Ecolibrium June–July 2021 by AIRAH

JUNE-JULY 2021 · VOLUME 20.4 RRP $14.95 PRINT POST APPROVAL NUMBER PP352532/00001

Next level

80 Collins Street embraces innovation.

CONTENTS

The Next Hotel is now happily installed in one of three towers at the newly developed 80 Collins Street. With 27 storeys, there's even space for a barrel room where the hotel wood-ages spirits, cocktails and herbal liquors. Image: Greg Elms.

June–July 2021 – Volume 20.4

THE BRIEFING 9 0 1 10 12 12 14 16 18 20

Rebirth of the cool Empowering the code Meet Shannon Roger, Affil.AIRAH Rich harvest A step towards the circular Building on momentum Insulation installation recommendation An enlightening conversation with Dr Normand Brais Addressing an invisible issue

NEXT LEVEL A new mixed-use development in Melbourne’s Collins Street has brought a sophisticated combination of work, retail and accommodation to one of the city’s most desired addresses. Sean McGowan reports.

Cover image: Greg Elms

FEATURES 5 2 28 37 4 0

Another way Harmony of difference Interesting tension Next level

FORUM 4 8

Carpark mechanical ventilation – time to take performance seriously? By Dr Craig Pregnalato, M.AIRAH

PORTFOLIO 55

News, products and personnel moves

AIRAH 61 61 62 63 64 66

Memories in a box Meet Vinay Kumar, Stud.AIRAH 2020 revisited – AIRAH AGM At your service Refrigeration 2021 wrap Meet Jesse Clarke, M.AIRAH

8,224

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J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

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FROM THE CEO

Preparing for 2030 When we think about the future, we tend to assume that most things will stay similar, and that trends will continue in a linear fashion. This is almost never the case. The world is changing drastically in front of our eyes. 2020 brought many surprises, especially the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn that is impacting around the world. Not everything is gloom and doom, however, because COVID-19 may be the catalyst to drive positive change. In the past few years, we have seen tremendous advances in 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, electric cars, drones, androids, virtual reality and gaming industries, voice technologies, artificial intelligence and automation technologies, blockchain, space exploration, asteroid mining, and renewable energy. The climate emergency will be the defining issue of the 2020s and beyond – our survival as a species will depend on addressing this issue. The World Economic Forum sees life in 2030 as being vastly different due to changing demographics. The world population is expected to reach 8.5 billion people by 2030. India will overtake China as the most populated country on Earth. Nigeria will overtake the US as the third most populous country in the world. The fastest‑growing demographic will be the elderly: those aged 65-plus will hit one billion by 2030. Mauro Guillen has written a book titled 2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything. Guillen says many things that we take for granted today will dramatically shift in the next decade.

In the book’s introduction, he writes: • There will be more grandparents than grandchildren • The middle class in Asia and Sub‑Saharan Africa will outnumber the US and Europe combined • The global economy will be driven by the non-Western consumer for the first time in modern history • There will be more robots than workers • There will be more computers than human brains • There will be more currencies than countries. All these trends, currently under way, will converge in the year 2030 and change many things we know about culture, the economy, and the world. In mid-August, AIRAH’s Associate Directors will meet at the AIRAH Convention to discuss, “Where will AIRAH be in 2030?” Perhaps it would be better put by asking, “What do we want AIRAH to be in 2030?” Some trends are already taking shape: • Design and operation of HVAC to minimise risk of COVID infection and improve ventilation • Emphasis on indirect emissions and massive improvement required in energy efficiency • The growing interconnection and need for collaboration between energy modelling, architecture, building physics and mechanical engineering • Net zero becoming more mainstream, with more industry consolidation, increased focus on indoor air quality, building analytics, and resilience to disasters and heatwave events • Digital transformation generally throughout a building’s life‑cycle

Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH Chief Executive

– design and documentation moving to BIM to manufacture, BIM to installation • Increasing preference towards design and construct projects • Data is becoming useful, not just collected • The registration of engineers • Less contingency in system capacity; direct impact from changes of refrigerant gases. As technology continues to improve every aspect of the built environment, AIRAH is committed to leading. The Institute is determined to provide all professionals in the built environment industry with the resources and knowledge to continually drive the innovative and strategic improvements needed during the revolution of the built environment. Over the coming months I will also be seeking members’ input and thoughts on this topic. We will also be creating a website to share this information and set AIRAH’s 2030 direction. Stay tuned! ❚

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

EDITORIAL

Innovation agenda “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building on the new,” someone once said.

Editor Matthew Dillon matt.dillon@airah.org.au

Was it Steve Jobs, Einstein or Stephen Hawking who uttered these wise words? Perhaps efficiency gurus Peter Drucker or Henry Ford? Or maybe it was motivational maven Tony Robbins who did the proffering?

