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Category: Regulations
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IIAR safety standard for CO2 systems open for review
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has invited comments for the fourth public review of BSR/IIAR CO2-202x, Safety Standard for Closed-Circuit Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration Systems. The public review period runs until March 14. “Substantive changes resulting from this public review will also be provided for comment in a future public review if necessary,” the IIAR […]
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Workers urged to get flying start on licence applications
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is offering new arrangements for mechanical services workers who apply for their occupational licence ahead of the January 1, 2022 deadline. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until January 1, 2022 to hold the relevant occupational licence. Normally, […]
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Northern Territory to finally adopt Section J?
The Northern Territory government is considering adopting Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC), which will set out new energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings. The National Construction Code prescribes the minimum standard for buildings in Australia. Although it is a national code, each state and territory may decide whether or not to adopt […]
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Draft training units on VRF and fire and smoke control
New training units have been drafted for the electrotechnology training package and are open for comment. The two new units cover variable refrigerant flow (VRF) AC systems, and emergency lighting and alarm systems/fire and smoke control systems. Both will be included as an elective in Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration. The new unit of […]
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Building Confidence reforms open for comment
The Australia Building Codes Board (ABCB) is has released three discussion papers on responses to the Building Confidence Report (BCR), and is looking for input until February 28. The BCR was published in 2018 and identified significant problems with the compliance and enforcement systems for Australia’s building and construction industry. In response, the Building Ministers’ […]
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Plan to expand energy-efficiency upgrades
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has opened a public consultation to expand the range of energy efficiency upgrades available to households and businesses, as part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. The VEU program is established under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Act 2007 to help Victoria reduce its […]
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Next steps for phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) on the phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters. The RIS is open for public consultation until February 22, 2021. Under certain circumstances, open-flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide […]
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Cross-border licensing scheme open for comment
The federal government has taken the next step towards automatic mutual recognition of occupational licences across states and territories by releasing draft legislation for public comment. Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) will allow a person who is licenced or registered for an occupation in one jurisdiction to perform the same activities in another, without having to […]
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Last chance to comment on professional registration
The consultation on NSW’s draft Design and Building Practitioners Regulation – which introduces professional registration of engineers – closes on January 11. The regulation includes the details of registration schemes for design and building practitioners and engineers who work on multistorey, multi-unit residential apartment buildings. Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson has described […]
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New technologies eligible for Victorian Energy Upgrades
The Victorian government has set new targets for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, and is expanding the range of technologies that households and businesses can access. The VEU program allows households and businesses to access discounts on energy-efficient products and services. This already includes reverse-cycle air conditioners for households, as well as a wider […]
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Industry offers guidance on fire safety practitioners
AIRAH, the AMCA, FMA and FPA Australia have written to certifying organisations to provide guidance on selecting fire safety practitioners in New South Wales. New requirements have been introduced for fire safety practitioners in NSW. The previously named competent fire safety practitioners (CFSP) are now called Accredited Practitioners (Fire Safety), or APFS, and must be […]
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NSW releases draft regs for professional registration
New South Wales has taken a major step towards starting its scheme for professional registration of engineers. The draft Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2020 has been released for public consultation, and is open for comment until Monday, January 11. The Regulation has been developed to support the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, which was […]
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Plan for automatic licence recognition delayed
A proposal for automatic mutual recognition of state and territory occupational licences, which had been announced to commence on January 1, 2021, has been pushed out to July 1, 2021 after a meeting of the National Cabinet. Automatic mutual recognition is intended to improve labour mobility across jurisdictions by allowing individuals who hold an occupational […]
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Open discussion on industrial equipment efficiency
Three technical discussion papers, for industrial pumps, compressors and boilers, have been released for industry comment. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program prioritisation plan identified these industrial products as high priority and a focus for immediate attention. The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, on behalf of the Committee overseeing the E3 Program, […]
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Check licence requirements now, warns QBCC
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is alerting employees who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work for a licensed contractor that they must hold the relevant mechanical services occupational licence by January 1, 2022. Contractors who hold a mechanical services licence and have employees who perform mechanical services work are encouraged to discuss licensing […]
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Vote imminent on flammable standard
The votes are set to be counted on an updated international safety standard that would allow increased charge sizes of flammable refrigerants in household air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The proposal has sparked discussion in the world of HVAC&R. Although it would apply to A2, A2L and A3 refrigerants, the proposal has been framed […]
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NCC 2022 to be delayed
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has confirmed that the adoption of the next version of the National Construction Code – NCC 2022 – has been pushed back by four months. “Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has presented a variety of significant challenges for the building industry, regulators and consumers, Building Ministers […]
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Roadmap to safe and quality insulation
The governments of New South Wales and Victoria, along with Insulation Australasia (IA) and the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) are developing an industry-led roadmap to ensure that insulation is installed in Australia in a manner that is safe and delivers quality outcomes. The project team consists of the Energy Efficiency Council […]
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Update to flexible duct standard
The draft standard AS 4254.1 Ductwork for air-handling systems in buildings, Part 1: Flexible duct is open for comment until November 18. The document provides standardised requirements for the performance testing, manufacture and installation of flexible ducts in order to improve their thermal performance. It is particularly relevant for specifiers, manufacturers, regulatory authorities and installers […]
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Productivity Green Paper urges VET reforms
Despite a decade of reviewing the Vocational Education and Training (VET), the educational system still lags in its modernised learning modes, career pathways and relationships with industry. This premise is highlighted by the NSW Productivity Commission in its Continuing the Productivity Conversation Green Paper. Among other draft policy recommendations, the Commission is calling for reforms […]