BRANCH REPORTS
IHEA VIC/TAS BRANCH REPORT
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e continue to exist in challenging times both in terms of managing our facilities and maintaining contact with our professional networks. The IHEA is no exception to this. The positive side to the current COVID situation is that we have been forced to find new ways to interact, maintain professional relationships and care for the welfare of our colleagues. The transition back into lockdown in Victoria is placing stress on individuals who are already feeling fatigued from past events. I would encourage us all to pick up the phone and touch base with someone either personally or professionally to see how they are going. Remember to also take some time out for yourself. Video conferencing is one of the new ways to interact that we are all now finding is second nature and this is reflected in the attendance at PDs held via zoom Webinars. In late April we held a PD where Simon Witts from LCI provided a briefing on the changes to the VHHSBA Hospital Guidelines. Simon who is a building practitioner for Healthcare Facilities, has undertaken extensive research on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and studies of aerosol particles through HVAC systems. Using his knowledge of the guidelines Simon was able to provide an engaging presentation on a subject that might otherwise have been less interesting. Simon’s passion for the subject was evident and he was able to illustrate the need for flexibility, and the benefits of a holistic and bespoke approach to services planning. I would encourage all members to download the latest copy of the VHHSBA Hospital Guidelines at;
WA BRANCH REPORT
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inter is coming but before it arrives a short note on what has been happening here in the West. In February, Centigrade a Western Australian HVAC company invited our members to visit their Balcatta premises to view their new training facility. The Centigrade team led by Managing Director Mr Chris Smith hosted the branch meeting for 30 members and guests. The evening opened with the normal branch meeting formalities, news and coming events with Chris following on by introducing his management and technical team. He continued with a presentation of Centigrade’s history in Western Australia and its future vision. As normal for our branch meetings a group discussion ensued focussing on the changes within the HVAC industry. The group then ventured into the training area, where we found an impressive arrangement of typical Healthcare facility systems. There were mock ups of Air conditioning, Medical Gas, Ventilation, Biohazard cabinets, heating water, chilled
https://www.vhba.vic.gov.au/engineering-guidelineshealthcare-facilities We were grateful to have the Webinar sponsored by UltraPure Air who are the exclusive distributor of Genano Air Decontamination Systems in Australia and the Pacific Region. One of our longstanding members Howard Bulmer along with Peter Small presented the details of the units which use a patented process to eliminate ultra-fine particles and microbes from room air down to 0.003 microns. These are available as fixed or portable units and it is understood that UltraPure will be present at the upcoming National conference in Perth in September only a few months away! Looking forward we are planning a Professional Development day for late July. We are hoping that this can be in person which should be exciting for us all. This is planned to be held at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and will incorporate a tour of the Parkville station of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel which is being constructed in the vicinity of the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Watch out for the E-Bulletins for this event and register early. Attendance will be limited by the number of people we can take on the tour. Good luck with the progression into and back out of lockdown. Remember to utilise the IHEA as a technical and professional resource. We are all in this together and are here to help each other. Kind Regards Steve Ball Vic/Tas CoM National Board Member.
water, room pressure gradients and device commissioning benches. The level of detail employed in the construction enables operators to simulate just about every conceivable scenario in a controlled risk-free environment. After the demonstrations were complete, our members were granted permission to “play” with the equipment, an opportunity taken up by many.
Members listening intently
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