Venice’s Tidal Forecasting and Signaling Centre needed a powerful sound system to alert citizens in advance about an incoming high tide, meanwhile informing them about the water level forecast. The previous flood warning system was deteriorating, the siren from its electromechanical horns had an unpleasant “air attack” sound and diffused only an alert status. The hard mission was to cover all of Venice with a sound warning system.
Design consultant Umberto Nicolao and his team at C.V.R. (Consorzio Venezia Ricerche) had to install loudspeakers where nothing could block the signal. Since most of the city’s tallest buildings are churches, they became the ideal locations. “The design of the Venice warning system took us considerable time to find the best acoustical diffusion sites,” said Nicolao. “It's difficult to imagine the huge number of photos we took from the bell towers of all the Venice churches we visited!”
They selected 15 different bell towers atop churches in central Venice and 15 more locations on nearby islands. Getting loudspeakers to the top of these centuries-old churches presented another challenge, since they lack elevators. For products and technical support, Nicolao worked with Ennio Prase of Prase Engineering S.p.A. to make sure the sound system would achieve the best results possible.
This required compact, lightweight acoustical sound systems that were extremely efficient with powerful SPL. Unfortunately, most horns and sirens intended for a similar purpose mainly radiate in the horizontal plane according to Nicolao, which wouldn’t help with this application. The team turned to Community Professional Loudspeakers, which custom designed the R.5-V2200 loudspeaker to provide the power, frequency response and dispersion required. Verona-based S.T.A.S. installed 104 R.5-V2200 models. They also used 18 of Community’s RSH-462 Exponential FocusedArray™ horn systems in the island locations. For amplification, the team chose Duran Audio’s AXYS IndustryAmp PB400. This four-channel power amplifier is used in distributed audio installations. The amplifiers take their signal from a prodyTel S-Cluster output box, which streams audio content. It connects by wireless internet to the tidal center’s control room, which generates the appropriate alert signal when necessary.
The new warning system limits disruption in this bustling city when the water level is expected to rise 2.9 ft /90cm or more above the mean sea level. The four different levels get communicated by easily recognizable acoustical signals specifically synthesized starting from simple flute sounds.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
