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Author: Matt Dillon
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ARBS 2022 Awards finalists announced
Ahead of ARBS 2022 in Melbourne on August 16–18, the finalists have been revealed for the ARBS 2022 Industry Awards. A panel of industry experts evaluated and selected the finalists based on various criteria such as leadership, sustainability, performance, and origination. The award winners will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner on Wednesday […]
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Engineers Australia CEO earns prestigious plaudit
Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans AM has been honoured with the Women in Industry Excellence in Engineering Award at a recent gala dinner in Melbourne. The first woman to graduate from electrical engineering at Wollongong University, Dr Evans was acknowledged as an outstanding engineer and trailblazer in her field. Her career has included stints […]
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ABC celebrates ‘forgotten’ godfather of refrigeration
Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison has featured in an episode of ABC rural affairs program Landline. Ahead of the Scotland-born innovator’s birthday on April 17, the program charted Harrison’s exploits in creating an ice machine in his adopted Victorian home of Geelong in the mid-1800s. Landline also explored reasons for Harrison’s lack of renown given […]
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SA refrigeration mechanic fined for causing burn injuries
A refrigeration mechanic has been fined $33,000 by the South Australia Employment Tribunal (SAET) for unsafe work practices at a food outlet shop, that caused significant burns to himself and the shop owner. Angus Roberts pleaded guilty in the SAET for failing to comply with his duty under section 32 of the Work Health and […]
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Apprentices complete Kirby Scholarship Program
Recently, 10 fourth-year HVAC&R apprentices participated in the first round of the Kirby Apprentice Fund Naturals Training Scholarship Program. The apprentices were selected from across mainland Australia. Kirby Brand and Communications Manager Elizabeth Paparo, Affil.AIRAH, says the scholarship recipients were selected from a large pool of applicants. She says the 10 demonstrated a commitment to […]
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Infrastructure Sustainability Council calls for industry shake-up
Australia’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council has released two new agendas that it hopes will bring the building industry together around a shared vision to address climate change and combat inequality. The first agenda, Advance our nations, fair – world-class infrastructure for thriving nations, explores barriers to world-class infrastructure performance. The second, Place-based approaches to net zero, […]
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Using supercomputers to study COVID in classrooms
Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) are using supercomputers to study how aerosol viral particles are distributed in a ventilated classroom. The research is being used to determine optimal placement of HVAC outlets to minimise “dead zones” and maximise ventilation and therefore improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Using the Summit, the […]
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AIRAH granted membership of Standards Australia
The Board of Standards Australia has granted the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) membership of Standards Australia. The nation’s peak non-government standards-development organisation, Standards Australia operates as an independent, non-government, not-for-profit outfit. The work of Standards Australia and its contributors from industry, government and the consumer sector enhance the nation’s economic […]
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New research aims to end the refrigeration of vaccines
CSIRO researchers have developed a technique that addresses the challenges inherent in transporting temperature-dependent vaccines. The aim and hope of the research is to increase access to vaccines for those in rural and remote communities in Australia and developing countries. The World Health Organization estimates that every year at least 50 per cent of vaccines […]
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A.G. Coombs issues advice on commercial HVAC refrigerants
A.G. Coombs has produced an update on its advice about refrigerant use for commercial HVAC systems. “As the world grapples with rising temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are under renewed scrutiny,” A.G. Coombs says. “Common refrigerants are classified as greenhouse gases, which can be hundreds or even a thousand times worse […]
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Final call for ARBS 2022 Industry Award nominations
The deadline for entries into the ARBS 2022 Industry Awards is quickly approaching, with submissions due 5pm on February 28. “Held alongside the ARBS 2022 exhibition, the ARBS Industry Awards are an opportunity for the Australian HVAC&R and building services community to celebrate the extraordinary talent which sustains the industry,” ARBS says. The award […]
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A new imperative for industrial IOT at scale
Although 96 per cent of international businesses believe digitalisation is “essential to sustainability,” just 35 per cent have implemented industrial IoT solutions at scale. This is one of the major findings of a new global study of international business and technology leaders on industrial transformation, looking at the intersection of digitalisation and sustainability. Commissioned by ABB, […]
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Carrier Acquires Systemax Australia
Carrier has acquired Systemax Pty Ltd, an independent Automated Logic controls contractor operating in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and in Papua New Guinea. The acquisition expands Carrier’s global footprint in building automation and controls in the region. Systemax will operate as part of BMS provider Automated Logic, which is itself a part of Carrier Global […]
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Future shines bright for AIRAH Awards leadership hopefuls
The AIRAH Awards 2021 winners will be revealed at three-course gala dinner slated for Thursday, February 17 in Sydney. Three finalists are competing for the coveted Future Leader gong, which is sponsored by A.G. Coombs. The finalists are Alyce Wilson, Affil.AIRAH; Iain Stewart, Affil.AIRAH; and Malik Muhammad Awais, Affil.AIRAH. The trio of tyros are pictured […]
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Smart windows to reflect or harvest heat
New research from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oxford proposes a new “smart window” design. The design for the versatile window proposes harvesting the sun’s energy in the winter for warming and reflecting it in the summer to help keep it cool. “The major innovation is that these windows can change according […]
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Panasonic releases floor-standing air purifier
Panasonic has released a floor-standing air purifier, featuring the company’s trade-marked nanoeX technology. “Creating a safe space for Australians in their homes, the purifier filters unwanted pollutants coming into the home,” says Panasonic, adding that the device reduces unwanted contaminants lingering inside to provide “optimal indoor air quality”. “With the average person breathing in 18kg […]
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ARC welcomes guidelines for managing emissions
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has applauded the release of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria’s draft guidelines for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for public consultation. “EPA Victoria’s release of these draft guidelines demonstrates a growing emphasis on the role we all play in the protection of our environment and broader community health from […]
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IOR releases refrigerant selection guide
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) has released a new Guidance Note, a guide to refrigeration selection. The guide aims to provide an overview of the critical points that should be considered in selecting refrigerants. The IOR says the guide, which it refers to as Guidance Note 37, will be of particular interest to equipment owners, […]
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A.G. Coombs Group aims for net zero by 2030
The A.G. Coombs Group has committed to a clear net zero goal: Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions by 2030. The building services specialist will work with its value chain, industry partners and customers to achieve net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040. “Climate change is the most critical challenge facing the world today,” […]
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Overcoming regulatory barriers for prefab homes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has released a consultation paper that explores the regulatory barriers limiting the uptake of modular and prefabricated home construction. “Builders, trades and homeowners are looking at innovative ways to build – for speed, accuracy and finish,” says HIA Chief Executive Industry Policy Kristin Brookfield. “However, our current building codes, standards, […]