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Category: News
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AIRAH says Budget offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Noting the signs of recovery highlighted in the 2021–22 Federal Budget, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has commended the government for seeking to build on this momentum through a suite of stimulus measures. AIRAH says that Australia can reap greater benefits at no extra cost by focusing on sustainable solutions […]
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Time for ‘paradigm shift’ on indoor air quality
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) air-quality expert Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska is leading an international call for a “paradigm shift” in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19 by improving indoor ventilation systems. Professor Morawska led a group of almost 40 researchers from 14 countries in a call published in Science for a shift in standards […]
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RAC company fined $150,000 after apprentice injured
A Sydney-based refrigeration and air conditioning company has been fined $150,000 after one of its apprentice workers suffered serious injury from an arc flash explosion at a Sydney KFC in 2017. Ultra Refrigeration Pty Limited was investigated by SafeWork NSW and found guilty of breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 in the NSW […]
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Buildings with combustible cladding liable for fines
Owners of Queensland buildings with combustible cladding could now be liable for a hefty fine should their buildings be deemed unsafe. Time has run out for building owners to complete the process established by the Queensland state government’s Safer Buildings Taskforce to eliminate risk of catastrophic building fires caused by combustible cladding. The Safer Buildings […]
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IIR releases blueprint for sustainable development
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published its first Activity Report, emphasising the essential role of refrigeration at the heart of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. Originally announced in 2015, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were designed to provide clear universal sustainability objectives for nations across the globe. The SDGs […]
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Case grows stronger for all-electric homes
A report developed by Renew has analysed the optimum fuel and technology choices for households in Western Australia – and found that the ecological argument for all-electric homes also stacks up economically. The objective of the project was to understand the most cost-effective choices for residential consumers to access stationary energy in the South West […]
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Call for HVAC tenders at City of Tea Tree Gully
The City of Tea Tree Gully in South Australia is calling for tenders for HVAC replacement for the council civic centre library and associated offices. The building was constructed in 1995 with a its lower ground floor later built in 2002 to accommodate the library. The original air conditioning systems consist of air-cooled heat pump […]
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EPA forges ahead with HFC phase-down
After the US government committed to phase down HFCs in line with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a concrete step by putting forward the first rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The AIM Act directs the EPA to sharply reduce production and […]
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Fujitsu MD signs up for Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham will be participating in his fourth Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 17, 2021. Spending the night with only a sleeping bag, pillow and some cardboard for comfort and protection, Perham will join hundreds of CEOs and business owners at White Bay Cruise Terminal, on Sydney Harbour, to help […]
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Mid-tier survey reveals barriers to HVAC&R maintenance
The results of a national survey focused on HVAC&R maintenance in mid-tier buildings have now been published. The Better Ways To Work Report offers a plant-room perspective of maintenance practices, and pinpoints the main obstacles that must be overcome to improve energy efficiency in Australian buildings. The Better Ways to Work survey, run in 2020, […]
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ABCB Cadetship Program
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has opened applications for its 2022 Cadetship Program. The program provides graduates with a unique insight into the development of the National Construction Code (NCC), and the opportunity to develop skills relevant to the construction industry. It also gives candidates the opportunity to work in the Australian Public Service, […]
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ASHRAE launches Vision 2030
US engineering body ASHRAE has launched its Vision 2030 webpage. The webpage can be found at ashrae.org/vision2030. ASHRAE says its Vision 2030 is about providing professionals in the building industry with the resources to drive the innovative and strategic improvements needed to foment the revolution of the built environment. “The Vision 2030 webpage provides guidance […]
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NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index 2021
The third edition of the NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index (SPI) is available online. In 2021, the SPI showcases the proven environmental performance of the top 43 building portfolios and funds around Australia. The SPI provides a public portfolio of building performance in terms of emissions, water usage, waste and indoor environment quality, and tracks progress […]
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TAFE Queensland apprentice scores Woolworths role
HVAC&R may be a traditionally male dominated industry, but there are stories of change – including the experience of refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Katie Hammill-Lovett. Hammill-Lovett is one of 15 people in Australia to secure an apprenticeship with Woolworths Group in the past year, and is one of only four female apprentices to be […]
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Australian schools failing on indoor air quality
Australian schools need better ventilation to improve student health and productivity, according to new research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). A team from the UNSW Sydney’s School of Built Environment found concentrations of CO₂ in classrooms peaked significantly higher than the 850ppm threshold prescribed by the National Construction Code due to a […]
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Indoor Air Quality magazine launches
The Building Environmental Wellness Group has published its first edition of IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Magazine. Ivi Sims, AM.AIRAH, and Dr Melissa Marot are the co-founders behind the quarterly digital magazine. It focuses on all aspects of indoor air quality, including: Restoration Indoor air quality, building and occupants Building physics HVAC Innovation in technology in […]
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Daikin and Gree teams win Global Cooling Prize
Team Daikin with partner Nikken Sekkei Ltd and team Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai with partner Tsinghua University have been announced dual winners of the Global Cooling Prize. The manufacturing giants showcased breakthrough technologies with five times less climate impact than conventional AC units and are planning to bring them to market by 2025. […]
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Upgrade ahead for Certificate III RAC qualification?
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is seeking feedback on cases for change for various training packages and qualifications – including the Certificate III refrigeration and air conditioning qualification. Last year, the new Certificate III qualification for refrigeration and air conditioning, UEE32220, was finalised and will come online with registered training organisations by October 2022. Although the […]
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Lendlease office assets achieve carbon-neutral status
One of Australia’s largest group of office assets, Lendlease Funds Management’s Australian office portfolio, has been certified carbon neutral. The carbon-neutral status applies to more than $11.1 billion in office assets and 566,000m2 of floor space managed by Lendlease across three of its flagship office funds. The carbon-neutral goal has been achieved five years ahead […]
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Female apprentice steps into a cool career
Brisbane resident Stephanie Peters has become the first female air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice to be hired by Broadcast Services Australia (BSA) in Queensland, a national technical services company. Peters herself admits she took a more conventional path before deciding to apply for her apprenticeship at TAFE Queensland. “In high school it was really drilled into us […]