Hotel Engineer Volume 23 No 3 October 2018

HE

PP 319986/101

HOTEL ENGINEER

Volume 23, Number 3 October 2018

Official Publication of the Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering

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CONTENTS 15 37 68

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Cover image shows The Westin Perth

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Features

60 HITEC Houston 2018

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Publishers letter

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AIHE State news

63 How hotels can enhance the guest experience with Beacon Technology

15 Hotel Engineers recognised at Industry Awards 2018

PP 319986/101

HOTEL ENGINEER

18 The Westin Perth 27

Are you ready for electric vehicles?

72 What hotel key cards can tell us about Hotel Cleaning

37 What’s in the pipeline?

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Back of House October 2018

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79

Membership form

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Product news

A waterwise city

52 NSW Guidelines for Legionella control in cooling water systems

Volume 23, Number 3

68 Fire safety compliance for hotel and resort managers

30 Amora Hotel going green

49 The Building Confidence report

Official Publication of the Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering

65 The central role voice AI will play in everyone's future

54 Preparing for the next (design) outbreak!!!

56 The internet of value

ADVERTORIAL

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THE HOTEL ENGINEER The Official Publication of the Australian Institute of Hotel Engineering

AIHE STATE PRESIDENTS Anura Yapa, NSW E: Anura.Yapa@shangri-la.com David Zammit, VIC E: david.zammit@hyatt.com Tony Fioraso, WA E: Tony.Fioraso@crownperth.com.au QLD Iterim President E: Anura.Yapa@shangri-la.com

PUBLISHERS letter

W

elcome to this edition of the Hotel Engineer, which we bring to you just ten weeks out from Christmas.

You would have seen the magnificent new The Westin Perth on the cover of this issue. Inside, we have a chat with the hotel’s engineer Stewart Kiely, who oversaw the build. The article uncovers the range of new equipment and suppliers, which make the hotel among the most modern in Western Australia.

Kiely reflects on his insistence for trial stays to take place before the opening, and how staff was trained at another hotel, which used similar technology, prior to opening. The five-star, 368-room hotel opened in April.

We have an excellent and comprehensive overview of the energy savings at the Amora Hotel Jamison, after the premises updated its old HVAC system. Anwar Ahmed, who has been working on retrofit projects for more than 40 years, joins us for more on this.

Water management in hotels is another big feature of this issue. Paul Angus looks at how our major cities have a vulnerable water supply, making hotels one of the key players in the water conservation game. Water Corporation WA also provides advice on water management in hotels, and the ways government corporations can work with hotels to create beneficial outcomes for both parties.

ADBOURNE PUBLISHING 18/69 Acacia Road Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156 PO Box 735, Belgrave, VIC 3160 www.adbourne.com 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

On the technology side of things, Ted Horner reports on his recent visit to this year’s HITEC Conference in Houston, USA, while Brendon Granger offers another insight into the field.

And have you heard of Hotel Biophilia? Our eco-architect and regular writer Mark Thomson explains nature’s twist on hotel design, and why industry is embracing the concept.

On a final note, please don't forget to keep in your diary the 15th and 16th August next year, The National AIHE Conference.

Enjoy the read!

Regards Neil Muir

PRODUCTION Emily Wallis T: (03) 9758 1436 E: production@adbourne.com ADMINISTRATION Tarnia Hiosan T: (03) 9758 1436 E: admin@adbourne.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Enquiries: (03) 9758 1436 Fax: (03) 9758 1432 Email: admin@adbourne.com

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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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

H

ello and Greetings from Western Australia.

And if you follow the AFL,Home of the Mighty Eagles!

In July the WA institute held our Monthly meeting at the newly refurbished Intercontinental Hotel: Our Guest Speaker: QED Environmental Services – Sarah Bailey, Legionella risk management: Sarah Bailey has a Masters in Medical Microbiology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Mycology, and has also completed studies in infection control in the hospital environment, legionella control and asbestos. She is originally from the UK where she worked in diagnostic microbiology for many years, and she was the Legionella Control Officer for a private hospital. Sarah also been a part of several Infection Prevention and Control teams within the hospitals she has worked in. With her move to QED Environmental Services, she now applies that microbiological knowledge to their work in water quality and risk assessment, indoor air quality in hospitals, with cooling towers and with our other various investigations such as mould and other health issues within buildings. Sarah also presents some of the specialist microbiology lectures for the University of Western Australia's' Masters in Infectious Disease programme, and has lectured overseas and at Australian Conferences.

The Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant serves Perth’s rapidly developing northern suburbs.

We then returned to The Merry well at Crown Perth for food and refreshments.

Many thanks to Sandra Montoya and Elise Mathews from the Water Corporation for organising this event.

Many thanks to Bernd and the team for hosting this event.

For the remainder of this year we have meetings planned for:

In August the Water Corporation conducted a site tour of the waste treatment plant at Beenyup:

October – Reece/HVACR November – Duratec and Shentons Aquatics that will be presenting.

The committee also would like to thank a long term member for his support of the WA institute- Rod van Gas who has left WA to start a new career in NSW-he assures me he will be joining as soon as he can to the NSW Chapter.

Also for all our members –please lock in the Christmas function: Friday 7th December 5pm The Shoe-Yagan Square

The Advanced Water Recycling Plant (AWRP) is located in Craigie and is Australia’s first groundwater replenishment scheme. It receives treated wastewater from the Beenyup wastewater treatment plant and further treats it via ultra filtration, reverse osmosis and UV light treatment.

The AWRP began operations last year and has since recharged more than 7 billion litres of recycled water – all to Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This water is now being stored in Perth’s deep water aquifers and will one day be abstracted, further treated and become part of our drinking water supply.

In closing I urge all people involved in the hospitality business to join your local Chapter or even a different state if there isn’t a Chapter in your state and for all the General Managers to encourage there Engineer, Maintenance Manager, maintenance people and trades people to join.

The institute offers a wealth of experience and networking opportunities for all people associated with Hotel Engineering, repairs and maintenance.

Regards Tony Fioraso President AIHE Western Australia

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NEW SOUTH WALES

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arm Greetings from NSW Chapter.

“Fireworks & Pyrotechnics for your function at your Hotel” by Fred Sari demonstrating fire works

Spring has officially arrived but you have probably noticed the irregular weather conditions. Very warm days and cool nights produced warmer mean temperatures for us in early spring.

As per the Bureau of Meteorology's winter summary report, this winter was Australia's fifthwarmest winter on record when looking at daytime temperatures. Rainfall was below average, particularly in New South Wales, where it was the eighth-driest winter on record and the driest since 2002. Going by the erratic weather conditions it is predicted that we could be in for a scorcher this summer. The challenges especially for Hotel Engineers will be to face the hot and dry weather conditions during summer, maintaining comfort conditions to our guests within our hotels and managing energy usage.

It is hard to believe that the year is coming to an end so soon.

We had a Committee Meeting in August and a General Meeting at the Amora Hotel, Sydney, at the end of September. Fred Sari of Sydney Fireworks and Pyrotechnics was the presenter for the evening. His presentation on “Fireworks & Pyrotechnics for your function at your Hotel” was insightful and informative.

It was a great opportunity for our Hotel Engineers to ask questions, get clarifications and have a better understanding of the new product. Thanks to Don Abdou the Hotel Engineer, and Mr Arpad Romandy, General Manager of The Amora Hotel for providing the venue for the night. The NSW Chapter will have a few more meetings scheduled for the year before our Christmas Party. The next meeting will be the Mini Trade Show followed by the AGM at Shangri-la Hotel in November.

September meeting at Amora Hotel.

Most prestigious ‘TAA Awards for the Excellence’ 2018 awards night was held at The Star Event Centre Sydney and the HM Awards night was held at Grand Ball Room of ICC Sydney.

Whilst congratulating all winners and finalists (especially of engineering categories) of recent awards ceremonies, I feel humble and so honoured to share my recognition by the industry.

Craig Cavers of Sydney Hilton was the ‘Hotel Engineer of the year’ and Andrea Gamberoni of Four Seasons hotel was highly commended. There were two winners for ‘Hotel Engineer’ HM award, my colleague Andy Goonesekera and I was at the podium to share these awards for 2018. Another special moment was when Aditi Sood of Engineering Department of Shangri-la, Sydney won ‘The Rising Star of the Year’ in HM Awards 2018. It was the first time an Engineering colleague won this award. Congratulations and wish them all the best in their future with the Hotel Engineering Industry.

In closing I would like to thank all members, my committee, General Managers and the hotel staff, TAA, HM Magazine, Adbourne publishers and all sponsors who has supported in various ways during the year and their dedication will be highly appreciated for the betterment of the industry.

I wish you and all your families a wonderful festive season and best of luck for the upcoming year 2019.

Anura Yapa JP President – AIHE NSW chapter

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with this massive metro rail project at the door step of his hotel while still running his 5 star property as any great hotel would‌Hats off to you Paul.

VICTORIA

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ith spring upon us and summer now on the way, and the count down to the festive season, the weeks ending 2018 are sure to pass fast. The last few months have bought us some great meetings, along with the support of a few new corporates and hotel engineers, makes for a good network of new and old friends.

Our September meeting was hosted at the Novotel on Collins, situated within the Australia on Collins complex, thanks to Victor Herrera Building Manager for taking care of us that night. Our presenter was Doron Danon Managing Director for SHS Smart Hotel Solutions.

Doron was excited to showcase his in room HVAC and lighting control system which he had recently installed into the Holiday In on Flinders.

His system which can be easily retrofitted or installed into a new build makes perfect sense when looking at an

efficient way of controlling guest comfort and reducing energy. Coupled with the ability to integrate into his BMS package, his system can also be networked and expanded to provide all the offerings of any BMS package in one easy solution.

Looking forward to the end of the year, please save the date for our annual AGM and Xmas Cocktails being hosted at Grand Hyatt Melbourne on December 4th. Our chapter looks forward to holding this popular event to celebrate and thank the great support of all of our members.

In the meantime, hope to see as many members at our next few meetings Regards David Zammit President AIHE Victoria Chapter

Thanks to Tomislav Andric Maintenance Manager at Park Hyatt Melbourne and Mario Pace GM for NCE and his team for presenting at our July meeting. NCE gave away some wonderful gifts to members which was fun and greatly appreciated.

Their presentation on mobile digital signage display was amazing and who doesn’t love quality tech gadgets. The great functionality that this signage offers is a must have in this day and age, slick, modern and very cool, check it out on their web site, another great product in the range NCE has on offer to their clients and more importantly our hotels In August we met at the beautiful Westin Hotel. Many thanks to Paul Jeffries Chief Engineer for hosting us. Mathew Woosman, Commercial Development Executive for Pool Werx presented for us that night. Mathew being based in QLD flew down to present with his local colleagues and ran us through all that is on offer by this leading pool company. From the basics of pool and spa requirements, to in-depth testing or repairs and chemical supplies, there is not much that they cannot offer when it comes to the maintenance of pools, large or small. We also thank poolwerx for being a great support to AIHE, being members across all states.

Adding to the nights presentation, was the fact that the function room for our meeting overlooked the massive excavation where the new underground Town Hall station is being built. Paul has certainly been challenged having to deal

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Hotel Engineers recognised at

INDUSTRY AWARDS 2018 TAA (Tourism Accommodation Australia – NSW) Awards & HM Awards are the most prestigious awards for Australian Hotel Industry. The following Hotel Engineers who are active members of the AIHE NSW chapter were recognised for their excellence achievements at both events in Sydney this year.

TAA AWARDS 2018 AT THE STAR EVENT CENTRE Engineer of the Year 2018 • Craig Cavers – Hilton Sydney • Andrea Gamberoni – Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney – (highly commended) • Anura Yapa – Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney – (‘Hall of Fame – Engineer of the Year 2018’ for his recognition being winner of the ‘Engineer of the Year’ for three consecutive years) Hotel Industry Rising Star - Finalist • Aditi Sood – Engineering Dept, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

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Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney made a clean sweep of the 2018 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, taking home five prestigious awards at ICC in Sydney in 2018.

Two Engineering colleagues taking out Hotel Engineering awards, Director of Engineering Anura Yapa winning “Hotel Engineer” and Engineer Service Manager Aditi Sood being awarded “Rising Star” was special.

Andy Goonesekere Director of Engineering of Intercontinental Sydney also received “Hotel Engineer” award 2018.

HM AWARD 2018 AT GRAND BALL ROOM OF ICC SYDNEY Hotel Engineer 2018 • Andy Goonesekera – InterContinental Sydney, NSW • Anura Yapa – Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, NSW Rising Star 2018 • Aditi Sood – Engineering Dept. Shangri-La Sydney, NSW

Proud to have Aditi Sood as a member of AIHE who won the award for ‘Rising Star of The Year 2018’.

Two prominent Hotel Engineers (Anura Yapa – President of AIHE NSW & Andy Goonesekera – Intercontinental Sydney).

Aditi Sood with the Deane Brosnan

Mr. Philippe Kronberg

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THE WESTIN PERTH The newest luxury hotel to hit Western Australia

Hotel engineers around the country can relate to the feeling of opening a new hotel build.

The early excitement, coupled with the task of ensuring everything operates as planned.

The engineering team overseeing the opening of Perth’s newest hotel – The Westin Perth – made sure the process was seamless.

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“

As will all new facilities that I have opened, the first few months are usually the toughest as you and your team are getting around, learning where every little valve and switch is, experiencing the movement and noises of the facility and generally getting to know what and how it happens,” says Stewart Kiely, Complex Director of Engineering at The Westin Perth.

“It’s like dating someone new for the first time, at first you’re a little apprehensive and nervous, not sure what or how to react, but after time you become more comfortable and relaxed and

start to ease into the daily life cycle. Of course, along the way there will be mistakes made and errors occur. From these, we learn what not to do and move on to ensure that the facility is operating at its peak performance, and more importantly that our guest experience is exceptional and memorable in a good way.”

THE OPENING The five-star, 368-room hotel opened in April, and includes five Executives Suites and one Presidential Suite. Prior to the opening, Stewart says he spent a lot of time walking through the facility and taking notes on how operations would navigate and traverse the building. This intimate understanding meant his core team could start working straight away on any issues and bottlenecks.

“We planned and strategised a lot amongst each other and departments well before the opening, how to move the FF&E around, how to load the different floors with linen, et cetera,” Kiely says. “On the whole, this planning and strategising went very well and we achieved a great amount in a very short space of time. The setup of the engineering was also well planned with a training and development strategy in place to ensure the team has sufficient time with the installers and engineers who put the facility together to undertake full handover meetings and training for the different facilities. We did have one ace up our sleeve in that the same owners, BGC, built Perth’s Aloft Hotel, so the technology and facilities are very similar in many ways. I used this advantage to have the team train at the Aloft for a few weeks prior to gaining full time access into The Westin Perth, so that gave them an advantage knowing and experiencing the systems prior to walking into a brand new build.”

