Hotel Engineer 18 4 issuu

THE

HOTEL ENGINEER OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF HOTEL ENGINEERING

PP 319986/101

Volume 18 Number 4 January 2014

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The Hotel Engineer The Official Publication of the Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering

LETTER

H

otels might not have chimneys, but hopefully Father Christmas still gave the hotel industry a few gifts over Christmas. It’s usually pretty busy over the silly season so here at Adbourne Publishing we hope that you found time for a break. As you read this in 2014 you’ll find articles covering some of the things you might come across this year.

The AIHE Conference will be hosted soon in Surfers Paradise and is set to be the biggest and best yet. Now in it’s 25th year, the conference will exhibit 50 key industry suppliers and host up to 250 delegates holding sway in the hotel industry. Turn to the centre of this issue for the full story.

We have an article from Green Building Council of Australia CEO Romilly Madew, who explains the new Green Star Performance rating system. These ratings reflect a hotel’s environmental credentials, including their energy and water efficiency, waste management and indoor environment quality. These ratings assist hotels to optimise their operational performance and to see the results from new best practise measures.

While we’re on environmental best practise, we have a very interesting article on the ramifications of wasted water. The WA Water Corporation’s latest water saving program has saved over 144 million litres of water and $300,000 in water charges to hotels

Adbourne Publishing 18/69 Acacia Road Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156 PO Box 735, Belgrave, VIC 3160 www.adbourne.com Editorial Consultant Max Agnew Editorial Contributor Thomas Johnson

ADVERTISING Melbourne: Neil Muir T: (03) 9758 1433 F: (03) 9758 1432 E: neil@adbourne.com Adelaide: Robert Spowart T: 0488 390 039 E: robert@adbourne.com PRODUCTION Emily Wallis T: (03) 9758 1436 E: production@adbourne.com

in Western Australia alone. Faults like hidden leaks, over irrigation and faulty equipment can all combine to run up the water bill without notice. The research required some high-end data collection resources which you’ll also find interesting.

Our focus remains with plumbing when Watermark Services Group’s Neil McPherson talks about the plumbing industry, products and installation methods. With numerous qualifications and over 13 years as a Standards Australia Committee member, Neil has contributed to a range of plumbing standard drafts and passes on some great perspectives on plumbing and fire services in hotels.

Throughout 2013 we introduced some new regular writers who have given us insight, opinions and entertainment through their stories.

We thank them for taking the time out to share with us. In particular, I would like to thank Max Winter from the Hendry Group, Peter Swanson from AMX and Neil Weenink for their regular contributions.

Finally, I would like to thank our advertisers who make this magazine free for you to read. As you flick through the pages and enquire about a product or service that has been advertised, please mention that you saw them in the Hotel Engineer.

We hope you enjoy this issue, Neil Muir

Administration Robyn Fantin T: (03) 9758 1431 E: admin@adbourne.com Marketing Tania Lamanna T: (03) 9500 0285 E: tlamanna@bigpond.net.au SUBSCRIPTIONS Enquiries: (03) 9758 1431 Fax: (03) 9758 1432 Email: admin@adbourne.com

AIHE State Presidents Ian Crookston, QLD E: ian.crookston@ihg.com Anura Yapa, NSW E: Anura.Yapa@shangri-la.com David Zammit,VIC E: david.zammit@hyatt.com Tony Fioraso, WA E: tony.fioraso@burswood.com.au

Adbourne Publishing cannot ensure that the advertisers appearing in The Hotel Engineer comply absolutely with the Trades Practices Act and other consumer legislation.

The responsibility is therefore on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement(s) for publication.

Adbourne Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertisement without stating the reason. No responsibility is accepted for incorrect information contained in advertisements or editorial.The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or otherwise alter articles for publication.

All original material produced in this magazine remains the property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced without authority. The views of the contributors and all submitted editorial are the author’s views and are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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CONTENTS 6

AIHE State News

14 Hotels can say goodbye to greenwash 16 Are hidden leaks costing you?

22 Zigbee Alliance 24 Timeshare on announcements 26 The importance of maintaining doors and hardware

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30 Plumbing and Fire Services 34 Security & the Hotel Environment 37 Fenestration... Your Building’s Cornea 48 The falls tragedy continues 52 Selecting an Asset & Facility Management System 56 Paper for Visions Conference 2013 58 Voltage optimisation 62 The Need For Clean (Air) 67 Independent Water, Indoor Air, and Corrosion Monitoring

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70 Regulation Update 74 Back of House 77 Product News Centre spread: AIHE 25th Anniversary Update Conference

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AIHE STATE

NEWS NEW SOUTH WALES Greetings from the NSW Chapter.

Welcome to the last edition of the Hotel Engineer magazine of the year 2013.

In our closing article for the year, I would like to take the opportunity to recap on our last quarter and share with everyone what lies ahead for 2014.

In November, we had three meetings, it kicked off with our committee meeting which was held at Sydney’s Bar 333 on November 14th. Committee Members mainly discussed about the proposed AGM and the arrangements for the Christmas Dinner. The evening was a great night for a catch-up just before Christmas.

The State President’s Meeting followed on the 15th of November at the Shangri-la Hotel Sydney. All state presidents discussed national level related matters, mainly organising the update conference scheduled to be held at Gold Coast in August 2014.

Finally for November, the AIHE NSW chapter AGM was held on the evening of the 26th at the Shangri-la Sydney Hotel.

Our guest presenters included; Brendon Granger of Technology 4 Hotels who discussed “What guests Want – Guest In-room Technology”, followed by Jonathon Few members at the NSW Chapter AGM Meeting

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Boys of City of Sydney Smart Green Business who promoted free water efficiency parts for the accommodation sector.

Honorary Fellow Member Phil McKendrick (the pro tem chairperson) carried out the AGM formalities. He went on to say that it was wonderful to see the progression of the NSW chapter.

Election of office bearers took place with all positions declared vacant. The nominations were announced and members then voted.

I was re-elected as the President of the NSW Chapter; newly elected committee members are as follows; President Anura Yapa Vice President Carl Van der Heever Benjamin Gray Secretary Treasurer Elizabeth Tam Jason Manly Event Coordinator Committee Members Jackson Wong

Brendon Granger

Trevor McCarren

Scott O’Brien

Sunny Pan I would like to congratulate the outgoing committee who has done an excellent job during the past year and would like to give a warm welcome to the new committee. Your efforts and contributions have been never ending throughout the year of 2013.

It was great to see that a lot of hotel engineers representing the committee this year.

I would like to thank my General Manager, Mr. Franz Donhauser for providing the venue and sponsoring the night. Mr Donhauser’s opening speech on insights into the challenges faced by hotels to keep up with the ever changing engineering issues, the dynamics of a hotel engineer’s role and his encouragement and enlightening words were respected and appreciated by the members. It was a privilege to be able to host both meetings

within Shangri-la. Thanks to all in Events team and the Chef for their hospitality, we were able to accommodate all members and carry-out a successful AGM. The NSW Chapters Christmas party was held at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park on Saturday 7th of December. Unfortunately I was unable to attend as I was on leave to repose before commencing another exciting year ahead. However I was informed that it was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all with a sit down dinner, great food, good wine and the best of company. Credit goes to all the members who contributed and helped to organise this year’s event. I hope those who attended enjoyed themselves.

Further I was told that the venue was beautifully decorated thanks to Trevor McCarren who also has stepped in with fellow member David Flinter as DJ for the night. I would also like to thank Jason Manly for organising the wines, Elizabeth for carefully organising all financials for the night, and Chelsea from Chilltech who played a huge role in pulling together this wonderful night for our members. Thanks for Ben of Craft Works for his contribution for the drinks, we appreciate your generosity.

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation to all committee members, all Engineers and our Corporate Members and various General Managers for their support over the past year and look forward to working with all in the future.

Best wishes for the New Year, Anura Yapa JP President – AIHE NSW chapter

Left: Mr Donhauser addressing the gathering; Right: Presenter Brendon Granger at NSW Chapter AGM

VICTORIA Blah David Zammit President AIHE Victoria Chapter

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Blah Tony Fioraso President AIHE Western Australia

WELCOME

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AIHE STATE

NEWS WESTERN AUSTRALIA Happy New Year and greetings from Western Australia.

Our meeting in October was held at Crown Perth in Studio one in the Convention Centre.

We had two guest presenters for the evening: Hobart Food Equipment, who presented an overview of where the industry is at in relation to dishwashers, glass washers and general mixing and kitchen equipment.

If you would like to see the product and presentation please log onto: www.Technology4Hotels.com.au

Ian Thomas – Business Development Manager – National Foodservice Equipment Ian Riley – Director – Woodbridge Painting and Maintenance

The presentations were well represented with over 30 attendees.

Patrick Broderick – State Manager – Thorn Lighting

The quarterly Presidents meeting was held in November in Sydney which reinforced the commitment of all states to work together collaboratively and to ensure the conference in 2014 will be bigger and better than the conference in 2012.

Daragh Maher – Sales – Mil-tek Waste Solutions

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new members to the WA Chapter: John Banks – Chief Engineer – Pullman Resort Bunker Bay Margaret River

There was also new product on display for engineers to view and inspect.

Sidath Sri Kuruppu – Maintenance Manager – IBIS Perth

Electek presented “technology 4 hotels” products which included a presentation introducing Electek & their services.

Scott Nelson – Sales Manager – IBIS Water

The presentation promoted the MEDIA HUB including a “Skype” presentation by

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Brendon Granger live from Sydney on the night.

Neil Macaulay – Plant and Equipment Manager – Crown Perth

I would also like to thank and acknowledge my committee for all there support during 2013 and I look forward to working with you in 2014.

The WA Chapter will finish off to what has been an extremely busy year with at the Windsor Hotel for our end of year Christmas party.

We continue to grow the WA Chapter each year and I urge all Hotel Engineers to support and contribute to your industry by joining the institute.

In closing I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Regards Tony Fioraso President – AIHE Western Australia

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AIHE STATE

NEWS VICTORIA Hard to believe that yet another year has passed us by, I do hope it has been good to you, with many achievements along the way.

As we wind down for some relaxing time with our families, we eagerly await summer to arrive, yes summer, remember what that used to feel like... I am sure its coming...

To celebrate the year’s end, our last meeting was held on December 12th, which included our annual AGM and Christmas cocktails.

Venue of choice was “The residence” at Grand Hyatt Melbourne. We had a fabulous turn out of about 50 pax, which included members and their partners. A great majority of our corporate’s had been generous in contributing prizes that were raffled over the course of the night. Peter Barbour the funny bugger was our MC for the function, which made for some great entertainment.

The outcome of the AGM returned all but one of the existing committee back into their positions. Adam Vince, who has been a committee member for the past 3 years, chose not to run for reelection this year. We thank

Adam for his contribution and look forward to seeing him at our meetings in the New Year.

The 2014 committee now consists as follows.

Committee Members: Soudi Noori, Don Robertson, Ian Charman, Ponce Casass, Greg Mallet, Andrew Eldred, John Appleyard & David Jones.

Meeting Coordinator: Secretary: Vice President: President:

Stephen Docherty, Peter Barbour Anton Van Den Brink David Zammit.

I would like to thank all committee members for their assistance over the past 12 months and certainly look forward to their support in further growing the chapter in 2014. A special thank you to Peters ‘s other half, Monica Barbour, who has assisted Peter behind the scenes in the role of secretary. I sincerely thank Monica for her support to our chapter in her administrative capacity.

Also my gratitude extends to all of our Hotel engineers that assisted AIHE in hosting each of our monthly meetings throughout the year.

This effort is truly appreciated; it allows the committee to forward plan its meetings with peace of mind. In addition, our corporate members have been accommodating in hosting us at their offices. An example of this was our October meeting held at ComCater’s

South Melbourne showroom hosted by Craig Lategan. November had us meet at the Sofitel Melbourne hosted by our Vice President Anton Van den Brink with our presenter for the evening being Doron Danon of SHS Smart Hotel.

A credit to all the members and supporters of the Victorian chapter, we have certainly enjoyed each other’s company over the past 12 months, welcomed new members throughout the year and forged many great friendships, a truly great year.

A note of thanks also goes out to my fellow presidents, Ian, Anura & Tony who have been great to work with over the past year. Not only committed to their chapters, but also committed to ensure AIHE remains united on a national front. It is always a pleasure when we catch up quarterly to discus the direction of AIHE, compare notes and the activity of each chapter, whilst the 3 of us do our best to support Ian and his team as they plan the 2014 update conference.

In closing, I take this opportunity to wish all our members, readers and their families a very happy Christmas, a safe & healthy 2014, I sincerely thank you for your ongoing support.

Kind regards David Zammit President AIHE Victoria Chapter

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AIHE STATE

NEWS QUEENSLAND November was the only meeting held this quarter.

Representatives of Ultra Energy Australia (UEA) presented their energy savings product, Ultra, at the meeting held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on the Gold Coast.

UEA is the Exclusive Distributor in Australia and Oceania for the Ultra energy saving device which is manufactured in South Korea by Keseco.

Alan Gordon explained that Ultra is a world first technology combining Chemical Engineering principles and Electromagnetic Field theory to create a truly unique energy efficiency product which increases the efficiency of electron movement in wiring and circuits, and so reduces power wastage whilst not interfering with the running of appliances or machinery.

Businesses who are implementing this approach are seeing reductions in overall site consumption of between 8% and 12%.

The Ultra device is available worldwide and has a substantial track record of success, backed by many client testimonials from a wide range of industries all around the world. The Ultra device has a number of advantages: • Comes will a full 3-year warranty.

• No maintenance or running costs.

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• Fast site analysis and easy installation options.

• Works on your entire electricity system, and/or specific circuits.

• Return on Investment is typically 18-24 months.

Alan went on to advise that the Ultra device has been extensively tested by many reputable independent organisations across the globe, such as TGM in Austria and SGS in Korea. Results have shown consistency in product performance, delivering savings and in safety compliance when installed correctly. In Australia, Ultra has been independently tested by Griffith University as well as AusTest Laboratories in accordance with Australian and New Zealand Electrical standard AS/NZS 3100:2009.

UEA has also developed a Measurement and Verification Protocol (MVP), to provide reliable proof of the efficacy of installed Ultra devices. The MVP is based on the NSW Government version of EVO’s International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), recognised internationally as the energy efficiency benchmark. UEA records and monitors electricity consumption in selected individual circuits to collect the data for the MVP process and has engaged independent, qualified third parties to verify that the process is sound and reliable.

UEA is currently undertaking Measurement and Verification Process’s across a range of industries in Australia which include: • National Fast Food Restaurants • International Hotel Groups • International Petroleum Company • Aged Care providers

• National Pub and Bottle Shop Group Completed MVPs confirm results of between 8% and 14% for International Hotels, Clubs and Gymnasiums whilst other clients in Agriculture and Food Production have proven their own results of between 8% and 14% of reduction of power wastage.

Ultra’s specialist distributor to the Hospitality Industry, Matthew Brannelly has been working with several AIHE members facilities over the past six months and may be contacted for further information on 0419 222 3 44.

We celebrated Christmas with our “Christmas in the Clouds” cocktail party at the Q1 Building, Level 77 Observation Deck. It was held on Saturday the 14th Dec, a great night, further details and plenty of photos for the next issue of the magazine.

Progress continues on the 2014 Update Conference planning. All is shaping up to be again a great event. Packages are detailed for those who wish to take a Trade Booth.

Big Congratulations and thank you to our 3 Major Sponsors – Vingtech – Diamond, Clipsal – Platinum My Smart Solutions – Gold The delegates package and Speakers will be listed in the New Year.

On behalf of all of the committee and myself, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Ian Crookston AIHE – Qld Chapter President

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Hotels can say goodbye to greenwash

Romilly Madew I Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council of Australia

Greenwashing – the ability to dress something up to appear more sustainable and therefore saleable – has been a regular practice in some parts of the hotel industry for decades. In fact, the term ‘greenwash’ was coined by New York environmentalist Jay Westervelt in 1986, when he criticised the hotel industry’s habit of placing cards in each hotel room, promoting the reuse of towels to ‘save the environment’.

M

ost hoteliers telegraph their ‘eco-friendly’ credentials with just a few visible actions – such as using non-toxic cleaning products, recycling newspapers and using towels and sheets made from natural fibres. In most cases, little or no effort is made by hotels to make a meaningful impact on resource consumption. Instead, any green measures are implemented to enable hoteliers to reduce labor costs and increase profit.

However, the idea that sustainability and profitability are mutually exclusive is wrong. Some smart hoteliers around Australia are beginning to recognise that cutting through the greenwash and aiming for truly sustainable practices can deliver dividends – from reduced operating costs and higher profit margins, to improved staff productivity and brand equity. And thankfully there are now a few different organisations that rate hotels, including EC3 Global and AAA Tourism, which makes comparisons between environmental impacts much easier.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) promotes costefficient and resource-saving design, construction and operations.

The Green Star rating system provides the framework for hotels to be designed, constructed and operated sustainably. Around Australia, more than 630 Green Star-rated building projects are producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions, making significant savings on energy and water consumption and costs, and preventing truckloads of waste from going to landfill.

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Our new report, The Value of Green Star: A decade of environmental benefits, analyses data from 428 Green Star-certified projects occupying 5,746,000 million square metres across Australia and compares it to the ‘average’ Australian building and minimum practice benchmarks. Just a few key findings include: • Energy: Green Star-rated buildings have reduced electricity consumption by 580,000 megawatts per year – equivalent to 76,000 average households’ annual electricity use.

• Emissions: On average, Green Star-certified buildings produce 62 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and use 66 per cent less electricity than average Australian buildings. The cumulative greenhouse gas savings from the Green Star-rated buildings surveyed, when compared to the average, totals 625,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – the equivalent of removing 172,000 cars from our roads.

• Water: Green Star buildings use 51 per cent less potable water than average buildings. That saving – more than 3,300,000 kilolitres of potable water a year – is enough to service 18,000 households or fill 1,320 Olympic swimming pools.

• Waste: The average new construction project has a 58 per cent recycling rate. In comparison, Green Star – As Built certified buildings are recycling 96 per cent of their construction demolition waste. In total, 37,600 truckloads of construction and demolition waste have been diverted from landfill due to good waste management practices.

The environmental benefits of Green Star buildings are now irrefutable. But Green Star-rated buildings are not just good for the environment – they also reduce operating costs, attract customers and staff, deliver higher returns, and boost productivity, health and reputation. In fact, some Green Star buildings are recording productivity gains of up to 15 per cent.

