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Author: Mark Vender
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WELL update with Jack Noonan
The Indoor Air Quality Association Australia (IAQA) has announed the second in a series of free monthly “Lunch and Learn” webinars. On Tuesday, August 4 at 12 midday AEST (11.30am ACST, 10am AWST) Jack Noonan, Vice President Australia and New Zealand, International WELL Building Institute, will be presenting some key updates on the WELL building […]
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Hats off to HVAC&R
Next time someone asks for an example of HVAC&R in our lives, you can now point to an Australian icon – the Akubra hat. Akubra recently installed a JetSpray humidification system from Condair to humidify its forming area. This contributes to the finish on the rabbit fur felt during the manufacturing process, and helps ensure […]
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EnergyTech Hub to accelerate energy transition
Energy businesses will be given a helping hand to enter the Australian clean energy market following the launch of the EnergyTech Hub, a new scale program powered by the international startup business accelerator Startupbootcamp. The EnergyTech Hub is designed to accelerate Australia’s energy transition. Its intention is to ensure some of the best new global […]
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Kirby Apprentice Fund celebrates first birthday
On World Refrigeration Day in June, the Kirby Apprentice Fund celebrated its first anniversary. The fund accumulated $6,065 in donations with 83 HVAC&R apprentices registered across 63 companies. The fundraising efforts made by Kirby staff, customers and suppliers CPS, Supercool Group, Testo, Fieldpiece, HLP Controls, Danfoss, Emerson, Tesuco, Sauermann, VetoProPak and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have […]
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ASHRAE releases reopening guide for schools
The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease) as US schools prepare to reopen for a new academic year. ASHRAE’s position is that “transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure […]
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A big data lens on COVID-19
As building owners and facilities managers grapple with the task of keeping occupants safe in a post-COVID-19 world, one discipline that may provide answers is big data and analytics. Amber Keogh is Manager of Transformational Projects at Hendry, a leading built-form advisory firm, and also the keynote speaker at AIRAH’s Big Data and Analytics Forum, […]
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HVAC&R is the key to averting climate crisis
A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) has flagged the huge potential of the HVAC&R sector to reduce global emissions. The Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report notes that over the next four decades, international action on energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling could avoid as much as 460 […]
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Apprentices and trainees receive $2.5bn boost
The federal government has announced a new $2.5bn package to support training and job creation, and to help the economy recover from the impact of COVID-19. The bulk of the funding will go towards extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) wage subsidy. This program pays 50 per cent of an apprentice’s wages, […]
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Comments open on national registration framework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a draft National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners for public comment. This follows up on the Building Confidence report, which signalled the need for the registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. Accordingly, the ABCB has released a discussion paper that puts forward […]
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Grosvenor launches natural refrigerant service
Technical services company Grosvenor Engineering Group has introduced a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVAC&R systems. Through the service, the company hopes to help the Australian commercial office market reduce its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative. “The opportunity for the use of natural refrigerants is broad within the commercial market,” says Grosvenor […]
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Concerns over non-compliant pipework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has raised concerns about refrigeration contractors not complying with piping changes in NCC 2019. In NCC 2016, the code required (from Spec J5.2c, 2.(a)): (ii) For heated or chilled water piping, having a material R-Value not less than that specified in Table 2a; and (iii) For refrigerant, steam or […]
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New rules for AC with flammable refrigerant
As of July 1, 2020, new rules govern the sale of air conditioners with flammable refrigerants in New South Wales. The rules apply to air conditioners with Class 2 and Class 3 refrigerants, for example hydrocarbons, but not Class 2L refrigerants, such as R32. Air conditioners with these refrigerants are now considered “declared articles” and […]
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Opinion: Mario Balen on national licensing
HyChill General Manager Mario Balen, Affil.AIRAH, shares his views on national HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The HVAC&R trade is widely regarded to be under-recognised, poorly regulated and, on average, inadequately trained. Attempts have been made for many years to address some, if not all, of those shortcomings, with little success so far. The end result […]
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Woolworths launches 2020 apprenticeship program
Woolworths has announced new refrigeration apprenticeships in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The selected apprentice refrigeration technicians will join Woolworths’ Format Development team in a four-year apprenticeship program. Benefits include: Exposure to the latest refrigeration technologies, ongoing support and training Joining one of Australia’s largest refrigeration employers, with a focus on safety and customers […]
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Efficiency key to recovery
An online summit called Energy Efficiency and Australia’s Economic Recovery has been scheduled on July 1 to discuss how energy efficiency and energy management can help support Australia’s economic recovery post-COVID-19. The forum is being delivered by the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), the […]
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New trends in solar thermal
The International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) has published the latest data on how this technology is being taken up around the world. The report, Solar Heat Worldwide 2020, notes that the solar thermal market is experiencing challenging times. This is especially evident in China and Europe, where the traditional mass markets […]
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i-Hub Digital Summit
AIRAH and the Innovation Hub for Affordable Heating and Cooling (i-Hub) are hosting a free online knowledge-sharing summit in June and July. The series of three webinars will bring together leading universities, researchers, consultants, building owners and equipment manufacturers in a connected research and development community. They will discuss the i-Hub projects, their progress, and key findings […]
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Licence deadline looming for RAC contractors
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is encouraging air conditioning and refrigeration contractors to apply for a free Mechanical Services licence by June 30. Existing air conditioning and refrigeration contractors have until June 30 to submit an application for a free Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence using the alternative qualification pathway provided by transitional […]
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A step towards professional registration in NSW
The NSW government has passed the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019, marking a major step towards compulsory registration for engineers. “The bill delivers on the New South Wales government’s promise to introduce a suite of new obligations on design and building practitioners to ensure that each step of construction is well documented and compliant,” said […]
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Free webinars on re-opening buildings
AIRAH as part of its relationship with the ASHRAE Associate Society Alliance will offer three free webinars focused on mitigating potential health risks during re-opening of buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As buildings begin to reopen after the COVID-19 closures, it is important to make sure that building readiness plans are in place for […]