Mr Kiely ensured trial stays took place before the hotel’s opening. They successfully uncovered some early issues, which were adjusted and corrected. This ensured the tuning of the building and the operations of the different systems were well within their design parameter and functional descriptions. Mr Kiely says this will extend the life cycle of the equipment in the long run.

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The Westin Perth is fully monitored and managed via the BMS from Johnson Controls. Engineers monitor in real-time what the building is doing, how the climate control is managing each space and how the facility is operating.

“The layout of the engineering spaces and aspects of the building are very intrusive, the builder and architect has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the aesthetics of the building are what set it apart and the architecture and the engineering side is well concealed and woven in around this to ensure integrity of the design and atmosphere of the facility,” Mr Kiely says. “Well considered plant and riser placement allowing relatively good access for ongoing maintenance doesn’t detract from the internal feel or architecture that the design team set out to achieve. Like all facilities, it is a balance of ensuring the architecture is achieved and the design element of the building is reached to achieve the look for the market that the hotel was created for, and yet still be able to service and maintain the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical elements of the facility.”

A range of manufacturers has supplied components to the hotel. CoxGomyl Australia has been responsible the hotel’s BMU. Melchor Electrical provides electrical services.

Safetech contributed the ballroom hoist and dock levellers.

Permasteelisa was responsible for the façade. Mechanical Project Management, Firesafe, Leisk Hydraulics, OptiComm and Kone Elevators also supplied components.

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The hotel has installed new YORK YMC2 Chillers. The equipment boasts efficiency, versatility, dependability and quiet operation.

It’s hoped the new model chiller will reduce operational and maintenance costs. The quietness of the chillers is attributed to it having fewer moving parts in the design – something also reducing maintenance costs as fewer parts are wearing down during operation.

Mr Kiely says the technology has been integrated to enhance the guest experience and ensure their stay is as comfortable and unique as possible.

“From creating several different scenes within the rooms for the guests to experience, to the day and night settings for the ambient lighting on the property and calming music through the public areas - the attention to detail and how the guest experiences their room, or the way the welcome scene invites them into their new home when entering for the first time, is just one part of this technological experience that our guests are able to enjoy. This methodology is what sets The Westin Perth’s technology apart from other facilities.”

EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE The hotel is located in the revitalized East End quarter of Perth known as the ‘Historic Heart’ of the city. Nearby highlights include running and cycling tracks around the Swan River, Kings Park, the Perth Central Business District and Northbridge nightlife and entertainment districts. Day trips by boat take visitors to Rottnest Island, or by car to the nearby Swan Valley

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vineyards and the world-famous wineries and beaches of Margaret River.

General Manager of The Westin Perth, Peter Brampton, says the hotel offers a new standard of refined sophistication, in a central location.

“We are delighted to open the doors to this world-class property. The Westin brand is synonymous with well-being and we believe the property will deliver a unique hospitality offering to the West Australian hotel market. This is the first of five new Westin properties opening in Australian over the coming years, including sites in Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and Coolum.”

The interior is by Melbourne-based boutique design firm BAR Studio. The design is inspired by nature, with an evocative sense of place throughout the hotel. The interior and exterior takes its cue from the light and landscape of Western Australia, as well as the alfresco Perth lifestyle.

The Westin Perth’s signature restaurant, Garum, is chef Guy Grossi’s first bricks and mortar venture outside of Victoria. The restaurant celebrates West Australian produce and wines. While the Haven Lounge, located in the hotel lobby, offers guests light meals, crafted cocktails and signature Westin High Teas.

The hotel offers over 2300 square metres of event space across 9 meeting venues for business and conference guests, including an 800 square metre pillar-less grand ballroom.

Keen runners are spoilt for choice. The hotel’s Wellness Level includes Bodhi J day spa, 24 hour WestinWORKOUT™ fitness studio, and an outdoor heated infinity pool. Those who prefer to run and walk out in the open will find tracks around Kings Park, the Swan River and Elizabeth Quay nearby. Guests can even join a run group which is led by a dedicated Run Concierge.

Room sizes range from the 42 square metres Deluxe Rooms, up to the 240 square metres Presidential Suite. The rooms include a revitalising walk-in rain shower, plus artwork and photography showcasing Western Australia’s landscapes.

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FUTURE FOCUS Stewart Kiely and his team will oversee the hotel’s operation as it cements itself as Perth’s must-stay accommodation option. This will involve regular checks and maintenance of the property.

“We are the custodians of the facility. We are here to ensure its breathing and heart beat are maintained day in, day out - not just for the services but also to maintain the integrity of the design and aesthetics. From ensuring the systems such and

the room FCU’s are properly maintained and clean to ensuring efficient operation and climate control of the rooms, protecting the corners of the walls within the public spaces, and ensuring the design integrity of the facility is maintained. We are also the custodians of the original building where Garum restaurant is and the grounds surrounding the hotel.”

“We need to continually look for efficiencies and tuning the building to suit the climate that Perth is situated in and ensure that there is a balance between energy consumption and efficiency at all times. Were also the watchdogs for the security of the facility at all times.”

The Westin Perth is ideally placed to host the state capital’s growing business and visitor market. Direct flights to Europe and other new destinations will only grow demand for guest rooms of The Westin Perth’s benchmark.

We would like to thank the following advertisers: Assa Abloy – Electronic door locks Lynx Integrated Systems – Public area lighting systems Neoz – Cordless lamps South Pacific Laundry – External laundry services Vintech Systems – Room control units, safes and mini bars

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Are you ready for

ELECTRIC VEHICLES? PAUL ANTONY M.ENG. (ELEC) I APPLICATIONS ENGINEER, POWER PARAMETERS PTY LTD

You could be forgiven for not thinking too much about the need for charging points in your guest parking facility. However, the time is now to plan for the installation of charging points because it will make an impact on future guest bookings.

C

arbon pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles, and other land-based transport far outweighs that spewed out by electricity generation. Personal electric vehicles can make a very big difference in the transport emission levels. In Australia there is a view that electric cars are the province of the wealthy—that might be true for a Tesla Roadster, but not for the Nissan Leaf. You can confidently expect affordably priced electric vehicles to becoming the bulk of the of this fast developing market. Unlike countries such as The Netherlands and Norway whose governments provide substantial financial incentives for electric vehicle (EV) purchase, registration, parking and running expenses, we presently lack such market stimuli. However, the electric car market will take off from the current low annual couple of thousand vehicle sales. Prestigious office buildings are already being equipped with EV and your business should also, at the very least, be in planning mode.

A BRIEF NOTE ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES Low energy density is the current big disadvantage of electric vehicles. It can take a long time to charge a battery unlike filling a petrol tank. By way of example, a 60 litre tank of petrol, weighing about 50 kilograms can provide a cruising range of over 1000 kilometres. An 85 kilowatt-hour battery, weighing 500 kilograms will have a range of about 400 kilometres.

However, many vehicle trips are short range requiring only top-up charging. Many personal use scenarios have the driver charge their vehicle overnight, at home, requiring only a ‘topup’ while at work, shopping, or other activity in the vicinity of their parking spot thus obviating the installation of fast chargers. For hotels, medium power alternating current (AC) charging points are likely to be the most practical solution.

Notwithstanding this, be aware that for roadside charging, very fast direct current (DC) equipment is required.

“FILLING’ BATTERIES A medium size vehicle might have a 30 kilowatt-hour battery, i.e. that is the fully charged, energy content of the battery.

Charging that battery from empty to its full state in an hour would require the charging point to have a 30 kilowatt rating (30 kilowatt hours divided by one hour). If charging to capacity were required in 15 minutes, the charging point rating would have to be 120 kilowatts. Were you to plan on that charging speed, the chances are that a new electrical layout would be necessary—and that might also be the case for slower charging, but with fewer dollars involved.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS Understanding this section is requisite to scoping of future requirements in your facility, and in reviewing quotations for upgrades. Even ‘topping up’ charging when multiplied by a large number of charging points may well require upgrading to a very significant level. At distribution board level (to which, power outlets are connected), a 20 amp circuit can deliver a maximum power of 4.8 kilowatts. Obviously if two charging points are to be connected, each one can only supply half, or 2.4 kilowatts.

The foregoing is a single-phase example. If three-phase supply is available, then a 20 amp circuit can deliver 3 times 4.8 kilowatts (14.4 kilowatts), or in case of two charger points per threephase circuit, 7.2 kilowatts per charging point. There are more electrical considerations that we’ll get to. However, it is obvious by now that providing multiple charging points in a carpark requires evaluation of the existing electrical installation.

Electric vehicles have on-board chargers, and this will appear confusing because that being the case, what are the essential functions of wall mounted or free-standing chargers (in a roadside service station)? In short they are a ‘glorified’ power point. In slow charging, the vehicle’s on-board charger is connected to the external charging point which is supplying alternating current (AC) to it. The on-board charger converts this to direct current (DC) to charge the vehicle’s battery bank. In fast charging points, DC rather than AC is supplied to the vehicle, and the on-board charger is by-passed. Vehicle on-board chargers have a low power rating (saving on manufacturing costs) compared to that available from fast DC

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charging points. For many buildings, if not most, AC the charging points will be required.

CHARGING POINTS REQUIRE REGULAR TESTING Regarding charging points as more or less ‘run of the mill’ power points is dangerous. A charging point should be subject to more onerous testing and tagging, because the general public is holding onto a cable and connector capable of administering a lethal dose of electricity. Or a driver might in a moment of distraction attempt to drive off with the vehicle still connected.

The installation of charging points is covered by the Australian Standards (AS/NZS3000) but testing is essentially not covered.

In essence the testing of charger points is done with apparatus that mimics a ‘connected vehicle’ so that amongst other things, electricity can’t be delivered unless interlock conditions have been checked. It is essential that regular testing take place using specialised testing gear.

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Charging points can cause power quality to deteriorate, possibly affecting other electrical equipment—and upsetting the poles and wire people connecting electrical power to your installation because of problems being caused to neighbouring consumers’ electrical equipment. Domestic charging points are not usually an issue but the more sophisticated commercial application ones can cause power quality problems. Under ideal circumstances, the voltage in your electrical installation is a smooth sinewave. When that is not the case, problems including additional, unwanted heating of wiring, etc., and faulty operation of electrical equipment can occur. Just like rooftop solar, power to the vehicle is delivered via an inverter.

This allows control of the charging current as the battery bank in the vehicle gradually charges up. The disadvantage of the system is what is called ‘harmonic emission’ resulting from the charging current control causing voltage to change from a smooth sinewave to one which is ‘distorted’.

PLANNING FOR CHARGING POINTS Planning is a specialised business. First a power quality audit should be done, assuming that we’re talking about multiple charging points. Let’s assume single-phase charging points rated at 7 kilowatts. Thirty charging points throughout the parking facility, implies a maximum power requirement of 210 kilowatts. Each charging point will have to be protected by a 30 amp breaker. An assumption has to be made about the load factor since the charging points are not all simultaneously in use. Assuming this at 50%, 105 kilowatts are being added to the installation, which the main switchboard and the distribution transformer have to handle. As to power quality, this will be heavily and negatively affected by harmonics. The proposed charging point equipment should be discussed with a power quality analyst as well as the capacity of the existing electrical installation to cope with the added power demand.

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29

AMORA HOTEL GOING GREEN

A case study of a chiller and control system upgrade ANWAR AHMED I PRINCIPAL ENERGY AND ENGINEERING CONSULTANT, ENMAN PTY LTD

ABSTRACT

-

he hotel industry is a major energy user and greenhouse gas emitter, which has a significant effect on our environment. Energy is one of the main expenses in running a hotel and significantly affects profitability. As the price of energy has increased significantly in recent years, it is now having a greater impact on the hotel’s bottom line and profitability.

These verified savings are very much in line with the predicted energy savings from the Desktop study performed by Enman Pty Ltd prior to project implementation, which was the basis of the budget approval process.

T

New energy saving technologies have emerged in recent years, which are economically attractive and have been implemented with great success. The ideal time to improve a hotel’s energy efficiency is when plant upgrades are planned, including chiller, boiler and control system upgrades, which are capital intensive projects. Chiller and control system technologies have changed greatly in recent years, and proper design, selection and evaluation is key to the success of plant upgrades. Cheaper solutions may not provide the desired efficiency benefits and may be more costly in the long term.

The Amora Hotel Jamison is a medium sized, 5-star hotel with full amenities including restaurants and conference rooms.

It is a large user of electricity and gas which are necessary to provide all of the hotel’s services.

The HVAC system, including especially the chillers and boilers, is the primary energy user of the hotel.

A major project was undertaken to upgrade the chillers and control system for reliability, maintenance and energy saving.

The projected return on investment is very much economically viable, with a very attractive simple payback time of only 3.2 years.

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Electricity demand saving: 22.9%

• Reduction of carbon footprint - The carbon footprint has reduced from 14,296 kgCO2-e/guest room to 10,371 kgCO2-e/guest room (a reduction of 27.4%).

- The NABERS rating of the hotel has improved from 3 stars to 4 stars.

• Reduction in maintenance, increase of reliability and extended life of chillers and control system -

The chiller life has been extended for another 25 years.

- The chiller is more reliable and requires less maintenance.

BACKGROUND Prior to the upgrade project the hotel had two York chillers: one large 1438 kW chiller with VSD which was only 15 years old, and one smaller fixed speed 837 kW chiller. The large chiller was in poor condition despite not being very old.

The two cooling towers had fixed speed drives, as did all the chiller pumps.

The hotel also has a large number of fans which had fixed speed drives. These fans are: • Supply and return air fans for Air Handling Units (AHUs) • Carpark ventilation fans

ACHIEVEMENT

• Kitchen exhaust fans

• Energy saving

• Toilet exhaust fans

-

Electricity saving:

25.4%

-

Gas saving:

16.9%

The hotel had an old Building Management System (BMS) to control the HVAC system but there was no energy management system.

The larger chiller was replaced with a Powerpax chiller with variable speed drive, oil free magnetic bearing, twin Danfoss Turbocor compressors and hot gas bypass.

Enman was engaged to conduct an obligation-free desktop study of the hotel energy systems in July 2016. The report identified a number of key energy saving projects with recommendations.

The capacity was reduced from 1438 kW to 1300 kW cooling capacity which matches the peak cooling load of the building.

The chiller provides an extremely high turndown ratio and very high COP (efficiency) at lower loading condition.

Based on these recommendations, the Amora hotel decided to implement the following projects with Enman: • Chiller plant upgrade

The chiller has variable chilled water (CHW) and condenser water (CW) temperature set points and variable CHW and CW flow. Therefore, the chiller’s performance can be optimised to operate at peak energy efficiency.

• Implementation of Enman’s Enertrol Energy management system

Control System Upgrade BMS – Building Management System

• Implementation of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to recommended fans and pump drives

Enman replaced the old BMS with a Tridium/Niagara web-based BMS with extended trending facility, to assist with diagnosis of operational problems and proper tuning of the control system, so that the plant could be operated at maximum efficiency.

