Page 15
Category: Regulations
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BMF prioritises professional registration for engineers
Following an independent assessment of problems in the building and construction industry, the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) has developed a roadmap for reform. And one of the key changes it has signalled is the need for a nationally harmonised registration scheme for building practitioners, including engineers. The implementation plan is a product of the Building […]
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Podcast: The low-down on the HFC phase-down
The fifth episode of AIRAH on Air, AIRAH’s regular podcast series, explores the HFC phase-down. The phase-down is a worldwide initiative designed to mitigate climate change by reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – synthetic gases used in air conditioning and refrigeration that can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming. […]
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Free guide specification for air tightness testing
The Air Infiltration and Ventilation Association of Australia (AIVAA) has published a free guide specification for air tightness testing. It is intended to be used by projects with a defined target for air tightness and testing, to verify it has been met. The guide specification is appropriate for residential or simple buildings. SUHO ESD Consultant […]
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Untangling industry training
The Australian training package for electrotechnology – including refrigeration and air conditioning – is under review. Revised units are now available for public feedback. The project was originally intended to be a straightforward “transition” to reorganise the material in line with the Standards for Training Packages 2012 format. But it soon became apparent that the […]
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Government announces Climate Solutions Package
The federal government has set out its climate change approach in the lead-up to the federal election, likely to be held in May. The Climate Solutions Package (CSP) is a $3.5 billion policy that promises to help meet Australia’s 2030 Paris Treaty commitments of reducing 2005 emissions by 26–28 per cent. Perhaps signalling a growing […]
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Trajectory on track, but focus is on fire
The Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) met in Hobart on February 8 to discuss issues ranging from safety to energy efficiency. The BMF oversees policy and regulatory issues affecting Australia’s building and construction industries. It is made up of federal and state and territory government ministers who have responsibility for building and construction. It was thought […]
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NCC 2019 Preview release
The NCC (National Construction Code) 2019 Preview has been released. Versions of all three volumes and the guide to volume one are now available to download as PDFs. The NCC sets the minimum acceptable standards for all new construction work in Australia. Since 2005, it has included provisions in Section J for energy efficiency, including […]
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Standards Australia to ‘move beyond’ SAI Global
Standards Australia has announced it will look to improve access to standards in the wake of a ruling that SAI Global will no longer have exclusive distribution rights. In late December 2018, an independent arbitration determined that any extended distribution agreement with SAI Global will be non-exclusive. This means that Standards Australia can now take […]
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Incoming: New AC energy-efficiency standards
As reported last month, the Australian government is changing energy efficiency regulations for air conditioners up to 65kW in capacity. A draft version of the new “determination” (the instrument that regulates energy efficiency) is now available, and more details of the changes have been confirmed. The first major change is the introduction of a more […]
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Regulators look to the stars for air conditioners
New labelling for air conditioners and highers standards of energy efficiency are on the way after the COAG Energy Council ministers met on December 19 and agreed to the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). The RIS proposed tightening regulations on the energy efficiency of air conditioners. Approximately 40 per cent of energy usage in Australian […]
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France adopts HFC tax
France has adopted an HFC tax that will enter into force in 2021. A component of the country’s 2019 finance bill, the measure uses a 40 per cent income tax discount to encourage companies to make the transition away from HFCs. The measure will also support the adoption of HFC alternatives from now until December […]
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NSW offers discounts for energy efficient AC
Households and small businesses in New South Wales could receive discounts of up to $1,000 when they install an energy efficient air conditioning unit. The program is part of the Climate Change Fund initiative, and is designed to encourage people to buy high-efficiency units. It was announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian in September 2017 as part […]
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AIRAH seeks EV-007 air quality representative
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has put out a call for a representative on the Standards Australia committee EV-007 – Methods for Examination of Air. The scope of work for this committee is standardisation in the measurement of ambient air quality, indoor air quality and stationary source emissions. The committee’s […]
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Proposed changes to regulation of chillers
The Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy and New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have consulted with industry on the regulation of liquid chilling packages (chillers) on behalf of the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (E3) under the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Energy Council. As discussed in Chillers: Updated Policy Positions and […]
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Regulation update for RAC industry
Changes have been made to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act that will affect the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The act – Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Amendment (Methyl Bromide, Fire Protection and Other Measures) Regulations 2018 – commenced on December 12. The new regulations update references to Australian Standards relevant to the […]
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What to expect from NCC 2019
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has outlined some key changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019. The NCC sets the minimal requirements in the design, construction, performance and livability of new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings) throughout Australia. AIRAH’s Executive Manager – Government Relations and Technical Services, Phil Wilikinson, F.AIRAH, recommends the […]
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Boost for bush apprentices
The federal government will invest $60m to trial a wage subsidy as an incentive for employers in regional and rural communities to engage more apprentices. The Apprentice Wage Subsidy will see up to 1,630 new Australian apprentices in areas of skills needs – including refrigeration and air conditioning. The scheme is open to employers who […]
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International green construction code for communities released
The 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) has been released by a consortium of sustainability-minded organisations. The consortium comprises the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the International Code Council, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and ASHRAE. The International Green Construction Code is designed to have wide applicability for incorporating resilient, high-performance green building strategies into […]
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New residential AC standard
The installation and design of energy-efficient residential air conditioning is being given a helping hand following the publication of a new standard. AS/NZS5141, Residential heating and cooling systems – Minimum applications and requirements for energy efficiency, performance and comfort criteria will be published on November 26. Publication is the result of the combined effort of […]
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NT developing climate change strategy
The Northern Territory government has released a discussion paper titled Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Opportunities in the Northern Territory. As part of an eight-week public consultation process, targeted stakeholder consultations are taking place across the Northern Territory in the form of sectoral and bilateral meetings. The objectives of the stakeholder meetings are to reignite […]