Design

Abu Dhabi Mosque Development Regulations
Volume 2 - Design
STAGE 1
Policies and Principles
STAGE 2
Architecture Standards
STAGE 3
Building Services Standards
STAGE 4
Landscape Standards
11.0 Sound Systems
11.1 Sound Systems Overview
11.2 Sound System Codes and Standards
The key factor in delivering any form of speech
(khutba)/call to prayer is the clarity of sound. Speech
should be audible and with a high degree of sound
quality within all areas of the mosque.
The objectives for the Sound System are:
• develop a building-specific sound system design;
• integrate the Sound System into the building
design;
• optimise the sound and sound equipment through
acoustic modelling;
• ensure the Sound System equipment is appropriate to
the operating environment; and
• enable the use of the Sound System for community
support.
Electrical and Life Safety
The standards listed below are based on electrical
codes:
• ADCD requirements; and
• RSB Electricity Wiring Regulations
Sound/Audio Systems
The standards listed below are based on sound/audio
system standards:
• IEC 60065 - Audio, video and similar electronic
apparatus;
• IEC 60268 – Sound systems equipment; and
• IEC 60574 - Audio-visual, video and television
equipment and systems.
11.3 Sound Systems
Standards
Guidelines
BS70
The location of loudspeakers SHALL be designed to provide optimum sound quality
with consideration of the architecture.
BG43
The sound system SHOULD provide sonority for the main prayer hall, female
prayer hall and minaret. The System SHOULD be free from echo, hissing and
other sound disturbances.
BS71
The components of the sound system SHALL be sized appropriately to the mosque
size, while still achieving the objectives for the System.
BG44
The sound system SHOULD be adequately zoned to facilitate flexibility for the
operational needs of the mosque.
BS72
The sound system SHALL include sufficient booster amplifiers for the calculated
connected load at rated power with a minimum 15% spare capacity built into the
system.
BG45
BG46
BG47
The sound system SHOULD have an acoustic feedback suppressor, based on
digital signal processing. The Sound System SHOULD include filters to cancel
sound from speakers that could provide feedback.
The sound system SHOULD include a digital signal processor ADC/DAC, RS 232
data interface and 19” rack mounted.
The amplifiers SHOULD be a 19” rack mounting type and the booster amplifier
power be 120 W, 240 W and 480 W, with constant voltage outputs typically
being 70 V and 100 V.
BS73
The commissioning of sound systems SHALL be carried out prior to building
completion.
Building Systems - Page 69