Page 95
All posts
-
CFC ban helped avoid scorched earth scenario
A new study from Lancaster University in the UK has revealed that continued deterioration of the Earth’s ozone layer could have had catastrophic effects on our planet, exacerbating global warming and impacting all plants and animals. The work also reinforces the importance and success of the Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-destroying CFCs with the […]
-
Promoting sustainable cold chain, from data to action
The Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction are convening for a virtual World Cold Chain Symposium on September 14. The symposium aims to reduce global food waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote greater food security. “This is the path to addressing hunger and a better future,” […]
-
Beijer Ref Australia announces industrial team
In a move aimed at increasing its focus within the industrial refrigeration sector, Beijer Ref Australia has announced a specialised industrial sales team to service the Australian market. The announcement follows the June 2021 acquisition of the Industrial Refrigeration Components (IRC) business and also the exclusive distribution agreement for LU-VE products in Australia. Through the […]
-
New incentives for energy efficient cold rooms
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has published the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment (Cold room) Regulations 2021 and the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Specifications 2018 Version 10.0. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program sets state-wide targets to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer businesses and households access to discounted energy-efficient products […]
-
Reflective roads paving the way to cooler cities
Researchers in MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub have been modelling lighter-coloured and more reflective roads in a bid to lower air temperatures. Dark asphalt is known to raise the surrounding air temperature. Approximately 40 per cent of urban areas are paved, and by absorbing and reflecting heat it can increase the urban heat island effect. The researchers believe […]
-
Empowering women in STEM to shine as role models
An initiative aimed at raising the confidence of women working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields will soon be available for Australians. Known as STEMazing, the program ran its (northern) spring 2021 program as a pilot initiative. “The aim of the STEMazing program is to empower women in STEM to shine as […]
-
A.G. Coombs shares suite of COVID-19 resources
Building services specialist A. G. Coombs has created a new web page answering commonly asked questions about COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, A.G. Coombs has been responding to requests from building owners and managers about restricting the spread of COVID-19 with the help of building services, especially HVAC systems. Over that time, the […]
-
Trafalgar facility earns ISO 9001:2015 certification
Trafalgar Group’s Granville facility has earned ISO 9001:2015 certification for their quality management system. The certification applies to the quality management system, specifically the design, production and supply of passive fire protection products and systems, access panels, safety storage solutions and other specialty building products from Trafalgar’s facility in Granville. ISO 9001:2015 is the International […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]