Pre-Construction AV Deliverables Architects Actually Need

Protect finishes and timelines with concrete AV deliverables

A single unclear AV note on plans can trigger visible wiring, costly change orders, or ruined millwork. Early AV collaboration prevents those headaches.

Guidance from CEDIA's RP‑22 guidance and industry best practices recommend specifying deliverables at three milestones: SD, DD, and CD.

At Schematic Design (SD), request AV zone diagrams, preliminary equipment lists, and basic system flow diagrams so spatial and concealment choices are informed early.

During Design Development (DD), expect detailed layouts showing speaker and display locations, wiring pathways, rack siting, and acoustic recommendations to coordinate with MEP and interiors.

At Construction Documentation (CD), require build‑ready CAD, equipment schedules with power and heat specs, mounting and millwork details, and fully coordinated drawings to avoid on-site redesigns.

Start AV coordination early to preserve mechanical, structural, and interior design intent while future‑proofing systems for luxury performance.

Phase-by-phase AV deliverables architects should specify

Want to avoid visible wiring, late change orders, and ruined millwork? Start by naming exact AV deliverables at each design milestone.

Below is a concise, phase‑by‑phase checklist you can drop into consultant scopes and drawing notes. It tells AV partners what to deliver and when.

Schematic Design (SD): set intent and spatial requirements

At SD you want conceptual information that guides architecture and concealment choices.

• Provide AV zone diagrams showing which rooms have audio, video, security, and automation functions.
• Supply a preliminary equipment list with speaker types, display size ranges, and control interface ideas.
• Include basic system flow diagrams illustrating signal paths and control relationships.
• Add high‑level concealment notes that flag cabinetry, soffits, or chase requirements for hidden tech.

Design Development (DD): lock locations and coordination

DD is where conceptual intent becomes dimensioned and coordinated with MEP and interiors.

• Deliver detailed AV layouts on architectural plans that show speaker types and exact locations.
• Specify display sizes, mounting methods, and projector/screen positions with sightline analysis.
• Provide preliminary equipment rack placement with ventilation and service access notes.
• Show low‑voltage pathways, terminations, and structured cabling routes for coordination with trades.
• Include acoustic treatment recommendations for critical listening and screening spaces.

Construction Documentation (CD): hand off build‑ready details

CD deliverables must be installation ready so contractors can build without guesswork.

• Provide build‑ready CAD drawings for all AV systems with layer organization matching architectural sets.
• Include full equipment schedules with model numbers, power requirements, heat loads, and dimensions.
• Supply connection and control diagrams plus mounting and custom millwork specifications.
• Deliver fully coordinated MEP/AV drawings to prevent conflicts and costly field revisions.

CEDIA guidance supports specifying detailed DD layouts for immersive audio and performance. For CD-level coordination, use build‑ready checklists like standard project deliverable lists to lock details before bidding.

If you want a ready checklist to paste into scopes, see our prewire and collaboration checklists for architects and builders at Future‑Ready Prewire Checklist and our AV design collaboration guide.

Build-ready CAD layers and low-voltage specs that stop field rework

Tired of late change orders, visible cabling, or missing millwork pockets? Clear CAD deliverables and low-voltage notes prevent those costly surprises.

Below are the exact drawings, layer rules, and wiring specs to call out in DD and CD so MEP, interiors, and AV installers coordinate without guesswork.

Key CAD drawings to include on every set

• Provide floor plans showing speaker locations, TV drops, control panels, and equipment enclosures.
• Include reflected ceiling plans for ceiling speakers, projectors, microphones, and camera mounts.
• Add elevations for display mounting heights, sightlines, and in-wall or recessed equipment.
• Supply architectural detail drawings for custom millwork, speaker grilles, and equipment fit.
• Deliver AV rack layouts and rack elevations with RU spacing, ventilation, and cable entry points.
• Show cable and conduit plans that diagram routing, conduit sizes, and termination locations.
• Include power and connectivity plans with dedicated circuits, outlet locations, and heat loads.
• Attach signal flow diagrams and equipment schedules that list models, power, and mounting details.