• Replacement of the existing BMS with a state-of-the-art and non-proprietary web based Tridium/Niagara BMS

IMPLEMENTATION Chiller Plant Upgrade

The BMS provides all normal control functions to operate the HVAC system to provide a comfortable environment.

Enman was engaged as a consultant for the engineering, procurement and management of the project.

Variable Speed Drives Variable speed drives in fans and pumps are a more recent energy saving technology used in HVAC systems. It is important to use them with proper functions for optimal speed control.

Introducing Enman Enman Pty Ltd is a leading energy management and engineering company with extensive experience and proven track record founded in late 80’s. With its head office in Melbourne Enman operate in Australia and Asia Pacific countries.

Enman’s decades of experience in cutting edge and innovative technologies in a wide range of building and industrial technologies.

Enman’s Services

 Energy and NABERS audit.  Project engineering and management  Turnkey supply of the project implementation.  Measurement and verification  Energy supply consultation

Enman’s Product

 Enman’s energy management control system. A product that has been developed

by Enman over two decades to save energy through advanced control, monitoring, reporting and housekeeping through cutting edge technologies featuring:  Chiller Energy management: Chiller optimal control and performance monitoring.  Variable speed optimal control for fans, pumps and plant equipment  Demand management and control

Enman’s Expertise  Chiller and boiler system upgrade  Variables speed drive  Control system upgrade  HVAC system upgrade

Phone: +62 3 9877 2266 Email: enman@enman.com.au

31

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A large number of VSDs were installed in 23 fans, which are: • AHU fans • Toilet exhaust fans • Kitchen exhaust fans • Carpark ventilation fans

- Condenser water temperature reset or variable condenser water temperature control. This is a wellestablished technology. Decreasing the condenser water temperature increases the chiller efficiency, though it also increases cooling tower energy consumption as shown in Figure 1.

• CHW and CW pumps of the new chiller only as this is the main operating chiller

- Chiller interlocking based upon the weather and time of night.

• Cooling tower fans

Figure 1: Condenser water temperature against power consumption

• Hot water pumps

Enman’s Enertrol energy management system was installed as a key component of the controls upgrade. It is the brain/ intelligence of the entire control and monitoring system which allows it to improve energy efficiency. Here the control system behaves differently to a conventional control system.

Power, kW

EMS – Energy Management System

Condenser Water Temperature

The differences are the optimal control, energy and performance monitoring, demand management and reporting functions which exist mainly to improve performance and energy efficiency of the equipment such as chillers, boilers, VSDs, etc. Besides optimisation of running efficiency, it reduces energy waste by reducing unnecessary operation of equipment.

Functionality of the EMS The purpose of the EMS is primarily supervisory control to achieve intelligent and optimal control of the systems with extensive monitoring and reporting. The primary functions of the hotel energy management control system are: • Chiller optimal control Conventional chiller control is stepping logic control with a lead/ lag system, and constant chilled water and condenser water temperature set point control. The EMS controls the chiller differently to conventional control providing the following control functions: - Chiller selection based on cooling load and chiller energy efficiency to meet the cooling demand with the least energy consumption.

- Economic loading of chiller when multiple chillers are operating.

- Demand limiting of chillers. This function is used to load the chiller to its most efficient loading when multiple chillers are operating. Demand limiting is also very useful when starting up the chillers to reduce the start-up load peaking in order to smoothen the chiller operation.

- Chilled water temperature reset or variable chilled water temperature control. The economic success of this function very much depends upon the intelligence of the control algorithm. Essentially, the higher the cooling load the lower the chilled water temperature set point should be.

Cooling Tower Fan Power

Chiller Power

Combined Power

All the chillers have a recommended condensing water temperature which depends upon the type of chiller. This algorithm is even more complex when there is a mixture of chillers such as modern chillers with VSD’s and older constant speed chillers.

• Variable flow pumping control system Chilled water and condenser water pumps with VSD operate at constant dP set point which means constant water flow. The EMS provides variable flow control optimising the setting of dp set point. This changes the CHW flow or differential pressure DP set point based upon the cooling load of the chiller. The permissible flow variation depends upon the type of chiller.

• Variable speed drives for fans The methodology of control varies very much with the type of application; some of these methodologies are: - Fresh air supply fan speed control. This is a very high energy saving function and requires a feed forward control based on room CO2, enthalpy of fresh air and the guest occupancy in the hotel.

- Toilet exhaust fan speed control. The toilet exhaust fan should be synchronised with the room’s supply fan motor speed.

- Kitchen exhaust fan speed control. The requirement for ventilation in the kitchens is based upon kitchen activity. The speed is set upon predefined kitchen activity.

- Car park ventilation. The car park ventilation fan speed is set to maintain the required fresh air to prevent the increase of carbon monoxide in the car park space.

Again, the success of energy efficiency depends on the intelligence of the speed control.

- Function room and general space supply air fan speed control. This requires feed forward and feedback

33

control based on room temperature, CO2 and ambient air temperature/humidity.

• Economy cycle control An economy cycle is usually supplied to modulate fresh air intake when there is both return air and fresh air supply to a room with spill air. The most energy efficient economy cycles are based on enthalpy and room CO2 based control.

The economy cycle required by a fresh air only system requires a different algorithm to a conventional AHU system which uses fresh and return air. It uses a unique algorithm to provide the economy cycle function through control of a VSD, based on CO2 and ambient weather conditions. This algorithm operates very successfully to save energy from cooling, heating and fan power.

• Demand management system The EMS is connected with the electricity supply meter to provide demand monitoring and control.

are significant at approximately 25% for electricity, 23% for electrical demand and 17% for gas.

Fig 2 shows electricity consumption month by month and Fig 3 shows month by month electricity saving. These graphs show the highest electricity savings occurring in the summer months due to the high energy efficiency of the new chiller.

Fig 4 shows the electricity demand month by month for base line and reporting period and the drop in demand is the reduction in demand.

Fig 5 shows gas consumption month by month and Fig 6 shows month by month gas saving.

It is observed that the control system is not fully tuned to provide the full potential of energy saving and therefore there is still room to tune the system further to achieve more energy saving.

Table 1: Predicted and achieved savings

• Energy and performance monitoring This provides chiller performance and energy use by all major electricity users including ducted electric heaters. The system records daily and monthly electricity consumption.

ENERGY SAVINGS Measurement and Verification After 12 months of successful operation Enman conducted verification of achieved energy savings and compared against the predicted energy savings which were the basis of the investment.

Actual Energy Savings Electricity (MWh/y)

Gas (GJ/y)

Predicted Energy Savings

Demand (kVA)

Electricity (MWh/y)

Gas (GJ/y)

Demand (kVA)

Chiller Upgrade

4,13.4 (7.89%)

0

80

510.5

0

70

Control System Upgrade

920.1 (17.5%)

1888

160

947.5

0

150

Overall

1,333.5 (25.47%)

1,888 (16.9%)

240 (22.9%)

1,457 (27.8%)

0 (0)

230 (14.3%)

Figure 2: Electricity Consumption

The energy saving verification is conducted using a whole facility method utilising utility supply meters which is generally accepted as being the most accurate and reliable method.

Electricity Consumption

Yearly saving is 1,333,584 kWh 500,000

Energy saving is reported for the upgrade project as follows: (kWh)

• The baseline period is the 12 months before the upgrade project commenced.

400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0

• The reporting period is 12 months after the project was completed.

• No energy use adjustment was done for room occupancy (almost fully occupied in both baseline and reporting periods), or for ambient weather conditions.

Jun

Jul

Aug

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Apr

May

Post-BEMS 2017-2018

Yearly saving is 25.5%

(%)

Energy Saving Analysis

34

Nov

Electricity kWh Saving (%)

• Reporting period: May 2017 to June 2018

Table 1 shows the summary of energy and demand savings both for predicted and achieved savings. The achieved savings

Oct

Figure 3: Electricity kWh saving percentage

• Baseline period: May 2015 to June 2016

The hotel uses electricity and natural gas to provide all necessary energy for the hotel’s operations. The energy savings have been analysed for both electricity and gas on a monthby-month and annual basis. Electrical demand has also been analysed and forms a significant portion of the electricity cost.

Sep

Pre-BEMS 2015-2016

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Figure 4: Monthly demand comparison

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Figure 5: Gas consumption

Gas Consumption (GJ)

(GJ)

Yearly saving is 1,888 GJ

1,400.00 1,200.00 1,000.00 800.00 600.00 400.00 200.00 -

Pre-BEMS 2015-2016 Post-BEMS 2017-2018

May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

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Figure 6: Gas savings percentage

Gas Savings (%)

(%)

Yearly Saving is 16.9% 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

May

ALL YOUR HVAC FILTER NEEDS IN ONE PLACE

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

SUSTAINABILITY

Aeropleat III®

AP-Thirteen

30/30®

Energy saving through control upgrades can vary significantly depending upon a number of factors. Some of the critical criteria are: • Proper ongoing tuning of the control system.

• Proper setting of room temperature.

• The control system must have online tuning factors.

• The operator should be trained in the tuning and operation of the system and motivated to save energy.

S-Flo

Opakfil ES

The chiller energy saving is sustainable so long as the chiller is maintained properly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anwar Ahmed is a regular writer on energy best practice in building retrofit projects using innovative, cutting-edge technologies. He has been working on the development and implementation of energy management systems, especially building retrofit projects for over 40 years. Anwar graduated from the University of Queensland and post graduated from the University of Newcastle in Mechanical, Power and Control System Engineering.

Anwar is a chartered engineer and Member of AIRAH.

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36

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE? PAUL ANGUS I ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR – HYDRAULIC SERVICES, AECOM

The Australian millennium drought effectively ended the age of ‘water entitlement’, shining a spotlight on the need to conserve water. This led to a renewed focus on integrated water management, water recycling, and a better approach to water-sensitive urban design. However, our cities are not immune to problems with water supply, so what’s next in the pipeline? Paul Angus explains.

W

hy do we often take for granted the very things that deserve our gratitude the most, assuming they will be there whenever we need them? This applies to our sense of entitlement to water. Having wholesome water on demand is one such luxury we take for granted; however, we should never forget that water is a precious commodity. Price determination depends equally on demand and supply, which will further rise, as water scarcity and population numbers increases.

COUNTING DOWN TO ZERO You’ve probably never given it a second thought, but how often do the facilities guests brush their teeth and leave the water running from the tap? Perhaps they shower for a longer period than they actually really need? Does that sound only too familiar? Do you regularly check your water utility bill to and look at implementing strategies to modify the guests behaviour to reduce overall water consumption? Hold on to that thought for a second, and then consider that according to the United Nations there will not be enough water to sustain the world’s

37

population by the year 2040. This has already motivated many hotel chains and facility managers to do everything they can to minimise water usage and save the resource, wherever possible, within their asset.

Many people do not understand or care about the scarcity and vulnerability of our precious water resource. However, recent events in Cape Town have shown the dangers of water scarcity, and it faces the prospect of being the first major city in the modern era to face the threat of running out of drinking water.

For the estimated population of 3.78 million, the inevitable “Day Zero” predicted in the next few months, will result in the water supply being completely depleted. Like many growing cities around the world, Cape Town has experienced increasing population growth; however, uncontrollable circumstances including a record drought — perhaps intensified by climate change — are sparking one of the world's most-dramatic urban water disasters.

LONDON CALLING Of all the cities in the world, London is one that springs to mind when discussing a water shortage. However, the reality is very different. With more than eight million inhabitants and an average annual rainfall of about 600mm (less than Paris’ average and only about half that of New York), London relies on and draws 80 percent of its water from rivers (the Thames and Lea). According to the Greater London Authority, the city is pushing close to capacity and is likely to have supply problems as early as 2025, predicting "serious shortages" by 2040.

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE? So what is the situation like at home here in Australia? Across the seas, east of Cape Town, several Australian cities are watching events affecting their African counterpart nervously.

Despite covering almost 70 percent of the Earth's surface, water, especially wholesome drinking water, is not as plentiful as you might think. Only three percent of it is fresh water and it is not spread equitably among the countries or people around the world, with some having water far in excess of their needs and others already are facing water scarcity. Meanwhile, global demand for wholesome water will exceed supply by 40 percent, in a little over a decade — as early as 2030 — thanks to a combination of population growth human action and climate change.

38

In the last several years, Australia has been faced with a similar dire water crisis, which is threatening communities across the country. Many of the same issues that affect Cape Town also plague Perth and Adelaide, with the New South Wales Central Coast, Goulburn and Broken Hill not lagging far behind, with worryingly little water to supply ever-increasing populations.

These isolated locations within the world’s driest continent, face mounting challenges in providing fresh water to their residents. The vast majority of Perth’s water originates from underground aquifers, plus from two huge — and costly — desalination plants, which provide the city with approximately a third of its water. The notion that Australia’s largest city, Sydney could potentially run out of water, led to the construction of a desalination plant that can potentially produce up to 50 million litres of water each day, equating to 15 percent of Sydney’s water requirements. However, the millennium drought ended, and rainwater replenished an array of water reservoirs and dams providing the city’s water supply. As a result, the desalination plant was placed into maintenance mode just a few years later, mothballed but ready to spring into action, when necessary.

According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, Sydney is Australia’s most-populated city, with an estimated population of over five million people. Sydney currently uses approximately 33.7 billion litres of water per year and as it grows the demand for water will increase. In a little over a decade, based on

anticipated population growth, the demand for water is expected to grow by 30 per cent, to 44 billion by 2030.

Although alarming as all of the above is to hear, as a facility manager, how do the risks of water scarcity affect the management and value of your asset? The supply of water is often not seen as a high business risk, based on its relatively low cost at present. However, risk lies in the security of supply, which is paramount to the continuity of a business. In a hotel facility, if water supply is cut for any given reason, for a significant period of time, the building becomes uninhabitable, unproductive and, as such, a loss of earnings will be incurred.

To put this into context, if we consider the tourism in Sydney, takings from accommodation in NSW were $1.4 billion in March Qtr. 2018, an increase of 7.5% from March Qtr. 2017. In order to build confidence, value and remain attractive for tenants and investors alike, it is paramount to ensure a self-sufficient water strategy is in place.

DON’T LOSE IT, REUSE IT Population and tourism growth, plus the desire to live closer to the workplace is resulting in urban growth in the form of high-rise towers, which is having an adverse effect on our cities’ ageing water-supply infrastructure. Increased tourism accommodation costs are driving unprecedented growth in the inner ring and suburbs of Australian cities. Accommodating more people in established areas takes advantage of existing

39

infrastructure, but also presents capacity and physical challenges and constraints. Infrastructure planning at a precinct scale can be highly responsive to the broader development aspirations, whilst creating opportunities for more flexible, innovative and integrated responses through planning at a finer grain than traditional centralised approaches.

