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Category: News
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WA government’s NCC delay criticised
In a move criticised by industry bodies, the Western Australia government has changed its building regulations and extended the provisional use of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2016 until May 2021. AIRAH (the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating) is one of the bodies that has questioned the strategy behind the decision. It […]
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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 […]
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Speculation rife on airborne COVID-19
New studies have fuelled speculation about COVID-19 spreading through the air, and emphasised the vital role that HVAC systems will play in controlling the virus. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the World Health Organization has advised that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets. When someone with […]
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Have your say on HVAC&R support solutions
AIRAH is taking part in a Global Survey administered by Intellisurvey to collect input in to the future development of software products to help support HVAC&R companies to manage the scheduling, dispatching and activity tracking of field service technicians and how this could be better integrated in various financial packages. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to […]
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ARMA signals flaw in licence rules
The Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) has highlighted an issue in the new QBCC licensing framework that allows the MEM30219 qualification to be accepted for air conditioning and refrigeration licences. The qualification is listed in the Technical qualifications for licensing document, published by the Department of Housing and Public Works, for unlimited design, limited design […]
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China and Thailand stop illegal R22 shipment
China and Thailand have collaborated using the OzonAction iPIC system to prevent a huge illegal consignment of ozone-depleting and climate-damaging R22 from going ahead. Created and hosted by the United Nations, the informal Prior Informed Consent (iPIC) system enables countries to share details of eligible importers and exporters with other member countries through a […]
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ASHRAE issues statements on COVID-19
In response to “widening false statements” in the US advising people not to run residential or commercial HVAC systems because of COVID-19, ASHRAE has issued its own statements on the matter. “In light of the current global pandemic, it’s critically important that ASHRAE responds with guidance on mitigating the transmission of the virus, as well […]
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IAQAA guide to decontaminating buildings of COVID-19
The Indoor Air Quality Association Australia (IAQAA) has developed a set of draft guidelines on the validation of post-cleaning work in buildings where a person infected with COVID-19 was present. Titled Post Cleaning Validation of Buildings Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, the IAQAA says the publication is designed to provide information and assurance to workers, those with […]
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ISHRAE releases COVID-19 Guidance Document
It may have emerged originally in Wuhan, China, but the COVID-19 coronavirus has touched upon everyone almost everywhere, including in India. With the potential for casualties in the densely populated nation immense, and confusing abounding, the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers has released the ISHRAE COVID-19 Guidance Document. “India, with the […]
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Better building sealing
A new series of videos has been released to help builders and homeowners get a handle on making more airtight buildings for better health, comfort, durability, and energy efficiency. “Two topics that often get overlooked in Australian construction are air tightness and insulation completeness,” says John Konstantakopoulos, Affil.AIRAH, from Effiency Matrix. Konstantakopoulos says Australian standards […]
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Refrigerants an “eye-opener” in new Drawdown
Project Drawdown has released The Drawdown Review – Climate Solutions for a New Decade, a list of ways to address global warming. The first Drawdown list, published in 2017, brought mainstream attention to the HVAC&R industry when refrigerant management was ranked as the number one most critical step towards reducing global CO2e emissions. The Review […]
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A.G. Coombs expands COVID-19 advice
A.G. Coombs has expanded on its recently published advisory note exploring how COVID-19 could interact with HVAC systems, and has released a series of advisory notes. The note series provides further information and advice about COVID-19 and HVAC systems. The COVID-19 Advisory Notes Series includes: Building Services Operation and Maintenance in COVID-19In the COVID-19 situation […]
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COVID-19 ventilation guide
European industry association Eurovent has released a guide on the operation of ventilation systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The document presents general and basic recommendations on the operation and maintenance of ventilation systems in accordance with instructions and applicable hygiene standards. According to the Eurovent website, there is currently no evidence that the coronavirus […]
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Q&A webinar on COVID-19
The Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) will be hosting a Q&A webinar on COVID-19, featuring Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AO. To be held on Thursday April 16, the Q&A session will shed light on the following questions: What makes COVID-19 different from other viruses’? How long we will need to maintain social […]
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Grant benefits for registered NT tradies
NT-based tradies and contractors can now register with the Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan to provide work through the Home Improvement Scheme, Business Improvement Grants and Immediate Work Grants. The $65m plan is aimed at protecting Territorians from the deep economic impacts of the coronavirus through creating new work opportunities, saving jobs, and helping businesses […]
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Buildings running on empty
AIRAH has highlighted the importance of maintaining HVAC and other building services – even if premises are temporarily unoccupied. Across Australia, offices and other commercial buildings have emptied out as organisations shut down or staff work from home due to the COVID-19 prevention measures. But even when premises are empty, HVAC systems and other building […]
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Global Cooling Prize timeline extension
The Global Cooling Prize Supervisory Board and Operating Council of the Prize have announced that the Prize timeline will be extended. The Global Cooling Prize is a global competition designed to spur development of a radically more energy efficient cooling technology. The decision comes as a result of the global escalation of measures to contain […]
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Free COVID-19 webinars
The International Well Building Institute (IWBI) is hosting a series of free webcasts on responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These sessions are based on webcasts hosted by the IWBI’s China team said to have reached as many as 110,000 attendees at a time. Touching on subjects ranging from remote work ergonomics to air quality […]
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Carrier becomes independent company
Global manufacturing company Carrier has completed its separation from United Technologies (UTC) and is now an independent, publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. The company was established in 1915 by Willis Carrier and is an international provider of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation technologies. It was purchased by UTC in 1979, […]
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AIRAH launches ARPEng program
To support Australia’s new professional registration schemes for engineers, AIRAH has launched the AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (ARPEng) accreditation program for Mechanical Engineer – HVAC&R professionals. Last year, in response to the Shergold-Weir Building Confidence report, the Building Ministers Forum (BMF) signalled the need for a nationally harmonised registration scheme for building practitioners, including engineers. The Queensland […]