Deputy editor Mark Vender mark.vender@airah.org.au Contributing writers Sean McGowan, Laura Timberlake Advertising Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au

Well, actually it was Socrates who provided the nugget of wisdom, roughly 2,500 years ago. So, although the concept of innovation is nothing new (for what is innovation if not the searching for the new and improved?), how we think about and implement it might be. “Creativity is thinking up new things,” said economist and academic Theodore Levitt. “Innovation is doing new things.” In this issue of Ecolibrium there are multiple examples of new things being done to sample and be inspired by. In “Harmony of difference”, engineer Walter van der Linde relates his experience of working on a Passive House for the first time. It was not blinding love at first sight when the new-to-Australia consultant was tasked with working on Monash University’s Woodside Building for Technology. “If I had to describe the Passive House standard in three simple words, I would say ‘whole systems approach’,” van der Lind writes. “One thing I learned very quickly is that the Passive House standard is not another green rating tool from which to pick and choose. It only works if building physics and building sciences are considered in their entirety. “No longer can we look at individual components. Everything is interrelated, and only those who understand these dependencies can optimise the system to its greatest performance.” During design, van der Linde and his team identified the links and interdependencies between the six Passive House principles: high levels of continuous insulation, high‑performance windows, passive solar strategies, minimised thermal bridges, 6

Ecolibrium THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF AIRAH

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au

Ecolibrium

Matt Dillon Editor matt@airah.org.au

airtight construction, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. It will be fascinating to track the building’s HVAC performance over the coming months and years. Interlinking and interdependency are also themes of the project at 80 Collins St, Melbourne, which involved the construction of a 27-storey, 255-room hotel; a 38-storey commercial office tower; and major refurbishments of an existing 50-storey commercial tower. 80 Collins St is the subject of this month’s cover story. A high-performance façade and passive chilled beam integration formed part of the cooling strategy for the new South Tower. Anything else would have compromised comfort conditions and the project’s sustainability targets. Although it’s natural to think of innovation in terms of lightbulb or Eureka moments – of blinding flashes of brilliance – it’s clear both projects featured in this month’s issue of Ecolibrium went through deliberate iterative processes. This requires patience, careful application, empathy, consideration, analysis, collaboration and graft. Like innovation itself, none of these are new concepts. Yet when it comes to the construction of new buildings, at least, they are inextricably linked to it. ❚

is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (Inc). ISSN 1447-042

ABN 81 004 082 928.

AIRAH – National Office James Harrison Centre 3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000 Fax: 03 9614 8949

News and press releases e-mail matt.dillon@airah.org.au Letters to the editor matt.dillon@airah.org.au Design and Layout Artifishal Studios, 1/36 Lilydale Grove, East Hawthorn VIC 3123 Tel: 03 9804 0670 Printing Printgraphics Pty Ltd 14 Hardner Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149 Tel: 03 9562 9600 Fax: 03 9562 6700

ECOLIBRIUM is the official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in ECOLIBRIUM do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members. No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or ECOLIBRIUM’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. ECOLIBRIUM is distributed without charge to all financial members of AIRAH. The publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the Publisher.

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THE BRIEFING H VAC & R

T H E B U I LT E N V I R O N M E N T

Rebirth of the cool

S U S TA I N A B L E D E S I G N

It is estimated that 3.3 billion room ACs will be installed in the world between now and 2050, creating a great need for climate-friendly units.

The winners of the Global Cooling Prize have been announced. After a thorough vetting process that unfolded over more than a year, dual winners of the Global Cooling Prize were recently announced. They are team Daikin with partner Nikken Sekkei Ltd and team Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai with partner Tsinghua University. The manufacturing titans showcased breakthrough technologies. The winners will share the prize of US$1 million (AU$1.3 million). Launched in November 2018, the Global Cooling Prize was an innovation competition to develop a climate‑friendly residential cooling solution that can provide global access to cooling without warming the planet. To be eligible for the prize, the competition’s primary criteria stipulated that technology had to demonstrate five times reduction in climate impact against a (conventional) baseline AC unit. “When the Prize launched in 2018, many people, including cooling experts, believed that the 5X climate cooling criteria, as well as the prize’s supplementary criteria, were far too ambitious,” says NexGen America founder Tom Steyer. “But here we are, both [the winners] have not only proven that a 5X technology is possible, but shown that the technology is here today.”

SHATTERING THE CEILING The prize organisers say the winning teams emerged from the pool of eight finalists after “shattering the perceived ceiling” of performance with their prototypes. When scaled, it is estimated that such technologies could prevent 132GT of CO2e emissions cumulatively between now and 2050, and mitigate

more than 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century. “These technology breakthroughs,” Steyer says, “exemplify the incredible progress that can be made when innovators are mobilised, the right incentives for change are identified, and cross-sectoral stakeholders work together.” Although both teams’ technologies will likely have an initial up-front cost on introduction to the market at two to three times more than the baseline units, it’s estimated life-cycle cost of ownership will be around half that of the baseline unit. Consumers would experience a simple payback on the higher first cost after about three years of operation.

MARKET TRANSFORMATION “A market transformation opportunity for the cooling sector is now a reality, which can help combat the warming of our planet,” says Sir Richard Branson. “As this incredible achievement begins to be recognised and applauded, it’s time for regulators to focus on the policies and standards that will help us bring these technologies to the markets.” The prize finalists collectively produce well in excess of 20 per cent of the world’s residential room ACs. Both have committed to bring the technology to market within the next few years. ❚

By the numbers

Want to know more?