Until recently, Green Star set best practice benchmarks for the design and construction of new and retrofitted buildings and tenancies. However, the new Green Star – Performance rating tool provides benchmarks to help management teams in Australia’s 6,800 plus hotels to set targets to increase energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and improve factors that influence occupant health and comfort, such as indoor environment quality.

The rating tool can help hoteliers to track their hotel’s operational performance and drive ongoing upgrade and retrofit programs.

Green Star – Performance has set best practice benchmarks for the implementation of strategies and actions that measure and reduce a hotel’s operational energy use, reliance on grid energy supply and greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, the rating tool rewards points for reductions in potable water use through the efficient design of building services, water reuse and substitution with non-potable water sources such as rainwater or greywater.

But true sustainability goes well beyond energy and water efficiency.

The Green Star – Performance ‘Management’ category, for example, provides guidance for management teams and assesses the policies, procedures, targets and strategies needed to ensure buildings operate to their potential. Credits within this category address aspects of building management, such as the ongoing monitoring of energy and water use, and the implementation of green cleaning policies and practices.

a balance between temperature, relative humidity and air speed.

The ‘Thermal Comfort’ credit rewards the monitoring of each of these factors throughout the performance period.

The ‘Hazardous Materials’ credit rewards operational practices that reduce the health risks from the hazardous materials commonly found in older buildings, such as asbestos and lead. The ‘Quality of Indoor Air’ credit assesses the systems that provide air, as well as the quality of the air supplied to a building’s occupied spaces. And the ‘Acoustic Comfort’ credit rewards the monitoring and maintenance of noise from building systems and exterior sources.

In a first for the Green Star rating system, Green Star – Performance is delivered via an online platform, which helps to ensure that the rating tool is efficient and cost-effective to use. A Green Star – Performance rating will provide hotels with the independent third party tick of approval that the market now expects, and give them access to all the benefits that a Green Star rating brings – from improved asset value and reduced costs, through to increased employee productivity and consumer engagement.

Download The Value of Green Star: A decade of environmental benefits from the GBCA website: www.gbca.org.au/greenstarreport Read more about Green Star – Performance: www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-performance

Indoor environment quality is another key aspect of sustainable building performance. Credits within the ‘Indoor Environmental Quality’ category assess and reward strategies that ensure hotels are healthy and comfortable places for guests to stay and staff to work. Credits address air quality, access to daylight and views, reduction of hazardous materials, lighting, thermal and acoustic comfort, and the overall satisfaction of users with the building.

Under the ‘Lighting Comfort’ credit, for example, points are awarded where processes and strategies are in place to ensure that all lights are flicker-free, render colour accurately and minimise glare. Points are also awarded where processes are in place to measure, monitor and manage lighting levels and ensure optimal lighting levels within a building’s regularly occupied spaces. These strategies can help to headaches, fatigue and eye strain.

Evidence suggests that building occupants benefit from visual connections to the outdoors which offer a greater sense of time, weather and access to contextual focal points in the distance, so the ‘Daylight & Views’ credit rewards the provision of well-lit spaces that offer appropriate levels of natural daylight for the tasks regularly performed by building occupants.

The management of thermal comfort conditions is often one of the biggest operational challenges for building managers. And, while many management teams only address thermal comfort in terms of temperature, achieving optimal thermal comfort conditions requires

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Are hidden leaks costing you?

Jessie Cochrane I WA Water Corporation

Water Corporation

H

otel owners and operators across Western Australia have saved in excess of 144 million litres of water and over $300,000 in water charges as part of a water saving program delivered by Water Corporation.

Twenty six hotels and resorts participated in Water Corporation’s data logging and leak detection program, which monitored water use and helped identify hidden leaks, over irrigation and faulty equipment.

Over 400 battery-powered data loggers were installed on water meters of customers that consume between 10 and 100 million litres of water per annum.

A data logger is a small electronic device that attaches to the water meter and measures water use throughout the day.

The loggers were supplied with a 3G SIM card, which enables high resolution water consumption data to be transmitted to a website via the mobile phone network.

The data is then available to be analysed and water use patterns reviewed to identify potential water wastage.

The loggers revealed more than 20 issues across 16 hotels, many of which were unknown to management at the time.

Understanding baseflow One of the biggest advantages of data logging technology is the potential to identify if a site has a baseflow. Baseflow is defined as a continuous water flow at a property, which is a good indication that a leak may be present.

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In cases where a site does not operate 24 hours a day, an estimated baseflow can be calculated from the average minimum night flow (in litres per minute), between midnight and 5am. This is the time when there is expected to be little water use activity.

Figure 1. (Data logging profile highlighting baseflow before the leak was discovered and repaired)

In a hotel it is expected that there be some water use overnight, however during the hours of midnight and 5am this would be minimal. If the flow rate does not hit zero at any point during this timeframe, this can indicate that a leak or some other problem may be present and should be investigated.

Of the 26 hotels almost 30 per cent showed the presence of a baseflow.

In one example, a four star hotel was alerted to abnormal water use through the data logger. The water use profile showed that water use was high even in the early hours of the morning, at a time when minimal activity would be expected (Figure 1). The consistency and volume of this water indicated that further investigation should be undertaken as a leak may be present.

Image 1. (Wet grout discovered in a paved area of the hotel)

Image 2.(Pooling water beneath raised pavers)

In their efforts to locate the source, staff noticed wet grout in a paved area. The area had not been washed down, nor had it rained recently so the presence of water was unusual.

Staff lifted the pavement revealing pooling water. The water supply was turned off while staff continued to dig and eventual expose a leak in a copper pipe (Image 1-4).

Image 3. (Staff discovered a copper pipe as the source of the leak)

The small hole in the pipe, if left undetected, would have wasted an estimated eight million litres of water per annum, or 33 per cent of the hotel’s total water use. This would have cost the owners an additional Image 4. (The $34,000 hole in the copper pipe)

$34,000 in water and sewerage charges annually.

Irrigation efficiency In addition to detecting baseflow the program also provided insights into other areas of water use.

Irrigation was identified as another opportunity for hotels to achieve big water savings, and at little cost. This could be done through small, cost-effective adjustments to irrigation systems.

Twenty per cent of sites were observed Figure 3. (Data logging profile showing a growing leak in irrigation pipework) irrigating outside rostered watering hours.

Not only were these hotels not getting the most out of their watering efforts as they Common water irregularities identified in hotels as a result of the were watering at the wrong time program include, faulty float valves on air conditioning systems, of day, they also were in breach of watering rosters. leaking taps and toilet cisterns and broken water pipes.

Some hotels were also found to have excessive run times for each irrigation station, meaning they were applying significantly more water than what was required.

Water Corporation discovered one site in the north-west where the irrigation system had been unintentionally set to operate daily and for excessive run times.

Figure 3 above provides an example of data showing a hotel with a leak on an irrigation pipe. The pipe was buried in sandy soil, which meant water was draining away from the surface making it invisible to the eye.

By reducing irrigation to every second day (as per the north-west watering roster) and adjusting irrigation run times, the site reduced water use by 68 per cent and saved around 20 million litres of water per annum; all while maintaining the property’s aesthetic appeal (Figure 2).

The adjustments to the irrigation system were simple and led to operational savings in excess of $40,000 per year.

Figure 2. (Data logging profile highlighting excessive irrigation scheduling)

Detecting anomalies Data loggers can provide a cost-effective tool to assist with long term water management.They provide data which can be used to create a better understanding of hotel water use patterns.This allows management to pick up unusual water use as soon it occurs, rather than waiting for the next water bill to arrive.

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As can be seen in the graph, the leak was getting bigger over time and may have never been detected without the assistance of the logger. Prior to being located the leak was wasting an estimated 30,000 litres of water per day.

The findings from Water Corporation’s hotel and resort data logging and leak detection program have provided a useful insight into water use patterns in hotels and resorts and identified a number of cost-effective opportunities for savings.

It should be noted that the savings quoted from the program have been estimated from hotels and resorts that chose to engage with the Corporation and address continuous baseflow identified by loggers.

A number of other hotels and resorts were also notified as having continuous a baseflow, however the cause was not resolved before the conclusion of the program. This suggests that there may be more hotels and resorts with the potential to achieve cost-effective water savings.

What can you do to save water?

There are steps you can take to potentially save water and money.

Firstly, check to see if you have a baseflow present. If possible, read your meter between the hours of midnight and 5am when water use should be minimal. Make sure you eliminate any normal overnight water use such as irrigation or cleaning. If you have significant water use during this period, you may have a leak and further investigation may be required.

Also keep a look out for any visible signs of a leak such as extra lush or spongy areas of lawn, pooling water in areas that should otherwise be dry, running toilets or dripping taps. Engage cleaners, security or ground staff to assist with reporting potential leaks, which may need repair.

Review your irrigation scheduling to make sure you are compliant with your region’s watering roster and also whether run times can be reduced.

If you undertake the above and still have concerns about hidden leaks at your hotel, contact Water Corporation about installing a data logger via; water.efficiency@watercorporation.com.au or (08) 9420 2644.

Water Corporation is the primary supplier of water and wastewater services in Western Australia. Water conservation and efficiency is imperative if we are to sustain our water supplies in a drying climate and with a rising population. The Corporation has a water efficiency target to reduce state wide per capita water consumption by 15 per cent by 2030. The data logging and leak detection program is one program to help our customers reduce consumption to achieve this target.

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Advanced engineering features takes these advantages even further • Standard integrated blower dryer works with the airflow management system.

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• An active tank management system continuously monitors and adjusts water levels in the machine automatically.

for more information visit meiko.com.au or call 1300 562 500

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ADVERTORIAL

Commercial Dishwashers Choosing the right dishwasher is not necessarily an easy task in this day and age when there are so many brands on the market. Many things have to be taken into account whether it be for an under counter machine right up to the large conveyorised Flight type machines.

M

any factors can come into play not the least being price, cycle times, warranty, ease of installation, service backup just to name a few.

It can be a mistake to simply make a decision based on price or taking the easy path of this is the one we have so just buy another one the same.

Like so many machines over the past years dishwashing has made some very real progress in reducing the amount of water, chemical, energy and labour required to run and operate them. So it can be very profitable in the long run if you invest a little time into what is out in the market and what does it offer to help improve my bottom line.

Meiko Australia Pacific Pty Ltd was formed in April of 2007 and is a fully owned Subsidiary of Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH & Co in Germany.

Meiko was established in Germany in 1927 and now has 3 Factories around the World the largest being the Factory in Germany.This Factory employs over 1,000 people alone and there are over 1,800 in the group World Wide including Australia.

Since being formed Meiko Australia Pacific “MAP” who only import from the German Factory has found many owners, managers and operators have become interested in the operating costs and the advanced features our machines offer.

It is quite easy to fall into the trap of its back of house and it’s just a dishwasher so let’s just get the cheapest unit we can.

In today’s world this is not always the best choice.

With the costs of chemicals, electricity, water and labour rising and the concern for the environment affecting decisions we make advanced technology in dishwashing is gaining more and more interest.

Consider one of the first things a guest will look at when they sit down to dine at your restaurant, the glasses and the cutlery. Knowing this you will probably have instructed your wait staff to polish

every glass and piece of cutlery before it goes out to the table.

Then consider how much time this takes and the hourly rate you are paying your staff and then multiply it by the amount of days per year your restaurant is open.

It soon adds up and the larger the restaurant, function centre the larger that cost.

Now consider what if I could reduce the need to hand polish all those items by as much as 90% if there was a machine on the market that could help you achieve that.

Meiko offers such a glass washer with inbuilt Reverse Osmosis which filters the rinse water so well there is no need to use rinse aid and the water is so pure most of the cutlery and glasses come out without mineral staining.

Just give it a quick check and place it on the table.

In function centres where you are catering for hundreds of people this has the potential to save thousands of dollars and therefore quickly pay for the initial investment and then you pocket the savings.

All Meiko machines have advanced features which make the machine cheaper to run, easier to clean and easier to service.

All the machines have self-diagnostics built in to make service easier. All Meiko under counter, hood type dishwashers and pot & utensil washers will monitor the rinse temperature and if it is not reached then it will not finish the cycle and it will bring up an error code.

An important feature for those operators that wish to be HACCP compliant.

For the larger operators who have a conveyorised dishwasher these machines can be quite expensive not only to purchase but also to run.

Our experience has shown us that purchasing a machine from our Germany Factory with the inbuilt advanced technology you can save tens of thousands of dollars each year in running costs alone.

Meiko has recently introduced to the Australian market our new MiQ conveyorised dishwashers.

These dishwashers have been in development in Germany over the past 6 years.

They are the most advanced conveyor dishwashers on the market in the World today.

Some of the features they offer include.

• Inbuilt water filtration and disposal of food soil from the tanks.

• Reverse air extraction thereby retaining the heat within the machine and reducing the amount of electricity required to heat the machine.

• Colour coded components to help the operators with the cleaning process.

• High pressure wash systems to save energy and reduce the amount of rejects from the machine.

• Inbuilt flushing of the entry section to assist with Hygiene.

• Inbuilt Cleaning Cycle just push the button and the machine will do the rest.

• Inbuilt flushing of the condenser to maintain efficiency and reduce maintenance.

The MiQ dishwashers use less energy, water, chemicals and further they expel less air than any other machine on the market and as mentioned earlier whilst they may cost more initially they have paid for the difference in cost whilst they are still under warranty and then you keep pocketing the savings for the life of the machine.

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ZIGBEE ALLIANCE

Lisa Sattinger I Vintech Systems

In-room wireless networking not only allows for an improved guest experience through greater room customisation, but also allows for greater energy management and automated reporting capabilities, directly improving the efficiency and economics of hotel operations.

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here are numerous advantages in incorporating this level of in-room wireless integration using ZIGBEE ALLIANCE vendors: • Energy Management.

Approximately 50-60% of a hotel’s overall energy is consumed in the guest rooms. The incorporation of intelligent energy management systems can reduce this in-room energy consumption by over 25%.

• Security. An online lock notification system can immediately notify the appropriate staff in real-time of crucial events such as a door left ajar, lock low battery warning or an unauthorised intruder presenting an invalid keycard to a lock. Notifications can be customised and duplicated – for e.g. a simultaneous email to the Front Desk computer and an SMS to the Security Manager.

• Enhanced Guest Experience.

Online systems allow for improved guest interfaces with HVAC, lighting and room automation. The guest interface can be set as a “guest profile” and incorporated into the IPTV menus and/or in-room iPad compendiums or any mobile device via an app. The Hotel can also notify the guest of events, messages, etc. via the TV in the room, and his mobile phone. Furthermore, as the systems are automated and programmable, the need for the guest

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to interact with the systems is optional.

All interfaces can be controlled remotely – both by the guest and the Hotel – ensuring that any guest request can be immediately undertaken without the need for staff to have to visit the room in order to rectify, change or restore conditions. Guest profiles can be stored and set in advance; ensuring the ultimate guest experience.

• Staff Management. As an online system can differentiate between the keycard of staff and guests, it can become an efficient tool in monitoring the efficiency of individual staff. Staff efficiency is also automatically improved through real-time notification and automated reporting, so that, for e.g. If a guest checks out early or unexpectedly, Housekeeping can schedule changes quickly without wasting staff time.

• Automated Reporting Capabilities. The most important application from Management’s point of view is the wealth of statistical information that can be generated to assist with planning and staff/ guest management. Online systems can generate automated reports in relation to occupancy, energy usage, even statistical reporting on

minibar sales to ensure efficient stock re-ordering and product expiry/stock rotation control.

The power of integration with ZigBee ProStack ZigBee ProStack is an internationally recognised and accepted wireless standard that incorporates a high-level RF communications and applications protocol.

ZigBee ProStack utilises small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (2.4 GHz – global licence-free frequency) for wireless networks.

Networking is secure with 128b AES encryption and reliable with low maintenance as the mesh network is selforganising and self-healing. Additionally, as a wireless network, it can be deployed without the need for the hardwiring of any devices, especially important for the retrofitting in existing buildings as it can significantly reduce installation expenses, and downtime of Guest Rooms.

The use of an intelligent mesh network ensures network resiliency through frequency agility and scalability as the best wireless communication route is automatically established each time depending on network congestion by other devices.

A well-known brand of electronic locks is part of the ZigBee Alliance and utilises a ProStack standard in its locks to incorporate their Messenger™ system.

Messenger™ conver ts stand-alone, battery-powered door locks into a real-time, bi-directional wireless access control network.

device reports to a specified group of recipients as they occur by email, SMS and/or web services.

Furthermore, Messenger™ allows for seamless, high-level lock integration with a variety of third-party ZigBee Alliance compliant devices such as Zigbee intelligent thermostats to control HVAC, lighting controls, automated minibars and other wireless sensors to create greater room automation and customisation. This level of complete wireless interoperability between electronic locks, intelligent HVAC and lighting controllers, remote controlled curtains and sound systems, automated minibars and overall room automation has been undertaken numerous times with renowned reference sites such as the ARIA Hotel, part of the City Centre Complex in Las Vegas, NV (4,004 rooms) where over 120,000 ZigBee devices communicate wirelessly and Sydney’s own Star City.

What is the Zigbee Alliance & why use vendors that belong to it?

The advantages of the Messenger™ network is that it can connect to existing hotel infrastructure via Ethernet, PoE or wireless LAN and disseminate event and

Utilising vendors that are part of the ZigBee Alliance enables high-level, bi-directional interfacing with globally recognised manufacturers such as Control4, Inncom (Honeywell) and

Telkonet intelligent thermostats, Axxess Industries wireless sensors, French Bartech automated minibars and many other leading companies worldwide in the Energy Management and BMS (building management system) fields.

By utilising Zigbee devices on existing fittings such as lights, sound systems, curtains, etc. a standard hotel room can be fully automated in around 2 hours.

This eliminates the need for cabling and saves costs on labour and supplies.

The most important thing Hoteliers need to do with their initial buying decisions is to choose vendors that are all par t of the ZIGBEE ALLIANCE. This is ONE network to service all vendors that are par t of the group. (Look for this sign in red above) If Hoteliers make this wise choice, they have full flexibility when it comes to using vendors and getting commercial quotations. They will then NOT be locked in to companies that have their own proprietary Zigbee protocols – and thus full control of price outside a competitive market.

Industry standards have come a long way in the past few years and Hoteliers are challenged to keep abreast of both new initiatives and future innovations in the marketplace. Those that are well placed are informed to plan and execute room automation using world renowned Zigbee Alliance vendors.

23

Timeshare

on announcements Peter Swanson I AMX Australia

A

s you stroll through the foyer, lobbies and corridors of the average hotel, there are 3 things you might here from the ceiling. Frequently, there will be calming, soothing and suitably contemporary renditions of popular music. Less commonly, there may be an announcement about the conference starting in junior ballroom B or the dinner event in the main restaurant. Hopefully almost never will you hear the sound of alert tones followed by polite, but urgent, instructions to leave the building immediately.

