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Author: Mark Vender
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Beijer Ref and Bitzer sign Australian agreement
Wholesaler Beijer Ref Australia and the refrigeration and air conditioning technology specialist Bitzer Australia have inked a partnership agreement that will see Beijer Ref offer the complete range of Bitzer products and services in Australia. The companies have signed a rolling one-year agreement that allows Beijer Ref Australia to offer the whole range of Bitzer […]
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Licensing survey results now online
Earlier this year, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) ran an online survey to collect input on its position statement for HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The position statement, developed by AIRAH’s Refrigeration Special Technical Group, will define the Institute’s stance on HVAC&R licensing in Australia, and will serve as an advocacy tool for […]
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Tender for maintenance and leak prevention program
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is developing an education program to encourage refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owners and facilities managers to improve their level of preventive maintenance. The program aims to reduce refrigerant and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time reduce consumer costs by having their equipment operate […]
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Legionnaires’ warning for Perth
The Western Australia government is reminding building managers to maintain cooling towers and flush other water systems that may not have had regular use recently – including showers, emergency eye baths, spas, fountains and ice machines – to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. The warnings follow five cases of Legionnaires’ disease notified to the Department of Health […]
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New regs for air-handling and water systems in WA
The Western Australian Department of Health (DOH) has prepared a second discussion paper to explore new regulations around air-handling and water systems. In May 2019 the DOH released a discussion paper for public consultation to investigate the most effective option for managing the potential public health risks associated with air-handling and water distribution systems to […]
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Apprentices hammered by COVID-19 crisis
Industry is calling for urgent government measures as Australian apprentice numbers plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Australian Apprenticeship Association (NAAA), about 5.5 per cent of apprentices and trainees have been suspended or cancelled since March 1. National employer association the Ai Group says that apprentice commencements are down 60 per […]
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AIRAH and IRHACE seal MoU
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand Inc., (IRHACE) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding. Although the two member bodies have co-operated on initiatives and knowledge sharing for many years now, the arrangement has always been an informal one. […]
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Government seeks input for technology roadmap
The Australian government is seeking stakeholder input on its national Technology Investment Roadmap for more affordable energy and lower emissions. “The roadmap will help prioritise Australian investments in new and developing low-emissions technologies and allow us to work towards clear priorities over the short, medium and long term,” says the government. “It will provide a […]
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AMCA appoints Shackleton, farewells Mackrill
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) has appointed Adrian Shackleton as Executive Director of both AMCA Queensland and AMCA New South Wales. Adrian joins the AMCA after five years with Services Trades College Australia, where he was General Manager and Company Secretary. Starting his career as a plumber, Adrian has worked in the […]
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New study raises concerns over HFOs
Research co-led by York University and Environment and Climate Change Canada has unearthed new evidence about the impacts of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) on the environment. HFOs have been positioned by some as the future of synthetic refrigerants. They have zero ozone-depleting potential and break down very quickly in the atmosphere, resulting in very low global warming […]
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Chill Challenge announces grants
Engineers Without Borders USA has announced grant awards for seven proposals in its Chill Challenge, an initiative launched in September 2019 to develop affordable refrigeration technologies for off-grid households in the developing world. “The development of off-grid refrigeration has enormous potential for improving the lives of millions of the poorest and most vulnerable people on […]
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Legionella on the rise in Sydney
As governments begin easing COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Ministry of Health (NSW Health) has issued a reminder that building owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to ensure air conditioning cooling towers are properly maintained, to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. “There has been an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease across the Sydney […]
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Heads-up on heating from Standards Australia
As winter approaches and people start heating homes and other buildings, Standards Australia has sent out a message to raise awareness about safety and energy efficiency. Standards Australia notes that standards set out requirements for the safe design, use and energy consumption of heaters and similar electrical appliances heavily used in winter. It also points […]
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RRA launches augmented reality app
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has released a series of new digital training resources that provide an innovative and hands-on way for apprentices to understand the refrigerant recovery processes for various types of equipment. “The processes for recovering refrigerant, pressure testing, evacuating and re-charging systems are critical for both upholding industry best practice and reducing the […]
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ASHRAE announces virtual conference
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, ASHRAE has scheduled a four-day live virtual event. The 2020 ASHRAE Virtual Conference is structured to allow participants from all over the world to take advantage of the Society’s strong technical content. The virtual conference will include more than 90 technical sessions, updates from Society leaders, and virtual networking […]
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Rebound offers “once in a generation” opportunity
A new white paper is encouraging leaders from government and industry to use the COVID-19 recovery to transform our traditional construction processes. “The global construction industry cannot continue operating the way it does,” write co-authors Sumit Oberoi and Alain Waha in the paper, titled Industrialised Construction: The Rebound from COVID-19. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, […]
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Restarting hibernating HVAC systems
The Property Council of Australia, Facility Management Association (FMA) and the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) have called on building owners and facilities managers to commence careful planning for the safe reopening of commercial buildings and workplaces across Australia. The advice comes as the national cabinet and state governments announce easing […]
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Experts call for indoor humidity guidelines
Leading members of the international scientific and medical community have called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish global guidance on the minimum lower limit of air humidity in public buildings. Those behind the move have created a petition, which they say is aimed at increasing global public awareness about the crucial role indoor […]
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Opinion: Can HVAC systems spread COVID-19?
By Craig Roussac, M.AIRAH. All buildings are created for people, and building owners must ensure they are safe. But unfortunately, as with most things in life, there is no guidebook setting out the “ideal” way to achieve that outcome. This is especially true in a pandemic. Over recent days, research has been published in the journal Nature that […]
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Queensland to review licence regulations
The Queensland government has confirmed it will work to address a loophole in its new licensing framework for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. At the beginning of 2020, a new HVAC&R licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes air […]