Installing a display on a wall

SMART Board interactive displays are typically installed on a wall in a classroom or meeting space.

A display is typically installed at the room’s focal point, such as at the front of a classroom or meeting space.

Selecting an appropriate location is crucial for ensuring the best possible experience with the display. Consider the following factors as you choose a location:

Factor

Considerations

Room setup

  • The location allows users, including those in wheelchairs, access to the display.

    Refer to local regulations regarding accessibility.

  • The location allows for multiple users to access the display at the same time.

  • The location accommodates room traffic patterns, and there are no tripping hazards.

  • The display is not installed where it could be hit by a door or gate.

  • There are no nearby heating or cooling sources directed at the display, such as a radiator, heat vent, or air conditioner.

  • There are no nearby shelving units, desks, or other furniture that has doors or drawers that could hit the display.

  • Furniture, wall decor, and other room features, such as light switches and thermostats, do not block the display and are not blocked by it. (You might be able to move some of these room features to accommodate the display.)

Power and other connections

  • The location is close to:

    • A power outlet

    • A network outlet (if you plan to use a wired network connection)

    • A room computer (if you plan to connect a room computer)

    • External audio systems and other devices that you want to connect to the display

    Notes 

    • If the location is not near a power outlet, consult an electrician for the power setup you need.

    • Determine if you’ll need additional equipment, such as power bars, additional cables, or cable extenders.

  • The location is not where the mains power supply enters the building.

Visibility

Lighting

  • The location is not near sources of bright light or invisible infrared (IR) light, such as windows or strong overhead lighting.

    Risks of light interference include:

    • Reduced visibility: Light sources can cause glare on the display’s screen, reducing its visibility.

    • Touch system interference: Many displays use IR light as a key component of the touch system. Strong IR light that hits the display’s screen can cause interference with the touch system and prevent the display from working properly.

    Tip 

    To reduce light interference, install blinds or shades on windows or skylights and install switches to dim or turn off any lights that shine directly on the display’s screen. Keep in mind that sunlight can come through windows at different angles at different times of the year.

Acoustics

Environment and ventilation

  • The location meets the environmental requirements in the display’s specifications.

  • The display isn’t subjected to strong vibrations or dust.

  • Ventilation systems don’t blow air directly on the display.

  • There is adequate ventilation or air conditioning around the display so that heat can flow away from it and the mounting equipment. SMART recommends at least 2" (5 cm) of space on all sides of the display for proper airflow.

  • If you plan to install the display in a recessed area, there must be at least 4" (10 cm) between the display and the recessed walls to enable ventilation and cooling.

Consider the general height of the user community when you choose the height for the display.

Child, man in a wheelchair, and woman standing using a display

SMART recommends that you mount the display so that its top is 6' 5" (1.9 m) from the floor.

Notes 

  • If participants will be sitting at a steep angle (such as in a lecture hall), you may have to adjust the installation height or angle.

  • When choosing a height for the display, consult the relevant regulatory guidelines when appropriate (e.g. The Americans with Disabilities Act).

Be sure the wall you’re installing the display on can support the weight of the display and mounting equipment. If it can’t, consider using a SMART wall stand to transfer some of the weight from the wall to the floor.

Seesmarttech.com/accessories

Note 

Refer to the display’s specifications for its weight.

In some situations, you may need to complete a third-party engineering analysis to determine if the wall can support the display.

Although a wall might appear to be completely flat, it might have a degree of variation, depending on how it is constructed. Installing the display on a wall with a large variance can lead to issues with the display’s touch system, and in extreme cases can damage the display. The area of the wall where you will mount the display should be no more than 3/16" (5 mm) off plumb horizontally and vertically.

To evaluate the wall’s flatness

  1. Place an object that has a long flat edge of at least 3' (1 m), such as a meter stick or level, across the wall where the display will be mounted.

  2. Look along the object to find places where there is a gap between the object’s edge and the wall’s surface.

  3. Measure any gaps to see if they exceed 3/16" (5 mm). If a gap is wider than 3/16" (5 mm), this indicates the wall is not flat enough for mounting a display.

  4. Repeat steps 1–3, this time placing the object’s flat edge diagonally across the wall in the other direction (if you previously placed the object diagonally from the top‑left to the bottom‑right, place the object from the top‑right to the bottom‑left).

    Tip 

    Gaps located at the center of the object indicate a concave wall, while gaps located on both ends of the object indicate a convex wall (consequently, the object may make a “rocking” motion). Walls with a significant degree of concavity or convexity may require the use of shims with the mounting hardware.

The type of wall affects how you can mount the display.