These three functions, background music, public address and emergency alert (or “EWIS” – Emergency Warning & Intercommunication System) are all required to be distributed effectively around the public areas of your hotel at different times. And the reality is; they all require very similar electronic infrastructure to achieve them.

Going back 10 or more years, you could easily see why designers might separately install these systems and achieve a patchwork of different ceiling speakers dotted around the canopies above peoples’ heads. The reality was that it was complex to manage the 3 different types of use together with the various control / announcement locations and each use typically had quite different quality expectations or stipulations.

EWIS is the only one of the 3 that is mandated by Australian Standards and the BCA. Traditionally, the expectation was relatively low, with the requirement basically being to “make a loud and annoying noise that no reasonable person could ignore”.

In the days of analogue electronics, it was also typically part of the safety and reliability

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expectation that the EWIS should perform just one function – standing waiting with battery back-up for that all important alert.

Public address (PA) has long been famed in train stations, car parks, shopping centres and even some hotels as being that slightly inaudible, borderline coherent nasal drawl saying something about a car that may or may not have been yours which may or may not be blocking the loading dock and might be moments from being towed away (or not). One would hope that in most hotels the “PA” would be implemented to a better quality, but all too often dead spots or poorly equalised systems would lead to less than clear speech.

Background music (BGM) meanwhile is perhaps the most sophisticated of the 3 applications. All about ambience and experience, it was often not implemented due to “costing too much”, or because people had experienced poor outcomes with previous designs. But, where it was installed in the past with a quality design and professional installation, you could achieve a real feeling of quality and comfort through its effective use.

In terms of complexity, speech is typically more challenging than ambient music to reproduce well. This is due to the fact that people will typically accept background music as just “washing over them”, while speech must be clearly conveyed in order for all the details to be picked up. You ca imagi wha migh appe if i arted o be more difficul o ear.

As that last sentence demonstrates, you don’t need to lose many consonants or syllables for it to quickly become difficult to understand the meaning. This is precisely the challenge faced when designing systems for

speech reproduction and to overcome this reliably it’s important to have a good design simulator to predict intelligibility and the skill to set up the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to optimise the signal transmission from microphone, through system, to ear.

Such technologies have become increasingly common in the past 10 years and are now well known.

This means that typically, where you have a system that is well-designed for speech it will also perform satisfactorily for background music. It’s important to note that this logic does not carry over for “foreground” or performance music as it requires a much greater frequency range than speech has.

Technology has marched on substantially in the meantime and so have standards, along with peoples’ expectations. One of the most significant changes was in the mid-2000s when EWIS standards began to nominate a need for announcements to be intelligible – rather than the previous requirement of simply being able to hear the “awoogaawooga” of the alert tones.

With speech intelligibility becoming a requirement for EWIS, this suddenly made it more practical to use the same base system for Public Address as the use of the two systems and performance expectations suddenly became much more aligned.

Once you have a system capable of handling PA & EWIS, you can almost certainly achieve a tolerable level of background music performance – and if you want to improve on this, it’s often simply a matter of increasing your loudspeaker performance specification and possibly your DSP.

So, now you can have 3 key functions, PA, BGM & EWIS, all distributed by one central system at a substantial cost reduction (and decluttering of your ceilings!) compared with installing them all separately.

a. L ocation of, specification of and battery back-up of all central equipment

There are some rules to remember along the way:

c. Wiring types, paths and protection to each loudspeaker zone and paging/ alert station

1. Always use a qualified design engineer to ensure that you are meeting both EWIS/safety requirements and also your expectations for PA / BGM quality. In some cases, this may mean using a Fire Engineer and an Audio Engineer together to achieve your required outcome 2. EWIS rules the roost – this is the only component of the system that Australian Standards & the BCA apply to in full, so you need to make sure its requirements are fully satisfied. These include considerations like:

b. Location of paging/alert stations

d. Monitoring requirements for loudspeakers 3. P ublic address adds the need for Hearing Augmentation systems such as induction loops or infra-red transmitters to enable the hearing impaired to receive your announcements 4. E WIS zoning must always take precedence with respect to fire compartments and the like, but you can usually subdivide within compartments if your paging needs require greater

diversity; provided the required EWIS paging functionality is maintained 5. Consider your paging locations/zoning and ensure your system is sufficiently flexible to allow staff at each location to quickly and easily select the zone(s) they want to page to So, if you haven’t already implemented an integrated PA/BGM/EWIS solution at your hotel, I hope this article will give you the confidence that to explore this efficient option next time you need to upgrade your public area paging capabilities.

Peter Swanson is Regional Sales Manager for AMX Australia. www.amxaustralia.com.au/aunz/

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Ph: +61 2 9472 2000 www.vintech.com.au 25

The importance of maintaining doors and hardware in a Hotel Environment

Malcolm McKenzie I DORMA Group Australia/New Zealand

From the very first moment a guest arrives at a hotel he or she will be welcomed through a entrance door that typically leads through to reception. Imagine if the main entrance door failed at that particular time; we all know the saying “First impressions count”. This failed entrance may leave the guest questioning what the rest of the hotel and facilities are like.

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oors in hotels which number many are literally a life line providing access and egress points including but not limited to applications such as emergency exits, guest room doors, hotel facilities and back of house operations to name just a few. Maintenance of doors and the associated mechanisms whether it be an automatic door operator, a movable wall or door hardware is critical to ensure a hotel operates seamlessly. Many manufacturers have recommendations for maintaining doors to prolong life and in some cases standards and regulations dictate requirements for door inspections and the necessary service criteria a hotel operator should meet. So let’s have a look at a few differing types of entrance systems found within hotels that would benefit from routine service.

Automatic door operators whether sliding, revolving or swing doors (hinged) benefit greatly from regular maintenance and inspection program ensuring that

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wearing components are replaced before they become a problem. Regular maintenance helps prevent accidents, prolongs the life of the product and ensures the safety of users while reducing breakdowns and the accompanying inconvenience. By engaging an automatic door specialist to provide regular service, the life of the product is extended, heating and cooling costs and power consumption can decrease whilst improving security and safety which is paramount.

Australian standard AS5007 “Powered Doors for Pedestrian Access and Egress”, Clause 5.1.3 states that it is the obligation of the owner to ensure their automatic entrance undergoes service and maintenance at intervals no longer than four months. Automatic doors can cycle open and close hundreds of times everyday, so part of routine maintenance must also include the checking of activation and safety sensors. All too often dust, cob webs and other air borne particles prevent these

items from functioning correctly and these will benefit from a light dusting as part of the general cleaning performed at a hotel.

By engaging the right service contractor they will be able to advise you on all facets of the door or assist you with product options that you may like to discuss. For example a number of market leading automatic operators provide door management systems that permits easy single point control of all automatic within the building. This allows you to control and monitor parameters including locking, opening distances, motion sensors all from the click of a button.

Fire Doors Most of the time fire doors function just like any other door, however when a fire emergency occurs they perform a vital role; by providing a safe route to escape and an effective barrier to delay the spread of fire and smoke.

A fire door is more than just the door leaf. It is the complete assembly including:

Revolving doors at Crown Casino Melbourne

door leaf, frame, vision panels, intumescent seals and all attached door hardware. Fire door assemblies are currently tested in Australia to meet AS1530.4 & AS1905.1 and compliance of all components must meet the rigorous demands of a fire test which is legislated and documented in the National Construction Code (NCC). The most commonly specified integrity for fire doorset assemblies installed in hotels are rated to either one hour, two hour and in some cases up to a four hour period.

Fire doors must be self latching at all times so deadbolts cannot be installed nor European style locks that include a latch bolt and deadbolt. The reason deadbolts cannot be used is that the bolt could be left extended whilst the door is in the open position and prevent the door from closing fully thus rendering the fire door assembly worthless in the prevention of smoke and fire.

DORMA service technician working on a surface mounted door closer

Fire doors must also be self closing at all times to ensure the door closes after every use. Holding open fire doors can only occur if the device is either an electro mechanical or electro hydraulic hold open device

that releases the door upon sensing fire or smoke, wedging open doors certainly do not comply. Door closers perform a very important job in ensuring the door remains closed so selecting the right door

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closer is highly important. Door closers often need to overcome air pressure differentials even on internal doors such as those fitted in stair wells and as such selecting the right strength of door closer is important. Australian standard AS4145.5 or European Standard EN1154 provides information pertaining to door closer sizing and contains a guide to assist selection of closers based on door widths. If your fire door is not closing efficiently it maybe that the closer installed has adequate strength and spring adjustment is all that is required but a professional expert or service team can assist with adjustment or advising you of the right model and installation for your application.

Australian standard AS1851 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment requires building owners to conduct fire and smoke door inspections every six months for hinged doors and every three months for sliding fire doors.

Doors that are of high usage may require a more rigorous routine service. Some of the inspection criteria is as follows, the door frame is not distorted, door leaves and frames are tagged in accordance with AS1905.1, door gaps are in accordance with AS1905.1, ensure hinges, latch, door closer and sequencing device (if present) are functioning and securely fastened, perimeter seals are in good condition and that the door leaf is not delaminating or damaged.

Inspection of the fire door and frame should also include a check to ensure they are free from non-approved fittings and fixtures or attachments. All items installed on to a fire door or frame must be approved for use by a NATA fire testing laboratory, and have a certificate of compliance non-conforming items would need to be removed. These are just some of the requirements for routine inspection and more details can be found by reading AS1851. All routine service and inspection records are to be kept as part of your obligations.

Movable walls by their very nature are constantly being moved either into position to close a space down or stored away to open space up. Often this is done at the end of the day in readiness for the next day and performed hastily by staff, as such they are prone to damage which could affect their operation and sound insulating properties. Movable walls including glass stacking systems are generally large and

often quite heavy a typical panel weight in a hotel range from 100 to 300kg so inspection of all rollers, hangers and the sliding track is of the utmost importance for the safety of employees and patrons. A regular maintenance program by a movable wall specialist should also include the inspection of the acoustic integrity of the wall and the seals so that privacy on either side is not compromised. An inspection of the wall and associate components should occur every 6 months in hotels at the

minimum or more regularly in the cases of high usage.

Prevention is better than cure Wellmaintained doors, operators and hardware can provide safe and efficient use over many years and are vital to the smooth operation of any business. Consider the risks of inefficiently operating doors and operable wall systems – reduced security and safety, increased downtime, productivity loss, customer complaints, acoustic reduction, soaring air-conditioning and heating costs.

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1800 300 661 www.thermocontrols.com.au 29

Plumbing and Fire Services

Plumbing Standards, Products and Installations Neil McPherson I Partner, Watermark Services Group Pty Limited

In this edition of the Hotel Engineers Journal Neil discusses the plumbing industry, selected plumbing products and installation requirements and methods that can affect the design life of Plumbing and Fire Services Systems.

N

eil’s qualification and knowledge are been acquired through his former and current roles as a Plumber & Gasfitter, Plumbing Inspector, Head Teacher of Plumbing, Manufacturing Technical Manager and Hydraulic Services Consultant. His experience is coupled together with over 13 years of Standards Australia Committee membership for Plumbing, Fire and other associated services standards.

Within Standards, Neil has contributed to the drafting of Plumbing Standards, including; Plumbing and Drainage AS/ NZS3500, Fire Hydrant Installation AS2419, Home Fire Sprinklers AS2118.5, AS3688 Metallic End Connections, AS4809 Copper Tube Installation and Product Technical Assessment WS031 committees.

Changes in plumbing and fire services Looking back to around year 2000 it was normal for most plumbers to install only a handful of similar products ranging from copper tubes, UPVC, PVC, galvanised pipe and the usual tap-ware consisting

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of control & isolating valves. I recall when plumbing services were less complicated and regulators frequently inspected the plumber’s work. Well all this has changed.

Today we have many more and complicated plumbing products like solar & cogeneration water heating, warm water systems, thermostatic mixing valves, tempering valves, electronic controls etc, the plague of new plumbing products appear to be never ending.

Plumbing systems incorporating rainwater, recycled water, grey water and innovated designs, their products and pipe materials coupled with their installation requirements and operating conditions have completely overwhelmed the plumbing industry and the installers. We are now seeing the impact of some of those products and there installations methods failing, increasing repair and replacement cost, all are now a real concern. Maintenance budget blow out is the norm for today’s facility engineers.

In this edition Neil provides some assistance and guidance to hotel and facility engineers to assist in reigning in those charges and cost that were never for imagined

at the time when the building was first constructed.

Plumbing and fire products Starting with plumbing products. Presently there are approximately 44,000 products listed under the WaterMark certification scheme. This scheme originated under the National Plumbing Regulators back in 2005 to assess and administer products that were deemed “fit for purpose” for plumbing and drainage. This scheme was intended to take that risk element away from plumbers and the consumers.

Plumbing products certified and used for plumbing or drainage installations are listed in accordance with the Plumbing Code of Australia – Table A2.1 Material and Products, which requires the products to be authorised. The level of certification (authorisation) for plumbing products is awarded on the basis of perceived level of assessed risk.

For example products that form part of a water supply system (pipes, valves and

fittings) are perceived to be a higher risk than say that of drainage pipes and fittings.

Rightly so, they are a higher risk to the occupant’s health and safety. Products used for drinking water applications including cold water, recycled water, tank water and alike are listed as Level 1 Certification, which carry a higher level of risk compared to those of drainage products, which carry a Level 2 Certification.

All products are tested against the applicable manufacturing standard to determine the product suitability and performance for the plumbing or drainage systems installation. The tests applied cover elements such as the performance of materials, when subjected to temperature and pressure change over the life expectancy of an installation (endurance).

Incorporated into the Level 1 certification, products and materials shall be additionally assessed against those requirements outlined in AS4020 “Product in Contact with Drinking Water”. This standard determines whether the product is fit

Certified Products cover items such as fire equipment

Watermarked Certified plumbing and drainage products carry this logo

Products that are authorised for use in plumbing services systems are individually marked in manner that describes the; 1. Authorisation, the certifying company & WaterMark logo/standards mark.

2. The product licence number.

for purpose for transporting drinking water.

And what impact if any will the material have on the water quality we consume?

Product Certification is issued by an independent “Conformity Assessment Body” (CAB’s). These bodies must first demonstrate that the product materials, design, construction and installation method are suitable for plumbing in accordance with AS3500 and that the products meet the Australian Standard before being listed onto the Australian Building Codes Board – Watermark Product Database. http://abcb.gov.au/product-certification/ watermark/watermark-search

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3. The standard to which has been assessed against.

4. Limitation, such as pressure and or temperature.

5. Manufacturers name.

Selecting the correct product for an application I am often asked how you know if you have selected the correct product for a particular application. In my opinion plumbers find it difficult to fully appreciate the product attributes such as material composition, operations, limitations (pressure & temperature) to work with the designated plumbing services system.

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Ph: +61 2 9472 2000 www.vintech.com.au 31

Many installers rely solely on their plumbing merchant to provide them with the approved product for a specific application. Unfor tunately in most cases those suppliers/retailers have little qualification or experience to make that recommendation.

It is for this reason the responsibility falls directly on the shoulders of the installing plumber. Ultimately the plumber under the Plumbing Codes, States and Territory regulatory framework is held liable.

My advice to plumbers before specifying or selecting plumbing piping materials and products, follow these essential 5 steps.

1. Define the services system, its function and intended performance.

2. Conduct a risk assessment of the proposed service type and products.

3. What are the operating conditions? i.e; water pressure, water temperature, pipe sizing and flow requirements.

4. Determine the materials and product limitations. Not all similar products have the same performance characteristics.

5. Select those products on their inservices operating performance and conditions. Ask for the product certifications and installation instructions.

6. Price should not be the reason for buying a plumbing product.

Buying products from a reputable manufacturer and supplier will help.

Work practices & statements As mentioned regulators are seldom carrying out plumbing inspections, it our understanding that only about 5-15 percent of plumbing installations today are actually inspected. Very little inspections are conducted in commercial building, including building like hotels and motels, unless an issue arises. They deem the plumber as the competent person who is entirely responsibility

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for the design, installation, testing and commissioning of the completed plumbing services work.

This places an enormous responsibility on the shoulder of the plumber, but equally on the builders and hotel engineers who engage them to carry out plumbing work.

We have developed a comprehension quality program and offer a detailed service that supports hotel engineers. We offer an independent process for ensuring best practice plumbing installations meets the requirements for “deemed-to-satisfy” provision to AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage services.

The question remains, does your plumber know enough about services, the products and installation to make the correct decision and what is your role as engineers to ensure the plumber is competent.

Watermark Services Group holds accreditation with;

It starts firstly with the hotel engineer who engages the plumber. Engineers must ensure that they hold a plumbers licence for the specified work, ensure they have all relevant skills, experience and insurance policies for the plumbing tasks to be undertaken. The best way to avoid systematic failure is to identify those capabilities and qualifications of the contracted plumber by:

ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Inspection Body – Type A.

1. Assessing the plumber’s business structure, capability, insurances and personnel attributes.

2. D etermine if the plumber/contractor holds the necessary knowledge, skills and experience. Enquire whether they are qualified and hold currency to execute the stated hydraulic services work.

National Accreditation Testing Authority (NATA) In accordance with;

Our accreditation covers a detailed scope for Hydraulic Services – Plumbing, Gas and Fire Systems, including; • Design verification.

• Installation in-service inspection, test and commissioning verification.

In field determination for ; • Flow and velocity recording.

• Functional performance of plumbing equipment (controls, pressure limiting, backflow and associated devices.

• Water temperatures and pressure.

• Material analysis – pipe wall and coating thickness.

In-service verification activities including;

3. C heck their work statements and procedure manual for the services offered. Inspect safety equipment and tools. Electrical tagging.

• Water sampling – water quality and legionella testing.

4. H as induction training been offered?

This is important for a newly engaged plumber contractor.

• Fire equipment verification for testing.

5. Witness all completed work, verifying satisfactory completion, testing and sign off.

Watermark Services Group Pty Limited recognises the need for conducting plumbing services design verification, in-service inspection and commissioning verification.

• Services system tracing, mapping and documenting.

• Safety showers and eyewashes.

• Plumbing apparatus for people with disabilities.

• Plumbing products for commercial applications.

In our next issue we will look at applicable standards, the water services systems problems and technical solutions.

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SECURITY

& THE HOTEL ENVIRONMENT GREG MUIR I Managing Director, Beaware Solutions Pty Ltd

Greg Muir is the Managing Director of Beaware Solutions Pty Ltd1 and has over 40 years experience in risk management relating to buildings and procedures. He has qualifications in Public Safety (Emergency Management), Work Health & Safety, and Security and Risk Management. Beaware Solutions has provided security advice for educational, health, commercial and residential organisations.

