A service agreement is a formal contract that defines the terms for ongoing support of a system. Crucially, these agreements are independent of the original installation. They can be established for any system, regardless of its age or who the original integrator was. This type of contract specifies the scope of support, response times, and services provided, which may include reactive repairs and proactive preventive maintenance. It is the most precise term for a comprehensive, ongoing support contract that is not tied to the initial sale or a specific manufacturer. CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill.

On page 408, it states, "A service contract is an agreement for the ongoing service of an AV

system... It can be sold for a system that the AV company did not install." This directly contrasts

with warranties, which are tied to the original installation (p. 407).

2. ANSI/AVIXA 10:2023, Audiovisual Systems Performance Verification. Section 3.1.21 defines a

Service Level Agreement (SLA) as a "commitment between a service provider and a client,"

which outlines the metrics and remedies for ongoing service, distinct from a one-time installation

verification.

3. IEEE. (2017). IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology. IEEE Std

610.12-1990. While focused on software, the definition of a service agreement (or SLA) aligns

with a contract for ongoing performance and support, distinct from a warranty which covers

"conformance to specifications" for a fixed period.

Audio Video Bridging (AVB) is a set of IEEE standards operating at Layer 2 to enable

time-synchronized, low-latency media streaming over Ethernet. The core functionality of AVB,

including timing/synchronization (IEEE 802.1AS) and stream reservation (IEEE 802.1Qat), is

managed by the network infrastructure. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that the network

electronics, specifically the switches, are AVB-compliant to create the path and guarantee the

quality of service required for the system to function correctly. While endpoints can be

AVB-native, the network itself is the foundational requirement.

CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA. (2018). CTS-D Certified Technology Specialist-Design Exam Guide, Third Edition.

McGraw-Hill. Chapter 5, "Networking for AV," details that AVB requires specific support from

network switches to manage its protocols for timing, reservation, and traffic shaping.

2. IEEE Standards Association. (2011). IEEE 802.1BA-2011 - IEEE Standard for Local and

metropolitan area networks--Audio Video Bridging (AVB) Systems. This standard defines the

profile for AVB systems, which is fundamentally based on the capabilities of network bridges

(switches). https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.1BA/3844/

3. Avnu Alliance. (n.d.). Milan Protocol Technical Whitepaper. While focused on a specific

application layer, this document reinforces that the underlying network transport relies on

AVB-enabled switches for deterministic performance. https://avnu.org/milan-protocol/

The primary factor forcing on-site assembly is an insurmountable physical or logistical barrier. A standard 49 RU rack has a usable internal height of 85.75 inches (49 RU x 1.75 inches/RU). When including the frame, top, bottom, and casters, the total external height typically exceeds 90 inches (7.5 feet or 2.29 meters). An elevator with a 7-foot (84-inch or 2.13-meter) ceiling cannot physically accommodate the assembled rack's height, even when tilted. This physical constraint makes pre-assembly and delivery impossible, thus forcing the rack to be built in its final location. CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill.

pp. 201-202.

This section on "Conducting a Site Survey" emphasizes identifying logistical and physical

constraints, such as "pathways for moving equipment," which includes the size of doorways,

hallways, and elevators, as critical data points that dictate installation strategy.

2. Middle Atlantic Products. (2023). BFR Series Freestanding Basic Frame Rack, BFR-49-32

Spec Sheet. Legrand AV.

Official vendor documentation for a typical 49 RU rack specifies an "Overall Height" of 91.16

inches (231.5 cm or ~7.6 feet), confirming that a fully assembled 49 RU rack will not fit into a

7-foot (84-inch) elevator.

3. AVIXA. (2017). ANSI/AVIXA 2M-2010, Standard Guide for Audiovisual Systems Design and

Coordination Process. p. 26.

This standard outlines the Construction Documents Phase, which includes verifying "pathways for

equipment and cabling." A site evaluation that reveals an elevator is too small directly impacts

these documents and forces a change in the installation plan, such as on-site assembly.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is defined as equipment worn by an individual to minimize

exposure to workplace hazards. A high-visibility vest is worn to protect the individual from the

hazard of not being seen by vehicle or equipment operators, especially in low-light conditions or

high-traffic areas. It is a direct form of personal protection worn on the body, fitting the official

definition of PPE.

