SIL & SDA Assistive Technology Design Melbourne

Assistive technology design brief and system architecture

We start with the participant requirements, the property design and the support arrangements. The AT brief records the intended functions and interfaces, while the system architecture describes how the controller, devices, network and support interfaces connect. Relevant occupational therapy or AT recommendations inform the requirements. Our technical scope supports coordination with the architectural, electrical and mechanical teams.

Layout drawings and participant control points

Documentation is prepared for the dwellings and rooms included in the project scope. Multi-unit projects can include a separate AT layout for each nominated unit, participant-bedroom control-point layouts and OOA/support-staff interface requirements.

• Automated-door and motorised-blind control requirements.
• Lighting automation and HVAC integration requirements.
• Video intercom and emergency communication system design.
• Network and Wi-Fi infrastructure layouts and AT network topology.

Equipment, integration and operating schedules

Clear schedules make it possible to compare the installed result with the design. They identify the nominated devices, their functions and the behaviour expected when systems interact.

• Equipment/device schedule and product/performance specification.
• Control and integration matrix, including participant permissions and zones.
• System sequence-of-operation schedule.
• Emergency-power interface schedule for nominated critical equipment.
• Tender-equivalency requirements for proposed substitutions.

Protect the design when tenderers propose equivalents

An alternative product should not be accepted simply because it performs one individual function. Proposed substitutions must demonstrate equivalent or better performance across the relevant requirements, supported by a clause-by-clause compliance schedule.

• SDA functionality, accessibility, local control and offline operation.
• Interoperability, open integration/API capability and emergency operation.
• Cybersecurity, network security and user management.
• Australian technical support, warranty and product lifecycle/support period.
• Spare-part availability, scalability and backup-power compatibility.

Coordinate the applicable design requirements

Design documentation references the requirements and editions applicable to the project. For an SDA project, confirm the nominated design category with the project team and SDA assessor. High Physical Support and applicable Fully Accessible requirements are considered as relevant; a technology package alone does not certify a dwelling.

• NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard and the applicable National Construction Code requirements.
• AS 1428.1 for access and mobility, AS/NZS 3000 for electrical installations, and AS/CA S009 for customer cabling.
• Applicable automatic pedestrian door and emergency-call/personal-response system standards.
• Applicable communications and structured cabling standards, together with manufacturer installation and safety requirements.

Emergency-power coordination and responsibility

We document interfaces for nominated participant-bedroom outlets, automated entry/egress doors, network equipment, the AT controller or gateway, emergency communication and other critical equipment. Final electrical load calculations and emergency-power system engineering remain with the electrical consultant. The interface schedule gives that consultant the requirements to coordinate with the overall electrical design.

Consultant coordination, installation and handover

The proposed documentation scope includes one consultant coordination/revision cycle and one round of technical tender queries, subject to the written project agreement. Confirm additional revisions and site services separately. For installation and setup, agree commissioning checks, participant and staff demonstrations, account handover and support arrangements before work begins.