S

ecurity risk management refers to the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of establishing the context and identifying, assessing, controlling, monitoring and communicating risk.2

Security management, in general, relates to the management of possible threats to any building and/or organisation – people, physical assets, information and computer technology, and reputation. All are relevant to hotel, facility and venue management.

Management The foundation for ‘best practice’ security is the existence of full management support of policy and procedures to minimise security risks. From the introduction of a Security Management Plan, the identification and implementation of procedures and practices, to the audit and review process, a management system will only succeed with full participation by everyone within the organisation.

Operational management should be fully aware of that management system and also develop a working relationship with local emergency services and neighbouring facilities.

A Security Management Plan should be documented.

The Plan The format for any Security Management Plan should incorporate the following3 – 1. An introduction with a statement from the organisation head detailing the importance of the plan and why it must be supported.

2. A Statement of Purpose links the document with corporate plans and business objectives. If the Plan has been triggered by a specific event, this should be mentioned.

3. Security Environment provides the summary of the threat assessment and the organisation’s current exposure as well as a general assessment of current security management arrangements.

4. O bjectives that clearly state what the Plan is designed to achieve and related to the organisation’s corporate objectives.

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5. Security Strategies and Actions identifies each action and how it is to be implemented, including the person responsible.

6. Residual Risks should be estimated, described and rated to guide priorities for monitoring risks and evaluating actions.

7. Timetable could be incorporated with item 5 or listed separately, but should provide information about significant steps in the implementation of risk actions.

16-17 July 2014 Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino Gold Coast, Australia

8. Resources should document the security budget and determine the costs of the recommendations or options.

Personnel security Any successful management plan will incorporate background checks on both employees and contractors as well as defined responsibilities for security issues, e.g. key management.

Employees should be trained in awareness and crisis/emergency management, as well as ‘stranger challenge’.This can be provided during induction, staff training days and communication with management.

Other areas for management to concentrate on include staff exit procedures, attendance monitoring, secure document control and IT systems password protection.

Fraud by opportunistic staff is related to theft and/or ‘skimming’, the unlawful capture of credit card details from guests. Any such activity if allowed to occur can have a disastrous impact on the organisation’s reputation. Effective supervision, training and the reinforcement of security measures will help to control the risk.

Surveillance and monitoring The presence of CCTV and similar devices has been perceived as detrimental to the comfort of guests. Incidents of terrorism such as the 2008 attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel have swayed public acceptance of security measures.

It is highly recommended that managers promote the existence of security within the building to reinforce the perception of a safe and secure environment. The display of security notices and the positive response to security issues by all staff will have a positive impact on that perception.

The selection and placement of an appropriate surveillance system should be at the recommendation of an accredited consultant and only after a threat assessment has been conducted.

Any system should include a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) or backup unit and be supported by an on-­call mobile patrol, documented procedures, communication equipment (checked to identify any building black spots) and the availability of a security hotline for guests or employees.

Property protection Property protection starts at the perimeter and incorporates all access points, including the car park. Items for consideration include lighting, the use of bollards, means of access, alarmed emergency exit doors and window entry points.

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Internal protection relates to key management, access to building systems control rooms including the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system and other sensitive areas.

The Reception Desk should be located such as to provide clear vision of persons entering the foyer of the building, whether they be guests, visitors, contractors or other employees. Similarly any car park attendant or supervisor should have a view, whether physical or through CCTV, of persons and vehicles entering or leaving the building.

Bomb threat The emergency procedures should incorporate planning and first response training for staff in the event of a bomb threat.

The threat may be written or verbal or following the identification of a suspicious article within the building or surroundings. A Bomb Threat Checklist can be obtained from the Australian Federal Police website4.

Bomb threat stand-­off distances have been identified5 for the various mediums in which a bomb can be delivered. When inside a building, for example, the recommended distance for safety from a suspect brief case is 46 metres, for a delivery van 262 metres. If the latter is parked outside the building the recommended distance is over 1 kilometre.The figures were compiled by the US Counterterrorism Centre in 2005.

Policy and procedures It is recommended that policy and procedures be documented for the following areas –

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• Key control • Incident response and reporting • Identification card loss and reporting • Emergency procedures Security test and audit Mail handling • Bomb threat • Intruder/trespasser response.

It is important that the policy and procedure for each risk area to be documented, but it is even more important for those procedures to be communicated and implemented.

Conclusion This article has been drafted primarily as a prompt for affirmative action in developing and documenting a security management plan.

It is recommended that advice be sought from an accredited and qualified consultant in the development of that plan or review of any existing plan.

References 1. Holder of NSW Security Master Licence No 410196472 2. Dunn & Chennell, 2012, p20-­040.

3.Talbot & Jakeman, 2008, p.384.

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4 Search www.afp.gov.au.

5 Dunn & Chennell, 2012, p.20-­110.

Dunn Cormack & Chennell Sue, Australian Master Work Health & Safety Guide, 2012.

Talbot Julian & Jakeman Dr Miles, Security Risk Management Body of Knowledge, 2008.

Fenestration...

Your Building’s Cornea Ramiz Gabrial, P.E., M-ASHRAE, LEED AP I Managing Director Beehive Consulting Group

Over the years, I have learnt to look at buildings as “Living Structures”. Accordingly building systems and elements are the Living Structure’s organs. The air conditioning and ventilation system can resemble our respiratory system, building envelope resembles our skin, different piped services resemble the circulation system. The BMS could resemble our central nervous system, where all other systems report to and/or take orders from.

M

y burden this time is to focus on Fenestration. A very important, yet could well be ignored, organ of the Living Structure body. Fenestration to a building is like the eyes to the human body. It also resembles the sensitive part of our skin that needs to be looked after and protected or otherwise it could affect other important body organs. Dehydration, infection and even kidney failure can take place if our skin is not in perfect condition.

Similarly, energy loss, moisture problems, filtration issues, structural deterioration, etc of the building can take place when the fenestration and other elements of the building envelope are not design, installed or maintained in proper manners.

The two main important components of the building fenestration system are the frames and glazing.

Frames can be, mainly, manufactured from: • Timber: Timber has much better thermal properties (very good insulator), however it requires maintenance and generally speaking has a shorter life span.

• Metal: The most common metal that we use is aluminium, however, steel is also used.

Metals have the lowest thermal properties as they are good heat conductors. However they are structurally very strong and aluminium requires no maintenance.

Good aluminium sections are constructed

with thermal breaks to improve their overall thermal properties and reduce the heat transfer effect of the metal frame.

• Polymers: Polymer sections are still less common than timber and metal frames however they are becoming more popular as more resilient sections are developed. Polymers have lower U-values (i.e. better heat transfer properties) in comparison with metal sections.

While some transparent plastic materials are used as glazing elements of fenestration systems, we can confidently say that glass is used in almost 100% of building fenestration.

From the architectural perspective, fenestrations could come in the form of windows, skylights, sky domes or doors.

The percentage of the transparent (fenestration) part of the building envelop varies from one building design to the other.

Fenestration serve as the only physical and/ or visual connection between the building occupants and the ambient (nature or life).

Connectivity and views are major factors in boosting building occupant productivity and morale.

Fenestration can be designed to be either fixed or operable type. Operable type can be utilised to introduce natural ventilation into the building. In low rise buildings,

operable fenestration can be utilised as emergency exit paths.

Glass is the second components of the fenestration system of the building (after frames). It is a building material that can be taken for granted during the design and selection process. When selecting suitable glass for a building project, there are three aspects that need to be addressed. These are: • Architectural • Structural • Thermal & Day Light The first two aspects (Architectural and Structural) are traditionally looked after.

The Architectural aspect include glass colour, reflectivity (mirror glass, etc) and coating or tinting. The Structural aspect include selecting the required glass panel thicknesses and toughness that satisfies the applicable constriction standards, this is particularly important in high rise buildings.

Historically, the thermal and day lighting aspect of the glass selection process was not given great attentions by designers and engineers. It was until energy conservation became a major focus, followed by the adoption of Green Building designs, that the importance of the glass thermal properties rose up in the list of importance. Yet, similar to any other issue, building professional and public awareness take time.

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When analysing the thermal properties of any glass material, there few factors that need to be studied. In this article, I will refer to three very important factors. These are; • The coefficient of heat transfer, which refers to as the U-value and measured in W/m2°C • The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which refers to the proportion of the total solar radiation that is transferred through the glass at normal incidence.

• The Shading Coefficient, which is the ratio of the solar heat gain through the glass relative to that of a 3mm clear glass.

Glass manufacturers produce glass panels in different colours, tinting, reflective material coatings and thicknesses. Glass panels are generally manufactured on panel; thicknesses that range between 3 to 13mm. Glass material and thickness affect its overall U-value and glass colour, tinting and reflectivity all affect its solar heat gain coefficient and shading factor.

All three factors (U-value, SHGC and Shading Coeff.) affect the building energy use and day lighting. Note that clear glass can transmit more than 75% of the incident solar radiation and more that 85% of the visible light that passes through it.

Today, single, double and triple panel fenestrations are used in buildings throughout the world. Multiple panel fenestrations (double and triple) have a gap between the glass panel.

This gap can either contain air or an inert gas (Argon or Krypton). Double and triple panel fenestrations with inert gas filled gaps have lower heat transfer coefficient (lower U-value).

Fenestration can affect building energy use through four mechanisms; • Day lighting • Air leakage • Solar heat gain • Thermal heat transfer Each of the above listed mechanisms is a field by itself that could be studied to understand its impact on the building. The common factor that all four mechanisms share is that they all affect the building energy consumption, which is the main issue that I want to address through this article.

• Day Lighting: As it indicated earlier, day light in buildings is considered very important to factor that affect the occupants’ productivity and morale.

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Buildings with good level of day lighting attract and retain better tenants and higher business rate of return.

The important question that needs to be asked though, is... How much day lighting is enough? How can we tell if the amount of day lighting is costing the building owner or occupier more that the benefit that it offers them?

Day light is directly affected by fenestrations.

Their size, location, orientation and glass type affect the amount of day light entering the building and hence the amount of energy used and/or saved.

Building spaces with adequate day light will require less or no artificial lighting during the day hours (or part of these hours).

This involve energy saving on two levels.

The first is the reduced energy saving as a result of not using the artificial lighting.

The second is the energy saved as less (or no) heat is emitted by the artificial lighting system that need to be removed by the building’s air conditioning system.

Day light modelling softwares are used to determine the optimum level of day light that the building’s architectural design achieves. One important aspect of the day light modelling is determining and eliminating glare of becoming an issue inside the building as a result of excessive day light.

On the energy side, building computer energy consumption modelling softwares enable building architects and mechanical engineers to minimise building energy use. The softwares enable the energy modeller to alter any building components (fenestration is one of them) to determine its positive (or negative) impact on the building’s overall annual energy consumption.

The analysis and dialogue that happen between the day light and energy consumption modelling help to arrive at the optimum glass type selection and fenestration size and location that provide the best day light scenario for the building and causes the lowest possible heat transfer (inwards in summer and outward in winter).

• Air Leakage: Air leakage is considered a bad situation that take place in buildings where air enters (or exists) the building through construction cracks, openings and fenestration frames and operable

fenestration panels. Building air leakages (in summer and winter) increase the building energy consumption since this uncontrolled amount of cold or hot air is entering the building and adding to its cooling (or heating) load. Air leakage can have more damaging effects on buildings as it introduce uncontrolled amounts of humidity and dust into the building which can contribute to generate mould and fungal growth in the building.

In addition, air leakages from building fenestration affect the level of comfort inside certain affected spaces of the building that could fall beyond the HVAC system’s capability to achieve space comfort.

It is important to seek higher fenestration manufacturer specifications to reduce or eliminate air leakages.

• Solar Heat Gain: Solar heat gain is the component that is directly related to the selected glass type. Apart from the architectural decision to use certain glass type, colour, shading, tinting or shading coefficient, the computer energy modeller for the project can work closely with the architect to test different possible glass selections and determine the type that result in the lowest overall energy consumption.

• Thermal Heat Transfer: Similar discussion applies to the fenestration thermal heat transfer as that for solar heat gain. The difference is that thermal heat transfer takes place through the window frame and glass. It also takes place during the day light and night hours of the day.

So computer energy modelling softwares are the analysis tool that we have today to help us in making educated decisions about the most suitable glass type for the building we analyse based on minimising the building’s annual energy consumption.

It is important to shed some light on the hourly building load estimation and energy modelling softwares. The softwares have detailed weather data for different cities in the world. Accordingly when executed it can estimate the required building energy consumption based on hour-by-hour, 24 hour a day, 365 days a year.

Ideally, the Owner should engage a mechanical consulting engineer who is

experienced to perform detailed energy modelling for the building. The reason is; a. The same computer software that is used to estimate the required air conditioning capacity is used to perform the annual energy model for the building. b. The air conditioning system is the highest energy consuming system in almost any commercial building and it is very important to engage energy aware mechanical consulting engineer, as the selected type of air conditioning system could mean a lot when it comes to evaluating the building’s energy performance. As an example, for the same building envelope and glass type, a building that is served with split type air conditioning systems will use much more energy than an identical building that is equipped with air handling system with economiser cycles.

A person may suggest, instead of going through the path of running computer energy models to determine the optimum glass type, why can’t we use a highly insulated, high reflective glass and we can be sure that we will save energy.

The answer to the above argument is “there is such thing as over insulating the building”. In other words, you could use highly insulated or reflective glass that the building starts using more energy. This can particularly happen in mild weather conditions such as Melbourne. The technical explanation for this condition is that over insulating the glass or the whole building envelope could trap heat inside the building that can be lost naturally through the building glass and other envelope components at certain times of the day.

Of course this also depends on the building’s use and hours of occupancy.

Another example, using highly reflective glass in a building is considered a definite positive move to reduce it’s cooling load as reflective glass reduces the amount of direct sun light entering the building in summer.

However, depending on the building size, usage and geographical location, the reflective glass would well reduce the amount of sun entering the building in winter too, resulting in a higher heating energy bill. Again the only way to determine the economical benefit of using high reflective glass is by running a computer energy model for the building to determine

its overall annual energy consumption with different glass reflectivity levels.

On the other hand, detailed computer energy models can provide very good indication of the economical rate of return of the added investment as a result of using higher glass thermal properties (or other building elements) in comparison with using glass that satisfies the Building Code requirements.

It is important to note that computer energy modelling is as good as the amount and accuracy of the information that is fed into the software and the level of energy modelling experience by the energy modeller. The more detailed and accurate the information, the more meaningful and informative the results.

It is of interest to mention that almost 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings is consumed by their air conditioning systems.

Also over an average building life span of 50 years, the building’s initial cost represents about 10% of its total life cycle cost. This reflects the importance of two issues: a. O ptimising the actual system capacity b. Maximising the air conditioning system operation efficiency (Coefficient of Performance – COP).

A major factor in optimising the air conditioning system capacity is optimising the thermal properties of the selected building glass and other building envelope components.

This optimisation process would normally include added capital investment. However this added investment is compensated in two ways.The first is through the reduced air conditioning system capacity and hence its initial cost. And second through the reduced system energy consumption and hence life cycle cost. Computer energy modelling is the tool that helps quantifying the actual financial rate of return of the added capital investment.

Discussing building fenestration and glass without mentioning building shading can be identified as an incomplete discussion.

Shadings are architectural elements that are directly related to fenestration. Shadings are architectural elements that are used to reduce the building’s solar heat gain and reduce glare as a result of excessive day light entering the building. Building shading can be external to the building or internal. Building computer energy modelling takes into consideration the effect of all fixed type building shading.

Movable shading elements (e.g. curtains) can be considered as part of the building energy model, however most energy modellers elect to ignore their effect since the use of such elements greatly depends on the preference of the specific space occupants.

In summary, building fenestrations and glass selection can positively or negatively affect the stability of the internal building environment. It could also affect the building’s energy consumption. In many cases it worth exceeding the minimum required glass thermal specifications by the Building Codes to achieve smaller capacity air conditioning system and reduce the building’s annual energy consumption.

However it is important to build a computer energy model for the building to estimate its overall annual energy use and hence enable proper evaluation of anticipated financial rate of return of the added first cost investment. While computer energy modelling is great tool to evaluate the building’s energy consumption, they are as good as the accuracy and detail of the information that is fed into the model.

Evaluation of the building energy use through computer energy models should be comprehensive to include other building factors such as walls, other system building systems, building shading devices and any element that affect building energy use.

About the writer Ramiz Gabrial, P.E., M-ASHRAE, LEED AP is the Managing Director of Beehive Consulting Group.

He is a Building Services Consulting Engineer with 25 years of experience in the design management of variety of building types and major interest on sustainability, building envelop, integrated building design and computer energy modelling. Ramiz is a technical public speaker who has participated in multiple sustainability awareness raising programs for professionals and the public. A registered Professional Engineer in Virginia – USA. He has worked with major consulting firms and client bodies in the United States, New Zealand, Qatar, UAE, Jordan and Iraq. He is the founding member and the immediate past President of the Qatar Chapter of ASHRAE. Ramiz welcomes any interaction/feedback from likeminded professionals on Gabrial@beehivecg.com.au

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THE EXHIBITION HIRE COMPANY

EXHIBITOR BOOKINGS CONTACT Bev Allen - AIHE Qld Secretary PO Box 5118 GCMC QLD 9726 Phone: 0403 208 981 (Ms Bev Allen) Email: Admin@AIHE.com.au

Booth Bundle - Trestle table, Cloth and 2 x Banquet Chairs.

Additional exhibitor staff - $450 (includes one full delegate package) Prices inc GST. If paying by credit card, AIHE will absorb any surcharges or administration fees by merchant. Sponsorship categories are limited and will be allocated on a first in basis.

2

12sqm In Foyer

Exhibition Booth Size

Booth Bundle

Photo

Banner & Slideshow

Branding at Main Stage

Hotel Engineer Magazine

Brochure/ Merchandise

Brochure/ Merchandise

Branding in Satchel

Banner & Slideshow

4

Event Welcome

4

Gala Dinner

Exclusive Partnership

$6600

Platinum (1 Avail)

Tickets to Functions Including Worshops

$7700

Inclusions

Diamond (1 Avail)

Submit Exhibitor Contract & pay prior to 28/2/14 to receive 10% discount on below Site Investment. 10% non-refundable deposit required on signing of Exhibitor Contract to secure preferred site number and full payment must be received by 30/6/14 to guarantee all benefits.

