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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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Budget provides a short-term boost, says AIRAH
AIRAH has welcomed the immediate support provided for industry in the Federal Budget 2022–23, and says the HVAC&R building services industry stands ready to help develop a clear and sustainable long-term vision for Australia. A dominant theme in this year’s Budget has been the need for a stronger workforce. The government has announced a raft […]
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Heat pumps show promise in industrial applications
As heat pump technology grows in popularity across Europe, Australia has also turned its eye towards renewable energy in industrial settings. Commercial businesses such as brewers, pet food producers and food processors are exploring whether thermal storage and heat pumps could help reduce the use of natural gases. ARENA supplied $460,500 in funding to the Australian […]
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Going from Great to Good – call for speakers
CIBSE is calling for speaker and paper submissions for its webinar series running in August and September, titled “Going from Great to Good”. The series will cover how sustainable building design needs to be considered across current and future builds. The main themes will include: Beginning with the end in mind – moving to a […]
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Government to extend apprentice wage subsidy
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has targeted trades as a key area for investment ahead of the Federal Budget, by announcing an extension to the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies. The end date for the program will now be extended to June 30, 2022. Through the subsidy, businesses that engage an Australian […]
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Dwyer releases Series PMI particulate matter transmitter
Amid greater general interest in measuring indoor air quality, Dwyer Instruments has launched its Series PMI particulate matter transmitter. The transmitter is designed to measure indoor air quality by detecting particulate matter in an office environment or HVAC duct. According to Dwyer, the Series PMI uses laser scattering technology to measure particles as small as […]
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Fujitsu strengthens dealer and commercial teams
Fujitsu General Australia has appointed John Bourke (left) and Alex Turner (right) to national roles that the company says will be instrumental in directing its dealer and commercial channel activity Australia-wide. Bourke has been appointed to the position of National Commercial Manager. Turner is the newly appointed National Dealer Manager. “Fujitsu General is eager to […]
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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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Daikin launches R32 Altherma system
Daikin Australia has launched its new R32 Altherma Mono-Bloc system, which it describes as “a highly flexible, energy-efficient home heating and cooling system that creates consistent, controllable comfort for homes”. Daikin’s Altherma range of hydronic heating and cooling systems are designed to provide energy-efficient, even, radiant and draught-free heat. As well as using a lower-GWP […]
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TA-Smart valve from IMI Hydronic now available
TA-Smart is the latest control valve from IMI Hydronic Engineering, and according to Australian distributor Hydroflow, its most intelligent to date. “The new valve offers a unique combination of functions and communication possibilities,” says Hydroflow. “TA-Smart relies on three main pillars: outstanding performance measurement with unparalleled accuracy; fast and accurate control capability; and versatility of […]
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US government launches National COVID-19 Plan
The US government has released its National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, laying out a roadmap for dealing with the pandemic and getting back to more normal routines. It includes measures such as vaccination, accurate advice on the use of masks and PPE, and ongoing monitoring of the virus, as well as a focus on ventilation. Strong […]
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SA refrigeration mechanic fined for causing burn injuries
A refrigeration mechanic has been fined $33,000 by the South Australia Employment Tribunal (SAET) for unsafe work practices at a food outlet shop, that caused significant burns to himself and the shop owner. Angus Roberts pleaded guilty in the SAET for failing to comply with his duty under section 32 of the Work Health and […]
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Apprentices complete Kirby Scholarship Program
Recently, 10 fourth-year HVAC&R apprentices participated in the first round of the Kirby Apprentice Fund Naturals Training Scholarship Program. The apprentices were selected from across mainland Australia. Kirby Brand and Communications Manager Elizabeth Paparo, Affil.AIRAH, says the scholarship recipients were selected from a large pool of applicants. She says the 10 demonstrated a commitment to […]
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Registrations open for ARBS 2022
Registration is now open for ARBS 2022, to be held over three days from August 16–18, 2022, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The focus for this year’s event is on emerging trends and technologies, including smart IoT solutions, automation and control, refrigerants, energy efficiency, sustainability. After the 2020 event was postponed due to […]
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Humidity a major factor in emissions from cooling
Scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Xerox PARC have released a study exploring the environmental impact of controlling humidity. The research first appeared in the journal Joule, titled “Humidity’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions from air conditioning”. While studies on air conditioners and greenhouse gases have been compiled before, this is the […]
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Built environment mega-event coming to Melbourne
BE Summit, DesignBUILD, Total Facilities and Digital Construction Week will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over one week from May 10–13. Covering industries ranging from planning and construction to technology and facilities management, the well-known conferences will join forces to create what organisers are describing as “a unique built environment event […]
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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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Earn your digital marketing stripes
NetStripes is hosting a digital marketing webinar on Wednesday, March 23, titled Social Media Marketing in 2022. The webinar is a part of the Futurise Insights series, which integrates three stages of digital knowledge and skills enhancement for small and medium business owners. The series will explore current market trends, consumer buying behaviour and how […]
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Infrastructure Sustainability Council calls for industry shake-up
Australia’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council has released two new agendas that it hopes will bring the building industry together around a shared vision to address climate change and combat inequality. The first agenda, Advance our nations, fair – world-class infrastructure for thriving nations, explores barriers to world-class infrastructure performance. The second, Place-based approaches to net zero, […]
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New study confirms IAQ benefits of plants
Research teams at the University of Birmingham and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have recently discovered that indoor plants may be able to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by up to 20 per cent. The team chose to use common houseplants in their research, including peace lilies, corn plants and fern arums. Each plant was placed […]