The competition received more than 2,100 registrations from 96 countries, 445 “intent to apply” submissions from 56 countries, and 139 detailed technical applications from 31 countries.

To read more about the Global Cooling Prize, go to https://globalcoolingprize.org/

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Up close THE BRIEFING

Empowering the code Could the NCC the key to making buildings COVID-safe? In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s global impact, an international group of scientists and indoor air quality (IAQ) experts have called for a “paradigm shift” in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19 by improving indoor ventilation systems. In Australia, it has been suggested that the National Construction Code (NCC) could play a key role in establishing ventilation and IAQ requirements for different types of buildings. Vince Aherne, F.AIRAH, sees various options for improving ventilation standards to control airborne pathogens.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS “The NCC would be an appropriate place to set a requirement, preferably a performance requirement,” he says. “But technical solutions would be better placed in documents like Australian Standards or Technical Guidelines.” Aherne says that the NCC verification method for ventilation excludes microbial control, and deemed-tosatisfy mechanical ventilation provisions refer to AS 1668.2 and AS/NZS 3666.1. These do not address control of airborne transmission of respiratory infections or pathogens. “Control of airborne infections has not been a primary objective of current building codes or ventilation and microbial control standards outside of specialised healthcare applications,” he says. “But current experience has clearly exposed a need to develop standards in this area.

PATHWAYS AND AIRFLOW “It is not just a matter of increasing outdoor airflow rates, either. There needs to be a lot more thought to providing the correct air pathways and controlling infiltration and exfiltration between spaces as well as outdoors. Air follows the path of least resistance, which can 10 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

be influenced by internal and external air pressures. Regulators have only ever looked a building sealing from an energy‑efficiency perspective, never from an IAQ or ventilation perspective.” According to Aherne, there would be many difficulties in setting indoor air quality standards for microbial control, including airborne pathogens and infections, and extensive research would be required.

WE NEED TO START SOMEWHERE “But we need to start somewhere,” he says. “So, addressing this within the existing standards infrastructure would be a relatively quick way to set minimum standards in the area. “WHO would be the organisation best placed to set IAQ standards. Local application of WHO standards in building codes is another matter. I expect a hierarchy of standards could be applied based on building use/risk, from hospitals and aged care all the way through to residential and industrial.” Aherne suggests an alternative approach could be to mandate disclosure of ventilation or indoor air quality performance. “Most building occupants don’t really think about ventilation and are more concerned with thermal comfort, lighting and views,” he says. “If we could develop a rating system, so people could visually see and compare the IAQ performance of buildings, that could motivate the industry to improve performance above minimum standards.” ❚

Would you like to know more? To read a longer version of this article, go to www.hvacrnews.com.au/news/nccthe-key-to-making-buildings-covid-safe/

Based in Melbourne, Shannon Roger, Affil.AIRAH, is national marketing manager and PA to the MD for Camfil Australia. Responsibilities Primarily marketing communications and advertising. I also provide support to our management, sales and engineering teams.

Specialty Content marketing – specifically the writing of user-friendly technical content.

Passions My family (yes, this includes canine/ feline members), and finding ways every day – no matter how small – to help make our world a better place.

Challenges Things that seem challenging one day, may not be another. I try to see things from different perspectives, and am always up for a challenge.

Inspiring words Kindness can make a bad day good, and a good day better.

Coping during lockdown Loads of family bonding over meals and local walking tracks, some creative online game nights with friends, and the necessary internet streaming services required to escape and revive through stories and music.

AIRAH’s role AIRAH should champion the exploration and endorsement of safe, compliant and sound HVAC solutions that benefit our world. ❚

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World News THE BRIEFING

Rich harvest A massive sewer heat-recovery project is being constructed in the Midwest of the US. The largest sewer heat-recovery project in the US is now under construction in Denver. The AU$1.3 billion project is designed to use the consistent temperature of wastewater beneath the National Western Complex by way of an epic heat pump that works like a reversible air conditioning unit. Home to a stock show and rodeo, the complex is being adapted into a massive hub for art, education and agriculture. It includes about 93,000m2 of interior space, all heated and cooled with heat from sewer pipes that run below the 101-hectare campus. “With the advent of large-sale heat pumps, we can cost-effectively use, say, 70-degree (21°C) wastewater to heat our buildings and our hot water systems,” says researcher Shanti Pless. The technology opens up possibilities of “renewable heat mining”. Although sewer infrastructure has turned off developers in the past, that may not be the case in the future. In fact, builders might seek them out to save energy costs and avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The technology to harvest sewer heat is far from complicated.

The wastewater that will be reused for the Denver project inside stays between 13°C and 24°C regardless of the weather outside. The consistent temperature can then be “mined” to heat and cool above‑ground buildings. It’s estimated the campus will be able to avoid about 2,600 metric tonnes of carbon per year. At the heart of the process is an enormous heat pump to be housed in a central plant on the campus. In the winter, the heat pump will transfer energy from the sewage into a clean water loop connecting the buildings, warming interior spaces. The process can be switched to cool buildings in the summer. Because the wastewater is never exposed, occupants aren’t impacted by malodourous conditions. One of the biggest barriers to the approach is that sewer heat recovery often works best as part of a district‑sized energy system. These types of systems have fallen out of favour in recent times as costs to maintain them have fallen to customers. ❚

A step towards the circular A Nordic manufacturer has begun a heat exchanger recycling program. In partnership with Stena, a leading local recycling company, Swedish‑based HVAC giant Alfa Laval is offering recycling of its heat exchangers.

scope to other product groups and geographical areas in the future. This initiative is a win-win, to the benefit of our customers as well as to society.”