EARLY BIRD BOOKING

43

THE OPPORTUNITIES

25

14

ING

0 R S IN 2

L E B R AT

YEA

CE

7th & 8th August 2014

Queensland, Australia

Outrigger Resort Surfers Paradise,

UPDATE CONFERENCE

AIHE

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_______

x ______

1 x 3 phase outlet @ $242.00

$

Tax invoices will be forwarded to successful applicants

Final Balance Due 30-06-2014

$

Deposit (10%) Due now

Phone

Deposit $

Company Title Date

Authorised Person (please print)

Signature

I hereby acknowledge having read the terms and conditions of this Contract appearing within this prospectus, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If I sign this Contract as an employee, servant or agent of this Exhibitor, I warrant that I have the authority to enter into this Contract on behalf of the Exhibitor and agree to be personally bound by the terms and conditions of the agreement.I acknowledge and understand that AIHE has Safety Management Systems and OH & S Guidelines and that all those associated with our participation will be bound by the guidelines within these documents.

DECLARATION

Cardholder’s Signature

Credit Card surcharge will be absorbed by AIHE

/ Expiry Date

Mastercard

Card Number

American Express

Cardholder’ s Name (please print)

Visa

Electronic Funds Transfer into account: BSB 084 462 Account No 205126424 Reference (invoice number or company name) OR

Cheque - Made payable to Australian Institute of Hotel Engineers

All payments must be made out in Australian dollars from an Australian bank account and free of all charges. Any cancellation of Contract must be submitted in writing. Cancellation of site Contract prior to 28-02-2014 will incur a 10% penalty for administration and delivery of services and Contract cancellations following this date will incur up to 100% of total site value.

Payment Details (Please tick one)

1 x 10 amp outlet @ $110.00

1 x 4 amp outlet @ $55.00

(Please indicate number of outlets required)

Power Required

Other

$

Total Extras Required $

$

Total Power Required

TOTAL PARTICIPATION COSTS

$

Expiry

Total Site Cost

Cover Date

Mobile

Post Code

Payment Summary

Website

State

Post Code

Site Details

Policy No

Fax

State

No. of Years Attended

Preferred Site Number Site Size *Please Tick One Diamond 12sqm (6m x 2m or 4m x 3m) Platinum 12sqm (6m x 2m or 4m x 3m) Gold 12sqm (6m x 2m or 4m x 3m) Silver Plus 6sqm (3m x 2m in Foyer) Silver 6sqm (3m x 2m in Ballroom) Bronze 1m

Name of Insurer

Insurance Details

Email

Office

Town/City

Street Address

Town/City

Postal Address

Business Name

ABN

Registered Business Name

Exhibitors Listing Details

EXHIBITOR APPLICATION

exhibitor contRact

The Company • Reserves the right to vary the space allocated to the Exhibitor if to do so would be in the interest of a better Exhibition; • Reject any display that is not inkeeping with the intent of the Exhibition; • Reserves the right to cancel the Exhibitors right to occupancy and eject the exhibitor where the exhibitor breaches any of the terms and conditions.

The Exhibitor Shall: • Not assign or sublet any part of the space without the written consent of The Company.

• Not remove any goods, displays etc from the Expo before or during the Expo, until official close time.

• Maintain displays in keeping with the corporate standard expected within the Expo.

• Hold timeless The Company from liability for any loss or damage by theft, fire, water or like causes to any of their goods, displays or tools of trade.

• Comply with ALL legislation, regulations or by law in force under any federal, state or local legislation in respect of the conduct of the Exhibitor in the space.

• Maintain a public and product liability policy of insurance for an amount of not less than $10,000,000 (ten million dollars) for the duration of the Expo. The Exhibitor indemnifies and will indemnify The Company, its agents, contractors and employees from all actions, claims, demands, losses, damages and expenses arising from the participants use of the site and without limitation • In the event of its breach of any of the terms and conditions hereunder, the Exhibitor forfeits all or any monies paid hereunder to The Company and be liable to The Company for all or any damages suffered by The Company in relation to such breach.

In consideration of the AIHE (herein referred to as “The Company”) accepting the deposit paid by the Exhibitor and allocating a space, the Exhibitor acknowledges accepts the terms and conditions of participation; not limited to the following:

After insurance Certificate of Currency must be received by 30/6/14.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Maximum flexibility: Ergonomics, performance, safety and labour effectiveness are key factors in Electrolux designs. Line 5000’s user-friendly new Compass Pro® interfaces are intuitive, intelligent as well as easy to use, combining with the Certus Management™ Information System (CMIS) a highly valued process monitoring system allowing users to control and document all operations to achieve ultimate hygiene and cleanliness..

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47

The falls tragedy continues:

how it could be averted

Carl Sachs

A new report from Safe Work Australia contains some surprises that show we must take a new approach to fall prevention says height safety expert Carl Sachs of Workplace Access & Safety.

A

mind-boggling 49-page report crammed with statistics from Safe Work Australia has some incredibly powerful lessons for Australia’s

48

OHS regulators, employers and anyone involved with working at height.

The headline message contained in Workrelated Injuries and Fatalities Involving a Fall

from Height, Australia, October 2013 is that there has been little or no improvement in the number of Australians who fell to their deaths at work each year since 2003. That is not okay but, yes, we already knew that.

More interestingly, the report reveals that ladders are the biggest killer and that Australian workplaces are simply failing to install protection. The numbers also explode a myth: that falls from height really only concern people working on a new building site.

One of Australia’s biggest and nastiest OHS problems Over the eight years to 30 June 2011, 232 workers were killed following a fall from height, accounting for 11 per cent of all fatalities.

The report also shows very serious injuries are common and profound.

“In 2010–11, 7730 claims for serious injury were lodged due to a fall from a height.

This means that 21 employees each day lodged a claim for a falls-related injury that required one or more weeks off work.”

“A typical falls-related claim in 2010–11 involved 6.2 weeks off work, which is

considerably longer than the 4.4 weeks for all serious injury claims.”

Falls from heights injuries costing 41% more than other serious injuries and are generally more debilitating.

The report notes that 11 per cent of seriously injured employees required one year or more off work following a fall.

The construction myth exploded Only weeks ago, an exasperated official said the integrity of fall prevention equipment was “largely irrelevant” because falls from height affects people on building sites, who should be using scaffolds.

The SWA report tells a different story.

Of all the construction workers who fell to their deaths from 2003/04 to 2010/11, only one in five fell from buildings under construction.

The people who tend buildings over their average 73-year lifespan, maintaining roofs,

air conditioners and cleaning gutters, for example, are counted as “construction” workers or “property and business services” workers if they are employed by a labour hire company.

Basic cause number one: ladders Ladders were the most common cause of the falls – both for fatalities and serious injuries.

In the eight years from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2011, 37 workers died following a fall from a ladder. The reason for the fall was only known in 20 of the incidents but half occurred either while the worker was climbing up or down the ladder or were due to over-balancing on the ladder.

We know this because the SWA report author, Alison Yardley, combed coroners’ reports for details but the injury statistics do not bring this level of detail.

Basic cause number two: unprotected roofs and vehicles

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After ladders, vehicles and roof tops were the most common origins of fall fatalities.

The report’s author says that, in almost all of the fatalities, no fall prevention equipment was used.

It is also interesting that workers who fell from a roof to their deaths were involved in building maintenance rather than construction.

“In the eight years from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2011, 25 workers died from falls from roofs,” reports Safe Work Australia.

“The activities at the time of the fall included: • 9 were repairing the roof • 5 were undertaking removal of old roof sheeting • 3 were painting residential premises • 3 were installing services to premises, and • 2 were replacing guttering.”

The answers to Australia’s fall tragedy Australia’s height safety access needs an overhaul. We must: 1. Reduce the usage of ladders in favour of other, safer equipment 2. Improve the usability and, therefore, safety of the ladders we do use 3. Install fall prevention systems on more Australian workplaces 4. Ensure these new fall prevention systems are truly safe, so that we do not simply shift the problem.

Reduce our reliance on ladders Climbing ladders is hard work that is made even harder and more dangerous when workers are carrying tools or building materials. They are also rightly last on the list of preferred fall prevention measures – alongside signage and training – under Australia’s fall prevention regulations and codes of practice.

Make the ladders we must use safer When a ladder is the only option, there is a lot we can do to make them safer. Ladders

should conform to the Australian Standard as a minimum but groundbreaking research by prominent Australian ergonomist, Professor David Caple, suggests we can do a lot to make them more comfortable and safer without added cost.

Install fall prevention systems on more Australian workplaces Regulators will tell you there are already laws in place backed by heavy penalties to protect people working at height. The law is clearly not enough to stop the falls.

Ensure fall prevention systems are truly safe The injury statistics do not reveal whether the failure of fall prevention equipment was implicated in falls. On the other hand, a survey by the Working At Heights Association (WAHA) uncovered that alarming percentages of equipment audited by its members was deemed unusable.

Any new efforts to increase the installation of fall prevention systems needs to ensure

that the right equipment for the job is fitted and that it is truly capable of saving lives.

WAHA is meeting with regulators and policy makers during November, calling for five outcomes: • The safety of Australia’s fall prevention equipment installations must be improved; • Compliance with Australian Standards for fall prevention equipment should be compulsory; • Formal training for fall prevention equipment installers should be mandatory; • Fall prevention equipment installers should be licensed; and • Regulators should inspect fall prevention equipment

It can be done and lives will be saved The Safe Work Australia report brings fresh insights that clearly signpost what can be done if policy makers, regulators, industry, employers and workers are willing to collaborate.

51

Selecting an

Asset & Facility Management System Patricia Sprague I fmXpert Manager for FM Essentials

Many hotel engineers and facility managers are only too aware that their organisations are continually demanding increased efficiencies and reduced costs from the management of their assets, in order to provide better returns for their owners and shareholders alike.

W

hile one of the more novel ways to enhance the bottomline has been to provide additional value-added services to tenants and hotel guests, the other side of the equation – namely the question of increased efficiencies and reduced costs – has been resoundingly addressed by embracing software that automates and tracks the strategic, operational, compliance maintenance, reporting and financial functions of facility management.

Performing all these tasks well however, is a challenge, and not all the software options are going to be ideally suited to your needs. fmXpert Manager Patricia Sprague asks the necessary questions and provides some guidance in your selection process.

Software focused research conducted with a number of hotel engineers, facility managers and maintenance personnel highlighted a number of issues, with many of these professionals expressing a concern over the lack of focus and/or user testing being conducted by companies developing

52

Asset & Facility Management Systems. Terms such as ‘clunky’, ‘unfriendly interface’, ‘lack of support’, ‘lack of training’, and ‘lack of facility management insight’ have been verbalised about certain Service Providers and Asset & Facility Management Software Systems on the market.

The facilities and asset management market is now filled with a number of innovative software development companies attempting to provide value for money tools in the facility management sector.

However, some of the systems in the market have been developed by companies who have no practical working experience in the facility management industry, resulting in poorly designed and developed products, and as a consequence, the user interface and experience becomes secondary. Many of these companies have proceeded in bringing their product to market in the belief they know best, and without engaging with their prospective customers to assess their requirements or to gain feedback on their service offering. Most importantly, they

failed to keep abreast of the changes within the industry.

Systems that fail Many of these so called asset & facility management systems fail to be embraced by the user on a day to day basis. Some of the issues underlying this failure are: 1) Poor Development Practices The complexity of our modern day market requirements and shareholder expectations has placed a lot of pressure on software companies to get their product to market without fully testing the system, resulting in a system which is fraught with bug issues.

Many of these companies do not have customer feedback protocols in place and/ or make any direct attempt to collect or quantify feedback from their customers.

2) Incorrect Assumptions About What Facility Management Personnel Require Lack of customer engagement, valuing customer feedback or staying up to date with the industry will lead some companies to develop products which do not fit

with their chosen market or their client requirements. This can result in a very basic system with ill-conceived modules that do not integrate correctly with other sections of the system.

3) Poor User Interface Poor user interface design can be a major cause of frustration, resulting in prospective users not embracing the system, or coming to a point where they stop using the system all together. Issues such as poor layout of data forms and fields can result in data being incorrectly entered into the system, resulting in major issues for those dependent on the integrity of the data.

4) System Not Configurable Failure to configure the asset and facility management system in line with an organisation’s vision and values and their operational needs can cause issues resulting in management personnel failing to embrace the system. Furthermore, it’s

important to be able to re-configure the system as work practices change.

The Double-Sided Coin Approach

5) Inadequate User Training

In assessing systems for your organisation, ensure that you take a double-sided coin approach. On one side of the coin is the software. The software should provide high end, state of the art tools that streamline your day to day activities; it must have a user friendly interface, and be able to be integrated with your legacy systems.

A lack of available basic and advance training sessions can increase user error and again may cause frustration in using the system. Lack of understanding or knowledge of the system can cause major issues with errors in the system and unwanted outcomes with the type of information being entered.

6) Lack of FM Knowledge Many facility management personnel come from varied backgrounds and experiences and may lack specific knowledge in the Facility Management industry. Their own lack of knowledge may result in not knowing what data should be collected and what type of outcome reports are required. If there is no guidance from the system’s service provider, then incorrect data may be collected and entered into the system.

On the other side of the coin is the support. Ensure the Service Provider you are dealing with has experience in the facility management industry to enable them to provide independent advice on the more common issues such as facility readiness, emergency planning, essential safety measures, building control, defect management control and contractor management, to high-end strategic planning and asset management, compliance management, OH&S management, FM

53

project services, Procurement, Tendering, and so forth.

Unfortunately, many software companies can only deliver one side of the coin due to their lack of actual day to day facility management industry knowledge and experience, and this is usually expressed through the lack of congruence between the user interface experience and the support given by the Service Provider.

Selecting a System – Important Considerations Considering the following as a minimum in your selection process will provide long term benefits: • Future Proofing: Identify that the product can expand with the growth of your company. The procurement of a facility management software solution is a long term investment, so you want the latest, most up to date tools in your system now and in 5 or 10 years’ time.

This is how you get real value for money over the life of the system, which will hold you in good stead with the Accounts and Procurement Department.

• Scalability: Ensure the system is scalable; to ensure that you can use as little or as much of the system necessary to meet your current needs. As your team grows, your portfolio increases, and your duties change, knowing the system you have in place is flexible and scalable enough to meet your current or new requirements ensures peace of mind, and again cements your purchase value proposition.

• Longevity: Find out how long the company has been in business. Simply asking the question, ‘How long has your company being around?’ will allow you to assess if the Service Provider will be around for the long haul, and able to provide you with ongoing support in the years to come.

• Brochures: Making a request to review their brochures helps you identify if the offered product features are what you actually want in your system. Importantly, do not be blindsided by high end glossy marketing material, focus on the product information.

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• Demonstration: Arrange a demonstration of the product either face to face or online, and obtain access, so you can get acquainted with their system at your leisure. Having a face to face or online demonstration will help you to quickly decide if the system will actually fulfil your requirements. Do not hesitate to request a second demo if you wish to explore the system further. Once you’ve had a demonstration, obtain access to the demo version so you can personally experience the features (and any shortcomings) of the system. Remember you have not had training on the system, only a demonstration, but it should be enough to give you the confidence in exploring a system and determining its suitability.

• User Interface: The system should be intuitive, comprehensive and easy to use.

Having an intuitive, comprehensive and user friendly system will streamline your day to day activities, eliminate double handling, and ensure your team will feel as at ease using the system.

• Installation Checklist: Ensure your IT Department is involved at an early stage to establish the software’s suitability and integration with existing legacy systems, as this will save you considerable amount of time.

• Upgrades: Find out how many upgrades you will receive every year.

Establish and be assured that the system you implement will be continually developed and refined to fit the changing landscape of the FM Industry, and that your feedback will be considered in the refinement process.

• Other Services: Identify if the company of choice offers other facility management services, other than a software system, as a measure of their understanding of the industry, and their ability to provide support.

• Access to Industry Specialists: Ensure they have access to specialists within the industry. Confidence in knowing you can get assistance and guidance from FM industry specialists in both the software system and with other FM Services will assist you with other aspects of your role.

• Training: Request a training matrix – ensure available training options for the end user. Knowing your team have been proficiently trained will allow you to focus on the high end facility management activities.

• Workflow: Ensure the software it can be tailored to meet your work flow and processes, including integration with legacy systems. The ability to configure your workflow and processes will provide the flexibility to make future refinements to your system as the work environment dynamics change.

Incorporating the above considerations as part of your strategic approach for reviewing and procuring a system will result in far-reaching beneficial outcomes for your organisation and especially for you in your principal role.

Maximising your procurement dollar Using the double sided coin approach will assist you in confidently choosing a software system that meets your present needs, and one that can be scaled up in line with the growing demands of your organisation. The flip side of the coin will ensure you have chosen a system which has been development by facility management professionals for facility professionals, and one that comes with the support you need for your present and future needs.

Patricia Sprague is the fmXpert Manager for FM Essentials (fmessentials.com.au and fmXpert.com.au) FM Essentials is a facilities management company which offers a wide range of specialist FM Services and FM software products such as fmXpert – Asset & Facility Management System; pmXpert – Leasing System; and rmXpert – Resource Management System. fmXpert has been developed in collaboration with facility management professionals around Australia, with the aim to deliver an easy to use, flexible and a cost effective solution.

ADVERTORIAL

Technology advances for your laundry, dry cleaning & valet service

I

n recent years there have been a number of advances in textile cleaning that have made a great impact on dry cleaning and laundry operations. Three that stand out are the advancements in solvents, wet cleaning and finishing systems. Money saving and lower environmental impact are just a few advantages of these newer technologies.

Dry Cleaning Solvents Traditionally most dry cleaning machines used a solvent called perchlorethlyene (Perc). This solvent was a good cleaner. In recent years the negative impacts of perc have led to this solvent becoming unfavourable. Add to this the high waste costs and perc has become a liability for many hotels. In the last decade there has been a huge investment into alternative solvents.

The main three being Hydrocarbon, GreenEarth and SystemK4. Some advantages to these solvents are lower waste and energy costs,

less damage to fabrics & trims and up to 5 times the solvent mileage of perc. And of course the main advantage has been less exposure to site contamination. Consider the alternative solvents when upgrading your dry cleaning machines. www.gecleaning.com, www.systemk4.com

Wet Cleaning Developed in 1991 by German companies Miele and Kreussler, wet cleaning is a method of textile cleaning that uses water with specialised chemicals and programs to process “dry clean only” garments. This can be done in most high extract, programmable washing machines. The main advantages of wet cleaning are no harsh chemicals are used and the wet cleaning machine can also be used to process normal laundry.

