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Tag: Featured
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Beijer Ref’s Australian plant completes relocation
Beijer Ref’s Australian manufacturing operation SCM REF Australia has completed its relocation into a new purpose-built facility at Bankstown, Sydney. The OEM has been set up to service the Australian refrigeration industry, with a focus on natural refrigerants. As part of the push for sustainability under the combined Beijer Ref umbrella, Kirby and Beijer Ref […]
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ARBS webinar on in-building connectivity and 5G
Given that approximately 70 per cent of mobile data in Australia is consumed indoors, in-building connectivity will increasingly play a deciding role in where a business is located, with a flow-on effect on the occupancy rates of commercial buildings and real estate. This is the premise for Alex Fuershchke’s upcoming presentation at IBTech@ARBS 2022. Titled […]
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Workers urged to get flying start on licence applications
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is offering new arrangements for mechanical services workers who apply for their occupational licence ahead of the January 1, 2022 deadline. Employees who perform mechanical services work for a licensed contractor, including refrigeration and air conditioning, have until January 1, 2022 to hold the relevant occupational licence. Normally, […]
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Natural Refrigeration Conference goes virtual
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has announced it is cancelling the face-to-face portion of the 2021 IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference and Expo due to COVID-19. It will now be held online. The event was originally slated to be held in Palm Springs, California, USA, from June 21–23, 2021. The current regulations that affect meetings […]
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Changes imminent for NABERS Energy Ratings
NABERS Energy Ratings are set to change from July 1 this year to reflect the increasing decarbonisation of the grid. There are also plans to introduce a formal definition of “net zero” and recognise buildings that achieve this standard. Corine Mulet is Technical Projects Manager at NABERS and presented a session on the changes as […]
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VASA Wire & Gas Convention postponed until 2022
VASA, Australasia’s peak trade association for specialists in auto air conditioning, electrical and thermal management, has postponed its flagship Wire & Gas conference until 2022 due to logistical risks posed by ongoing pandemic-related disruptions. Wire & Gas, originally scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 2, 2020, was postponed until the equivalent weekend […]
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Carel releases white paper on natural refrigerants
HVAC&R control and humidification specialist Carel has released a white paper that examines natural refrigerants and the technologies available to optimise energy savings. As countries around the world move to phase down HFCs in support of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, natural refrigerants including CO2, ammonia and hydrocarbons are increasingly being looked at […]
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How does climate change affect building codes?
The Global Resiliency Dialogue has released a report about the current integration of climate data and assessment of extreme weather events in building codes around the world. The group is composed of international industry organisations including the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the National Research Council of Canada, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and […]
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Sustainable Starbucks built in six days
Starbucks Canada is opening the first sustainably constructed Starbucks drive-thru store in Abbotsford, Canada. The store was constructed in just six days with near-zero construction waste. It is also designed to reduce energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds. Starbucks worked with Vancouver-based green building company, Nexii Building Solutions, to construct […]
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Body heat powers new wearable device
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new wearable device that harvests energy from the wearer’s own body heat. Using an elastic material, the device can be worn like a ring, bracelet or any accessory that makes direct contact with your skin. It employs thermoelectric generators to convert the body’s internal temperature […]
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Condair shares advice on making buildings healthier
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rethink on the risks posed by viral transmission in buildings. Fresh air, temperature, minimum relative humidity and even sunlight are gaining greater attention as factors that can control the spread of viruses. Humidity specialist Condair has released a white paper entitled “Making buildings healthier” that provides an overview of […]
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Northern Territory to finally adopt Section J?
The Northern Territory government is considering adopting Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC), which will set out new energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings. The National Construction Code prescribes the minimum standard for buildings in Australia. Although it is a national code, each state and territory may decide whether or not to adopt […]
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Umow Lai fully integrates into Integral Group
Umow Lai’s Melbourne practice has taken the final step in joining the Integral Group brand. With the Sydney and Brisbane offices of Umow Lai having already been absorbed into the global operation, the rebranding of the erstwhile Victorian Umow Lai office – its national HQ – means the organisation previously known as Umow Lai will […]
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ARC applauds world’s ‘greatest repair job’
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has highlighted the impact of the Montreal Protocol – and the work of refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians in protecting the ozone layer and the environment. The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement between 197 countries to phase out refrigerants and other substances that deplete the ozone layer. […]
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Engineering and defence leaders to talk at IWD 2021
Female leaders from Aurecon and the Australian Defence Force will share their success strategies in an event to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. As in previous years, IWD 2021 will be marked by global events that bring attention to the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The occasion will also […]
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UK government confirms 2025 gas boiler ban
The UK government has confirmed a ban on fossil fuel heating systems such as natural gas boilers from new homes by 2025. The ban follows a response to an initial consultation on the Future Homes Standard, which was proposed as a green standard for new build homes. The response sets out broad proposals for ensuring […]
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Discrimination in the construction industry
A new report has revealed that women working in trades and semi-skilled roles in construction experience high rates of discrimination. The Victorian government commissioned the report from RMIT as part of its Women in Construction Strategy, which aims to increase participation of women in the construction industry. The study found that women perceive a lack of acceptance […]
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Report opens the way to better insulation in buildings
The Energy Efficiency Council and Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) are launching a research report to support an industry-led roadmap for healthy, comfortable buildings. Last year, the Energy Efficiency Council and ASBEC developed a research report to support an industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in the installation of insulation in Australian buildings. […]
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ASHRAE presents to congressional hearing on COVID-19 safety
US engineering body ASHRAE has provided witness testimony in a congressional hearing on COVID-19 risks and response in transportation systems. Titled “Protecting Transportation Workers and Passengers from COVID: Gaps in Safety, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps,” the hearing examined COVID-19 safety gaps in the protection of US transportation workers and passengers. “Protecting the transportation workforce […]
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Vale ozone pioneer Paul Crutzen
Dutch scientist Paul J. Crutzen, who earned the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work understanding the hole in the ozone layer, has died. Credited with coining the term “Anthropocene” to describe the geological era shaped by humankind and its impact on climate change, Crutzen died on January 28. He was 87. Crutzen was the […]