We are already preparing our assets to face the water shortage challenges of tomorrow by embracing advanced technologies, including integrated water management, water recycling and water-sensitive urban design approach. However, what more can and should we be doing now?

Let’s embrace the digital revolution to count every drop.

Measuring what we use by gathering data — the right data — through smart water networks assists in understanding where and exactly how water is being used, creating a strategy to review usage patterns and to reduce water consumption.

On-site water systems collect and treat non-potable water, which can include wastewater, stormwater, rainwater and more.

This water can then be reused in a hotel facility for non-drinking water requirements, such as irrigation, toilet flushing and mechanical cooling requirements. However, by using alternative water sources for these needs, reusing on-site water systems reduces the waste of valuable, wholesome drinking water.

In fact, water reuse can account for up to 50 to 95 percent of the water used in residential or commercial buildings. On the flip side, water storage and treatment takes up valuable space, which results in loss of potential revenue. So what is the solution?

NOT JUST A PIPE DREAM The Sydney Water and Better Buildings Partnership masterplan is for over 50 percent of Sydney’s water demand in 2030 to be supplied by recycled water, direct from a decentralised infrastructure supply. However, the city’s existing building assets will need to be ready to connect to this network when it becomes available. So what do we need to do for our existing assets?

40

First we should consider the practical need for building owners and facilities managers to identify if the upgrade of assets for recycled water is financially sound. Secondly, an off-site recycled water scheme would be designed to supply nonpotable water of a quality that is fit for purpose for us in cooling towers, toilet flushing and irrigation without requiring the need to change the existing cooling tower, toilet and urinals.

Finally, the cost of connecting an existing hotel facility to a recycled water network is reduced by undertaking the required plumbing upgrades incrementally, during planned building refurbishment. The capability to connect to recycled water can be built into the retrofit scope in advance of the recycled water scheme’s completion. Furthermore, new hotel buildings can be intelligently designed to incorporate the necessary pipework reticulation to connect to the recycled supply. As soon as the infrastructure network is available, recycled water can be connected to the building asset from an off-site scheme.

From hotels to conference centres to eco-district developments, whatever the asset, decentralised recycled water systems will effectively change the way buildings, districts and entire communities use, and reuse, water, now and for future generations. Few cities around the world are as connected to water as Sydney, yet the city is not immune to problems with water supply. AECOM’s recent Sydney Manifesto report encourages us to create a water-sensitive city. Download the report today and see what you can do to make sure every drop counts. http://bit.ly/2HtjUxc Paul Angus is an Associate Director – Hydraulic Services at AECOM, based in Sydney. Paul has strong commercial and technical capability in developing and delivering hydraulic design strategies and solutions. He specialises in providing a sustainable approach to system design, including water conservation, recycling and generating innovative engineering solutions.

This article originally featured in FM Magazine.

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Hotels continue to play important role in creating

A WATERWISE CITY WATER CORPORATION

Water influences what our cities look like and how we live. As the principal water service provider in Western Australia, Water Corporation plays an important role in shaping the future of Perth – which includes working with its customers, such as the hotel industry to use water wisely.

W

ater Corporation’s ambition is for Perth to become Australia’s first waterwise city by 2030. A waterwise city is one in which a variety of water sources move through urban areas in ways that deliver maximum value for a diverse range of functions and users at a minimum cost.

Shaping Perth as a waterwise city requires Government, research experts, community sectors and industry, such as hotels, to work together. The hotel industry is a large user of scheme water, so Water Corporation’s focus is to work closely with hotels to save water while delivering the same, if not better, level of service and customer experience.

Saving water is a win-win situation for hotels – saving money through reduced water charges, lower volumetric wastewater charges and minimised energy costs associated with heating and pumping water around a site. The hotel industry in Perth is also in a period of growth, meaning there will be lower occupancy rates and increasing competition to attract guests over the next few years.

Water Corporation has completed a review of water use trends between 2011 and 2017. The good news is there was a 12 per cent reduction in the water use per occupied room in hotels between 2011 and 2017. The review also indicated while many hotels have improved water use performance, there are a number who have opportunities to reach optimal efficiency.

In this article, Water Corporation provides a summary of water use trends and a set of best practice guidelines that can be used by any hotel in Australia to improve water efficiency. For a copy of the full report email water.efficiency@watercorporation. com.au

44

HISTORY In 2011 Water Corporation engaged HFM Asset Management to undertake an extensive review of water use by hotels in the three, four and five star market in the Perth CBD. The aim of the review was to identify water use trends, water efficiency opportunities and establish a water use performance benchmark for the sector.

The results of this review, previously published in the AIHE magazine, confirmed a significant reduction in water use across the hotels of around 13 per cent from 2006 to 2011, which aligns with the general reduction in the community’s water use over the same period. It also showed hotels were generally considered to be reasonably proactive in the area of water management, with the majority of hotels having carried out low cost water efficiency retrofits such as installing WELS rated showerheads and flow control devices in basin tapware.

As a follow up to this initial review, Water Corporation again engaged HFM to assess how water use trends have changed since 2011 and provide feedback to industry on water use performance.

WATER USE TRENDS Understandably, occupancy is the single largest variable that affects water use in hotels. The industry standard for hotel water efficiency is based on water used per occupied room. HFM used ABS data (available up to June 2016 only) to investigate the relationship between occupancy and water use in Perth hotels (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Average hotel water use (kL) versus WA average hotel occupancy rate (2011 – 2016).

WATER DISTRIBUTION Although each hotel is unique, there are common variables and water end users which contribute to the water use benchmark for each building. Every hotel should have a slightly different approach to water efficiency management based on these characteristics. These characteristics include: • Hotel star rating • Number of function room seats • Swimming pools • Number of staff • Use of functional spaces, such as retail within the building

The occupancy rate for WA peaked in 2012 following the peak of mining activity and the economic boom. After this time hotel occupancy decreased and as expected, water use also reduced.

To derive 2016-2017 trends Water Corporation and HFM collected data from hotels that volunteered to participate in the review. In total, data was collected from 17 hotels, corresponding to 16 per cent of Perth hotels by number.

Figure 2 summarises hotel water use trends since 2011. It is important to note that the participating hotels in the 2011 and current review were not the same. The 2011 data was revised to include 12 hotels and the 2017 data included 16 hotels.

Figures 3 and 4 provide a water distribution profile for typical water cooled hotel. The single largest user of water for the hotels inspected is accommodation rooms and public toilet amenities. The other primary water using services include; cooling tower, kitchen, cleaning swimming pools and spaces, laundry, taverns / restaurants and irrigation.

The largest water end use for hotel rooms is showers. This equates to around 50 per cent of overall water use for a typical water cooled hotel, emphasising the importance of utilising efficient shower fixtures.

Figure 3: Average water distribution water cooled hotel

There has been a 12 per cent reduction in the water use benchmark (litres per occupied room) between 2011 and 2017. There was very little change in water use between 2016 and 2017, which suggests the changes which impacted water efficiency occurred between 2011 and 2016.

Figure 2: Water use review findings 2011 – 2017

WHAT DOES BEST PRACTICE LOOK LIKE?

The average water use per occupied room for 2017 was 375 litres per occupied room.

The average water use per guest night for 2017 was 281 litres. On average the guest per room occupancy is 1.33 guests per room.

Best practice for air cooled and water cooled hotels, based on sites audited in the current review, are outlined in Table 1 below.

Water cooled

206 litres per room night

159 Litres per guest night

Air cooled

246 litres per room night

173 litres per guest night

Table 1: Air cooled and water cooled hotel best practice water use

CASE STUDY – Four Points by Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton is a water cooled, 4.5 star, 278 room hotel located at 707 Wellington Street, Perth. The hotel was reported as having best practice water use performance as part of the current review.

Water use at the site has decreased by 49 per cent since 2011-12, which is an outstanding result. The hotel underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2012-13 which upgraded the star rating from 4 to 4.5 stars. As a part of this refurbishment, rooms were upgraded with efficient water fixtures and this is considered the primary influence for the reduction in water use.

Fixtures installed include:

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• 4 star WELS rated toilets (4.5/3L flush) • 7.5 litre per minute shower heads • Basin tapware flowrate 3 litres per minute.

Four Points by Sheraton successfully found a balance between water efficiency, shower pressure and guest satisfaction.

In 2013 the hotel undertook a utility audit and as a result began metering of the water used by cooling towers, which helped identify a faulty ball float valve that caused excessive bleed.

The hotel also utilises best practice management procedures and systems to identify and record maintenance activities which contributes to the efficient operation of the hotel’s water distribution network.

General Manager, Sean Raine, said the key to ongoing success was monthly monitoring of water use and to ensure the reduction in water use was maintained, not just a one off impact.

“The Four Points team has focused on what the hotel impact has on the environment when planning the hotel renovation with water reduction and conservation a major priority,” Mr Raine said.

“We are committed to offering the community an opportunity for a better and more sustainable future and we hope to inspire associates, guests and partners to take further action to reduce their water consumption in the communities where they live and work.”

BEST PRACTICE WATER EFFICIENCY GUIDELINES FOR HOTELS 1. Monitoring programs and data logging • Undertaking ongoing monitoring programs at hotel facilities leads to a better understanding of the end uses and usage patterns within the building. A monitoring program can be as simple as recording and comparing the water bill for the property. Ultimately the best practice management of water use should include monitoring of key water end uses, which should include the use of sub-metering.

Table 3: List of proposed key end uses to prioritise for sub-metering.

Primary

Secondary

Cooling tower (make-up supply line and bleed line)

Ornamental water features

Kitchens

Irrigation systems

Swimming pools

Any other major water consumers

Main water supply to guest rooms

3. Awareness and hospitality services Best practice water efficiency also extends to the general running of the hotel and hospitality services. Some tips include: • Educate employees and customers on water conservation. For example, providing appropriate training for staff and displaying water saving notices/stickers in appropriate locations to increase customer awareness.

• Display signage advertising water saving programs in hotels and their contribution to sustainable living and securing future for next generation.

In hospitality service: • Implement towels and linen reuse program. Although water used for external laundry services will not be associated with the building it will reduce laundry costs.

• Training for housekeeping to reduce water use, including: avoiding excessive water for cleaning, turning off unnecessary taps when cleaning, minimising toilet flushes, using a mop rather than water hose for cleaning floors.

• Utilise tape across jets in room spas to provide an indicator as to whether the spa has been used. Only perform full spa clean if necessary.

• Inspect and report taps / toilets / showerheads regularly for prompt repairs.

4. Efficient fixtures

• Data logging is also an important tool to be utilised in a monitoring program. A data logger is a device that is fitted to the hotel water meter and continuously measures throughout the day, including any baseflow which may indicate a leak.

Water Corporation offers a free data logging program to hotels in WA. Please contact water.efficiency@watercorporation. com.au for further details.

Hotels generally have relatively modern amenities well suited to the high public use of the facilities. Amenity water use represents a significant percentage of overall water use, with opportunities to save focussed on tapware, toilets and urinals.

2. Sub-metering key end uses

Showers

• Water sub-metering is an often overlooked tool, but it can help hotel managers run hotels more efficiently. Installing sub-meters at one or more levels below the incoming meter(s) gives the building management a more granular look at where water is being used within the building. It provides a measurement tool to monitor behaviour in key end uses, such as kitchens. Refer to Table 3 for a list of key end uses to consider sub- metering.

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• It is also recommended that the installation of isolation valves is considered at each meter to be able to isolate parts of the water network for fault finding and rectifying water leaks.

It is important to consider both the water rating label (WELS) and maintenance considerations in refurbishments and retrofits of amenities.

• Water used by showers is the largest component of overall hotel water use, accounting for 53 per cent. WELS rated showerheads should be installed with a 9 litre per minute (L/ minute) maximum flowrate as standard. It is recommended to consider 7.5 L/minute maximum flowrate in bathroom refurbishments (3 star WELS rating).

• The best practice water efficiency hotels in Perth are installing these efficient fixtures, and at the same time achieving high guest satisfaction from bathroom facilities.

Taps • Flow regulators may be used as a more accessible method for reducing flow rates for fixtures. For example; tap aerators on the tap outlet, or flow restrictors on the connecting pipework.

Restriction of tapware to 3 L/minute or less is recommended for public / lobby bathrooms (6 Star WELS rating).

• Considering typical usage, reducing tapware with a 12 L/min to a 3 L/min flowrate, will have a payback period of less than 12 months.

• The best practice water efficiency hotels in Perth are also utilising 3 L/min flowrate taps in guest rooms (6 Star WELS rating).

of new systems should consider systems which limit the size of the wash tank to <20 litres as well as limiting the use of water in the rinse cycle. The rinse cycle water should also be designed to recycle into the initial rinse cycle.

• The use of glass washers should be limited to when a full load is available. Procurement of new systems should consider systems that use less than 2 litres per cycle and recycle the final rinse water for the initial rinse in the next cycle.

Rinsing of food • Wash vegetables in a basin of water instead of under a running tap.

Defrosting of frozen materials • Natural defrosting: Where possible wrap frozen food in cling film and move to the refrigerator (0 to 4°C) for pre-defrosting.

• Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of systems is required to maintain the efficiency of the tapware throughout the hotel, ensuring that damaged equipment is replaced and repaired to meet the standards set by the hotel.

• Aerated defrosting: Install an air pump to the defrosting sink to create currents which hastens the defrosting process. This method can significantly reduce water use compared with defrosting under a running tap.

Toilets

Wok stoves

• Ensure all toilets are WELS rated dual flush systems to a standard of at least 4 stars, particularly for the public amenities and room toilets.

• Replace water-cooled woks with waterless units or use a control mechanism such that water is not continuously running.

• Some hotels that have single flush toilets, may consider using a liquid filled container installed into the cistern to reduce the full flush volume of the unit. This is a cost-efficient temporary method for water savings prior to a scheduled lifecycle refurbishment of the rooms.

Urinals • Waterless urinals or low flow urinals should be installed in all male toilets, staff and public. Upgrades should prioritised for areas where older style trough urinals are installed, as these have high flush volumes and are also prone to leaks.

5. Kitchens Operational and behavioural factors in a hotel kitchen impact overall water use. Sub-metering the kitchen is a great way to measure and monitor changes.

RELAX

The following water efficiency practices are recommended for kitchen operations: Dish and glass washing • Dish washing activities account for around two thirds of water used in kitchens.

• It is recommended that utensils and dishes are soaked in a basin of water before cleaning for easy removal of food residue.

• Use pressure sprays to wash dishes effectively and reduce water use. Ensure these are trigger activated and cannot be ‘held-on’ by a ring. Pressure sprays should consume less than 6 L/minute via use of an efficient high pressure nozzle.