Although a great product, it does not completely replace dry cleaning. It is a great addition to your service. www.kreussler.com

Finishing equipment One of the biggest costs in running a laundry and valet is labour.There have been some great advances in finishing equipment that increase productivity greatly. We also need to consider workplace health and safety laws.The new machines are very safe and efficient.The perfect example is trouser finishing.Traditionally many trousers were pressed on manual utility presses at a rate of around 20 per hour. With a new trouser station you can easily increase this to 40 per hour with one operator. Similar results are replicated with shirt systems.This is a very large saving and in some cases machines are paid back in less than 12 months. Another great example is the advancement in finishing tunnels.Tunnels such as those produced

by Leonards Automatics can process 100’s of garments per hour with minimal touch up.

For more information on the latest valet and laundry equipment, please contact Spencer Systems on 02 9679 1244 or email support@spencersystems.com.au

From expert advice on all your valet equipment to machinery and chemical supplies. Spencer Systems is Australia’s most experienced laundry and dry cleaning supplier. We are the Australian distributors for some of the most recognised brands such as Union dry cleaning machines, Orion laundry equipment, Kreussler laundry and dry cleaning chemicals. We also supply Horscroft, Forenta, Itsumi and Barbanti finishing equipment. We also stock a large range of spare parts.

Call us for more information on 02 9679 1244 or email support@spencersystems.com.au

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55

PAPER FOR VISIONS CONFERENCE 2013

Reasonable Practicable – Pre and Post Incident Abstract David Randall I MANAGING DIRECTOR, DRA Safety Specialists Pty Ltd

With the definition of “Reasonably Practicable” defined in Legislation but not yet tested in court, there is still uncertainty in its meaning and application in a defence of a breach of a work health and safety duty. This paper provides a Consultant’s view on the interpretation of “reasonably practicable” and what must be done proactively by organisations to meet their duty of care both pre and post incident.

Introduction

T

he Workplace Health and Safety Act of 1995 imposed an absolute obligation on a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).The PCBU was required to ensure the safety of workers and other persons at their workplace. In short, if an incident occurred and a person was injured, the PCBU could be prosecuted for breaching their obligation. Irrespective of what level of compliance to the legislation occurred with regard to training, work practices, appropriate machine guarding etc., the fact that an incident occurred demonstrated a breach of the absolute obligation. Furthermore this problem was exacerbated by the reverse onus of proof requirement placed upon the PCBU. Although it was rare for organisations who had put robust safety management systems in place to be prosecuted, there were instances where political pressures were applied and companies were prosecuted, in my opinion unfairly. With the advent of Harmonisation, the Safety Profession pushed for a fairer system which resulted in the term “reasonably practicable” being included into the general duty of care, refer section 19 WHS Act 2011.

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Work Health and Safety Framework The WHS framework includes the Act, Regulation, Codes of Practice and other guidance material.The WHS Act being the policy document passed by Parliament defines the requirements and duties in relation to Work Health and Safety, and penalties for non-compliance.The Regulations generally provide information on the physical requirements to meet the duties of care with regard to hazardous work activities. Both the Act and Regulations are mandatory and have little flexibility other than the interpretation of the wording which may be contested in court cases. Codes of Practice provide practical guidance, and allow a PCBU flexibility in its application, however, where a Code of Practice applies to a PCBU, then they must be able to demonstrate that they have either met the Code or achieved a safety standard equivalent to that expressed in the Code.The Code of Practice can be used as evidence in proceedings for breaches of WHS duties.

Unfortunately, there are many persons telling PCBUs that they must complete certain

activities to comply with the WHS Act 2011, when in fact the requirement may only be a “should”. For example, First Aid suppliers have consistently told PCBUs that they must have First Aid kits in their workplace that have a minimum set of contents, when in actual fact the Regulation only requires that First Aid facilities be readily available. It is up to the PCBU through a risk assessment to determine the First Aid facilities suitable for the types of injuries that may occur within their business. In an office environment, this may only require a box of bandaids and a cold pack rather than a very expensive First Aid kit which contents expire and are never used.This is the start of the application of “reasonably practicable”.

Risk Management Risk Management is the cornerstone of the Work Health and Safety Legislation.

Safety professionals are working tirelessly pre-event to identify organisational failures that may result in a release of energy which causes an undesirable outcome such as a near hit incident, serious injury or property damage.The legal profession, on the other

hand, generally will react after an incident has occurred where organisational failures may present themselves through a detailed incident investigation.The question that is then asked is, “Was the risk reasonably foreseeable to the PCBU at the time of the incident? This is a further application of the definition of “reasonably practicable”.

The definition of “reasonably practicable” as defined in the WHS Act 2011, s 18 is stated as follows: Means, was reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters; • Likelihood of the hazard or risk; • Degree of harm that might result from the hazard or risk; • What the person concerned knows or ought to know about the hazard or risk, and ways to eliminate or minimise risk; • Availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise risk.

After assessing the above, the cost associated with ways of eliminating or minimising the risk and whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

Risk Assessment When looking at the definition of reasonably practicable, it is obvious that when examining the first two elements of likelihood and degree of harm, that this is fundamentally a risk assessment of the situation. When applying these two matters pre-incident, if the likelihood of the incident occurring is low and the most probable outcome of the incident is minor, then the risk will be low and it may be the decision of the PCBU to take no further action to mitigate that risk.

Post-event, the legal profession will then analyse that risk assessment and challenge the determination of likelihood given the event occurred.The harm that may have resulted from the incident may have been more severe than that predicted, and it is up to the PCBU to then explain their prediction based on their experience.The error often made in these risk assessments is that the outcome of the incident is categorised as the degree of harm, when in actual fact, it may be an aberration and not the most probable outcome. For example, when a person trips over in the workplace, the most probable outcome if the person regains balance is no

harm caused. If however, they trip and break their arm, the legal profession is quick to state that a serious injury was the most likely outcome because this is the event that happened.

Foreseeability The third matter in the definition of “reasonably practicable” looks at what a person concerned knows or ought to know about the hazard.This in effect is asking whether or not the risk is foreseeable.

Companies must have excellent industry networks and safety alert systems which will direct their attention to any incidents that may occur within their business. Where incidents within their business or other like industries occur, then they may be considered foreseeable and should they occur again, the defence of “reasonably practicable” may fall over. My concern as a Consultant is that the legal profession may after the event conduct a Google search using key parameters of the incident to identify that something similar has occurred somewhere else in the world.

Will the courts determine that an incident that occurred ten years ago in some far away country that was found using a Google search was reasonably foreseeable. If this judgement occurs, a new industry will be created within businesses for individuals to search the world wide web for potential incidents that could occur within a business so that proactive measures can be undertaken. Let’s hope that this is not the case and reasonably foreseeable is limited to our industry groups within Australia.

Controls The fourth relevant matter considers the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk. In many cases, hazards that exist with equipment may not have suitable engineering controls yet designed to manage the risk. For example, a student in a Home Economics class at a school sews his finger whilst not paying attention when using a sewing machine. Although the risk assessment may indicate that this is a low to moderate risk and it is foreseeable, there is no guarding system yet designed that will differentiate the human finger from a piece of material when it passes through the needle.The control is administrative in that the student is trained, assessed as competent and then is required to exercise due attention when using the equipment. Given that there is no current safe guard that would prevent this incident,

a PCBU may rely on the defence that it was not “reasonably practicable” to guard the equipment as the technology to prevent the injury is not commercially available.

Cost The last matter in the definition of “reasonably practicable” looks at whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk. For large organisations with multimillion dollar turnovers, the legal profession will undoubtedly state that there will be no defence on cost, however, as a Safety Professional I would have to disagree. If a risk is assessed as low or event moderate based on good statistical data and history then it may not be worth spending a disproportionate amount of funding on further mitigating that risk when other greater risks within the organisation exist.

The old argument of “if it saves one life” should be put aside as good practitioners of risk management will clearly state that every decision made must be made with balance i.e. balancing safety with environment with quality, economics, publicity etc. In simple terminology, there is risk in everything we do, and spending millions of dollars to reduce all risk may make us unviable as a country in a competitive world market.

Case Law There is good case law now evolving from our high courts regarding what is “reasonably practicable” and I would recommend that cases such as Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd – v – The Queen be reviewed.

Conclusion Safety Professionals in industry require to have a comprehensive understanding of the definition of “reasonably practicable” when advising their clients or employer on whether or not to spend further resources in mitigating existing risk within their business.

The test of the definition of “reasonably practicable” will occur in our courts where safety professionals with experience in risk management will go up against the legal profession who will be working with the advantage of hindsight. Prediction is always more difficult than reviewing the past and hence the safety professional’s challenge is to ensure that their decisions are based on the best available facts presented to them at the time and are presented in a well documented format.

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Voltage optimisation can reduce electricity usage Sam Czyczelis I General Manager of Powerstar Australia

Convincing statistics show that voltage optimisation is proven to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

V

oltage optimisation is a highly effective energy saving technique that has an excellent payback period.

The technology has a significant impact on the amount of energy used because it brings the voltage supplied by the grid in line with what is actually required.

According to Sam Czyczelis, general manager of Powerstar Australia, companies in the hotel industry can reduce annual energy consumption by 12-15 per cent and even more in some installations.

“Voltage optimisation is an innovative technology dedicated to matching power demands to the needs of electrical equipment.

“As each building is different, with its own unique infrastructure and specific load requirements, a voltage optimisation strategy should be customised to ensure that savings are maximised.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Czyczelis said.

The technology Voltage optimisation is an electrical energy-saving technique in which a device is installed in series with the mains electricity supply to provide an optimum supply voltage for the site’s equipment.

The technology has a significant impact on the amount of energy used because it brings the voltage supplied by the grid in line with what is actually required. It works best on inductive loads such as motors, especially if these are not loaded at 100 per cent of their capacity for 100 per cent of the time, and lighting.

The statutory electricity supply range for Australia is 230V +10 per cent to -6 per cent, which means that electricity suppliers are required to provide a voltage level that is between 253V and 216V. Therefore, the supplier will distribute electricity at 253V and

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over distances the voltage will decrease. On average, hotels would receive it from the grid at 247V. Because most electrical equipment manufactured for Australia is designed to work most efficiently at 220V to 230V, hotel engineers would therefore realise that any incoming power that is higher than this level is wasted energy and means organisations are paying for power that is not required and not used.

Voltage optimisation deals with this over supply and brings incoming mains supply into line with what equipment needs to run at its most efficient level, thus saving money, lowering carbon emissions, helping equipment last longer and reducing maintenance costs.

There are two common approaches to voltage reduction available on the market today: simple step-down transformers that drop the voltage only, and voltage optimisers that optimise the voltage as they reduce it.

In doing so, true optimisers tackle poor power quality issues such as harmonics and transients, therefore allowing for greater efficiency and savings.

The savings Generally, voltage optimisers will deliver between 12-15 per cent savings. However, the most efficient voltage optimisation solutions can save up to 26 per cent of total electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions, all without compromising the supply to electrical equipment.

Virtually all sites can benefit from reducing and controlling their voltage, but as conditions and loads differ from site to site, the size of the benefit will vary – savings will be determined by the type of system used, as well as site specifications.

In addition to saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions, voltage optimisation offers countless other benefits, including no maintenance, protection against voltage spikes, surges and significant reduction of harmonics, independent three phase control to provide voltage phase balancing, and an intelligent interface to track product and site performance in real time.

The cost The cost of a voltage optimisation system will differ depending on a site’s unique requirements.

All installations should be provided with 100 per cent guaranteed savings for the life of the equipment and equipment should have a minimum warranty of 10 years and up to 15 years.

Inside a Powerstar voltage optimisation unit, which requires no maintenance. VO reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions, protects against voltage spikes and surges, and provides a significant reduction in harmonics.

To ensure optimum savings and performance, a comprehensive analysis of a building or site’s power conditions should be completed before installation.

The payback period after installation (despite the size of the installation) is typically between 0.8 and 2.5 years.

Users should expect voltage optimisation equipment to offer a 50year life expectancy with 100 per cent reliability.

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The market There are various types of equipment that are misleadingly touted as ‘voltage optimisation’ technology, so beware.

Most buildings require a genuine, dynamic voltage optimisation solution supplied by an experienced and reputable company to maximise energy savings and carbon reductions.

Installing the right type of system is essential to ensure that electrical equipment never receives more or less than the required minimum voltage for correct operation – important during power dips and surges.

By opting for a true voltage optimisation solution, equipment will operate as efficiently as possible at all times, the lifetime of equipment will be maximised, and maintenance costs will be significantly reduced.

Ultimately, if your company’s power is not optimised, you are paying much more for electricity than you need to, and at the same time, emitting excessive amounts of CO2. As voltage optimisation is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways to reduce electricity use and cut carbon emissions, it should be regarded by all organisations as the cornerstone of their energy efficiency agendas.

With its patented triple wound design, Powerstar is recognised as the market leader in voltage optimisation. Pubs and hotels with Powerstar voltage optimisation units installed include 120 Punch Taverns, a leading UK pub chain. Performance results show average savings of between 15-18 per cent in energy consumption at these sites.

Powerstar worked with Punch to ensure that the units were installed without any disruption to the operations at each pub site.

As the manufacturer of the equipment, Powerstar was able to tailor the units specifically for each site, taking into account any size and location restrictions.

The Palace Hotel in Manchester achieved annual energy consumption savings of 18%, which equated to a payback period of just 1.4 years.

Sam Czyczelis said it’s very important to install a tailored voltage optimisation solution supplied by an experienced and reputable company.

“This will not only provide maximum energy savings and carbon reductions, but will also ensure that equipment will operate as efficiently as possible at all times, that the lifetime of equipment will be maximised, and that maintenance costs will be significantly reduced.”

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The Need

For Clean (Air) REBECCA PHELAN I GENERAL MANAGER, KLEENDUCT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

I am sure that other regular visitors to hotels like myself experience the same sinking feeling when greeted with musty, stuffy odours upon entering the room or even the hotel itself. My eyes immediately go to the supply registers and if I find them grubby I suppress a groan as I KNOW what’s behind those registers!

C

onsideration should be given to the reasons why a well-maintained HVAC system is so important. In a general use system such as those in hotels the primary concern is always going to be human occupancy and the consequent well-being of all occupants temporary or otherwise.

Guest and employee overall satisfaction A clean supply of lovely, easy to breathe fresh smelling air is so important, not only to health but for the spirit as well.

The difference is profound and can’t be measured as the majority of occupants will be unaware that their feeling of well-being is because they are breathing clean air.

Is your employee absentee rate high?

Consider and compare your absentee rate to your peers. If your rate does seem high this could be attributed to poorly maintained HVAC systems, which are known to cause illnesses such as breathing difficulties, skin and eye irritations and allergies that can easily be confused with colds.

Are your power requirements higher than your peers?

Poorly maintained HVAC systems are costly not only on a day to day basis but on-going restoration costs also.

Are your systems inspected on a regular basis?

Putting an inspection routine in place is simple and ensures that your occupancy is compliant with current legislation and minimum requirements.

Access for Inspections There should be as little disruption to the system as possible when carrying out regular inspections. Where possible the inspection should be through existing openings such as outlet, return and exhaust grilles and existing access panels.

*Table 2.2 HVAC SYSTEM HYGIENE INSPECTION FREQUENCY HVAC System Components

Minimum Inspection Intervals

Air handling units

Monthly

Supply system – moisture producing equipment

Monthly

Air intakes and exhaust outlets

Monthly

Supply air systems

Annually

Return air systems

Annually

Outdoor air systems

Annually

Exhaust air systems

Annually

Evaporative coolers

Quarterly

Non-ducted air conditioning

Monthly

*Source: AIRAH HVAC Best Practice Guidelines (AS/NZS 3666.2)

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The below table is a minimum guideline and of course environmental factors may require a more regular inspection. In the event that any of the HVAC components are contaminated then the whole system will need to be inspected.

In the event that you do need to install more access consideration should be given to providing it alongside any mechanical device within the ductwork such as a bank of dampers or vanes, coils, VAV’s etc.

The inspections should be recorded and any additional access points should be noted. Many hotels will have the master plans and copies can be used to highlight the location, date and type of access in addition to the maintenance journal.

Collection of this type of data is so invaluable to a duct cleaner. In the event of cleaning, access is often the most prohibitive factor to a really efficient service.

Inspections can be carried out by yourself or out-sourced to any reputable duct cleaning company. They can be as rudimentary as a couple of digital images or a full video inspection supplied to you on suitable media.

*Table 2.3 MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE SYSTEM HYGIENE STANDARDS HVAC System Classification

General Use Systems

1. Clean

No visible dust, debris or other contamination

2. Light

Only slightly visible layer of fine general dust consistent over the component surface with little to no variations in density.

Component surface remains visible beneath the fine layer of dust.

3. Moderate

Clean

Light

Air intakes and exhausts

Clean

Supply air system, or return air system or outside air system

Pre-filtration – moderate Post-filtration – Light

Exhaust air system

Moderate

Non-ducted refrigerated a/c

Light

Evaporative coolers

Light

Often cleaning is required due to the presence of everyday dust and particles.

However a simple clean of the system due to everyday dust and particle contamination can be carried out by any reputable duct cleaning company using a variety of methods.

AHU’s – These will be tackled firstly and all dust, particles and foreign matter removed from plenums, fans, and the plant room walls if necessary. Coils will be cleaned using either high pressure air or water where drainage permits and filters checked.

Ducts – Depending on the size of the floors, the project will normally be completed floor by floor following the direction of air flow starting with return and fresh air. This may be disruptive to guests so careful planning needs to done in advance.

Moderate

Component surface is barely if not at all visible beneath the contamination.

A variety of methods can be used to loosen the dust which will then be removed with a negative air unit fitted with HEPA filters.

A wipe over with a non-abrasive approved disinfectant will complete the duct cleaning.

Grilles/registers – return air register will normally be cleaned at the start and to finish the clean the supply air register.

*Source: AIRAH HVAC Best Practice Guidelines

The descriptions listed in Table 2.1 provide the four hygiene levels to determine if cleaning is required when assessed against the minimum acceptable hygiene standards as listed in Table 2.3.

Clean

Particular attention needs to be paid to the filters and how regularly they are inspected, cleaned or replaced. Regular filter inspection and maintenance can dramatically reduce cleaning needs and lead to much improved air quality.

Component surface is still visible in some areas beneath the fine dust but in isolated sections may not be.

High levels of visible dust, debris, fibres or any other contamination that cover the component.

Clean

Supply system – moisture producing equipment

Everyday dust and particles

Visible levels of general dust with varying density and limited areas of accumulated fine debris.