CertEmpire.com

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor. "Personal

Protective Equipment." OSHA.gov. Accessed May 2024.

https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment. This official source defines PPE and

provides examples, including high-visibility clothing.

2. Cornell University, Environmental Health and Safety. "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)."

Cornell EHS. Accessed May 2024.

https://ehs.cornell.edu/workplace-safety/personal-protective-equipment-ppe. This university

resource defines PPE as "specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection

against a hazard" and lists high-visibility clothing as an example.

The calculation for throw distance is a direct function of the desired image size and the projector's

lens characteristics. The standard formula is: Throw Distance = Throw Ratio × Image Width. In an

existing installation, the screen is already in place, making its size (specifically its width) the

primary, known variable required to begin the calculation. Therefore, evaluating the screen size is

the foundational first step before any other factors can be considered or calculated.

CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill.

In Chapter 5, "Creating AV Solutions," the section on "Calculating Throw Distance" explicitly

states, "Throw distance is the distance from the projector’s lens to the screen. It is calculated by

multiplying the throw ratio by the screen width." This establishes screen width (derived from

screen size) as the primary variable.

2. ANSI/INFOCOMM 3M-2011. Projected Image System Contrast Ratio. This standard,

foundational to AVIXA principles, bases all system performance calculations on the

characteristics of the projected image, whose size is determined by the screen. The geometric

relationship between projector and screen size is the basis for all placement calculations.

3. He, G., & Feng, W. (2005). Projection Displays. In Wiley-SID Series in Display Technology.

John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 4, "Projection Optics," details the optical formulas governing

projection systems, where image size (determined by the screen) is a fundamental variable for

calculating the required projection distance (throw distance). (Available via IEEE Xplore/Wiley

Online Library for academic access).

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is the organization, office, or individual responsible for

enforcing the requirements of codes and standards. When interpretations of various applicable

codes (local, national, etc.) are in conflict, the AHJ has the final say. This entity, which could be a

local fire marshal, electrical inspector, or building official, is empowered to interpret, apply, and

enforce the regulations within its specific geographical area. Therefore, the AHJ's determination

holds the highest precedence over the literal text of any single code or internal company policy.

CertEmpire.com

1. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), 2023

Edition. Article 100, Definitions, "Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)". The NEC defines the AHJ

as the ultimate enforcer and approver of an installation.

URL: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-stand

ards/detail?code=70 (Access to specific definitions may require subscription or purchase, but the

definition is standard across NFPA literature).

2. AVIXA. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Chapter 3, "Conducting a Site Survey," section on "Codes, Regulations, and Standards." This

chapter emphasizes that the AHJ is the final arbiter for all code-related matters on a project.

3. AVIXA International. (2017). ANSI/INFOCOMM 2M-2010, Standard Guide for Audiovisual

Systems Design and Coordination Processes. Section 4.3.1, "Regulatory Compliance." This

standard outlines that compliance is determined by the AHJ, who interprets and enforces all

relevant building and safety codes.

The technician's primary responsibility is to execute the work as detailed in the approved Scope of Work (SOW). Any client request that deviates from the SOW is a potential change order. The technician does not have the authority to approve changes, as they can have significant impacts on project cost, schedule, and required materials. The correct professional procedure is for the technician to escalate the request to the project manager. The project manager is the designated authority to evaluate the impact of the change, communicate with the client, and initiate a formal change order process if necessary. CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA International. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition.

McGraw-Hill.

Chapter 6, "Conducting Project Management Activities," emphasizes that the project manager is

responsible for managing the project scope and implementing a change control system. A

technician's role in this process is to identify and report requested changes to the project

manager, not to implement them unilaterally. (Specific reference: Section on "Managing Change

to the Project Scope").

2. AVIXA International. (2010). ANSI/INFOCOMM 2M-2010, Standard Guide for Audiovisual

Systems Design and Coordination Process.