• Pass-through dishwashers are an important consideration from both a water and energy efficiency perspective. Procurement

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THE BUILDING CONFIDENCE report

BRONWYN WEIR I WEIR LEGAL AND CONSULTING PTY LTD

Bronwyn Weir of Weir Legal and Consulting Pty Ltd examines the common themes in the Shergold Weir and Hackitt Reports, which has issues for all building operators.

T

he Building Confidence report prepared by Shergold and Weir for the Building Minister's Forum in Australia was released in April 2018. Two weeks later, the UK government released the Building a Safer Future prepared by Dame Judith Hackitt. The authors of these reports examine the building regulations in their respective countries and make recommendations to government for reform. Both reports were commissioned in the wake of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.

The two reports look and feel quite different, as they should, given the terms of reference and context for the two reports vary. Further, the building regulation scheme in the UK and the schemes across the eight jurisdictions in Australia have considerable differences. However, despite the differences, many have commented that the observations made in the two reports about building practices, culture and regulatory oversight are similar.

In this post I consider 8 areas where the issues identified in the Shergold Weir and Hackitt reports are similar. I look at the approaches to these issues in the recommendations made. This

list is not exhaustive but it does highlight shared observations and where some of the deep cracks in the building regulatory systems of both countries lie.

1. Support for performance/outcomes based building standards â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Hackitt and Shergold Weir reports both conclude that standards for the construction of buildings must be set in a way that allows for innovation and the use of new and emerging products and building methods. Shergold and Weir observe that despite the need for continual improvement of the National Construction Code, the benefits of a performance based code outweigh its negative impacts. Dame Judith says that an outcomes based approach is important so that the system is sufficiently flexible and allows for bespoke solutions. Both reports acknowledge that the performance or outcomes based model requires a high level of competency and transparency, both of which are lacking in current building practices.

2. Architects and Designers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Both reports call for improving the adequacy of design documentation by imposing clear obligations on designers to produce designs which show that a proposed building will meet required safety standards. Dame

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Judith includes 'Principal Designers' and 'Designers' in her list of key duty holders. She says the role of a Principal Designer should include compiling full documentation demonstrating that key building safety risks have been considered and managed.

Shergold and Weir recommend that there be a statutory duty on architects and designers to prepare building approval documentation which demonstrates that the proposed building will comply with the NCC. 3. The role of private building surveyors – In the UK and in Australia, the building approvals processes provide options for certification and/or approvals to be undertaken by nongovernment (i.e. 'private') building surveyors. The two reports examine the lack of independence that is inherent in a private certification model. Shergold and Weir call for several minimum statutory controls to mitigate the inherent conflict of interest.

They stop short of recommending any one model, leaving it for each jurisdiction to determine how it will allow for private surveyors to operate under their legislative schemes. However, Shergold and Weir call for Australian governments to review and recalibrate the governance over private building surveyors.

Dame Judith makes the definitive statement that the ability of duty holders (owners, designers and builders) to choose their own regulator must stop. She recommends that all approvals be issued by the government's 'Local Authority Building Control' (LABC) and that the private 'Approved Inspectors' act only as consultants to duty holders or alternatively, be engaged by government to increase the resources of LABCs. The different approaches in the two reports reflect the different models for private certification existing in the two countries. Notably, in Australia, there are 4 different models used across the 8 jurisdictions but in those jurisdictions where owners or builders can choose to engage a private surveyor or a local government to issue a building approval, the approval process that must be followed is essentially the same. In the UK, the approval process differs depending on whether a private surveyor, known as an Approved Inspector, or the LACB is appointed. Notably, when an Approved Inspector is appointed, there is no requirement for full documentation to be approved unless requested by the owner. In contrast, if the LACB is appointed, full documentation must be submitted for approval. The model proposed by Dame Judith appears to be similar to the model currently operating in Western Australia, South Australia and to some extent Tasmania.

4. Increasing controls over changes to approved design – Both Shergold and Weir and Dame Judith Hackitt refer to the lack of oversight over changes to design in delivery models such as 'design and construct' and 'value engineering'. Its seems in the UK there are very limited regulatory requirements for documentation and approval of design changes whereas in Australia there are some legislated controls but they are either weak or not effectively enforced.

5. Improving record keeping – The two reports call for the improved transparency through better digital records and

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ensuring key building design and safety information is available to building owners and managers for the life of the building. This issue is linked to the 'change control' issue considered above.

The consensus seems to be that there is a need to improve the adequacy and integrity of documentation, record it diligently (using new and emerging technologies) and ensure that future owners have access to it for the life of the building.

6. Competency of building practitioners – Both reports make recommendations which go to improving the competency of key practitioners so that performance/outcomes based design and construction is undertaken by people with adequate qualifications and skills. The recommendations in the Shergold Weir report include that there be a harmonisation of existing government registration schemes across the 8 jurisdictions.

They say these schemes should include a requirement for compulsory professional development for existing registered practitioners. They suggest governments consider collaboration with industry bodies but say that primary responsibility for auditing and disciplinary oversight of registered practitioners should rest with governments. Dame Judith calls for a comprehensive and robust competency framework to be established and managed by industry associations. The two reports refer to similar key practitioners which they say must be covered by these schemes.

7. Regulatory powers – Both reports refer to the need for comprehensive regulatory powers to support effective enforcement. Shergold and Weir refer to the need for broad regulatory powers and functions across state and local governments (a feature of Australia's federated system), whereas the Hackitt report emphasises the need to ensure broad powers with substantial penalties to provide effective deterrence.

8. Increased collaboration between different regulators – Both reports identify a fragmented system of regulatory oversight which impacts on the ability to regulate effectively. Shergold and Weir recommend each jurisdiction establish a panel with representation from the relevant regulatory bodies with the objective being to provide regulatory oversight of the sector working together. Dame Judith recommends a Joint Competent Authority (JCA) which is a collaboration between the LABC, fire authorities and the Health and Safety regulator. The JCA would perform numerous regulatory roles jointly although it would not be a new authority.

As noted above, this list of eight issues is not exhaustive. Both reports also make recommendations going to the role of fire authorities, enhancing maintenance of fire safety systems post occupation and to building product safety and quality assurance. What can be seen from this brief analysis is that the issues governments face across the world are in many respects the same. Their complexity will continue to challenge governments as they strive to rebuild trust and confidence in their building and construction sectors.

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NSW GUIDELINES for Legionella control in cooling water systems

On August 10th 2018 the NSW Guidelines for Legionella Control in Cooling Water Systems was updated.

T

he Guidelines provide practical guidance on the legal requirements in the Public Health Act 2010 and the Public Health Regulation 2012 and outline the safe and effective management of cooling water systems for all stakeholders.

For those responsible for managing cooling water systems it is essential that plans be in place to prevent the growth and transmission of Legionella bacteria, and subsequent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.

The updated Guidelines are aimed to assist stakeholders in the following key areas: • Understanding their roles and responsibilities • Understanding the impact of Legionnaires’ disease • Providing an overview of cooling water systems

• Outlining the risk factors associated with cooling water systems • Explaining the process for undertaking risk assessments • How to conduct an audit, and; • Outlining the reporting, response and administrative requirements The regulation of cooling water systems is paramount in reducing the likelihood out Legionella outbreaks.

Poorly managed cooling water systems can provide ideal conditions for the growth and transmission of Legionella bacteria.

The regulatory approach to managing cooling water systems in NSW was previously based on a prescriptive approach whereby

Table 1.2-1: Six regulatory safeguards for cooling water systems in NSW

Safeguard

Responsibility

Frequency

1

Risk assessment, documented in a Risk Management Plan (RMP)

Developed by a competent person

Every five years (or more frequently if required)

2

Auditing

Conducted by an independent auditor

Every year

3

Certificates of RMP completion and audit completion

Provided by the occupier to the local government authority

As required

4

Sampling and testing for Legionella and heterotrophic colony count

Water sampled by a duly qualified person and tested by a laboratory

Every month

5

Notification of reportable laboratory test results (Legionella count ≥1,000 cfu/mL or heterotrophic colony count ≥5,000,000 cfu/mL)

Provided by the occupier to the local government authority

As required

6

Unique identification numbers for every cooling tower

Provided by the local government authority to the occupier

As required

Figure 1.2-1: Regulation of cooling water systems in NSW

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Investigate and inspect

Table 1.2-1: Six regulatory safeguards for cooling water systems in NSW

1

Safeguard

Responsibility

Frequency

Risk assessment, documented in a Risk Management Plan (RMP)

Developed by a competent person

Every five years (or more frequently if required)

Part 3 rather than Part 2, other parts of AS/NZS 3666 remain all cooling water systems were to be managed based on same Auditing Conducted by an independent auditor Every year relevant for some aspects of managing cooling water systems. set2of minimum criteria.

These include: 3 Certificates of RMP completion and Provided by the occupier to the local As required This hasaudit beencompletion replaced with a risk management approach which government authority • Installation, design and commissioning in accordance with AS/ requires the individual characteristics and unique risks of each 4 Sampling andtotesting for Legionella a duly person Every month NZS 3666 qualified Part 1 cooling water system be assessed and controlled.Water sampled by and heterotrophic colony count and tested by a laboratory • Operation (but not maintenance) in accordance with AS/NZS This approach introduces six safeguards to minimise Legionella 3666 Part 2 Provided As required 5 Notification reportable transmission, provideofmultiple levelslaboratory of oversight, and ensure by the occupier to the local government authority test results (Legionella count ≥1,000 • Maintenance in accordance with AS/NZS 3666 Part 3. that problems are pre-empted, escalated and responded to in a cfu/mL or heterotrophic colony count timely manner. See the table for details.

An overview of the regulatory approach in NSW is provided in ≥5,000,000 cfu/mL) the following flow diagram: Although the risk management approach requires cooling water 6

Unique identification numbers for

Provided by the local government authority

systemsevery to be cooling maintained in accordance with AS/NZS tower to3666 the occupier

As required

Figure 1.2-1: Regulation of cooling water systems in NSW

Investigate and inspect Cooling water system Notify local government

Installation and decommissioning

Maintain register of cooling towers Issue unique identification number

(duly qualified person)

Occupier

Competent person

Risk Management Plan (at least every 5 years)

Certificate of RMP completion

Local Government Authority

Independent auditor

Independent audit (every year)

Certificate of audit completion

Support, training, advice

Inspection, chemical analysis, microbial testing (every month)

Notify reportable test results

NSW Health

Water treatment, mechanical services and other industry (duly qualified person)

Laboratories Investigate outbreaks Develop and provide training Maintain list of approved auditors

To read the full guidelines click here.

Or for more information visit: https://www.qed.com.au/blog We thank QED Environmental Services for the information supplied in this article.

NSW Health NSW Guidelines for Legionella Control in Cooling Water Systems

5

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Preparing for the next

(DESIGN) OUTBREAK!!!

MARK THOMSON

Sustainable design reimagined.

E

very decade or so, our society (and particularly the hotel industry) experiences new trends or new terminology usually promoted as essential for hotel facility design.

In recent times, designers have focussed on environmental and health concepts, however now one prominent concept is exploding. According to Harvard University trained Biologist E. O Wilson, human beings have an innate and genetically determined affinity with the natural world.“Biophilia”, although sounding like a medical condition, is currently being widely promoted as important to our physical and mental wellbeing.

Studies have proved that if we are deprived form the ability to affiliate with nature, our physical and mental behaviour is affected. A well cited example is human exposure to natural daylight, our hormone balance which regulates our sleep is influenced by natural daylight which affects our mood and behaviour. Our industry has known that good indoor air quality is important for successful facilities. Environment control in temperature, humidity and quality contributes tangibly to a hotel guest experience. We now understand the hotel guest and staff visual experience can be impacted physically by design.

From C+TC Design Studio: Daylight, plenty of wood, and a vertical garden make this Westin Buffalo lounge a biophilic haven. Photo credit: https://www.terramai.com/blog/ biophilic-design-in-hospitality/

leverage biophilic design". Green walls have become a popular addition in new hotels in Australia. Recently the Capri Hotel and “W” Hotels in Brisbane have incorporated Green walls in their public spaces and this trend can be expected to increase.

Biophilia is “the missing link in sustainable design” according to Stephen Kellert Ph.D. of Yale University. Overseas studies have concluded that effective daylight use in buildings can save 31% of total lighting energy costs. It is reported that 90% of a business’s costs are connected to staff salaries and benefits.

Spending on design elements can reap a 3.13 year payback on direct expenditure in the provision of biophilic features according to a 2016 Chicago work environment study.

The 116 room Weston Buffalo Hotel completed in 2016 uses greenery, natural materials and daylight to help connect guests to nature. Lorraine Francis from international Design organisation Gensler states "the bottom line is that guests are spending more time (and money) in hospitality spaces that

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From Terrapin Bright Green: A lush canopy overhangs the Hudson Hotel lobby. Photo credit: https://www.terramai.com/blog/biophilic-design-in-hospitality/

ARTICLE REFERENCES https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/biophilia-practicebuildings-connect-people-nature https://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/dirpubs/2005/05_moncef02. pdf https://www.terramai.com/blog/biophilic-design-in-hospitality/ https://designbuildexpo.com.au/sustainability/biophilic-designbuilt-new-melbourne-metro-stations/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR CAPRI HOTEL, BRISBANE. Photo credit: http://www.iatemywaythrough.com/2015/12/ capri-by-fraser-brisbane/

Biophilic Design for infrastructure has been identified with 15 patterns in an Australian Creating Healthy Places study.

Completed in 2017 by Professor David Jones, Dr Roös and Josh Zeunert at Deakin’s School of Architecture & Built Environment, and Paul Downton of Ecopolis. The study identifies things like “a visual connection to nature, the presence of water, variability in airflow, dynamic light, and geometric patterns inspired by nature, and creating places of refuge or mystery”.

In 2019 an “outbreak” of Bio philia should not limited to green walls, however an integrated design and engineering approach can ensure the full benefits of Biophilic Design are realised.

Mark Thomson is an eco Architect with qualifications from the GBCA and Earthcheck organisations.

He has over 30 years experience in the Australian design development and construction industry. He has built and refurbished multiple hotel projects around Australia and was co-owner in a national hotel chain up until 2005.His current business is Eco Effective Solutions based in Brisbane. www.ecoeffective.com.au mark@ecoeffective.com.au

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55

THE INTERNET OF VALUE – blockchain and facilities management

ROGIER ROELVINK I ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, TURNER & TOWNSEND

B

lockchain is being touted as the next version of the internet, superseding ‘the internet of information’ with ‘the internet of value’. Individuals, start-up businesses, large organisations and financial institutions are now exploring smart contracts and blockchain. Blockchain is credited with the ability to solve global wealth distribution inequality, improving climate change and radically changing society and global economies. With such accolades, it is important that the facilities management (FM) industry starts to review how it can benefit from this technology too.

WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN? Blockchain is a list of records called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. Harvard Business Review describes it as “an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way”. For use as a distributed ledger, a blockchain is typically managed by a peer-to-peer network collectively adhering to a protocol for validating new blocks. Once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of all subsequent blocks, which requires collusion of the network majority (Wikipedia).

