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Category: Regulations
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New explosive gas atmospheres standard on the way
Industry is preparing for a new edition of AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009, Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres, due to appear later this year. AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009 is a modified version of the IEC 60079-10-1 standard, published in 2008. Since then there have been two updates to the IEC standard, in 2015 and 2020. The Standards Australia […]
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Victoria eyes ban on non-compliant gas space heaters
Energy Safe Victoria is assessing whether to exercise its powers to restrict the supply and sale of open-flued gas space heaters (OFGSHs) that do not comply with the current AS/NZS 5263.1.3 standard. After a consultation in 2020–21 to decide on the best approach to phasing out of OFGSHs that may pose safety risks for households, […]
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No decision yet on 7 star homes
Industry bodies are keeping up the call for higher energy efficiency standards in the National Construction Code 2022. Although the NCC 2022 is due to come into effect in September, there has still been no clear signal about whether one of the key changes will be included: the raising of minimum energy efficiency standards for […]
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First glimpse of NCC 2022
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released the first stage of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 preview to familiarise stakeholders with the major changes. The first stage of the release contains most of the amendments finalised for NCC 2022, including: New livable housing features to assist people with disability and through more stages […]
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Hydrocarbons the future for residential AC?
Industry stakeholders have applauded a revised International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standard that will allow larger charges of flammable refrigerants in household appliances such as air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. In particular, it could open the way for greater use of hydrocarbons in residential air conditioning. Standard IEC 60335-2-40 deals with the safety of […]
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Victoria to set 2035 emissions reduction target
The Victorian government is setting an emissions reduction target for 2035 and is seeking public input as part of the process. The 2035 target is part of the state’s longer-term path towards net zero, as defined in Victoria’s Climate Change Act 2017. The target for 2020 was to cut emissions by 15–20 per cent below […]
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Industry faces new deadline for fire testing
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has issued a corrigendum for NCC 2019 that delays the changeover to new testing requirements for passive fire protection systems. Previously, as of May 1, 2022, these systems were to be tested to the latest version of AS 1530.4; this has now been pushed back to September 1, 2022, […]
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Government survey on Victoria’s HVAC sector
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts, and Regions (DJPR) is running a survey to analyse the capabilities of the HVAC sector in Victoria. The survey has been created in response to the combined challenges of supply-chain disruptions and greater demand for improved HVAC systems to prevent the airborne spread of COVID-19. The survey takes less […]
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NT weighs up Section J energy efficiency provisions
The Northern Territory government is seeking industry feedback on potential changes to its energy efficiency provisions for buildings. Following a local industry investigation in 2020 into the potential adoption of NCC Section J in the Northern Territory and in response to industry feedback, a cost benefit analysis has been conducted by energy-efficiency specialists DeltaQ. The […]
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Feedback sought on smoke control training materials
As part of the electrotechnology training package, new materials have been developed for assessing and reporting on smoke control features, and the Technical Advisory Committee is seeking feedback. The unit, Inspect, test and repair fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems, has been updated to address the skills and knowledge requirements for assessment […]
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Compliance crunch coming for fire dampers?
A small note to the schedule of referenced documents in the National Construction Code that is set to activate on May 1 could cause big non-compliance risks with fire dampers, according to some industry sources. The issue relates to the testing standard AS 1530.4 for fire dampers called up in the National Construction Code (NCC). […]
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Victoria approves assessment scheme for HVAC&R engineers
The Victorian Business Licensing Authority has approved the AIRAH Professional Engineer Register (APER) program under the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019. This follows the approval for the APER in Queensland in 2021, and represents the next step of AIRAH’s plan to provide a professional registration scheme for HVAC&R building services engineers across the country. AIRAH […]
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Breaking the bias in HVAC&R
To mark International Women’s Day (IWD) and its theme for 2022, AIRAH has launched a survey to collect and share experiences of gender in Australia’s HVAC&R building services sector, and identify ways to “break the bias”. Sharing experiences The survey was initiated by the Women of AIRAH special technical group (STG). Ura Sarfejoo, M.AIRAH, is […]
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Stewardship for electrical and electronic products
Submissions for the Stewardship for Consumer and Other Electrical and Electronic Products discussion paper are closing on Friday, February 25. According to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, the e-waste generated each year by Australians has more than doubled in the past 10 years. The department held discussions from August to November last […]
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Timetable confirmed for NCC 2022
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has confirmed the preview and adoption dates for NCC 2022, and has scheduled a series of seminars around the country to present the key changes. As previously reported, the adoption of NCC 2022 has been delayed until later this year due to the disruptions to industry caused by the […]
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Call to provide input for Industry Skills Survey
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is holding a survey to identify the skills needs for various industries. AIS collects data annually from the Industry Outlook Survey to determine industry workforce planning and skill development demands. The data is especially relevant in 2022, with the dual factors of the pandemic and digital transformation impacting the labour market. The […]
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Draft guidance on reducing GHG emissions
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released a new draft guideline for managing greenhouse gas emissions. Under Victoria’s Environment Protection Act 2017, which came into effect on July 1, 2021, people conducting activities that pose risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution and waste must understand those risks and take […]
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NSW proposes increase to BASIX standards
The NSW government is proposing increases to BASIX thermal performance and energy standards, beginning in late 2022. The government says the work is being done “to build more comfortable homes, cut energy costs and contribute to the state’s target of net zero homes by 2050”. This aligns with the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, the […]
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Overcoming regulatory barriers for prefab homes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has released a consultation paper that explores the regulatory barriers limiting the uptake of modular and prefabricated home construction. “Builders, trades and homeowners are looking at innovative ways to build – for speed, accuracy and finish,” says HIA Chief Executive Industry Policy Kristin Brookfield. “However, our current building codes, standards, […]
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Technology Investment Roadmap under review
The federal government is calling for submissions to inform development of the Low Emissions Technology Statement 2022. The Low Emissions Technology Statement (LETS) is an annual update to the Technology Investment Roadmap – the Australian government’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions. It is the cornerstone of Australia’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which the government says […]