This standard outlines the formal processes for AV projects. It defines that changes to the

agreed-upon design and construction documents (derived from the SOW) must be handled

through a formal change request or change order process, which is managed by the project

manager or lead designer, not the on-site technician. (Specific reference: Section 5, "Construction

(Implementation) Phase").

Preventive maintenance is a proactive strategy defined by its scheduled nature, performed to

reduce the likelihood of equipment failure. It is conducted at predetermined intervals or based on

usage metrics, irrespective of whether a failure has occurred. The primary goal is to identify and

address potential issues before they escalate into system failures, thereby enhancing reliability

and extending equipment lifespan. This approach is fundamentally different from corrective or

reactive maintenance, which is performed in response to an existing fault.

CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA Inc. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition.

McGraw-Hill Education.

Chapter 12, "Conducting Maintenance Activities," states: "Preventive maintenance is

maintenance that is regularly performed on a piece of equipment to lessen the likelihood of it

failing. It is performed while the equipment is still working so that it does not break down

unexpectedly." This directly supports the concept of scheduled maintenance independent of

failures.

2. IEEE. (2016). IEEE Standard for a Common Terminology for Maintenance and Reliability of

Power Transformers. IEEE Std C57.152-2013.

Section 3.1.10 defines Preventive Maintenance as: "A form of time-based maintenance where

work is initiated on a fixed, predetermined, periodic basis." This definition explicitly links

preventive maintenance to a schedule, not to the occurrence of a failure.

3. Mobley, R. K. (2002). An Introduction to Predictive Maintenance. Butterworth-Heinemann

(Elsevier).

Chapter 1, "The Case for Predictive Maintenance," distinguishes between reactive (run-to-failure),

preventive (time-based), and predictive maintenance. It defines preventive maintenance as

actions performed on a time- or machine-run-based schedule intended to detect, preclude, or

mitigate degradation of a component or system. This confirms that it is a scheduled activity.

The total amount of visible light emitted from a source, such as a projector's lens, is measured in

lumens. This measurement of luminous flux quantifies the total light output. The American

National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a standardized method for measuring projector

brightness, resulting in the "ANSI lumen" specification, which provides a consistent and

comparable metric for projector output. This is the industry-standard unit for specifying a

projector's brightness.

CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA International. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition.

McGraw-Hill. Chapter 5, "Creating AV Solutions," p. 189. The guide states, "The amount of light

that a projector produces is measured in lumens."

2. Poynton, C. (2012). Digital Video and HD: Algorithms and Interfaces, 2nd Edition. Morgan

Kaufmann (Elsevier). Chapter 23, "Display Technology," p. 309. This text defines luminous flux

(measured in lumens) as the total light power emitted by a source.

3. Schubert, E. F. (2006). Light-Emitting Diodes, 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press.

Chapter 2, "Radiometry and Photometry," p. 26. This academic text defines the lumen as the SI

unit of luminous flux, representing the total perceived power of light.

A Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter is a device specifically designed to measure the magnitude

of sound pressure at a given point. During a site survey for an AV installation, its primary and

most direct application is to quantify the ambient noise level, also known as the noise floor. This

measurement is a critical piece of data, as it establishes the baseline against which the new audio

system's performance will be designed. It directly informs the required sound reinforcement levels

to achieve a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for clear speech intelligibility or program

audio.

CertEmpire.com

1. AVIXA. (2020). CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Page 68, Chapter 3: "You should measure the ambient noise in the room using a sound pressure

level (SPL) meter... This information will help you determine the audio requirements for the

space."

2. Everest, F. A., & Pohlmann, K. C. (2015). Master Handbook of Acoustics, Sixth Edition.

McGraw-Hill. Page 43, Chapter 3: "The sound-level meter is the workhorse of acoustical

measurements... It is essentially a device for measuring sound pressure."

3. Ballou, G. (Ed.). (2015). Handbook for Sound Engineers, Fifth Edition. Focal Press (an imprint

of Taylor & Francis, an academic publisher). Page 1315, Chapter 36: "The first step in any sound

system design is to measure the ambient noise level of the space."