“This is an important step towards a more circular and sustainable approach when sourcing material, manufacturing and supplying our products,” says Susanne Pahlén Åklundh, president of Alfa Laval’s Energy Division. “Starting in the Nordic region, the recycling initiative will include three types of heat exchangers. However, we see great opportunities to expand the

Stena Recycling Sweden MD Fredrik Pettersson says effective solutions can be unearthed when organisations work together.

12 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

“As the industry receives help with significant energy efficiencies, we ensure a high recycling rate of older and inefficient plate heat exchangers in Sweden,” he says. “These materials can be used as … quality raw materials for new products.” ❚

EUROPEAN UNION TRADEABLE REFRIGERANTS An EU-funded online platform has been launched to enable trading of reclaimed HFC refrigerants in Europe. Called Retradeables, the website has been designed to provide a simple, viable market where used F-gases (or fluorinated refrigerants) can be bought, reclaimed and sold for further use. Users can access a live online exchange for the collection, reclamation and trade of used F-gas. ❚

USA E3 FROM DOE The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced actions to cut buildings’ energy and emissions. An initiative focused on clean and efficient heating and cooling is part of the plan. Called the Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3), the aim is to advance the research, development and deployment of clean heating and cooling systems. “America’s path to a net-zero carbon economy runs straight through our buildings,” says federal Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “These new DOE investments and initiatives will help unlock new innovation for cleaner buildings.” ❚

UK IIR GETS BUSY The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published its first Activity Report, emphasising the essential role of refrigeration at the heart of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originally announced in 2015, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were designed to provide clear universal sustainability objectives for all nations. “The report details how the IIR has clearly set its strategy and actions within the framework of the sustainable development of the refrigeration sector,” the IIR says of its Activity Report. ❚

Need Help with Humidity? Typical cooling systems will “cycle off” once the indoor dry bulb temperature is met regardless of the humidity level. An accompanying Air Change Split Make-Up Air (SMA) unit will provide the much-needed dehumidification of outside air, ensuring a perfect indoor environment.

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THE BRIEFING

Building on momentum A recovery Federal Budget was what our unusual and uncertain times demanded, AIRAH says. Noting the signs of recovery highlighted in the 2021–22 Federal Budget, AIRAH commended the government for seeking to build on this momentum through a comprehensive suite of stimulus measures. And it says that Australia can reap greater benefits at no extra cost by focusing on sustainable solutions – including HVAC&R – in the built environment. “The government has indicated that its focus over the coming years will be on rebuilding the economy,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “The initiatives outlined in the Federal Budget will help do that. But we also believe that with some additional sharpening of focus, these investments will set us on course for an even stronger future.”

CREATING JOBS AND REBUILDING THE ECONOMY As part of its commitment to create jobs and rebuild the economy, the government has pledged an additional $500 million, to be matched by state and territory governments, to expand the JobTrainer Fund by a further 163,000 places and extend the program until the end of 2022. The government will also spend an additional $2.7 billion to extend the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program, expected to support more than 170,000 new apprentices and trainees. There is also a push for gender equity, including an investment of $42.4 million over seven years to boost the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through industry-focused university scholarships, as well as a Women in STEM Evaluation Toolkit. “For those working in HVAC&R and other parts of the building and construction sector, these are welcome announcements,” says Gleeson. 14 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

“In order to grow, businesses in our industry will need a steady supply of VET and university graduates. Our workforce will benefit from being more diverse and inclusive, too.”

ONCE IN A LIFETIME These workers will be needed for the many infrastructure projects that were also announced in the Federal Budget. The government has committed an additional $15.2 billion towards road, rail and community infrastructure projects, expected to support more than 30,000 jobs. “We are unlikely to see this level of investment again in our lifetimes,” says Gleeson, “which makes it all the more vital for the money to go into projects with low- or zero-carbon credentials. And, after creating such a strong pipeline of apprentices, the government is ideally placed to help them into the workforce by instituting requirements for minimum apprentice numbers on government infrastructure projects. Refining the initiatives in these small ways will get maximum bang for taxpayers’ dollars.”

PURPOSE-BUILT QUARANTINE FACILITIES? Gleeson also notes that increased spending on infrastructure could be directed towards purpose-built quarantine facilities, the lack of which has enormous implications for the country’s health – economic and otherwise. “So far, we have been making do with hotels,” says Gleeson. “But our members, who are experts in ventilation and building physics, have signalled that this is a stopgap solution. To restart much‑needed international migration while protecting our

world-leading position with regards to the virus, we need a world-leading quarantine program.” The government has also allocated $600 million to the newly established National Recovery and Resilience Agency, to help combat the threat of natural disasters. For many years, AIRAH has had a Special Technical Group dedicated to resilience in the built environment. “It’s encouraging to see the government responding to the extreme events that are increasingly affecting us,” says Gleeson. “We should also be addressing the cause of these events: climate change. By investing in sustainable initiatives, including the work being done by AIRAH’s Innovation Hub for Affordable Heating and Cooling, we can start preventing these catastrophes, rather than dealing with the aftermath.”

