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Prefabrication provides ready-made advantage at UQ
ABB has shared details of its involvement with a progressive example of prefabrication construction used at the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Andrew N. Liveris Building. The 11-storey Andrew N. Liveris Building will be the new heart of chemical engineering at UQ. ABB describes it as “a nerve centre for their students and researches to solve […]
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Be Summit aims to reunite built environment industry
One of Australia’s leading built environment events, the Be Summit, is back this year, with Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas MP, announced as opening speaker. Following this year’s Federal Budget announcement and the $15 million injection into the nation’s infrastructure, Pallas will be speaking on industry recovery since the pandemic and what we can expect moving […]
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Exposing hidden emissions in embodied carbon
A new report warns that embodied carbon could become a primary source of built environment emissions unless Australia acts now. Embodied Carbon & Embodied Energy in Australia’s Buildings was developed by the GBCA and thinkstep-anz with support from the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. It says that without action, embodied carbon […]
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National Skills Week celebrates vital workers
Celebrating the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia, National Skills Week is taking place from August 23–29. National Skills Week is an initiative of SkillsOne, and highlights the talents and skills of apprentices and trainees across multiple industries. Industry and training organisations are encouraged to get involved. The theme this year encourages Australians to […]
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R U OK? launches Tradies Tools to Talk
R U OK? has released a resource called “Tradies Tools to Talk”, to help people understand when tradespeople might be struggling. The initiative has been launched ahead of R U OK? Day 2021, on September 9. Trades workers and technicians make up more than 13 per cent of the Australian workforce, with men filling 84 […]
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ARC digs deep to promote refrigerant safety in mines
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has developed a booklet and wall chart highlighting the benefits of preventative maintenance and leak detection for mobile air conditioning in the mining sector. “Regular servicing, maintenance and repairs to mobile air conditioning systems are critical in ensuring minimum downtime of mine site vehicles and optimisation of air conditioning performance […]
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Dr Normand Brais to present on UVGI technology
The Opira Group is organising an opportunity to be educated on ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) by the founder and owner of Sanuvox, Dr Normand Brais, on August 20. As a result of the current global pandemic, building owners and operators are looking for ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in offices, hotels, hospitals, schools […]
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Climate report a call to action for engineers
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its latest in a series of assessment reports on the state of the planet’s climate. The report concluded that the world cannot avoid some of the devastating impacts of climate change. These are inevitable. Yet it also said there is still a narrow window to keep […]
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Alternative pathway for Queensland RAC licences
Queensland workers needing an occupational licence for air conditioning and refrigeration work can now apply using an alternate qualification pathway. The new pathway allows an applicant who may not have the required qualifications to use their experience instead. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until […]
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AIRAH updates 2021 conference schedule
Continuing precautions and restrictions around COVID-19 have led to AIRAH adjusting its 2021 conference schedule. Still slated for Sydney, AIRAH’s The Future of HVAC Conference 2021 will be moved from its originally scheduled dates of September 8–9 to November 29–30. It will also be live-streamed. AIRAH’s Building Physics Forum, originally scheduled to be held in […]
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Tesuco highlights gas welding safety
Tesuco has been highlighting the importance of safe equipment for HVAC&R practitioners, in particular for gas welding. “Since starting 1988, Tesuco has been focussed on supplying gas welding equipment which meets Australian Standards and complies with welding processes and codes of practice,” says the company. “Equipment developed overseas can be outside the scope of Australia […]
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Focus on fire safety in new DAs
AIRAH is releasing two Design Application (DA) manuals that focus on fire, smoke, and (smoke exhaust) air dampers within the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. The DA manuals are titled DA05 Guide to Fire and Smoke Control in Buildings using AS 1668 Part 1, and DA06 Guide to Fire, Smoke and Air Dampers […]
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Shape-memory alloy could replace HFCs
A small company in Ireland has developed a new type of air conditioning system that could negate the need for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Researchers at Exergyn, based in Dublin, worked in secret collaboration with another company – believed to be Carrier – for two years on the project. The system uses a shape-memory alloy (SMA) called […]
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Mitsubishi appoints new HVAC Sales Manager
Mitsubishi Electric Australia has appointed Sam Garside as HVAC Sales Manager for the New South Wales Central market. In his new role, Garside will manage the HVAC business within the Sydney and Central West region. Garside has more than 20 years of industry experience, including positions with mechanical contractors, service-based companies, and several global manufacturers. […]
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NABERS seeks input from warehouses and cold stores
NABERS is seeking industry involvement to expand its rating system into warehouses and cold stores. A national initiative, NABERS has enjoyed great success as a world-recognised and robust rating tool for offices, shopping centres, hotels, and other building sectors. This year it is expanding to the warehouses and cold stores sector and is looking to […]
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Improving refrigerant recovery from split systems
A new report from Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has highlighted the concerning volume of refrigerant lost when split systems reach end of life in Australia. It estimates that each year, hundreds of tonnes of refrigerant are not being reclaimed. Factoring in the global warming potential of the gases, this could equate to more than a […]
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Victoria rolling out heating upgrades to 250,000 homes
The Victorian government has initiated the next major stage of its program to help low-income households replace old heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle systems. The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program will help 250,000 low-income and vulnerable households improve their thermal comfort by offering rebates to upgrade gas, electric and wood heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle split […]
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Rheem launches new heat pump water heater
Rheem Australia has launched its new generation Ambiheat heat pump water heater, designed to offer a reliable, flexible, renewable option for households. According to Rheem, thanks to the COP of 4.5, households with an Ambiheat installed could save up to 64-71 per cent of their usual water heating energy bill. Rheem Marketing Director, John Collignon, […]
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Aeris Environmental develops filter treatment spray
Australian company Aeris Environmental has developed a new polymer coating for HVAC filters designed to prevent the spread of airborne viruses, including COVID-19. Aeris Guard Bioactive Filter Treatment contains a readily biodegradable active biocide that the company says kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses including SARS-CoV-2 on the polymer coating. “A single application […]
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Keeping up with the code
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is seeking input on a draft model for continuing professional development on the National Construction Code. The Building Confidence Report (BCR) recommended that each jurisdiction require all practitioners to undertake compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) on the National Construction Code (NCC). In response, the BCR Implementation Team has developed […]