Mark Vender

November 16, 2020

Call for RAC subject matter experts

News

Although a new national training package for refrigeration and air conditioning has just been released, work is already starting on the next iteration. Two new units will be developed on variable refrigerant flow systems, and fire and smoke control systems. Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is looking for subject matter experts to help review and develop […]

November 12, 2020

COVID-19 outbreaks prompt hospital HVAC audit

News

The Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority has commissioned engineering assessments of the HVAC systems within wards dedicated to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients at 20 hospital sites over the next eight weeks. The assessment will work with health services to verify airflow rates, effectiveness of ventilation strategies adopted by hospitals, and any adjustments […]

November 11, 2020

South Australia aims high for energy efficiency

News

Industry groups have applauded the South Australian government announcement that it will invest $60 million to improve the energy efficiency of government buildings. According to Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining, the commitment is the largest per capita stimulus investment of any Australian government in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. […]

November 10, 2020

AIRAH Awards 2020 winners announced

Events and conferences

In a special online edition of its annual awards ceremony, AIRAH has announced the winners of the AIRAH Awards 2020. Held as the culmination of AIRAH’s Outlook 2020 international HVAC&R conference, the awards celebrated the leading people, projects and products in Australia’s HVAC&R industry across 11 categories. The winners’ list features some of Australia’s most […]

November 9, 2020

Check licence requirements now, warns QBCC

Regulations

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is alerting employees who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work for a licensed contractor that they must hold the relevant mechanical services occupational licence by January 1, 2022. Contractors who hold a mechanical services licence and have employees who perform mechanical services work are encouraged to discuss licensing […]

November 5, 2020

Beijer Ref strengthens local manufacturing capability

BusinessNews

Beijer Ref in Australia has announced the formation of SCM REF Australia, a Sydney-based OEM to service the Australian refrigeration industry. It is believed the move will support the company’s focus on sustainability and the development of environmentally friendly and natural refrigerant technology. “The investment is a significant injection into the Australian refrigeration industry and […]

November 3, 2020

Has Australia hit ‘peak bank’?

News

A new version of the Cold Hard Facts report reveals that Australia’s HVAC&R sector may have hit “peak bank” for synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) in 2019–20. The total global warming potential (GWP) of the bank of synthetic greenhouse gases employed in refrigerating and air conditioning systems in Australia is predicted to have peaked in 2019–20 […]

October 30, 2020

Company fined $500,000 for unlawfully importing HFCs

News

The largest fine ever issued under Australia’s ozone protection laws has been handed down to a Victorian-based fire protection company for the unlawful importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Following a civil prosecution from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, this week the Federal Court of Australia found the company formerly known as Fire Protection Technologies […]

October 29, 2020

Vote imminent on flammable standard

Regulations

The votes are set to be counted on an updated international safety standard that would allow increased charge sizes of flammable refrigerants in household air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The proposal has sparked discussion in the world of HVAC&R. Although it would apply to A2, A2L and A3 refrigerants, the proposal has been framed […]

October 29, 2020

Round table for Australia’s top ratings systems

Events and conferences

Australia’s top ratings tools organisations will come together for a panel discussion at AIRAH’s Outlook 2020 Conference on November 10. The panel will feature Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, Director of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), and Jack Noonan, Vice President, Asia Pacific […]