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Category: News
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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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People power raising awareness of CO2 levels
Since the beginning of the pandemic and the confirmation that airborne transmission is the main pathway for spreading the COVID-19, much attention has been focused on improving air quality through better ventilation. And while governments have struggled to provide guidance and leadership, one group of citizens has taken it upon themselves to address the problem […]
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Open access to ASHRAE-UNEP eLearning modules
Access is now available to three HVAC&R eLearning modules and various other free resources through the ASHRAE-UNEP Portal. The Refrigerants Literacy module offers a basic understanding about refrigerants types, policies, classifications and management practices. It is aimed at non specialists in the field, such as facility managers, policy makers, and other individuals who are involved […]
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AIRAH launches IAQ Assembly
AIRAH has launched the IAQ Assembly, a free suite of videos, guides and articles that reflect the latest thinking on indoor air quality and preventing the airborne spread of COVID-19. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, and particularly since the recognition of the critical role of airborne transmission, AIRAH has been curating resources about how […]
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ABCB farewells Neil Savery
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has thanked Neil Savery for his contributions as he ends his term as CEO. Savery’s connection with the ABCB began during his time as Executive Director of Planning SA, the Chief Planning Executive of the ACT Planning and Land Authority, and as the Deputy Victorian Building Commissioner. In these […]
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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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Winners of the 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Awards
After the forced cancellation of the 2021 event, the 2022 AHR Expo returned this year at Las Vegas. One of the largest HVAC&R shows in the world, it featured more than 1,600 exhibitors, covering 42,447 m2 of exhibitor space. One of the highlights of the show is the announcement of the AHR Expo Innovation Awards […]
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Beyond the business case for sustainable buildings
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has released a report that lays out a value proposition to drive investment in a sustainable built environment. Beyond the Business Case, launched at COP26, aims to provide a timely and unique perspective for decision-makers to accelerate the industry’s sustainability transformation by capitalising on the economic opportunities, addressing risk […]
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Australian aerosol tests offer COVID-19 insights
In an Australian first, aerosol tests have been conducted to evaluate the impact of ventilation using a breathing thermal manikin. The results confirm the importance of fresh air in dispersing aerosols, highlight the role that airflows play in aerosol transmission, and raise questions about the effectiveness of a 1.5m social distancing rule indoors. The team […]
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Heat transfer discovery reveals potential for ice
Researchers at Virginia Tech, USA, have made a heat transfer discovery that expands on a phenomenon discovered more than two centuries ago and points to potential new uses for ice. Associate Professor Jonathan Boreyko and graduate fellow Mojtaba Edalatpour worked together to expand on the Leidenfrost effect, named after the German doctor and theologian who wrote a paper […]
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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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Demand for RAC skills to rise, says STC
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the entire HVAC&R industry has had to adapt to keep working. For those in the training sector, that has proved especially difficult. Robert Parsonson is General Manager of Superior Training Centre (STC), based in Sydney. He says conditions in 2021 were nothing if not challenging. “Trade courses normally […]
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An engineering adventure
ASHRAE has published its first children’s picture book, developed by the ASHRAE Student Activities Committee to promote careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) and in engineering. Titled Lucy’s Engineering Adventure, the book introduces children to the concepts behind HVAC&R and the built environment. It follows Lucy on her journey through an unfinished […]
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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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Does R134a alternative hold promise for Australia?
US refrigerant manufacturer Koura has launched R456A, an alternative to R134a for automotive aftermarket applications. R456A has a global warming potential of 626 – about half that of R134a. According to Koura, trials have shown R456A to be compatible with existing R134a automotive air conditioning systems while maintaining “high-quality, efficient performance”. The development comes as […]
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New training on the way for smoke control features
A new project is under way to develop training materials for assessing and reporting on smoke control features of mechanical services systems. Release 3.0 of the UEE electrotechnology training package includes a unit to cover the installation and maintenance of smoke control equipment, including fire dampers, smoke dampers, smoke and heat vents, and mechanical services […]
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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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Global survey on women in HVAC&R
The international Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and UNEP OzonAction have launched the first global survey on women in HVAC&R. “In recent years, the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps sector has been paying increasing attention to the importance of gender mainstreaming and providing equal opportunities for both women and men,” says IIR Director General Didier […]
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Jelly ice cubes take the cake
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, USA, have developed a new type of cooling ice cube that doesn’t melt. The researchers believe the “jelly ice cubes” could revolutionise how food is kept cold and shipped without relying on ice or traditional cooling packs. The cubes are compostable and anti-microbial, and prevent cross-contamination. Professor in […]
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Steps to improve fire safety in NSW
The NSW government has released a report that provides recommendations on how to improve fire safety in new and existing buildings. The project was commissioned by the Office of the Building Commissioner to draw upon specialist industry expertise to identify practical measures the NSW government could take to help improve fire safety in class 2 […]