INSTANT ASSET WRITE‑OFF Gleeson also highlighted the instant asset write-off scheme that was expanded in the Federal Budget, both in terms of eligibility and timelines. “This will be of great benefit to many businesses in our industry that can purchase new fleet, for example,” says Gleeson. “It would be even better if large heating and cooling systems, which are classed as capital assets, were included in the scheme. HVAC&R equipment in Australia uses 24 per cent of all electricity, and produces 11.5 per cent of our greenhouse gas emissions. If this scheme covered these systems, building owners would be incentivised to install more energy‑efficient systems, making a huge difference. “This is a rare opportunity,” says Gleeson. “By investing in a sustainable built environment, including, of course, HVAC&R, we can take maximum advantage of it.” ❚

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Up close THE BRIEFING

Insulation installation recommendation A new guideline lays out proper processes for correctly insulating buildings. A coalition of insulation, building and organisations focused on energy efficiency has released a joint Roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation. The roadmap sets out a series of actions to ensure that insulation is installed following bestpractice processes for quality control and safety. “Insulation is an essential component of a healthy, comfortable building,” the coalition says. “Adequate insulation can increase thermal comfort, lower heating and cooling bills, and reduce the prevalence of illness and death. Insulation needs to be properly installed in order to deliver its full value in both existing and new buildings. “The almost 40 organisations that developed and signed this roadmap are committed to working with governments to ensure that insulation is installed properly. The roadmap includes actions that industry commits to undertake, and recommendations for actions by

governments and other organisations.” The roadmap sets out actions that include: • Information and guidelines • Training and accreditation • Requirements for insulation installations supported by governments • Compliance associated with new buildings and major renovations • Moving beyond an insulation-only approach. The roadmap draws on the report Ensuring quality control and safety in insulation installation, which was written by the Energy Efficiency Council and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC). It was jointly funded by the governments of New South Wales and Victoria, Insulation Australasia, and the Insulation Council of Australian and New Zealand.

AIRAH releases DA04 and DA24 AIRAH has released two new and updated Design Application (DA) manuals for commissioning. The two manuals are DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC, and DA24 Hydronic System Balancing – in HVAC. “Anyone involved in air/water balancing or in HVAC&R system commissioning or recommissioning should keep copies of these manuals handy,” AIRAH says. The two DA manuals were designed for engineers, architects, contractors, equipment owners, operators, and specifiers. A new publication, DA04 covers the testing, adjusting and balancing of 16 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

air distribution systems in HVAC&R applications. It has been prepared to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge. DA24 is an update and revision to the previous version of DA24, titled DA24 Water Systems Balancing. Promoting best practice for the balancing of hydronic systems in HVAC&R, DA24 recognises acceptable industry-standard techniques. Go to www.airah.org.au/DA_manuals ❚

Canberra-based Siti Mustaffa, Affil.AIRAH, is a mechanical engineer with BSE. What attracted you to HVAC&R? I was in my final year at university where air conditioning and refrigeration was offered as an elective. I really enjoyed the lecturer’s enthusiasm for thermodynamics, a previous subject. I wanted to relate what I had previously learnt in that course to real-world applications. It was in this final-year elective that I was introduced to HVAC processes, design principles, and the built environment.

Dream project I would love to work on a data centre with a projected PUE approaching 1.0. It would be intellectually stimulating and really challenge the design team to think outside the box and engineer innovative solutions. For something closer to my heart, I would also love to one day work on the design for an NICU or paediatric ward to ensure hospitalised babies and their families remain safe and comfortable during their stay in the hospital. I always try to keep the human element in mind in my work.

Challenges A challenging aspect of my role is to rectify issues that come up during construction. As designers, we always work to the best of our ability to provide the client and builder with a fully co-ordinated and federated design. Most changes are minor and quickly resolved. However, sometimes we do get larger problems that need more collaboration and tinkering. It is very rewarding when all parties work together and are able to resolve issues onsite. ❚

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THE BRIEFING

An enlightening conversation UV expert Dr Normand Brais recently met with AIRAH’s Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices STG. AIRAH’s special technical groups (STGs) bring together experts in specific areas of HVAC&R to develop technically accurate, unbiased information that can then be disseminated to other AIRAH members and the wider industry. As part of the Institute’s response to the pandemic, the Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices STG is developing advice for operating theatres. To inform this work, the STG invited Dr Normand Brais to give a virtual presentation on UV-C and how it can prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dr Brais holds a mechanical engineering degree and a PhD in nuclear engineering from Polytechnique, University of Montreal. After graduating he was appointed professor at the Energy Institute of Polytechnique, and in 1995 he founded Sanuvox Technologies, which is now a worldwide UV disinfection specialist.