Layer naming and file standards that save coordination time

Use a standardized layer convention aligned with the National CAD Standard so trades can toggle only their scope. Adopt discipline-major-minor names like E-AV-SPKR for speakers and keep properties BYLAYER for clean plots.

Low-voltage cabling, conduit, and pull‑box rules to specify

Specify Cat6 as the minimum for room drops and Cat6a for 10 Gb backbones and high-density Wi‑Fi access points. Reserve fiber for long runs or inter-building backbones to avoid future bandwidth limits. WSU Spokane IT guidance backs this approach.

• Run conduit to every room and provide at least two conduits to main living spaces and media walls.
• Oversize conduits slightly and avoid trade sizes smaller than 3/4 inch to simplify future pulls.
• Avoid tight bends; use long‑radius turns or two 45 degree bends instead of one 90 degree bend.
• Place pull boxes at long runs, major direction changes, and where bends exceed code limits so pulls stay feasible.
• Keep speaker, low-voltage, and control wiring separated from high-voltage runs to reduce interference.

Power and PoE callouts every architect should require

Call out PoE requirements in equipment schedules and specify PoE+ or PoE++ capable switches for future devices. List cable gauge preferences, noting Cat6/6A 23 AWG for high-power or long PoE runs, and include power and heat specs in rack schedules.

Spell these items out in your CD notes and CAD layer keys so subcontractors price and build correctly the first time. For a ready checklist to paste into scopes, see our prewire guidance for architects and builders at Prewire Checklist for Architects

Acoustics, equipment room planning, and sequencing that stop rework

Want to avoid visible grilles, noisy rack hum, or a last‑minute millwork ripout? Plan concealed audio, acoustic targets, equipment rooms, and sequencing up front so installation is invisible and reliable.

For concealed audio, specify in‑wall or in‑ceiling speakers with paintable grilles or true invisible speakers. Plan structural blocking, ventilation, and service access for in‑wall subwoofers or built‑ins so vibration is controlled and servicing is possible.

For dedicated home theaters, aim for low reverberation with RT60 targets around 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. Call out bass traps, first‑reflection absorbers, and rear‑wall diffusion plus a room‑mode analysis to manage low frequencies and seating placement.

Equipment room size, cooling, and power expectations

Size rack rooms for current gear plus about 20 percent spare capacity and use standard 19‑inch racks. Allow front and rear clearances and place heavy equipment low in racks for safe serviceability.

Provide active thermal management with intake and exhaust fans or forced‑air designs and follow manufacturer temperature limits. Overheating shortens component life, so design airflow and monitor temperatures during commissioning.

Specify dedicated 20‑amp AV circuits separate from lighting and HVAC, plus quality surge protection and UPS with 20 to 30 percent overhead. Use line‑interactive UPS for mid‑range systems and online UPS for the most critical gear.

Construction sequencing to keep AV on schedule

1. Start with a full pre‑wire pass before walls and ceilings close, installing Cat6/Cat6A, speaker runs, and conduits to every screen and speaker location.
2. Coordinate slab pulls and in‑slab conduit placement so stub‑ups and transition points are accessible after pour.
3. Install backboxes, blocking, and mounting reinforcement during framing and rough‑in so finishes can be completed without touching AV infrastructure.
4. Reserve a defined late‑stage installation window for equipment fit, calibration, and commissioning once finishes, HVAC, and lighting are stable.

Show projector throw distances, lift clearances, and recessed screen pocket depths on reflected ceiling plans and sections so geometry, ventilation, and structure are coordinated before build. Do this and you’ll protect finishes, avoid costly change orders, and deliver the luxury experience designers expect.

Protect schedules, finishes, and design intent

Want fewer change orders and no visible wiring? Clear pre‑construction AV deliverables cut rework, preserve high‑end finishes, and keep the construction schedule predictable. They also future‑proof homes and commercial spaces for new technology.

The real advantage comes from involving AV specialists early in Schematic Design and Design Development. That lets you embed CAD‑ready infrastructure notes and coordination requirements directly into contract documents.

If you want AV design support, CAD drawings, or a paste‑in deliverable checklist for your specs, we can help. Call AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, INC at (818) 370-9278.

Attach clear AV deliverables to SD, DD, and CD milestones to protect design intent and client expectations.