SeeEngineering analysis

The completion of a third-party engineering (structural) analysis may be necessary for determining if a wall can support the display. Get an engineering analysis if:

Engineering (structural) analysis for various wall types

  • You can not find the wall’s studs using appropriate tools, such as a stud finder

  • You are unsure of the wall’s construction and the person in charge of the building can not answer your questions

  • The wall is not connected at both the floor and ceiling

  • The wall is a modular panel system

  • The wall is also bearing the weight of additional hardware or furniture (such as cabinets or bookshelves)

  • There are special zoning requirements (for example, earthquakes)

  • The wall exceeds typical construction practices (for example, taller than 8' or 2.4 m)

The mounting hardware required for installation varies according to the type of wall onto which the display is being mounted.

If you’re using the SMART wall mount (WM-SBID-200), see the wall mount’s illustrated installation instructions for information about the required mounting hardware (docs.smarttech.com/kb/171373).

This table describes different types of hardware and the types of wall on which it’s appropriate for use.

Wall type

Mounting hardware

Details

Drywall over wood studs

Wood and lag screws

Threads on these screws are widely spaced. These screws have wider threads.

Drywall over steel studs

Toggle bolts and butterfly anchors

These bolts/anchors have “wings” that open inside a hollow wall, bracing against the wall to secure the fastener.

Important 

SMART does not recommend using metal screws.

Solid concrete, concrete masonry unit or brick

Concrete screws and anchors

These screws typically have alternating high and low threads and can be designed for use with a sleeved insert.

Note 

Drywall is also referred to as plasterboard, wallboard, sheet rock, gypsum board, and gyprock.

Additional hardware may be required for the installation of the display. This hardware can include:

  • Fasteners

  • Washers

  • Wall anchors

If possible, use the hardware that comes with the wall mount. Consult the installation instructions or the manufacturer of third-party mounting hardware for guidance on the type of hardware to use with the wall type.

Note 

Some displays do not include mounting hardware. Consult the display’s installation instructions for a complete list of included hardware.

Tools commonly used in the installation of a display include:

  • Drill and drill bits

  • Level

  • Stud finder

  • Screw drivers

  • Tape measure

  • Pencil

Although displays typically don’t include the tools used for installation, the installation instructions list the tools you’ll need.

It is always best to mount the display on a wall. If the wall can’t support the display’s weight, you can use additional hardware to transfer some of the weight to the floor.

Some SMART displays come with a WM-SBID-200 wall mount, which ships separately or with the display. SMART recommends using this wall mount if supplied with a display.

If a display doesn't come with a wall mount (see the display's illustrated installation instructions), contact your authorized SMART reseller (smarttech.com/where) for information about SMART’s mounting options (including height adjustable wall mounts).

If you choose a third-party option rather than one of SMART’s mounting options, be sure the wall mount can accommodate the display’s dimensions and support the display’s weight as well as the weight of any attached accessories.

Important 

It is crucial to correctly assess the load (weight) requirements of a system. SMART is not responsible for incorrect load assessments.

Although mounts for consumer-grade, non-interactive displays are often rated based on the display’s size, the mounts might not be sufficient for interactive displays of equal dimensions. Interactive displays include additional internal components and may also have accessories (for example, audio systems and cameras) that add to the total size and weight.

Look for wall mounts that meet the following requirements:

Requirement

Details

Support the wall type

Determine the types of fasteners and mounting materials that are needed based on the wall’s structure and the total weight (the display and its accessories and additional components).

SMART makes the following recommendations to help you properly assess the wall:

  • Have a qualified technician assess the installation wall.

  • Talk to the building facilities group about the wall’s construction.

  • If you’re still not sure of the wall’s suitability, consult a construction contractor or the wall’s manufacturer.

If you still can’t get suitable answers, have an engineering analysis performed for the wall.

Approved by a regulatory body

Use only mounts that have an Underwriter Laboratories (UL) or similar approval marking. This approval indicates that an independent body has tested the mount for proper adherence to safety considerations. If the mount is not approved by a regulatory body, it may fail to support the display.

Allow for adequate ventilation

Consider air flow and ventilation when choosing mounting hardware. The display should have at least 2" (5 cm) of clearance on all sides or 4" (10 cm) if the display is installed in a recessed area.

The electrical and mechanical components of a display are designed to work properly when the display is mounted in the orientation described in its installation instructions. Mounting the display in a different orientation can cause malfunctions and will void the display’s warranty.

Displays are designed for vertical mounting only: 90° relative to the floor, plus or minus 10° for tolerance, depending on the display (consult the display’s documentation). SMART doesn’t support mounting displays at other angles or in a horizontal orientation (like a tabletop).

There are a number of potential hazards of mounting a display in a non-standard orientation or angle:

  • Mounting a display horizontally (like a table) can cause the glass to sag, damaging the display or interfering with the display’s touch system.

  • Non-standard orientation can affect ventilation, creating hotpots in equipment, premature failures and, in displays that use projectors, exploding projector bulbs.

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