WHERE UV FITS IN Dr Brais began the presentation by outlining the high-level approaches to creating a safe indoor environment: enhanced filtration, dilution ventilation, air and surface conditioning (including UV-C), and occupancy management. Focusing on UV-C, Dr Brais noted that, before COVID, UV light was mainly used for disinfecting water. But since the pandemic began – and especially since aerosols were acknowledged as a primary pathway for the virus – people have been looking at how it could be used on air. The typical droplet size for SARS-CoV-2 loaded aerosols is 5–10μm, and the naked virus on average measures just 0.08–0.12μm. “A droplet of one micron can contain sufficient load to contaminate a person,” said Dr Brais. “If you look at droplets of that size, they will stay airborne almost all day long.” Next, Dr Brais looked at different levels of filters and how these prevent the spread of the virus. He proposed that 18 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

using a combination of MERV-13 filters and UV-C would offer the best “bang for buck” – restricting the spread of pathogens without inordinately increasing operating costs.

TRICKS OF THE LIGHT UV light damages the DNA/ RNA of microorganisms, so they cannot reproduce. And because UV-C has been applied to water for more than 50 years, there is a large amount of data on how effective it is in inactivating microorganisms. Among bio‑contaminants, SARS-CoV-2 is relatively susceptible to UV light, but as Dr Brais said, “the question is how to apply it”. Various approaches were discussed, including in-duct UV-C, coil disinfection, automated and manual surface disinfection, and upper air UVGI. Dr Brais explained that on some surfaces, such as metal, plastic and wood, UV light is very effective; on others, such as fabrics and textured surfaces, nooks, crannies and micro-canyons offer places for microorganisms to hide. Obviously, when installing in-duct UV, air velocity must also be considered using specially developed software. When it comes to operating theatres, where higher efficiency HEPA filters are generally installed, Dr Brais recognised that the benefits of installing UV-C may not justify the cost. But he also shared his experiences with some specific applications, such as in vitro fertilisation, where UV-C did make a difference on top of HEPA filters.

NEXT STEPS One issue the STG flagged is the lack of independent third-party verification for technologies being marketed around COVID-19.

Dr Normand Brais.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using UVGI “as a supplemental treatment to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 when options for increasing room ventilation and filtration are limited”, and ASHRAE has also published material acknowledging its uses. But there is still a gap when it comes to standards. Although standards exist for UV disinfection of water, they have not yet been established for air disinfection, so designers and end-users must often rely on manufacturers’ claims. Nor is there a body or organisation that certifies UV installations. As Dr Brais pointed out, these things are very much needed – and the pandemic may offer the perfect conditions for highlighting this gap and developing such a standard and establishing a certifying body. With the valuable input of Dr Brais, the STG is refining its advice for release. ❚

Need to know For more information on AIRAH’s Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices STG and other STGs, go to www.airah.org.au/stgs

THE BRIEFING

Addressing an invisible issue Queensland University of Technology air-quality expert distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska is leading an international call for a “paradigm shift” in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19 by improving indoor ventilation systems. Mark Vender reports.

“We’ve provided strong evidence that airborne transmission spreads infections,” says Professor Morawska, “so there should be international ventilation standards that control pathogens.”

Ecolibrium: Most people agree that we should have better air quality in our buildings, but how do we achieve that?

Eco: The kinds of solutions you describe are seen in premium buildings, but can they really be included in all buildings?

Lidia Morawska: This is the question everybody is asking now, and rightly so.

LM: This goes to the question of how much it costs. And in all the analysis we’ve seen so far, the initial investment is significantly lower than the cost of health effects, pandemics, epidemics and so on.

We cannot just go straight into the construction code and change the ventilation rate per hour, per person – it’s not that simple. With a huge number of different types of buildings, solutions and building settings, this has to be worked out. The two most important aspects of ventilation are efficiency and effectiveness. Efficient means that there is enough ventilation. Now, how much is enough in relation to human activities? This can be calculated quite easily in relation to say removal of CO2, but in relation to pathogens, it depends on the pathogen and the activities conducted. So, this aspect has to be taken into account. There are tools for such calculations, and so far they’ve been ignored. The second aspect is effective ventilation. This is the direction of the flow, which hasn’t been taken into account much at all. You design the space for activities, and then someone puts in a barrier and the flow direction changes. This almost calls for something like CFD simulations for every interior, which will be very difficult if not impossible. But still there are ways of doing this – personalised ventilation, and specific distributed flow direction. It’s just that we need to put our heads together to see how it would work on a more general scale. 2 0 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

The issue, however, is that the money comes from different pockets. Who pays the cost? Ultimately, the whole society pays. So as a society we need to think like this, and actually this is the biggest element of the paradigm change. What will be extremely important will be for each country to do the economic analysis in a serious way – accounting for the significance of colds and flus, for example, and how they impact on people not coming to work. These things are not reported, not accounted for properly, yet they are costs. Eco: Is there a need for the general public to be better educated about indoor air quality? LM: In terms of the pecking order of people’s awareness, indoor air quality is at the bottom. They may be more aware of outdoor air quality, but it’s only when outdoor air pollution is really bad. Let’s say you are choosing a seat in a restaurant on the kerbside and inhale [the pollution from] all the cars passing by, is anybody worried about this? The most desirable seat is outside. This comes down to teaching. It should go into the curriculum from kindergarten

