Avoid Costly Mistakes: Why it's Important to Consult a Sound Expert Before Your School COLA Installation
In recent years, schools across Australia have embraced COLA installations—Covered Outdoor Learning Areas—as an innovative solution to support flexible teaching and outdoor activities. These versatile structures provide protection from the elements and create a functional space for learning, assemblies, sports, and events. But while the focus is often on roofing materials, drainage, and aesthetics, there’s a crucial element often overlooked until it’s too late: outdoor sound.
When planning your School COLA, it’s essential to integrate audio requirements during the design and manufacturing phase of the structure. This isn’t simply about where speakers go—it’s about engineering the entire space to support effective, high-quality sound. Failing to factor in the needs of a professional sound system early can lead to costly retrofitting, subpar audio coverage, and structural limitations.
At Sandman Sound, we’ve worked with numerous schools to deliver tailored audio solutions for outdoor learning environments. Based on our extensive experience, here’s why it’s vital to involve a sound company before proceeding with a COLA installation—and the technical factors you’ll want to get right the first time.
1. Speaker Brackets Must Be Engineered into the School COLA Frame
Speaker mounting is not as simple as screwing a bracket into a beam. Outdoor sound equipment, particularly weatherproof speakers designed for large spaces, can be heavy and require precise angling for proper sound dispersion. These units need to be fixed to secure, load-bearing components that are engineered to handle both the weight of the speakers and the vibrational forces they produce over time.
If the COLA is designed without considering where and how speakers will be mounted, you may be forced to attach them to unsuitable surfaces—or worse, retrofit brackets onto finished steel structures, which can compromise both safety and acoustics. In some cases, the absence of proper anchor points results in poorly located speakers that leave “dead zones” where students can’t hear clearly.
By consulting a sound expert like Sandman Sound early in the design process, structural engineers can incorporate reinforced speaker mounting points directly into the steel framework. This not only ensures compliance with safety standards but also saves money and avoids construction delays later on.
2. Acoustic Planning Enhances Learning and Communication
Outdoor environments present unique acoustic challenges. Unlike indoor spaces with walls and ceilings that reflect and contain sound, outdoor areas suffer from dispersion, wind interference, and background noise. This can make it difficult for students to hear instructions clearly during lessons or events.
That’s why acoustic planning is critical during the design stage of your School COLA. Working with a sound specialist ensures you select the right speaker types, wattage, and positioning to deliver even, intelligible sound coverage across the entire learning area. For instance, horn-loaded speakers may be ideal for projecting sound over a long distance, while wide-dispersion units can be placed closer to students for better clarity.
A sound consultant will also evaluate how the structure’s roofing material, height, and open sides affect reverberation and echo. These factors directly influence the number of speakers required and their optimal placement. Getting it right from the start prevents the common issue of uneven sound, which can hinder engagement and learning outcomes.
3. Integrated Cabling Saves Time and Clutter
When the sound system is considered during the COLA planning phase, you can take advantage of concealed cable runs. This ensures a clean, professional look and prevents exposed wires, which can be a safety hazard or an invitation for tampering.
By pre-installing conduit pathways during construction, your sound installer can route audio, power, and control cables efficiently. This is particularly useful for schools looking to connect the outdoor system to an existing PA or bell system, or to enable Bluetooth and microphone connectivity for teachers.
Additionally, control panels or wall-mounted inputs can be built into columns or storage units—features that are much harder and more expensive to retrofit once the structure is completed.
The Bottom Line: Plan Sound Early, Save Later – School COLA success!
A School COLA is a long-term investment in flexible education and student wellbeing. But to fully realise its potential, outdoor sound must be treated as a core component, not an afterthought.
By engaging a company like Sandman Sound early in your COLA installation journey, you’ll benefit from:
- Expert advice on speaker placement and acoustic coverage
- Structural engineering collaboration to support sound equipment
- Seamless integration of wiring, controls, and connectivity
Don’t let sound be the weak link in your otherwise well-planned outdoor learning space. Partner with professionals who understand both the technical and practical needs of school environments. The right sound strategy today can save your school time, money, and frustration tomorrow.
Ready to talk about your COLA project? Contact Sandman Sound today for a free consultation and start building an outdoor learning space that looks and sounds amazing.
1300 726 362