In simple terms, it is a secure chain of individual blocks that represent a permanent record of ‘if/when…then’ scenarios that cannot be altered. Although blockchain is currently associated with Bitcoin and financial transactions, many industries are looking at blockchain and the opportunities it offers. Blockchain promises increased transparency, improved certainty, cost and time savings as well as removing the institutional middleman who does not add value.

The illustration opposite might seem cumbersome in relation to the required verification, but this is not an additional activity, it is already part of existing business processes. Blockchain requires these currently separate silos of information to be shared, e.g. records of training institutions, government departments, security system, time sheet systems and

56

A simple illustration of blockchain in FM:

employment/HR systems. Blockchain shares the relevant data to verify records automatically.

Security concerns can also be easily overcome via blockchain, its cryptography and multiple copies of the same information that cannot be altered makes it secure. Blockchain can also be set up to only allow the sharing of information between trusted sources– private blockchain.

BLOCKCHAIN IS CHALLENGING BUSINESSES According to Don Tapscott (TEDTalk: How blockchain is changing money and business, 16 September 2016) it is not big data, social media, robotics or machine learning that will change our world, but blockchain is the technology that will do so. Technology advances will continue however, they are being developed based on the current internet of information underpinned by institutions using closed protocols. Blockchain is a distributed ledger on an open platform that does not exist as a central (institutional) database. It is a shared database that exists on thousands or even millions of computers/clouds. A ledger in the case of blockchain is a transaction of value which can be both a physical or digital asset and service.

FM comprises the provision of services to organisations, individuals and built environment assets. Some of the challenges FM has is transparency of an action, achieving and proving certainty of an outcome, maintaining records, providing evidence of actions and making informed decisions based on data from a trusted source. All of these challenges are being touted as fundamental benefits that blockchain can provide.

FM BLOCKCHAIN With the introduction of blockchain, process will become a commodity, quality will be the differentiator and knowledge the value. In an industry that is data rich, knowledge can sometimes be poor. Blockchain could be the disruptor the FM industry needs.

Consider the data silos currently in operation in FM; Building Management Systems, Computer Aided FM, Building Information Management, Security Management System, Contractor Management Systems, Space Booking and Utilisation systems etc. All of these systems operate independently, yet all aim to contribute to the same common goal of facilitating a fit for purpose built environment.

Intertwine service delivery by people and perhaps robotics and some might describe this as organised chaos. Everybody and everything only does what it knows without considering its associated partners or direct sphere of influence.

Blockchain allows professionals to link individual systems and operations to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness - two aspects inherent in the FM industry. The illustration highlights a basis non-descript maintenance activity.

• Accurately predicting when the next maintenance service will be required, based on continual monitoring of the asset and its operations as well as estimating using historic performance and ‘in use hours’ of the asset, verified by one or multiple systems. (Block #5) In the example, FM is usually applied to manage and administer manual processes that rely heavily on silo institutions for execution and verification. On reflection, a significant amount if not all of the FM processes are in effect – ‘if/when…then’ scenarios that could be controlled and administered through a blockchain to increase efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, certainty and ultimately achieve a fit for purpose built environment.

Blockchain development is still in its early stages and FM might not currently be a high priority area for development and innovation, however if blockchain was applied to FM it could be the next step change in service to benefit everyone.

BLOCKCHAIN IS FM’S FUTURE Blockchain is coming, therefore FM needs to accept it to drive development and progress in service provision, management, governance, contract administration and data and information management. Blockchain has the potential to deliver the significant benefits that FM seeks in striving for an efficient and effective operation in the built environment. Operational efficiency and effectiveness continues to be the primary focus for FM managers however, development and progress of existing systems and processes is often hindered by the institutional middle man. Blockchain is coming. FM needs to be ready for this disruptor.

ABOUT ROGIER ROELVINK Rogier has 17 years’ experience in strategic facilities management advisory working across Europe, the UK and Australia. Sector expertise includes government, health, education, manufacturing, infrastructure, utilities and corporate.

He has a wealth of experience in providing advice, conducting service reviews and authoring numerous service specifications.

Rogier is passionate about the strategic application of facilities management and is actively involved in a number of industry associations and working groups to advance this industry.

ABOUT TURNER & TOWNSEND

This illustration identifies a number of significant improvements that blockchain could bring to FM that are currently never spoken about including: • The ability to determine with a high level of accuracy when maintenance is actually required based on historical operational records, independently verified by hundreds or thousands of sources rather than relying on manufacturer instructions and manuals. (Block #3)

Turner & Townsend is an independent professional services company specialising in program management, project management, cost management and consulting across the property, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. With over 104 offices in 44 countries and over 4,700 employees, we draw on our extensive global and industry experience to manage risk while maximising value and performance during the construction and operation of our clients’ assets. www.turnerandtownsend.com.au

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5

HITEC HOUSTON 2018 –

& the latest technology trends in hotels TED HORNER

This year’s event was held in Houston with a record number of more than 6,650 attendees and 350 vendors plus 120 speakers covering a wide range of topics. I regard HITEC as the premier Hotel Technology conference/exhibition in the world, this being my 30th year in succession at this event.

S

o what did I glean here are some points and ideas I picked up along the way.

1. TECH PRODUCTS THAT ENHANCE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE

The phrases of "guest-centric," "guest experience," "guest satisfaction" are almost everywhere in the tradeshow. Using technologies to improve guest satisfaction is definitely one big theme I observed in HITEC Houston 2018.

Many exhibitors showcased how they can provide better customer service for hotels by integrating their tech products with the hotels' existing property management system (PMS). Machines can now perform the following tasks: • Accept and manage reservations • Answer most of the customer inquiries • Allow guests to check-in in a kiosk or with their mobile devices, select the available room for their stay, and issue a room key or activate the "keyless" option in their mobile app • Allow guests to control "smart" room devices with voice commands or on their mobile apps, including lightings, curtains, entertainments (TV, radio, and sounds), and the thermoset • Assist guests in navigating the hotel and the neighbourhood through voice commands or with a mobile device

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• Make reservations for a spa treatment and other services • Order room service • Make special requests, such as setting up wakeup calls, getting additional items from the housekeeping, etc.

• Review all charges during their stays • Check out with a click on their mobile devices or on the TV set in the hotel room without making a stop at the Front Desk At HITEC Amazon released a new video called Alexa for Hospitality. To get a better understanding of What Alexa in hospitality can do please check out this You Tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRFhcWgFD8g

Also worth a look is a new Artificial Intelligence product that Google has developed where a machine allows an assistant to make calls in a human voice. The You Tube video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6NHKmfnW0&featur e=youtu.be

2. TECH PRODUCTS THAT IMPROVE SERVICE OPERATIONS There are also many tech products at the exhibition that are designed to help hotels run smooth operations. On one hand, technologies can assist human resources in attracting/recruiting the right talents along with retention management. Billing the payments can also be handled by machines.

On the other hand, big data and block chain can help hotels gain better insights into what the customers want. Many companies at the exhibition want to provide business solutions for hotels to connect the dots or various footprints that a consumer left in the hotel, allowing operators to see the "whole journey" of their customers.

I saw products that can predict consumer behaviours using big data analytics. The ultimate goal of this type of services is to encourage customers to spend more in the hotel (mainly through cross-selling and up-selling), helping the business maximize the revenues.

Other tech products that got my attention include "smart" linens that use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to help hotels automatically manage inventory as well as facility management system that allow managers to keep track of the utilisation, lighting, and air conditioning of the space available inside a building (hotel).

3. TECH PRODUCTS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY Many hospitality businesses have already adopted green practices and pay close attention to sustainability. It is hence not surprising to find companies in HITEC Houston 2018 that provide solutions to hotels, helping them save consumptions on energy, water, and other resources (e.g., paperwork).

4. TECH PRODUCTS THAT PROTECT CYBERSECURITY Hotels are managing a tremendous amount of personal information about customers and often become the target of hackers or victims of cybercrimes. As a result, cybersecurity remains to be a critical issue and should remain on top of a hospitality business' top agenda. We must do our best to protect the customers who trust us and do business with us.

WHAT WAS MISSING FROM HITEC HOUSTON 2018?

Sadly there were no vendors demonstrating the use of Robots in the hospitality industry. However there is one such company coming to the marketplace in 2019 called Maidbot with a robotic vacuum cleaner called Rosie, see this video at https://drive.google.com/file/ d/0B6gs9whDfmTvdVlXa2kzbkRTZ00/view Meanwhile, I was expecting to see some companies using facial recognition technology in analysing consumers' reactions towards the services they received.

However in the last week this announcement appeared:

Check-in with a smile: Marriott, Alibaba trial facial recognition at China hotels.

The chain will work in a joint venture with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group to test facial recognition check-ins at two China hotels this month, the firms said on Wednesday, with ambitions for a global rollout later.

China is spearheading the use of facial recognition for everything from helping control major live events to ordering fast-food, but also bolstering a growing domestic surveillance system that has raised fears among human rights activists of privacy being invaded.

The joint venture said the new technology would help guests jump queues and cut the check-in process to less than a minute, compared to at least three minutes at a normal counter.

Chinese guests will need to scan their IDs, take a photo and input contact details on an automated machine, the firms said. The device will then dispense room key cards after verifying identities and booking information.

The pilot will roll out at two Marriott hotels in Hangzhou and Sanya on the tropical island province of Hainan.

SUMMARY There are exciting times ahead happening with technology in hotels with voice activation, robots and facial recognition systems amongst 3 areas that are going to revolutionise the guest experience. Not all guests are going to like this new technology as it may lead to de-personalising the experience, but more and more millennials want to embrace this technology, thus hotels must be seen to be offering this technology to guests who have grown up in the digital age. ted@hornertech.com.au

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How hotels can enhance the guest experience with

BEACON TECHNOLOGY

BRENDON GRANGER I DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY4HOTELS

Understanding and anticipating individual guest needs lies at the heart of offering a superior hotel experience. To offer evermore tailored and personalised levels of service, it’s now possible to access an unprecedented amount of customer data via sources such as mobile check-ins, online bookings, loyalty programs and past spending habits.

A

longside this array of information, a growing number of hotels are investing in beacon technology to gain insights into personal preferences and market more effectively to guests as they move around the property.

So how does beacon technology work, and what specific ways can it be deployed for maximum benefit?

HOW DOES BEACON TECHNOLOGY WORK? Used in combination with a hotel app, strategically placed beacons allow a guest’s movements to be tracked during their stay. As they come within range of a specific beacon, they receive a push notification that commonly includes useful information or an exclusive deal relevant to their location.

Back in 2014, Marriott International installed beacons at a select number of properties as part of its LocalPerks pushmessaging program — which has since been rolled out to 500 hotels. When guests’ download the relevant Marriott app, they need to activate the Location Services and Bluetooth on their smartphone.

Once opted-in, Marriott can then push basic details about hotel amenities along with special location-based offers.

This all obviously requires that individuals are happy to give up a certain level of privacy and personal information, which means hotels must clearly explain how being tracked during their stay can enhance their whole experience.

With that in mind, here are just some of the ways beacons can be deployed to deliver a host of diverse benefits.

1. Streamlined Check-in Rather than queuing at the front desk, beacons allow guests quick and easy access to their rooms. As they walk into the hotel lobby, a beacon can send a push notification that automatically

brings up the reservation, enabling them to digitally check in without delay. Not only does this speed up things for customers, it reduces the time staff need to spend dealing with lengthy queues. Going further, a welcome message on arrival could offer a discount off a room upgrade or a meal at the hotel restaurant for that evening.

2. Understanding Guest Behaviour By tracking where guests spend their time around the property, beacon technology is able to deliver a wealth of insightful data.

For instance, a person might split the majority of their time between the spa, pool and fitness centre. This would imply that they value health, well-being and relaxation. Using this kind of broad data, future marketing could be personalised to include the type of deals that would be most likely to appeal. In this case, a 20% discount off a luxury spa treatment or a free VIP fitness session could act as a tempting booking incentive.

3. Enhanced In-room Services When a beacon detects a guest has entered their room, it can also act as a trigger to automatically turn on in-room features such as the lights and air conditioning. If it then detected a guest is in their room later in the evening, a message might be sent to their smartphone to remind them about the in-room dining options. Using the hotel app, a person could then browse the menu, pick a favourite dish and place their order — all without having to move from the comfort of their bed.

4. Tailored Offers and Promotions By knowing a guest’s location, relevant and timely offers can be sent that take advantage of likely buying intent and heightened states of receptiveness. Needless to say, this is a far more effective approach than sending generic offers in the hope of piquing a person’s interest. For instance, a 2-for -1 meal deal could be sent to a guest’s phone as they approach the menu board at the hotel restaurant. Specific preferences (accessed via

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loyalty membership data or previous hotel app interactions) can then be used to help personalise these deals by recommending dishes or drinks that someone is most likely to be tempted by.

5. Promote Special Events and Tours An increasing number of travellers head on holiday intent on exploring the destination and local neighbourhood. So when guests arrive at your property, you could send them a push notification with a helpful notice such as, “Ask about our local sightseeing trips and exclusive guided tours.” By positioning beacons around public notice boards in your lobby or social spaces, this same approach can be used to promote any special events your hotel might be hosting with exclusive discounts for early sign-ups.

6. Helping Guests To Navigate From a practical perspective, beacons can be incredibly useful to help with navigation around a hotel — especially for larger properties. Instead of having to ask staff for directions, mobile users can simply use their installed hotel app to navigate to their room and other geo-fenced areas such as the spa, restaurant, pool or fitness centre. In addition, beacons can be utilised to create interactive tours, highlighting noteworthy attractions or points of interest to guests as they stroll around the resort.

Making the Most of Beacon Technology If you’re considering installing beacon technology at your property, look at the areas guests are most likely to require information on/or make a purchasing decision. When you understand when and where they’re most receptive, you can provide valuable assistance and push relevant marketing messages that influence decision-making.

Ultimately, beacon technology has the potential to enhance the entire hotel experience. By gaining unique customer insights, you can personalise your service to meet guest preferences and needs in real-time. In turn, this can help maximise upsell opportunities and increase the average spend of each guest during their stay with you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR With a great passion for all things hotels, but in particular technology and a desire to help others his role as director at Technology4Hotels allows him to do both.

Brendon has worked with hundreds of hotels to help them with their in-room technology. In the last few years he has helped them to increase guest satisfaction, strengthen guest loyalty and encourage repeat bookings as well as win awards such as the best business hotel, best city hotel, best upscale hotel and best luxury hotel in Australasia.

Always going the extra mile, Brendon began his hospitality career over twenty five years ago working in 5 star hotels whilst completing his Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management. He has held various management positions within 5 star hotels, worked as a consultant in both hotel feasibility and technology and has an extensive background in hotel technology.