4. Heavy

AHU

*Source: AIRAH HVACBest Practice Guidelines

*Table 2.1 DEFININTION OF HYGIENE LEVELS Description

Minimum Hygiene Level (Table 2.1)

No filtration – Light

Reasons why you might need a full clean

Hygiene Level

HVAC System or Component

All foreign matter will be removed from your site and disposed of safely.

Heavy

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Your chosen duct cleaning company should be able to provide you with a comprehensive report detailing what has been accomplished and highlighting any areas that may need further attention.

Biological, Fungal and Bacterial Contamination

Sometimes cleaning and other control measures may need to be put into place for more sinister reasons.

The HVAC system can become contaminated from a variety of sources both within and without.

The most common source of contamination from within the ductwork is caused by excess moisture. This can lead to the rusting of components, the degradation of internal lagging and growth of mould.

All of these factors can lead to air flow restriction reducing the efficiency of the system to say nothing of the dangers they can represent to human occupants.

Fungal growth

Fungi and excessive dust/particles can have toxic, allergenic and pathogenic effects on humans and can cause allergic reactions, skin and eye irritations and breathing difficulties.

This type of contamination needs to be assessed with samples taken and independently tested. A plan of action should be put into place once the source of contamination is identified.

Rust and break-down of insulate

Other external sources of contamination normally enter the system through the outdoor and return air. They can include moisture, dust, small animals, their faeces and any decomposing organic material such as carcasses or vegetation.

The solution to this problem is often referred to as remediation, as it goes beyond conventional cleaning. The type of contamination will determine the remediation process. This can often be a complex issue that is difficult to condense into a few lines.

MINIMUM requirements when choosing a contractor • Proven ability to perform the task at hand (ask for references), • A Quality and Safety Management Plan, • A comprehensive scope of works that should include; o Areas/components to be cleaned, o A project management plan, o Capability to provide full reporting that includes digital or video imagery, • Fully insured, • Trained duct technicians (ask for proof of training), • Appropriate PPE, • MSDS and SWMS/JSA. There are many reasons that your HVAC system may need cleaning and here I have discussed only the most common.

Possible fungal contamination requiring investigation

As with all ventilation systems, the filters are a critical factor. Not only should they be carefully monitored and changed/ cleaned when required but the type of materials trapped within should be carefully examined as they tell a story about what might be occurring within the system.

Remember when carrying out a full system clean, always get quotes and obtain as much information about the duct cleaning company as is possible. And most importantly of all make sure you get good quality after photos of the clean. *Thanks to ARIAH’s HVAC Best Practice Guidelines which I have referred to in writing this article.

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Further investigation required

Kleenduct Australia delivers outstanding duct cleaning services to existing and prospective customers throughout Australia.

Our company offers 24 hour, 7 day a week servicing 363 days of the year. This ensures that we are in a position to promptly and efficiently meet the demands of our customers.

ATTRIBUTES 

Accurate tender estimation



Management of complex and extended projects



Efficient handling of all administration requirements from SWMS/JSA to invoicing, follow up reporting, customer service and ongoing support



Networked nationally with full IT support



State of the art reporting



Up to date with Industry Standards, regulations and best practices



Fully insured

TYPE OF CUSTOMER 

Hospitals



Naval vessels



Shopping centres



Manufacturers



Fast food chains



Rigs



Stadiums



Cruise ships



Hotels



Banks



Mining



Aged care facilities

Kleenduct Australia has the depth and expertise to fully service all duct cleaning requirements on a national basis, and we hold many national contracts with key organisations in Australia.

In utilising Kleenduct as a maintenance provider our customer has the opportunity to draw from the extensive experience and comprehensive range of services we provide.

DUCT INSPECTION 

Advanced camera system has a articulating eye with a full colour camera head and lets you take a closer look at horizontal and vertical ductwork…



Super bright wide TFT monitor provides brilliant picture quality.



Connection cable 60 to 80 metres.



Waterproof high resolution 360° pan and 180° tilt camera head gives an inside view into air ducts.



State-of-the-art battery packs provide 6 hours continuous operation.

We offer a wide range of services to an even wider variety of customers. We are extending our operations to include Fiji and New Zealand and will be an international company by mid 2014.

SERVICES 

Duct cleaning



Air Handling Unit Cleaning



Inspection & reporting



Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning



Filter Exchange



Mould Remediation



Video inspection



Production cleaning

1300 438 287

www.kleenduct.com.au

info@kleenduct.com.au

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INDEPENDENT MONITORING CONSULTANTS – AUSTRALIA

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INDEPENDENT MONITORING CONSULTANTS Head Office: 23–25 Daking Street North Parramatta NSW 2151 Toll Free 1300 131 405 or (02) 9890 5067 New South Wales: Ian Hartup 0411 109 353 Queensland & NT: David Curry 0408 368 921 Victoria & South Australia: Steve Powell 0431 503 194

INDEPENDENT WATER, INDOOR AIR, AND CORROSION MONITORING

A REVIEW OF BENEFITS

Steve Powell I Independent Monitoring Consultants (IMC), Victoria/South Australia Account Manager

Transitioning from Minimum Adequate to Very Best Practice

W

ith lives literally being at stake, managing the risk of Legionnaire’s disease is a serious business.

Legionella Bacteria

Victorian legislators moved quickly after the Melbourne Aquarium incident to enact the toughest legislation in Australia and arguably the world. Based on a risk management approach, the legislation identifies responsibilities and provides incentives for appropriate actions. These actions include assessment of risk and implementation of appropriate strategies, monitoring performance, and undertaking a process of continual improvement.

However, the requirements on the stakeholders embodied in AS/NZ 3666 may be seen as “Minimum Adequate” protocols in the sense that it leaves the concept of being “pro-active” open to interpretation when “continual improvement” is attempting to be defined.

Although not usually life-threatening, indoor air quality monitoring, and water systems corrosion protection are also very high priorities for building engineers, and property owners. Establishing and

maintaining a balance between fulfilling their legal “minimum adequate” Legionella monitoring, and control processes, for example, whilst achieving effective corrosion protection of plant and equipment in an open recirculating cooling tower system requires sophisticated technology – often “designer” water treatment chemistry and practices are required rather than “offthe-shelf ” standard product formulations of best fit which are the general standard throughout Australia and other parts of the world.

The intention of this article is to provide some insights of how to transition from a “commodity” approach to “speciality” practice – from a minimum adequate standard to best practice – then to very best practice – and to examine the benefits such a transition provides.

Microbiological Considerations Water Sampling a Cooling Tower Basin

By definition, taking a cooling system water sample and having it delivered to a laboratory for analyses sounds simple enough. All water treatment providers offer

this service, and there is an attraction in consolidating on-site services to the one supplier. However, there can be many “blind spots” in sampling, testing and reporting.

Further, each of these three steps requires focus, process and “ownership” – not easy to do with split loyalties or time constraints.

Non-representative sample’s or poorly taken samples, can have a massive negative consequence because businesses involved in a Legionella outbreak can, and will have serious impacts to their occupancy rates, and bottom line. Ideally the sample should be taken reflecting “worst case” conditions and not necessarily from a “system” as each cooling tower is in itself a unique ecosystem – not when a biocide pump is dosing, or immediately after a biocide dosing cycle has been completed. If your service technician appears to be in a rush, or doesn’t communicate properly with you at the completion of a service visit, is your site being looked after correctly?

In Victoria, the DHS take random water samples from cooling tower systems for Legionella analysis – being pro-active with your own independent analyses program provides the highest level of security!

Some of the securities provided by professional independent monitoring companies is in the sampling, testing and reporting of water samples for biological analyses and include:

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Trained Specialist Field Technicians • Strict sampling procedures • No conflict of interest • All work is scheduled and performed to client requirements • Visual inspection reports and Letters of Concern to inform clients where problems are detected Sampling Containers and Refrigeration • Gamma irradiated sample bottles • Sodium Thiosulphate neutralisation of chlorine in-situ • Insulated esky’s and ice bricks to transport samples to the in-car refrigerator.

Transportation • All service vehicles are fitted with refrigerators utilising a double battery system for continuous operation • All samples are transported to our laboratory within a strict minimum 24 hour time frame, or they are rejected for testing.

Laboratory Facilities • NATA accredited laboratory to International Standard ISO 217025 • Monthly Proficiency Testing • All samples are processed immediately on arrival at the laboratory • Efficient and effective back-up, excursion indicators and notification processes.

Client Notifications • Direct notification by telephone to clients for all results that exceed limits immediately after release from the laboratory • Reports are emailed or faxed to clients as directed on the same day results are released from the laboratory with on-line access to all registered clients.

Occupation Health and Safety Issues • OHS registration with SASSI, CM3, TRADES MONITOR, MYCONTRACTOR, & ICIX. • National Service Co-ordinator to ensure work is performed correctly and on time.

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Corrosion and Corrosion Monitoring The standard oxidising biocide used for treating Legionella is sodium hypochlorite. This situation is not necessarily ideal, as over two decades of hindsight testifies that although it is a simple solution, it is not a completely effective one.

Sodium hypochlorite does not penetrate biofilm to kill micro-organisms effectively and is damaging to protective films developed by corrosion inhibitors on meal surfaces.

Acute galvanic pitting on mild steel pipe

The corrosion of cooling water circuits in a city building is a relentless process.

Minimising corrosion in a condenser water circuit requires careful management of water chemistry and in particular careful balancing of corrosion inhibitor levels, system pH and water losses due to bleed, windage and leaks. Many buildings suffer from a combination of problems. Firstly, they are designed with thin copper riser pipes to carry the condenser water up and down the building.These are coupled with mild steel chillers and condensers, so mixed metal (galvanic) corrosion is going to be a problem straightaway. Buildings in Melbourne often suffer from soluble copper as well and cooling tower make-up waters experience an increase in the levels as you go up the buildings. Soluble copper “plates out” as metallic spots on to mild steel surfaces, initiating tiny galvanic cells, which results in corrosion pits throughout the system. Further,The Department of Human Services,Victoria insists on 10ppm of free chlorine for an hour during tower cleaning every six months adding to the difficulty of copper corrosion prevention.

In an effort to maintain control at all times, many cooling towers are fitted with continually running tower basin recirculating pumps.

Microbes active in a pipe

Installing corrosion monitoring equipment in these circuits means “best case” corrosion rates are measured because the water is cold compared to condenser water returning to the tower. It also means the influence of Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC) has little chance of being detected.

Indoor Air All of the various regulations and guidelines in today’s environment have an expectation that businesses operate by making their premises safe. Water cooling towers, drinking water, swimming pools, fountains, indoor air quality, in fact the environment where we work and play pose many problems for a business if not properly monitored and managed. If strict hygiene and safety standards aren’t maintained bacteria, pollutants, and hazardous materials can all make an environment unfit to work in or visit and can be damaging not only for health and safety, but also to an organisations reputation and image.This is why legislators are expanding the regulations and local authorities are increasing their pressure on companies to implement measures to fulfil their obligations.

How Do You Meet These Challenges?

Reputible consulting and independent monitoring companies usually provide a range of services and solutions to ensure that client companies comply with these regulations and obligations. Independent sampling and testing of cooling towers, swimming pools, fountains, and drinking water for the most important bacteria such as Legionella, coliforms, E.coli, pseudomonas,Total Bacteria Counts, and other bacteria found in water and air are the usual offerings. Cooling tower Risk Assessments and Audits are also an important part of any management programme.

Indoor air quality over recent years has taken a prominent position with work place safety as we learn the importance of properly managing the physical and chemical parameters, including bacteria and fungi inside our buildings.

What Are The Key Benefits?

•

llows organisations to anticipate A and control potential risks

•

elps maintain a safe environment H for workers and visitors

consulting & testing service to the Hospitality, Healthcare & Commercial industries for water systems, corrosion monitoring & Indoor Air Quality.

• Assists in building and maintaining a good reputation • Optimises costs by preventing risks and/or avoidable expensive repairs • Third part independent professional managing of potential risk areas • Complies with National and local regulations, guidelines, and company goals

From Best to Very Best Practice Professional consultancy staff should be dedicated professionals whose primary goal is to provide a quality range of testing and consulting services to enhance the health and safety of its clients and provide a wide range of solutions in the areas of environmental waters, indoor air quality, food and related management.

What features should independent monitoring and consultants offer?

• Recognition and reputation – independent microbiological sampling,

• Professionalism – all sampling, monitoring, and audits are performed by experienced technicians. The laboratory should be accredited to International Standards ISO17025.

• Resourcefulness – senior management should use their knowledge to support clients “raise the bar” from Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) to Critical Control Items thereby reducing their exposure by minimising the risks.

If the unthinkable happened and a prosecutor asked you, “Did you do everything in your power to avoid this tragedy?” how comfortable would you be with your answer?

Steve Powell is a Chemical Engineer specialising in industrial water treatment processes. He has held senior research and sales/marketing positions in multinational water treatment and speciality

chemical companies operating within Australian and he brings considerable practical experience to address clients risk management security. Based in Melbourne he is currently Independent Monitoring Consultants (IMC) Victoria/South Australia Account Manager.

Steve says,”IMC is aware of all of the impairments to quality service and servicing. IMC is a privately owned Australian company providing quality services since 1992, and was the first to introduce full independent sampling and testing to help clients manage the control of Legionella, system corrosion, Risk Management & Audits, indoor air quality, OH&S and duty of care obligations. All important to international hotel chains, major shopping centres, hospitals, and key Property Managers & Owners. IMC was the first full microbiological laboratory in Malaysia, and, until now, the first and only to be accredited by Standards Malaysia for both sampling and testing of environmental waters, indoor air quality, and food.

IMC technical expertise and proficiency has been perfected during the past 20 years through our national and international experience, and with a combined total of more than 150 years of water treatment knowledge and experience in our senior staff IMC is the perfect partner”.

Safety and Risk Workplace Health Solutions Engineering and Safety (SRES) We are proud of the work we perform for our clients and always adopt a ‘can-do’ attitude in all projects.

Workplace safety compliance, due diligence audits and risk Legislation in Australia adopts a assessments are just some of the consultancy and technical services risk management approach to offered

by Safety and Risk Engineering Solutions (SRES) to assist facilities and industries satisfy their Workplace Health & and Safety achieve Workplace Health and Engineering Risk Assessment requirements.

Safety targets.

Since 2004, SRES has been providing consultancy services to building owners, managers and hotel engineers throughout “Hazard Risk Australia with assistant onidentification, OHS/WHS compliance, due diligence audit,assessment risk assessment, engineering documentation contractor and Risk audit, control” management and…etc

(HIRAC) are three key steps in the

The company expanded its operation 2010 to develop a computer process used in inwork places to program for building inspections, running “Risk Assessment” manage and safety by workshops specifically health for hotel engineers and building managers.

focusing on risk.

P: 1300 721 348

They also provide Visitor/Contractor kiosks, advertising touch screen kiosks and projection films.

During this time, SRES has provided quality assistance to valued clients such as Hilton on the Park, Hilton South Wharf, Hilton Cairns, Grand HYATT, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport, Toll in2store, OUTFOXED Pest control and Yarra City Council….etc SRES director Soudi Noori is a Chartered Professional member of Safety Institute of Australia as well as a Registered Safety Professional boasting extensive experience in engineering fields and risk assessment.

SRES Lead auditor, Arash Proumoslemi is Mechanical Engineer (Master of Eng Science) and Member of Engineers Australia, Risk Engineering Society.

M: 0422 416 881

Soudi Noori Risk Engineer/OHS Consultant W: www.sres-australia.com.au BSc, MEngSci, Grad Dip OEH (MONASH) CPMSIA, RSP (AUST)

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Regulation Update December 2013

Derek Hendry I Hendry Group

VIC: Monitored Automatic Fire Alarms: Fire Indicator Panel: Essential Safety Measures

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IC – Essential Property Services advises that amendments have been made, in the interest of public safety, to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act 1958 and the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, in relation to monitored automatic fire alarms.

A monitored automatic fire alarm is a fire alarm system i.e. a Fire Indicator Panel (FIP), which automatically sends a signal to the fire services (the MFB or CFA), via a monitoring provider, when a fire

alarm connected to the FIP, is activated. This system generally forms part of the essential safety measures of a building and is required to be operational at all times to fulfil its purpose and/or to be in accordance with a building’s certificate of occupancy issued by a building surveyor.

As a result of the amendments to this legislation, it is now an offence in Victoria to; 1. Reset a FIP if the FIP detects a fire and sounds an alarm without consent of the fire services or without a reasonable excuse and/or

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2. Interfere or damage a Fire Indicator Panel or any other apparatus that transmits an automatic alarm signal to the fire services, (including isolation and disconnection) without a reasonable excuse.

• Reviewing of fire and evacuation plans, evacuation coordination procedures, evacuation diagrams and other related information

A guide published by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) called ‘monitored automatic alarms’ explains in detail, for building owners and managers, how to best familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities in relation to the new legislation regarding monitored automatic fire alarms systems.

• Compliant logbooks checked by a Fire Safety Advisor

In accordance with this guide ‘monitored automatic alarms’, provided an Emergency Plan is in place, a trained warden can silence an audible alert siren generated by an Emergency Warning and Intercommunications System (EWIS) and /or Sound System and Intercom System (SSIS) provided an immediate investigation into the cause of the alarm is carried out however, the FIP must not be reset until the fire services arrive. In this same instance, by resetting the FIP would mean a building owner or manager is in breach of the Act. Each time a building owner or manager is in breach of this new legislation (without a reasonable excuse) they could be liable for up to 60 penalty units, and as a result a substantially large fine may be imposed.

Fire Safety Advisor Essential Property Services advises that a Fire Safety Advisor is required to be appointed by the occupier of a building when the building is deemed to be a ‘high occupancy building’ under the BFSR. Fire Safety Advisor must hold a current building fire safety qualification under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 (BFSR).

The BFSR allows the Fire Safety Advisor to be an existing member of the organisation who has obtained the necessary building fire safety qualifications Fire Safety Advisor, or a third-party professional (consultant fire safety advisor) engaged to manage, audit and advise on fire safety advisor compliance issues.

Fire Safety Advisor: Statutory Requirements Essential Property Services can provide clients with a qualified Fire Safety Advisor who, with their years of professional Fire Safety Advisor experience in the fire safety industry, have a working knowledge of local fire safety legislation, and are able to provide the following Fire Safety Advisor services under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008: • Active and passive prescribed fire safety installation auditing by a Fire Safety Advisor • Specialist maintenance contractor audits/ reports by a Fire Safety Advisor • Fire safety consultancy on or off the premises • Liaison with controlling agencies • Fire and evacuation plans, co-ordination procedures and evacuation diagrams • Consultancy to emergency planning committees • Evacuation coordination instruction, evacuation instruction and first response instruction to building occupants evacuating by a Fire Safety Advisor • Statement monitoring and the Annual Occupier’s Statement

• Training record maintenance

Essential Property Services: Fire Safety Advisor By using the services of Emergency Plan Fire Safety Advisor, building occupiers are assured of meeting ‘industry best practice’ standards, BFSR fulfilling their duty of care obligations for Fire Safety Advisor and complying with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Work Health and Safety Regulation, and the BFSR, in addition to minimising their exposure to litigation and monetary penalty under the BFSR.

