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Starting up the energy efficiency jobs machine
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), and the Property Council of Australia (PCA), have released a joint statement that captures the key insight from the National Summit: Energy Efficiency and Australia’s Economic Recovery. The Summit was held on July 1, organised by the parties mentioned. It was […]
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Comments open on national registration framework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a draft National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners for public comment. This follows up on the Building Confidence report, which signalled the need for the registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. Accordingly, the ABCB has released a discussion paper that puts forward […]
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‘Watching brief’ on airborne COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged growing concerns surrounding the airborne transmission of the coronavirus, following the publication of an open letter addressed to the Geneva-based agency, but says more evidence is still required. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the organisation has advised that the virus is primarily spread through large respiratory droplets […]
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The cold reality of energy poverty
The average Australian would probably not describe theirs as a cold country. However, working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light how many Australians are struggling with their heating and energy bills. An article on the Sydney Morning Herald website states that on average, 42 people in New South Wales end up […]
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International response to resilience
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has teamed up with leading industry organisations to launch a new initiative to coordinate an international response to improving the resilience of the built environment. Together with the National Research Council of Canada, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the International Code Council; the ABCB […]
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Iain Stewart among Australia’s most innovative engineers
Among the nominees listed in Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers 2020 (AMIE 2020) is Exergenics founder Iain Stewart, Affil.AIRAH, whose innovative work on plant optimisation helps to address inefficiencies in conventional chilled plant control strategies. Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers is a program organised by Create magazine, the publication of Engineers Australia. Into its fifth year, the […]
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Grosvenor launches natural refrigerant service
Technical services company Grosvenor Engineering Group has introduced a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVAC&R systems. Through the service, the company hopes to help the Australian commercial office market reduce its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative. “The opportunity for the use of natural refrigerants is broad within the commercial market,” says Grosvenor […]
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Jane MacMaster appointed as Chief Engineer
Engineers Australia has appointed Jane MacMaster to the newly created role of Chief Engineer. Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans says MacMaster will lead Engineers Australia’s engagement and policy discussion with industry, government, academia and other key stakeholders. “The Chief Engineer will play an important part in delivering the organisation’s strategic vision, and we are […]
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COVID-19 likely to be airborne, claim 239 experts
More than 200 scientists from over 30 countries have signed an open letter urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to take the role of airborne spread of COVID-19 more seriously. Published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, the letter titled “It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19” challenges the view held by the […]
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Concerns over non-compliant pipework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has raised concerns about refrigeration contractors not complying with piping changes in NCC 2019. In NCC 2016, the code required (from Spec J5.2c, 2.(a)): (ii) For heated or chilled water piping, having a material R-Value not less than that specified in Table 2a; and (iii) For refrigerant, steam or […]
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New rules for AC with flammable refrigerant
As of July 1, 2020, new rules govern the sale of air conditioners with flammable refrigerants in New South Wales. The rules apply to air conditioners with Class 2 and Class 3 refrigerants, for example hydrocarbons, but not Class 2L refrigerants, such as R32. Air conditioners with these refrigerants are now considered “declared articles” and […]
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Belimo to host webinar on control valve selection
HVAC field device manufacturer Belimo will be hosting a free webinar on control valve selection on its newly launched online training platform. The Control Valve 101 webinar will cover all the essentials of the subject, says the company. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 14, at 3pm (AEST), 2.30pm (ACST) and 1pm (AWST). The content […]
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IAQAA launches Lunch & Learn
The Indoor Air Quality Association Australia (IAQAA) will be hosting its first Lunch & Learn session via Zoom on July 7. The online presentation will kick off IAQAA’s series of free monthly webinars. Tuesday’s session will feature Bryon Price, F.AIRAH, one of Australia’s leading figures in building services. He will be presenting on the role […]
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New appointment at SHASE
The Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan (SHASE) has appointed Masayuki Otsuka as its newest President. As an organisation, SHASE represents the heating, air conditioning and sanitary engineering sectors in Japan and has over 15,000 members. SHASE has more than 90 committees whose major activities include research and investigation. They aim to […]
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Ian Eitzen appointed new Condair MD
Condair Pty Ltd has announced the appointment of Ian Eitzen to Managing Director. He succeeds Kevin Cronin, who will retire at the end of June. As Condair’s National Business Development Manager, Eitzen has been responsible for the continued market development of the company’s commercial and industrial humidification and in-duct evaporative cooling business across Australia. He […]
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Opinion: Mario Balen on national licensing
HyChill General Manager Mario Balen, Affil.AIRAH, shares his views on national HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The HVAC&R trade is widely regarded to be under-recognised, poorly regulated and, on average, inadequately trained. Attempts have been made for many years to address some, if not all, of those shortcomings, with little success so far. The end result […]
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Urban Cooling Masterclass on Youtube
The Penrith City Council is sharing learnings from its Cooling the City Masterclass by making the recordings of the event available online. The council hosted the Masterclass on February 18, to explore initiatives on creating cooler and more liveable urban spaces. The event was developed in response to councilor concerns arising from community feedback on […]
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Hackers target HVAC
Forescout Research Labs has released a report that uncovers the 10 riskiest Internet of Things (IoT) devices in 2020 – and number two on the list is HVAC systems. The Enterprise of Things Security Report explores the top device attack vectors for hackers to gain access to enterprise networks. Forescout Research Labs analysed data from […]
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Woolworths launches 2020 apprenticeship program
Woolworths has announced new refrigeration apprenticeships in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The selected apprentice refrigeration technicians will join Woolworths’ Format Development team in a four-year apprenticeship program. Benefits include: Exposure to the latest refrigeration technologies, ongoing support and training Joining one of Australia’s largest refrigeration employers, with a focus on safety and customers […]
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Rankine 2020 conference heads online
The IIR International Rankine 2020 Conference – Advances in Cooling, Heating and Power Generation, will be held from July 27–31 as a virtual event. The conference celebrates the life and legacy of William Rankine (pictured above), the Scottish mechanical engineer who helped found the science of thermodynamics. This year the event will include more than […]