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The central role voice AI will play in everyone's future BRENDON GRANGER I DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY4HOTELS

The idea of putting voice-controlled assistants into hotel rooms is gathering momentum. Both Marriott and Wynn Resorts have been running trials with Amazon Echo, while Best Western Hotels & Resorts have recently tested the merits of the Amazon Dot.

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oday, a growing number of brands believe that AI assistants have the power to enhance the whole guest experience. Being able to control in-room devices, request room service, and receive tailored recommendations through a simple voice command is seen as an obvious perk that many will love. Hotels only stand to profit.

While some embrace the potential, a lot of hoteliers believe that voice AI is just a fad. There’s also a concern that if machine intelligence starts reducing the need for human interaction, something vital in the hotel-guest relationship will be lost.

But the sentiment isn’t shared by all.

Rather than eroding relationships, automation has the potential to strengthen them. As voice assistants become integrated into everyday life, it’s also fair to assume that their place in hotel

The following article argues this fear is misplaced.

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rooms will become highly desired, even expected, by nextgeneration travellers.

them more time to welcome guests at check in, or spend longer on the phone dealing with booking requests.

MASS GLOBAL ADOPTION IS COMING

Both situations represent golden opportunities to really learn about a guest’s preferences and needs, helping to personalise their experience in a way that limited time doesn’t always allow.

There’s simply no denying the fact that voice assistants are going to play a central role in all of our futures.

The race towards AI is intensifying amongst the likes of Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Apple as they battle it out to globalise their own platforms. While in China, search engine giant Baidu has developed DuerOS – a voice assistant platform that the company plans to make the most widely used voice assistant on the planet.

This intense level of competition continues to drive innovation and speed up adoption. In fact, AI voice assistants quickly look set to change from being seen as fun and frivolous to must-have and mainstream.

According to a forecast by market research group Ovum, there’ll be 7.5 billion active digital assistants by 2021 – leaping up from 3.6 billion in 2016. That’s a staggering level of growth.

Along with huge global uptake, we can expect to see greater user engagement as voice assistants shift to new platforms such as wearables, cars, smart home devices and TV sets.

In particular, Ovum expects that TV devices (i.e. smart TVs, set-top boxes, and media streamers) will account for 57% of the installed base by 2021.

Based on these projections, it’s clear that AI will increasingly become integrated in our homes, helping to coordinate day-today life. Soon enough, the idea of ‘asking’ the TV to order our shopping, remind us about our social plans, or book a table at our favourite restaurant will become second nature.

Relied on in the home, it’s easy to see how guests may come to seek and eventually expect that hotel rooms feature the same technology - just as they now expect to find them equipped with home comforts such as Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs.

WILL VOICE ASSISTANTS REALLY ENHANCE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE? Talking to a device instead of a human might allow hotels to streamline communication and speed up service, but at what cost? Some fear greater dependence on technology will mean less personal interaction with hotel staff, leading to a generally less human experience.

It’s a valid concern. Providing personal, face-to-face contact is imperative, and nothing should detract from the focus on building rapport and relationships with guests.

But it’s important to say that AI shouldn’t lead as a customer service tool. Nor should it replace human interaction. Its true potential actually lies in freeing up hotel staff to dedicate more time with guests at critical moments.

For instance, by dealing with simple queries and service requests, automation can relieve a busy front desk and allow

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Will all guests want to make use of an in-room voice assistant?

Almost certainly not. And that's okay. Not everybody takes advantage of mobile check-in at the airport. Some aren’t comfortable booking their hotel room online. Mass adoption isn’t required for a service to be rolled out and considered good business sense.

In the end, it all comes down to choice and providing alternate options to cater to all. As such, voice-controlled assistants should be seen as one way, not the only way, that guests can communicate during their stay.

A FUTURE OF VOICE AI IN HOTELS With the prediction that there will be more voice assistants on the planet than people by 2021, their ubiquity in our very near future looks assured.

In the home, we’ll become habituated into talking with AI to help us make decisions, order services, coordinate our calendar, and organize our daily plans. As familiarity and dependency grows, it’s almost certain that hotels will begin introducing the technology to provide similar benefits to guests.

Just as mobile check-in, messaging platforms and chatbots once seemed novelties, it’s inevitable that digital assistants will also become widely accepted, and expected, as they take a central role in all of our AI-driven futures.

Based on the feedback from trials of Amazon’s Alexia. The feeling is that to be truly successful in a hotel environment the Voice AI device should be designed with hotels in mind. In a home environment your Alexa or Google Home gradually trains you on how to ask questions to get responses. In a hotel environment where the average length of stay is approximately 1.8 nights the Voice AI needs to be far more accommodating (pun intended!) in the way that it allows for questions to be asked.

Let’s look at a simple example. Let’s say a guest would like an additional face washer which is what Australian’s call the small piece of cloth that you use for washing yourself, especially your face. However other countries call it such things as a facecloth, face flannel, flannel or washcloth as it’s called in America. Ideally a hotel Voice AI should be able to understand the different ways in which a guest may ask for face washer or worst case, be easily programmed to understand all of these different ways.

Also in a hotel environment it’s imperative that the Voice AI device interface with systems such as the Point of Sale (POS) system to allow the automated processing of Room Service orders and the Guest Response system to handle requests for additional towels etc. from guests.

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Fire safety compliance for hotel and resort managers MATT SULLEY I NATIONAL MANAGER, WORMALD

A fire can be catastrophic in a hotel and resort environment. The sheer size of a hotel property, with multiple rooms and a diverse range of facilities, can also make fire protection extremely challenging for those who manage hotels and resorts. However, the benefits of being prepared for a fire incident cannot be underestimated.

F

or instance, in April 2018, when fire broke out at an exclusive resort in south east Queensland, all staff and guests were safely evacuated largely due to the property’s diligent fire safety procedures. However eleven years earlier when fire raged through a 17-storey luxury hotel at a beach resort in Thailand, there were tragic consequences which were largely due the lack of fire safety systems including fire alarms, sprinkler systems and emergency exits.

Hotels and resorts must consider the safety of hundreds, if not thousands, of guests and staff across multiple floors, rooms, restaurants, retail outlets, entertainment and leisure precincts. Fire safety doesn’t start when a fire is detected, it requires ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and a commitment to testing fire protection systems. While fires present a serious threat to people’s lives, they can also bear a heavy cost to the business if property, equipment and critical data is damaged or permanently destroyed.

While fire protection considerations and responsibilities can be overwhelming for hotel and resort managers, having the right processes in place, including scheduling regular tests, services and maintenance, can help alleviate the stress of meeting and maintaining their obligations.

While it may not be entirely possible to prevent a fire, every effort should be made to protect occupants and minimise damage to property should a fire occur. In the event of a fire,

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every second counts, and the earlier the fire is detected, the faster occupants can evacuate to safety.

FIRE TESTING AND COMPLIANCE Fire safety compliance and the testing of systems and equipment is one of the biggest issues currently facing hotel and resort managers. While there is a legal requirement for buildings to have a working fire system in line with Australian Standards and legislation, the difficulty facing many managers and owners of hotels and resorts is how to keep on top of their ongoing compliance responsibilities.

The testing of fire systems and equipment must pass within specific tolerances with the results recorded in a dedicated logbook. In theory this sounds straight forward, however the testing process can be challenging due to the industry’s residual reliance on paper-based record keeping. This manual process can be particularly difficult for those who are managing large complexes and require complete visibility over their site’s testing records.

To help address the growing challenge, Wormald has introduced new online technology that gives hotel and resort managers unprecedented real-time visibility across their preventative fire safety maintenance and services records, including instant updates on the property’s annual fire testing status. This is a major step forward in an industry that is highly regulated.

As managers and owners continue to grapple with increasing responsibilities and sub-contractors to maintain modern hotel and resort sites, intuitive real-time visibility can provide invaluable peace of mind and instil a level of trust that vital emergency system testing is being completed.

DEFINING SOLUTIONS FOR DIFFERENT FIRE CLASSES Hazards will vary depending on the type of facilities offered by the hotel or resort but can include electrical equipment, kitchen or heating appliances, flammable liquids and combustible waste material. Identifying potential hazards will inform your fire safety plan.

Fire safety systems and equipment are primarily for the protection of people and property. When reviewing the complex’s risk profile there are three key types of facilities that require different classification considerations.

• Multi-storey high-rise complexes: the primary fire safety objective is to look after the building occupants and ensure they can evacuate quickly and safely.

• Restaurants, commercial kitchens and hospitality areas: these high-risk facilities may contain intense cooking heat, flammable oils and built-up grease lining ductworks that can allow a fire to spread quickly. These sites require specialist fire suppression systems.

• Laundry and storage areas: rooms with stored goods that are highly flammable can cause large fires due to the large volume of items that in some instances can be highly stacked. These areas will require fire safety solutions to address different materials and chemicals.

Other fire safety considerations include:

INSTALLING ADEQUATE FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Fire protection equipment can include basic fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, passive fire solutions or more advanced fire detection and suppression systems.

Most hotels will have fire hose reels installed. These provide an accessible and controlled supply of water to help combat a potential Class A fire risk, such as a fire started by burning wood or paper. Additionally, fire sprinkler, water spray, mist or deluge solutions will be tailored to suit the requirements of the specific building to automatically detect and suppress a fire and transmit an alarm to alert the building’s occupants and the fire brigade.

Several fire doors will also be in place, which can help to contain fire and stop flames spreading throughout the complex. It’s therefore essential that building occupants understand the importance of keeping fire doors closed at all times. Many buildings will also have a range of fire extinguishers such as powder, carbon dioxide, water, foam and wet chemical to work on different types or classes of fire.

SERVICING AND MAINTAINING EQUIPMENT Complete reliability is essential when it comes to fire protection systems and equipment. As with any safety equipment, regular inspections will ensure it functions effectively if and when needed, and meets compliance with relevant legislation and applicable Australian Standards.

HAVING AN EVACUATION PLAN It is absolutely vital for hotel and resort managers to have fire safety and evacuation processes firmly in place and are visible in all rooms within the complex. Evacuation plans and routes

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must be shared with occupants and exit signage clearly marked.

With accommodation occupancies likely to grow or change on a regular basis, having a system in place for accounting for guests and staff is also essential.

If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an existing fire safety and evacuation process, or it needs to be updated, start by conducting a thorough assessment of the complex including its contents, occupancy, operation and fire hazards as a first step to determine the most appropriate process.

STAFF TRAINING Everyone working within the hotel or resort facility should know how to respond during a fire emergency and how to use the fire equipment onsite. Responding appropriately in the event of a fire can substantially reduce the impact of a crisis and a team that is able to respond calmly and appropriately is an invaluable investment.

FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS Australian legislation and standards relating to fire safety do change regularly and also vary across the Australian states and territories. If you are in NSW for example, the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulations (2000) demand that each year an annual fire safety statement (AFSS) is prepared by a buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner or their authorised representative, then submitted to the respective local governing authority.

Nationally, smoke alarms must be compliant to Australian

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Standard, AS 3786-1993 Smoke Alarms. Visit Standards Australia for the latest information. More details regarding the Australian Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire safety legislation for hotels and resorts can also be found here.

Fire protection specialists can provide professional advice, helping to take the stress out of maintaining fire protection systems and provide peace of mind for management. Wormald is a leading provider of fire protection solutions in Australia and has been helping to protect people and property for more than 125 years. For more details visit www.wormald.com.au or call 133 166.

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What hotel key cards can tell us about

HOTEL CLEANING MARC FERGUSON I KAIVAC

It’s no secret that people do get sick in hotels, just about anywhere around the world. Sometimes it is related to how effectively - or not effectively - the hotel has been cleaned. Microbial contamination can develop on all kinds of surfaces, some of which are rarely if ever cleaned, and as this happens, cross-contamination can develop, causing illness.

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s we know, cross-contamination occurs when someone touches a contaminated surface, for instance, a soiled door knob or railing, and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, or eats something with contaminated hands.

Not only can people get sick when this happens, but disease outbreaks, in general, can have a severe financial impact on the entire hotel industry.

The most notable example was the SARS epidemic about 15 years ago. It resulted in one of the most significant drops in hotel stock prices in history - 29 percent in just one month after the outbreak was first reported. Further, the World Health Organization estimates that SARS costs the hotel/hospitality industry more than $10 billion the year after the outbreak.

It is because of this that hotel owners, managers, and housekeepers must remain diligent, looking for innovative ways to improve cleaning effectiveness as well as making sure all surfaces in a hotel property are kept clean and sanitized, and that starts with, of all things, the guest room keys.

In September 2017, the Journal of Environmental Health, published a study entitled, “Hotel Key Cards: How Clean Is the First Thing Guests Touch on Their Way to Their Rooms?” The researchers wanted to know if key cards given to hotel guests are contaminated; if new cards are cleaner than older cards and if so, does this mean hotel properties should recycle cards

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frequently. Further, they wanted to know if old cards can be cleaned effectively to make them contamination free.

Now at this point, you might be asking, aren’t all guests automatically given new room keys as soon as they check in? The answer is yes and no. In most of the advanced world, systems are in place that generates a new key card for each new guest, but this is not true everywhere.

Further, even if guests received new cards at check-in, it may be possible those cards become contaminated over time. After all, the cards may find their way into seawater, get tossed into sand or end up on the street, soaked in a swimming pool, end up in soiled pockets, wallets, or smartphone cases, or land on public restroom floors, etc.

And we should note one more thing the researchers were eager to look into. They wanted to end a practice they believed is common in the hotel industry. That practice is evaluating cleanliness based on appearance. In other words, if it looks clean, it is clean. The researchers questioned this concept and sought to prove it wrong.

CONDUCTING THE TEST To conduct their tests, the researcher collected 149 hotel key cards, some brand new and others that had already been used,

from 25 North American hotels. They decided to divide the hotels into two categories: • Economy hotels that charged less than $80 (US) per night • Higher end hotels that charged $90 to $150 (US) per night.

There were no “luxury” hotels in the mix. If there were demonstrable differences in these two categories, future tests would be expanded to test hotel key card from very high- and very low-end hotel properties. Further, it was noted that as to appearance, the cards all looked clean.

Then the researchers used ATP rapid monitoring systems, such as those marketed by Kaivac and sold in Australia and other parts of the world.* Both sides of the 149 cards were swabbed in two directions. To ensure the readings were accurate, researchers put on new pairs of rubber gloves before handling each of the 149 cards.

The way these ATP rapid monitoring systems work is that a reading of 10 or less indicates a very clean surface; 11-30 suggests that the card's surface is not clean and could contain contaminants that may cause disease; 30 and above indicated the cards are soiled, contaminated, and could spread disease.

Here were the results: • The used hotel key cards had an average reading of 175.03. A very high reading, which means they were “clearly dirty” and “very likely contaminated,” according to the researchers.

• The new, unused key cards, had an average reading of 35, suggesting that even without use, they were already potentially contaminated.