BCA 2014 Information Seminars: Building Regulations AUST – HENDRY building surveyors advise that Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is finalising updates to the 2014 (Building Code of Australia) National Construction Code and as building industry practitioners you need to know what changes are coming into effect. Presenters from ABCB will inform you of these changes at a series of Information Seminars, commencing in February 2014 in all capital cities.

The Information Seminars will play an important role in raising practitioner awareness of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) amendments scheduled for 2014. The Seminars will also feature a presentation by Standards Australia on changes to Australian Standards.

Visit http://www.abcb.gov.au/ and click on ‘Education: Events and Resources’ for more information.

Qualifications: Essential Safety Measures Inspectors AUST – Essential Property Services advises that specific State building regulations or State authorities call for an individual to hold a trade or academic qualification to inspect, test or maintain essential safety measures, while there will be no qualification for

About the HENDRY Group Derek Hendry is the Managing Director of the HENDRY group of consulting companies that include HENDRY Building Surveying Consultants, HENDRY Disability Access Consultants, Essential Property Service, Emergency Plan and Work Place Safety Assessors. HENDRY pioneered the private certification system of building approvals in Australia, and the consultancy assists clients nationally in all facets of building control and disability access compliance, essential safety measures audits, emergency planning and occupational safety requirements. HENDRY publish an e-newsletter entitled ‘Essential Matters” and BCA Illustrated, which provides over 3000 illustrations that interpret and explain the BCA as it applies to your building. http://www.hendrygroup.com.au

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an assessor/ inspector required for an individual to inspect essential safety measures in a building.

In some states for example, the assessment of egress and all passive essential safety measures nominated in the building regulations does not require individuals to hold a trade or formal qualification. This means that the average low to medium use building (which contains more essential safety measures compared to active systems) is in many situations being inspected by operatives who are unaware of the existence of many essential safety measures or the terminology used in building regulation documentation to ensure the annual fire safety statement is signed correctly.

Some tender writers are endeavouring to have qualified building assessors compete with companies that employ unqualified people (with no professional indemnity insurance) or to compete with maintenance companies who turn to trades people to perform multiple inspection tasks beyond their expertise. While most reputable building inspection companies ensure that mitigation of risk to the building owner is their primary focus, some maintenance companies in Australia have contributed to the poor performance of their industry by cutting their profit margins to ridiculous low levels and forsaking pertinent compliance measures for essential safety measures under the building regulation.

The Queensland Building Services Authority licenses all personnel who are to perform inspection, testing and maintenance works on fire safety installations, prescribed fire safety installations and essential safety measures under the Building Fire Safety Regulation (BFSR) including the Fire Safety Advisor.

Alternative Solutions: Fire & Rescue NSW: Building Regulations NSW – HENDRY building certifiers advise that fire safety engineering & alternative solutions under the building regulations and Building Code of Australia can require Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) specific approval before a construction certificate is issued. The FRNSW alternative solutions process involves a number of stages which require separate applications for assessment. These stages can be either mandatory or voluntary. Each assessment may incur a charge which will be payable by the applicant. If there is a possibility the development will be subject to SEPP 33 (hazardous materials) or other condition of consent requiring a Fire Safety Study (FSS) to be undertaken, then the FSS should be finalised before developing any fire engineered solutions for a construction certificate application.

Visit http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9043 for more information.

Australian owned & manufactured • Standard range of vanities www.classiquevanities.com.au • Custom made vanities & laundries as per your specifications • Manufacture of acrylic tops in two different designs, sizes range from 600mm to 1800mm (available in single or double bowl options, 460mm depth or semi recessed) • Stone tops available in all sizes • Wall hung, on a kickboard or legs • In house 2 pac painting (colour match or pick a laminate finish) • Metal sided drawer runners & upgrade to soft close systems

by Hettich (life time warranty) • Supply Australia wide

Classique Vanities Pty Ltd manufactures all our own products from our 1000m2 factory base in Queensland.

We proudly supply Tradelink and Mitre10 groups Australia wide.

Classique Vanities have built an enviable reputation with Interior Designers, Architects and Specifiers in the supply of made to measure and client design requirements. This aspect is of particular importance to Hotels, such as the Watermark Hotel, Gold Coast, currently undergoing refurbishment.

We are able to manufacture one off or large volume runs with our use of modern CAD machinery. This allows us to remain competitive to the inferior import market whilst at the same time CLASSIQUE VANITIES maintaining our standards 71-73 Rowland Street, and quality production.

Slacks Creek, QLD 4127 P: 07 3804 3344

Classiques innovativeness have produced the “RenuBath”, a new bath designed to be installed inside & bonded to the existing bath. No retiling or plumbing necessary & ready to use in a matter of hours.

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E: shaun@classiquevanities.com.au

www. classiquevanities.com.au

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Back of House

Neil Weenink

‘To boil or is it not to boil,’ is indeed the question.

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y apprenticeship beginning in 1950 was headed up by Mr. David Cummings, a towering Scot standing for nay back talk, and nay rubbish ye ken. On that first day of a five-year learning curve, Mr. Cummings made it plain that I should consider myself lower than a wee timorous beastie. That I should at all times consider him self as the supreme being, and his daughter as utterly untouchable; which matter to we low apprentices, utterly in love with his daughter Janice, was beyond all sane acceptance as time would show...

There were two items of great interest in the heavy fitting-shop that we all vowed to understand. One being the iconic Anderson Petrol Engine [single thumper of 5 to 10 BHP] and the other, oil fired steam boilers from 60 KW or so. In the evenings on push bike, we apprentices tootled off to the local Engineering College to study variously the theory of Otto’s 4-stroke engine cycle, and the Lancashire steam boiler originating in the early 1800’s; for our purposes connected up to a fearsome steam engine operating with slide valves and oil drip feeders, the resultant heady smell of oil and steam staying with us I swear for ever.

And so many of us secured our indentures and went away to the sea in ships, but not ye ken before the send off from that place which had been our place of learning for five glorious years. To whit Andersons Limited and Mr David Cummings. Old man Anderson, one time Commander Engineer in the ‘King’s Navy’ put on a magnificent send-off for our mob surely to beat all send-offs. And there was a Ball for which it

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was understood members of the female er sex were to be invited.

did we need him on the night the lights went out and the steam went poof!

Now I put it to you. Imagine fifty or so lusty twenty year olds all with the same desire – to somehow beg borrow or even steal the lovely Janice Cumming from her ever watchful father. How to do this seemingly impossible task? But amazingly, yours truly found him self in the front line.

One surmises due her attraction to all things Royal Navy and that I just happened to sign up for the Korean emergency blitzo at that time. There were dark clouds ahead however, as my dear Mother suddenly remembered [1] her role in securing her son his apprenticeship [2] some until now forgotten and highly obscure role in the Admiral Graf Spee battle in WW2 and [3] that her place was beside her son come hell or high water.

Which will happen when the emergency gen-set does not cut in when needed. Oh my!! Following which may cause a whole string of disasters. Leave you all to think these through. So Bill first off gets the wee generator flashed up we used for battery charging, and a signal got through to the kitchen ‘git coffee and toast up here pronto!’ it said, and verily there was. So at once I understood the gap between those that have it and those that may just be hanging about. I was at that time merely a junior hotel engineer with much to learn. Beneath a weak lamp or two, we had our meal, the GM sitting at the table head. “Damn your eyes” he said, ”What the blazes goes on here?” And so forth.

No need to prolong this: my Mother accompanied me to the Anderson Ball and my affair with Janice became a cause célèbre. Damn it!

Some years following this time, [indeed many years following!] I was talking to a colleague in Honolulu re the various challenges we faced during typhoon seasons. Bill Bonnet was an architect of no mean statue and to this day I recall many words of wisdom from Bill over a Budweiser or two. The firm I was with then insisting on using the same professionals, be it total hotel wipeout, or merely sectional catastrophe. These guys were somewhat like the chaps who go into an aircraft disaster.

“Get your gear and be ready in 5 minutes!”

So Bill Bonnett was of that breed, and boy

Bill Bonnett thereupon told us about building structures and strength. About hotels he had been involved with in many countries. About GM’s he had served with, and those he would prefer not to serve with in the future. His was quite an extraordinary expose of the Industry. But then I had known Bill for many years and of his problem with those he chose to call ‘failures in the face of adversity types’. Sadly for Bill he found himself exactly in that same position not many years later, with Cyclone Marylyn wrecking havoc in the Gulf...

But so it goes, we each find our trail, and for each trail our destiny.

Stay well..

Neil



MEMBERSHIP FORM PLEASE CHOOSE THE STATE: NSW 

QLD 

VIC 

WA 

I WISH TO APPLY FOR: Renewal of my Membership 

Membership Number (if known):

I WISH TO BECOME A NEW MEMBER VIA: (a) Fellow – a member of at least 10 years standing who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of hotel engineering (as determined by the management committee) or this association may be advanced by the management committee to the grade of Fellow.

This membership class is a life membership of the institute. (b) Honorary Fellow – any person who has rendered conspicuous service to the hotel industry (as determined by the management committee), or any person prominently connected with but not necessarily in the hotel industry who may be approved by the management committee, shall be eligible as an Honorary Fellow.

This membership class is a life membership of the institute. (c) Member – a person shall be eligible as a Member if the applicant holds a certificate, degree or diploma or such other qualification in engineering approved by the management committee, and has at least 5 years experience in a head of engineering position and shall be directly engaged in hotel engineering. (d) Associate Member – a person shall be eligible as an Associate Member if the applicant holds a qualification in engineering approved by the management committee and is directly engaged in hotel engineering and his/her qualifications and/or experience do not in the opinion of the management committee entitle him/her to admission as a Member. (e) Student Member – a person who is attending an appropriate course of instruction at an Institution approved by the management committee shall be eligible as a Student Member (f) Affiliate Member – shall be a person of 21 or more of age who is associated with the Hotel Industry and whose, qualification or experience do not in the opinion of Council entitle them to admission as a Member or Associate member. (f) Corporate Member – entitles applicants endorsed by the Council to be eligible for Corporate Membership, which will carry those rights and entitlements of an Affiliate Members, with a maximum of (5) members of the corporation being eligible to attend monthly meetings. In addition, this membership will entitle the Corporation to receive all specialised material sourced and published by the Institute for overall benefit of the Hotel Industry.

All applicants’ membership classification shall be determined by Council in accordance with the above guidelines.

Membership  Corporate Membership  Associate Membership  Student Membership  Affiliate Membership  Honorary Fellow Membership (no fee)  Fellow Membership (no fee)  SURNAME: GIVEN NAME(S): COMPANY NAME: POSITION: POSTAL WORK ADDRESS: WORK TELEPHONE: WORK FAX: WORK EMAIL: WORK MOBILE: HOME POSTAL ADDRESS: HOME TELEPHONE: HOME FAX: HOME EMAIL: PERSONAL MOBILE: Please send all my correspondence to my:

Work Email 

Please send me an Invoice (if required) for payment by:

Email  Mail (a receipt will be sent by mail) 

Please send me newsletter by:

Email  Mail 

Please send ‘Hotel Engineer’ to my:

Work address 

Home Email 

Home address 



QUALIFICATIONS/ EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

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FEES: Membership/Associate Membership:

New Member AUD$130

Student Membership:

New Member AUD$90

Corporate Fees: New Member AUD$550

Yearly Renewal AUD$100 Yearly Renewal AUD$60 Yearly Renewal AUD$550

PAYMENT CAN BE MADE BY: NSW Chapter: Cheque payable to:

Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering (NSW) Chapter

EFT Transfer/Direct Deposit to:

BSB: 062 014 Account Number: 0090 2426 Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Please use surname/company name as reference)

QLD Chapter: Cheque payable to:

Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering (QLD) Chapter

EFT Transfer/Direct Deposit to:

BSB: 084 462 Account Number: 205126424 National Australia Bank

(Please use surname/company name as reference)

VIC Chapter: Cheque payable to:

Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering (VIC) Chapter

EFT Transfer/Direct Deposit to:

BSB: 013 403 Account Number: 4988 69693 ANZ Ringwood Nth

(Please use surname/company name as reference)

WA Chapter: Cheque payable to:

Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering (WA) Chapter

EFT Transfer/Direct Deposit to:

BSB: 086 006 Account Number: 518 190 216 National Australia Bank

(Please use surname/company name as reference)

MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO: NSW Chapter: The Secretary, AIHE NSW Chapter, PO Box H263, Australia Square NSW 1215 QLD Chapter: The Secretary, AIHE QLD Chapter, PO Box 5118, Gold Coast Mail Centre 9726 VIC Chapter: The Secretary, AIHE VIC Chapter, PO Box 2136, Caulfield Junction VIC 3161 WA Chapter: The Secretary, AIHE WA Chapter, PO Box 6191, East Perth WA 6892 Your membership application will be processed, which includes the following:: o Certificate of membership

o Membership number

o Member name badge

o Official AIHE receipt

* Note: Allow up to four weeks for processing.

I have read, understood and agreed to conform to the Institute’s Code of Ethics as set out, conditional upon acceptance of my application for membership.

Note: your membership includes receiving ‘Hotel Engineer’ quarterly. As the AIHE is a non-profit organisation, GST is not applicable.

Signed: Date:

FOR INSTITUTE USE ONLY Date received: Fee received: Grading: Cheque #: Entered:

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The Ultimate Control for Your Keys and Staff lockers Keywatcher Systems Qld announces their latest innovation in locker and cabinet lock technology. It’s the miniK10. The miniK10 is the world’s first electronic cam lock with full green credentials to offer up to 10-year battery life (based on 10 open/closes per day.) It’s the one lock that suits all applications and all metal or timber doors. It can be surface mounted to literally retrofit existing conventional and clumsy key operated cam locks in minutes or semi-flush mounted for new projects where minimisation and aesthetics are criteria. MiniK10 features the choice of two operating modes; A Multi-User Mode with up to 10,000 possible codes or a Permanent User Mode for 24/7 permanent or private use. It features a Master Override Code that accesses the miniK10 programming modes, a Service Code for emergency override to open locks when users forget their code or leave the facility with the locker in locked state, plus the flexibility of enabling or disabling keypad beeps and lights, depending on the work environment. An anti-tamper feature activates when 3 incorrect codes are entered consecutively that shuts down the miniK10 keypad operations for 5 minutes. It comes in Black or White with various cams and fittings to suit timber or metal door installations and can be handed for left or right opening doors simply by rotating the cam stop. MiniK10 uses an inexpensive 3V lithium battery, making it completely eco-friendly and virtually maintenance free for 10 years.

of keys going missing, lost or stolen without your knowledge and completely eliminate the day-to-day hassles and logistics of issuing keys and accounting for their return. Keywatcher can be interfaced to all security alarm and access control systems to enable users with access to keys utilising existing access cards or fobs. With over 20-years’ experience in sales and service of Keywatcher systems KSQ are the key management specialists.

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For more information or quote contact KSQ at sales@ksq.com.au or visit www.ksq.com.au Or call 1800KEYPRO

Dometic compressor miniBars The economic solution for your motel – without compromising style or functionality.

From the world leader in absorption miniBars comes a new miniBar range that lets you enjoy the benefit of compressor driven technology, without compromising style or functionality for your guest room requirements.

Drawing on the experience of 85 years in refrigeration technology and the continuous feedback from customers all over the world, Dometic Group hold the most extensive knowledge in the sector in terms of hotel/ motel room products.

The new Dometic RH 440 LDC and the CL 460 LDC compressor miniBars provide reliable cooling even at high ambient temperatures, they are powerful in operation and are very

economical in terms of energy consumption proving to be excellent value for money.

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Having lead absorption miniBar technology to perfection, Dometic Group is now providing an option.

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SATEC (Australia) Pty Ltd SATEC’s Energy Management & Technological excellence, innovation, product depth, quality and a commitment to customer service provides a presence that sets the standards for metering in Australia.

SATEC’s presence in Australia provides 40 plus years of experience and knowledge for Energy Management, Power Quality and Revenue Billing (Tariff) Applications, along with extensive value added capabilities. The culmination of local expertise and SATEC’s Global leadership in metering, power quality analysers and software provides a source of knowledge to satisfy customer’s ever changing demands for today’s Energy, Power Quality and Billing Applications.

Metering and Power Quality Applications SATEC’s broad product range includes multifunction power metering, data/ event logging capabilities with date/time stamping, time of use (TOU) for tariff billing and power quality of supply for sags/ swells, harmonics, power factor, transients, waveform capture and other advanced functionalities. Extensive I/O capabilities allow for inputs from water, gas & other third party energy devices coupled with SATEC’s communication platforms provide a broad solution approach to energy management applications.

All SATEC devices comply with worldacknowledged regulations and are supported by our energy management software. Our cutting-edge power quality analysis capabilities provide a rewarding solution enabling energy utilities to take timely corrective action and permitting energy consumers to prevent equipment failures. SATEC products help our customers save energy and reduce CO2 as well as other greenhouse gas emissions, while our unique renewable energy management solutions increase the performance of solar and wind power generation plants. SATEC products are RoHS compliant and are lead free.

Energy Management Software Today’s need for Energy Management information is critical for decision makers to be informed on energy usage, SATEC’s eXpertPower™ software solution provides comprehensive information for Energy Management, Billing (TOU) Tariff, Demand Response, Power Quality Analysis and Generator Control. eXpertPower™ uses a standard web browser as a user interface, for both local installation & remote internet access of information for single or multiple users.

Value Added Capabilities SATEC provides multiple value added capabilities including installation verification, programming, data validation, power quality audits, energy data profiling. SATEC’s

procedures include NABERS approved technicians to ensure our processes and information we provide to customers is of the highest integrity.

Accuracy Class Rating Class 0.5S Energy Accuracy should be a prime factor when the consideration of Energy Meters to comply with the challenges of modern energy management and billing information.

Class 0.5S should be considered a minimal requirement for any energy monitoring application in today’s ever increasing world of rising energy costs. SATEC’s sets the standard in Metering Accuracy with a minimum of 0.5S. In addition higher accuracy standards of Class 0.2S for specific high end applications can also be offered by SATEC.

View The Hotel Engineer online now!

Visit www.adbourne.com and click Hotel Engineer 78

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