through all the education, and people should learn that air pollution is an issue, and what they do has an impact. Eco: Can building sensors help raise public awareness? LM: Since last year, when places started to open in Brisbane and we started going out again, I’ve been carrying a CO2 meter with me. To my amazement, many places that I would have thought were reasonably ventilated were not. Concentrations in restaurants, for example, exceeded 2,000ppm. If there was a display on the wall showing there that the concentration is so high, some people would start querying, “Isn’t this a problem?” In the last year we’ve written to the Minister for Health and the Chief Health Officer, and by “we” I mean several organisations. Each letter eventually got a template response that was basically the same: “There is no problem, we are doing everything right, go away”. Looking at this from the point of view of a politician, these are not issues that can be resolved between one election and another, and the impact will not be seen from one year to another. The politicians won’t get any credit for this immediately, so they just hope that it will go away. Really, it’s about working towards a better future. It’s not about COVID-19 because that will go away. It’s that the lessons from COVID-19 are learned and in the future we won’t have to face situations like this again. ❚

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Inspiring the Future of Air Conditioning for Healthier Buildings

resh, outside, filtered air with controlled humidity and positive air pressure is a game-changer for improving indoor air quality and supporting WELL standards in buildings. The World Health Organisation recognises the importance of introducing fresh air into a space while removing stale air in order to maintain the quality of air in the space1 2. Similarly, historical and recent studies suggest that ventilation offers protection from transmission of airborne pathogens. Infections caught in buildings are a major global cause of sickness and mortality. In the past, hospitals were designed with cross ventilation because fresh air was thought to reduce infection risk3. Traditional refrigerative air conditioning systems rely on recirculating air to achieve optimal cooling performance and efficiency. The introduction of fresh, outside air to meet required ventilation under the building code often comes at a cost, in terms of compromising cooling efficiency and running costs. Inrecent years, new Commercial air conditioning technologies have been developed to deal with the more complex challenges faced by HVAC engineers when air conditioning 2 2 J Udesigning N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO LIBRIUM

systems for Commercial applications. One proudly Australian designed, made and owned technology stands out for all the right reasons and has been widely used in small, medium and large Commercial projects and specified by leading HVAC consulting engineers across Australia and around the world. Already regarded as a product leader in the HVAC industry, the newly updated CW-H15 boasts an increased outside air intake to ensure greater volumes of fresh air, while the filter cowling has been upgraded to improve rigidity and strength. Air intake efficiency has been dramatically improved by increasing the air openings of the cowling, which now comes factory assembled to reduce installation requirements on site.

An Air Conditioning Technology that Ventilates Indoor Spaces with frequent air changes Climate Wizard by Seeley International is no ‘new-comer’ when it comes to meeting the needs of tomorrow’s buildings: • 100% Fresh, outside air delivering frequent air changes, supporting IAQ • Hyper-efﬁcient (up to 80% lower running costs4) to improve COP • Low GWP • No synthetic refrigerants Seeley International, as Australia’s largest air conditioning manufacturer and global leader known for ingenious, energy-efﬁcient cooling and heating products, has upped the ante by unveiling next-level technology enhancements for its Climate Wizard CW-H15 and CW-H15S Supercool.

It’s one of the biggest changes for the global gamechanger, which has a reputation for delivering reliable cooling performance using 100% fresh air and achieving up to 80% savings in running costs.

Climate Wizard vs refrigerated cooling as outdoor temperature rises6 Line style Refrigerated air conditioning Climate Wizard

% increase or decrease

The CW-H15 also integrates the cutting-edge Schneider PLC and optional Schneider controller with temperature and humidity sensor, controlled locally on a 4" colour touch screen display. With advanced electronics programmed for maximum efficiency, water consumption is minimised, and maximum efficiency achieved. Not only is the controller smart, reliable and durable, it can also be configured to accept external high level and low level BMS system inputs.

Colour key = Input power = Cooling capacity = COP (coefficient of performance) Outdoor Temperature (Degrees Celsius DB)

As outdoor temperatures rise, Climate Wizard’s COP improves, unlike traditional refrigerated systems

With a growing number of workers and customers wanting fresh air, an upgraded filter design increases the surface area and reduces pressure drop by having the new filters arranged in a flat panel layout. Not only does that improve access and simple servicing, bringing in more fresh outside air through increased ventilation ensures a healthy, happy and productive workforce by lowering the levels of indoor air pollutants and reducing the concentration of harmful indoor contaminants.

The Supercool range delivers additional cooling capacity from a direct cooling stage that uses Black Magic™ Mini-Cell5 Chillcel® pad technology that increases surface area of the pads by 25% to dramatically multiply cooling capacity and efﬁciency. In fact, Climate Wizard maintains its unrivalled energy-efﬁciency and still delivers 100% fresh, cool air inside no matter how hot external temperatures may reach. While refrigerated systems use increased amounts of power to cope with rising outside temperatures, Climate Wizard’s performance actually increases as temperatures rise, without increased energy use. The cold air produced by indirect evaporative air conditioning is also comparable with refrigerated systems, with no added moisture to the air (excluding Supercool series) and delivering superior performance at only a fraction of the cost.