• When it comes to the different hotel categories, there was no difference between the key cards from the economy or higherend hotel properties; they all had high ATP readings.

All the cards were then cleaned but using three different cleaning methods. Those methods included cleaning with disinfecting wipes, placing the cards into a bucket of sanitizing solution and then wiping dry; and putting them into a dishwashing machine.

While the ATP readings improved with all three cleaning methods, something happened that was not anticipated.

“Unfortunately, all three cleaning methods resulted in a malfunction of the hotel keycards. This result indicates that a proper cleaning method for hotel key cards still needs to be developed,” according to the report.

THE TAKEAWAY While this may seem to be just an interesting study to some readers, there is a lot to learn here.

For instance, the researchers were able to dispel what they believed is a commonly held belief in the hotel industry that “looks clean is clean.” The cards all looked clean based on visual inspection, however this was not the case. Even the new, unused key cards were potentially contaminated based on the

ATP readings and the used cards, which showed no indication of soiling, were likely very contaminated.

Second, hotel administrators must realize that just about any surfaces in a hotel property, from key cards and TV remotes to ATM screens and controls on thermostats may be contaminated. Unlike an office or school that building users “visit” during the day, hotel guests “live” in hotels and their guest rooms. This raises the possibility that they will come in contact with a contaminated surface.

We also mentioned that hotel administrators and housekeepers must remain diligent, always looking for new and more effective ways to clean surfaces. This is why mops and rags have been “eight-sixed” in many hotel properties around the world. They have been replaced with: • Flat surface cleaning systems for cleaning ledges, counters, and tables • Spray-and-vac cleaning systems for cleaning restrooms, walls, and a variety of surfaces • “Smart towels” that can be folded into multiple quadrants, allowing the user to use a fresh surface when needed/as needed.

Finally, we are not suggesting that staff and hotel visitors wear gloves when using guest room keys. What we are suggesting is that it is our job as cleaning professionals to keep hotel properties as clean as possible. Always keep looking “outside the box” to see if there are new steps that can be taken.

Marc Ferguson is the International Business Development Manager for Kaivac, developers of the No-Touch Cleaning® system and the OmniFlex™ Crossover Cleaning system. He can be reached via his company website, www.kaivac-emea.com, email office@kaivac-emea.com, info@kaivac.com or by calling +43 6216 4524 15. *ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate. ATP is a universal energy molecule found in all animal, plant, bacteria, yeast, and mold cells. If found on a surface, it serves as a “warning sign” that surface may be contaminated. However, it cannot detect precisely which contaminants may be present.

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Fast facts.

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There are neither filters to replace nor consumables – no servicing and requiring only an occasional clean. Install it and let it do the work. Ceiling or wall mounted. 220v -240v.

3 year 24/7 warranty - continuous running.

As used in UK and European hospitals, and now fast being adopted in stainless steel versions with resin fan motor for the food manufacturing industry as well.

Unique cold plasma technology to create Hydroxyl Clusters which naturally kill all airborne pathogens.

These groups also react with odour causing chemicals such as ammonia and methane gas to produce neutral compounds such as Co2, Nitrogen and Water. The harmless way to create a safer and cleaner environment.

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Hydroxyls are the single most important cleansing agent in our environment. * 33% more effective at oxidizing pollutants than ozone. * 2.5 times more germicidal and fungicidal than liquid chlorine * Perfectly safe to breathe and use in occupied spaces In a room of 28m2 at 27ºC the Baxx reduced bacteria levels by 99.9% within 90 minutes, and viral traces were reduced by 88.96%. Ammonia levels reduced from 100% saturation down to zero in 30 minutes - without Baxx intervention the levels are 48%. Decomposition and ethylene gases are also effectively reduced/eliminated by Hydroxyls produced by Baxx.

TESTS INDICATE EFFECTIVE ELIMINATION OF THE FOLLOWING ESCHERICHIA COLI (E COLI) STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES PSEUDOMONAS and ASPERGILLUS NIGER CAMPYLOBACTER BACILLUS SUBTILIS SPORE SALMONELLA SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE MRSA, C.DIFF(SPORE FORM) AND NOROVIRUS

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Living and working in odour & pathogen clean air as nature intended Nature has its own method of cleaning air of odours, bacteria and virus besides simple dispersion.

They are known as Hydroxyls or Hydroxyl Clusters and are found mostly at average mountain top heights especially on sunny days.

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zone is also nature’s odour and pathogen killer, but is also poisonous to all forms of life at the concentrations required to be effective, whilst Hydroxyls are not.

Nature has seen it fit to make our bodies immune to hydroxyls whilst leaving them extremely effective in killing single celled organisms such as bacteria, virus, mould and fungus spores.

Hydroxyls can be easily reproduced by today’s technology from compact devices and is employed already in Hospitals, Food Manufacturing, Nursing Homes, Office blocks and a wide range of other applications to improve air quality and rid the air of airborne pathogens such as respiratory diseases and other bacteria that may contaminate and spread in food products or by surface contact with humans etc.

Hydroxyls are also effective against a range of odours. They will eliminate ammonia based odours in roughly half the time it takes by natural dispersion.

Hydroxyls are effective against Ethylene gas as well which is the gas given off by fruit and vegetables to promote ripening – bananas can be retarded from browning up to an extra four days by being stored in an area being controlled by a hydroxyl generator.

Waste and decomposition gases can also be reduced by the presence of hydroxyls, and testing is currently underway for controlling obnoxious odours for Veterinarians and Pet accommodations – particularly Catteries.

Hydroxyls have proven results in deodorising smoking smells.

Of course, many odours are bacteria based as well – remove the bacteria & remove the odour.

Hydroxyls have been known about and researched for some 100 years since Louis Pasteur first discovered them whilst researching why people living at high altitudes in sunny conditions were generally healthier than people living at sea level.

Since then such organisations as the British Army have researched Hydroxyls as a method of combating germ warfare in the late 60’s and all papers and studies have confirmed the benefits of using

Hydroxyls, but not been able to reproduce them by compact means.

It’s only in the last decade that technology has caught up with science and it’s been made possible to produce hydroxyls from a compact generator.

What is a hydroxyl? It’s a water molecule (H²O) missing one of its Hydrogen atoms and because it’s in an unbalanced state, it seeks to replace its missing Hydrogen atom.

These hydroxyl (OH-) molecules are attracted to single celled organisms in the air and on surfaces, attach to them and forcibly rip a Hydrogen atom from the cell wall.

They are now H²O again – harmless water molecules.

In the meantime, the cell wall of the organism has been ruptured and like a popped balloon, it dies.

This is a very simple mechanical action. Bacteria & virus cannot become immune to it. Further, the Hydroxyl is indiscriminate on what Bacteria & Virus it chooses and thus they work on every and all strains.

Several companies have hydroxyl generators on the market using different methods – but only the Baxx is completely maintenance and consumable free – www.baxx.com.au.

By far the most successful method, invented by Baxx, passes air through a small cold plasma field to produce hydroxyls which then are distributed throughout the space by a strong fan. They do not require any maintenance or consumables other than electricity, and so they can be mounted high on a wall or from a ceiling to achieve maximum coverage across the space concerned. Some competitors must ground based units to allow filling and servicing, and thus do not achieve maximum coverage in the airspace above them.

Baxx uses the natural water molecules in the air all around us and do not require topping up or chemicals or any other medium to perform their function in generating Hydroxyls, nor require any regular maintenance as do all competing brands.

For more information visit www.baxx.com.au

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BACK OF HOUSE

October 2018

W

76

NEIL WEENINK

ell anyway, there were perks too with the position of Junior Engineer on the good ship Port Quebec which I had joined fresh out of ‘serving his time’ in 1954.

And for me the big perk was being off-duty in port for 12 hours.

Especially if it’s New York you happen to be off-duty in; you did see old Frankie in that film when he sings ‘New York, New York what a wonderful town – where the buildings go up and the people go down’ and there I was never having seen a subway or an elevator or a skyscraper. The joys of youth!!

But what I really want to tell you about, the essence if you will of this note, is my coming face to face with three of the hugely great buildings of the last century. The Chrysler Building, the Empire State, and the Waldorf Astoria. Needless to remark that the lad from Novo Zealandia was truly and utterly blown away.

I did so much in that 12 hours that today I shudder to recall.

I saw my first Television set [the lady watching me watching through the window called ‘Come on in Honey and rest up.’

Honey! I was entranced. And the Dictaphone you talked into, and for 35 cents you got a Bakelite disc and envelope. This unfortunately I recorded at the end of the day and addressed to my Mother in New Zealand – a land at that time, about as far removed from Staten Island, as it is possible to be.

Consequently, maternal relationships for some time following this incident were pretty grim.

• T he Chrysler Building at 319 m remains the world’s tallest steel supported brick building.

The three were built in the 1930’s and today remain icons of architecture and construction.

• T he Waldorf Astoria then owned by Conrad Hotels & Resorts was the first hotel in the world to offer room service.

• A nd the Empire State, built during the Great Depression in the 30’s, is now going through another renovation.

Bloody marvellous Mavis if you don’t mind my French. I mean to say all this, and me totally agog with the sheer magnificence of it all. The imagination, the hesitancy with

never-afore-tried design, the shear to-hell-with-it-let’s-giveit-a-go from human kind. Like the Titanic and those blokes in the drawing office. I had a few short years too before the lads in Silicone Valley changed all that. My time was with slide rules and Logs. And so to science and actuality ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ Newton perhaps?

My time as a Junior Marine Engineer ended with my induction into low speed Allen DC generators. There was no air conditioning, just cardboard Budweiser beer-can boxes craftily formed into scoops and fitted into cabin portholes to catch the air as the old ship travelled forward at her stately 10 knots or so.

The really amazing thing here, was that the height of these buildings and hence the absolute awesomeness of design at that period, would never have been feasible without the dream of Otis, whom you will recall, built the first passengercarrying elevator. Incredible achievement using iron pawls to engage with racks in the event of cable breakages [etc & etc].

And this was enabled by the evolution of steel wire rope, which an immigrant fellow to New York put together for the Brooklyn Bridge. And so on. Big fleas have smaller fleas upon their backs to ride ‘em, and these fleas have smaller fleas and so ad-infinitum!

But New York! Oh my. Here was the Rockefeller Building and the gorgeous high stepping Rockettes a precision dance company performing out of the Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York City. During the Christmas season, the Rockettes had performed five shows a day, seven days a week, for 77 years. Perhaps their best-known routine is an eye-high leg kicks in perfect unison in a chorus line, which they include at the end of every performance. Which also I made the grave mistake of describing to my Mother on the Bakelite disc. Those of you being only sons will verily understand the truth of this perilous error.

At that time of my life and career, I knew so little about heating and cooling, or about the mechanical systems to bring these objectives to effect. I recall gazing up at the enormous sky-scrapers [the new in-word at the time] and wondering about these matters, little knowing that the brilliant Willis Carrier had developed a system to induce huge volumes of warm humid air and reject same at comfortable levels of temperature and humidity. The turbine/compressor no less. Another long and fascinating story.

And I can tell you in absolute sincerity, that if I had that opportunity just one more time, as surely as God makes little apples, I would do it all again!

Good luck and stay well.

Neil Weenink

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

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) A ssociate 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:

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

QUALIFICATIONS/EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Home Email 

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FEES: Membership/Associate Membership:

New Member AUD$130

Yearly Renewal AUD$100

Student Membership:

New Member AUD$90

Yearly Renewal AUD$60

Corporate Fees: New Member AUD$550

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:

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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:

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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:

seats for your senses www.pressalit.com

THIS COULD CATCH ON IN YOUR HOTEL

In a busy world where time is precious, let your guests dream, use their imagination and bring out the adventurer inside. t: 0415 425 461, au@pressalit.com

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The Rapid Takeover of Mobile Apps and its Benefits It’s a revolutionary time for the technology of mobile phones and applications. Affecting daily experiences on a global scale – changing the ways in which we learn, our methods of communication, keeping in touch with news or even the way we simply pass time whilst waiting for friends. Inevitably, these changes have also transformed enterprise processes, and the workforce dynamic.

Coming this summer in 2018, this mobile app ecosystem continues to grow - a market driven by the billions of smartphone owners and companies distributing their new apps.

According to the global market data, the total number of mobile app downloads in 2018 alone, was over 205 billion. With a forecast of 2022 increasing up to 258 billion annual downloads.

So in what way are enterprise mobile apps contributing towards these numbers?

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In late 2017, Gartner reported that 75% of global enterprises had virtualized mobile applications. The resulting benefits from these integrations are reflected within a Mobility Survey of 332 executives from different industries. CITO Research found that enterprise mobility improved process efficiency by 30%, with employee productivity increasing by 23%. It seems to appear that the big promise when bringing mobility to your organization is productivity.

Surely wouldn’t all businesses hop on board then? CITO looked into determining the top mobility challenges these participating executives faced – including keeping track of the returns of investment, a lack of budget and the initial quality of the apps integrated.

Investigating issues faced by businesses such as these provides an insight towards what the enterprise app industry seems to be lacking.

Affordability, statistical tracking and quality investigation into creating a custom app for the intended business needs.

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CONTACT US T 1300 553 225 E ask@apptegral.com www.apptegral.com.au

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South Pacific Laundry (SPL) has been a provider of commercial laundry and linen services to the hospitality industry in Melbourne for the last 20 years.

Currently, the South Pacific Group is establishing a strong network of modern laundries across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia with plans for several more facilities up the East Coast of Australia.

The relocation of our Sydney operations to a new larger facility in Bankstown together with the relocation of our Brunswick plant to Broadmeadows will establish South Pacific Laundry as the single largest privately owned laundry in Australia and in the Southern Hemisphere.

Contact Robert Teoh National PR & Marketing P: (03) 9388 5300 M: 0421 716 888 Coverage Australia wide

Pricing Information Contact supplier direct Delivery Free daily delivery within 25km city metropolitan areas Minimum Order Contact supplier direct

SPL provides: • A 365 day service to all its clientele with a 24 hour turnaround (depending on location).

• A leading edge technology in RFID to assist housekeeping and managerial staff in time reduction and efficiency.

• Dedicated account managers and experienced support staff who are available 7 days a week.

• A dedicated software design package and centralised billing system enables seamless transactions, paperless and customised reports.

• Delivery rationalisation systems, providing and streamlining efficient delivery routes which will reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

• Building of partnerships and sharing benefits with the customers from savings made through its constant laundry process innovations and group purchasing power of linen products.

• Dry cleaning and uniform cleaning services.

• Provision and supplying of corporate uniforms/work wears and customised hotel room amenities.

Full Contact Information South Pacific Laundry 9-23 King William St Broadmeadows VIC 3047 P: (03) 9388 5300 F: (03) 9387 2399

*Albury and Melbourne only

E: customerservice@southpacificlaundry.com.au robert.teoh@southpacificlaundry.com.au

83

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