adjacent

areas as “public space”

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DECIDE WHAT SPACES (ROOMS) YOU NEED FOR EACH PURPOSE.

Number and describe the room List ALL the equipment in the room List any special requirements Estimate the optimum size of the

room

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RS-1 Radio Production Studio Control Board approx 4’ x 3’ on table 6’ x 4’ Video monitor on swing-arm for AudioVault Speakers on each side of control board Swivel chair / anti-static floor mat Computer terminal, keyboard, and monitor * Filtered electrical outlets below control board, 20amps * Non-interruptable power supply to computers * Air temperature 65-75 degrees, 60% humidity * Direct sight line to Master Control Room (MC1) * 150 sf

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RO1 MANAGER’S OFFICE Standard office package 8 locking file drawers Routing switcher control High fidelity tuner/receiver Track lighting for wall décor TV receiver * 200 sf

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PUBLIC SPACES Space for receptions / celebrations Adjacent space for overflow Conference facilities for public use Food service / catering facilities Adjacent restrooms for public

functions Plan for easy maintenance

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DETERMINE ADJACENCIES Which rooms/functions MUST be adjacent

to each other? Which rooms/functions should be NEAR

each other? Which rooms/functions should NOT be

near each other? What are the most frequent traffic

patterns? Studios at external walls? Or in inner core?

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AIR HANDLING ISSUES Double-size air handling ducts: large

volume at low velocity No sharp edges in ductwork At least two 90-degree bends in studio

ducts Acoustic insulation inside ducts. No direct connections between audio

sources No roof-mounted air conditioning systems

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ELECTRICAL ISSUES Emergency power supply? How

large? Uninterruptible power supply? Total electrical load? Other facilities sharing same feed? Alternate power sources? Automatic? Fluorescent fixture “hum?”

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