Sitting above a small pool of more “agricultural” variants in the category, it is the only robust indirect evaporative cooling medium with proven performance worldwide. The CW-H15 is fully manufactured in Australia by a 100% Australian-owned company to tackle the harsh and unforgiving Australian climate. Powder coated, marine grade aluminium is used to ensure it is weatherproof and corrosion resistant, while mechanical fasteners are stainless steel or aluminium.

For businesses and commercial applications where it is critical to maintain precise temperature and strict humidity levels,

the Climate Wizard Supercool series also provides a low operating cost solution. CW-H15S, CW-H15S Plus and CW-80S models are all able to fine-tune moisture content to specifications and offer a perfect solution for critical applications including data centres, hospitals and medical centres, aged care, child care, education, food processing and storage, hospitality, pharmaceutical, wineries and more. There is little wonder that Climate Wizard technology continues to represent a critical paradigm shift for the industry and the enhanced CW- H15 advanced technology ticks the boxes on energy efficiency and healthy buildings by embracing natural ventilation and cooling. For more information go to : https://www.seeleyinternational.com/ australian-made 1

4 5 6

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-ventilation-and-airconditioning-in-public-spaces-and-buildings-and-covid-19 James Atkinson, et al , 2009, Natural ventilation for infection control in health care settings R Hobday, S Dancer, 2013, Roles of sunlight and natural ventilation for controlling infection: historical and current perspectives Compared to refrigerated systems performing the same duty Patent pending Source: Uni SA Roxby Downs Report June 2009

Stand-Alone Cooling Capacity Location

Design condition

CW-6S

CW-H10

CW-H15/P15

CW-H15S

CW-H15S Plus

CW-80

CW-80S

COP

Arid

42°C DB / 21°C WB

15.1

8.9

Temperate

37°C DB / 19°C WB

9.4

101

Continental

31°C DB / 20°C WB

12.9

7.6

Sub-Tropical

31°C DB / 23°C WB

7.3

4.3

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 2 3

A once-in-a-century publication AIRAH has released a special edition of Ecolibrium to celebrate the Institute’s 100-year anniversary.

The Centenary issue includes: • The history of our industry, and its future • Past pioneers and emerging leaders • Landmark projects made possible by HVAC&R. The issue is available to read online, and hard copies are also available to purchase.

airah.org.au/EcoLibrium/2021/Ecolibrium_Centenary_issue

F E AT U R E

Another way As organisations and individuals continue to struggle with disrupted circumstances, “pivot” may just about have been the most overused word over the past year. But as we attempt to recover from COVID-19’s wide-reaching impacts, Aurecon’s Scott Lemon wonders whether now is the time to, er, pivot towards a more sustainable future.

In 1999, “pivot” was not exactly a corporate buzzword. Rather, it was a memorable line from the sitcom Friends. The scene was fairly simple: three friends struggling to get a couch up a narrow staircase, with a frustrated Ross (David Schwimmer) incessantly screaming the famous line: “Pivot!” Fast forward to 2021 and you’re as likely to hear businesses talking about pivoting as you are to see a Friends pivot meme. The world is grappling with a pandemic and a paralysed economy as businesses struggle to recover and stay afloat. The onset of COVID-19 has forced organisations out of their comfort zones to explore ventures they had never previously thought of exploring, and quickly implement business practices that would otherwise have taken years to change.

In a short span of time, we’ve seen restaurants become ghost kitchens, a vodka maker create carbon-negative hand sanitisers, and a paper-recycling company turn to recycled plastics to make face shields. Would leaders and executives have had the courage to shift the same way that they have right now without a pandemic? Maybe not. Most businesses are not designed to change. To grow and expand, yes ... but change? No, at least not drastically. Businesses are typically designed to exploit their current business model and maximise it while they can. Their systems and processes are set up to achieve repeatability, quality control, risk mitigation, compliance, customer loyalty and a range of other factors that

have contributed to their past successes. Change rarely fits in. Or putting it another way, businesses are designed to resist change. However, the world outside of a business doesn’t stand still and wait for its five-year and 10-year plans to shape up. It changes constantly in response to new technology, macro-economic and geopolitical forces, consumer expectations and a once‑in‑a‑century biological threat that we now find ourselves extremely terrified of. There is no other choice but to shift gears, but where to? In a time filled with limited options and uncertainty, taking big leaps can lead to huge losses, which we cannot afford right now. So how can business leaders make sure they are pivoting in the right direction?

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THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE Budget cuts and changes in priorities are very common in times of a crisis like COVID-19. It is more than understandable for companies to instinctively focus on staying afloat and keeping their financial stability in check to survive. But, as we know, profit isn’t everything. According to the World Economic Forum, to build a more resilient and sustainable future, we need to achieve the symbiosis of people, planet and profit. Financial growth and plans for a sustainable future must go hand in hand, not at the expense of the other. Natura CEO Roberto Marques put it simply: “We can’t run a business in a dead planet.” Ørsted, Denmark’s largest energy company, realised this early on. Amid the global financial crisis in 2007, the company transformed its entire fossil fuel business to renewable energy, and shifted to a far more sustainable business model, which has now earned them the title of the most sustainable company in the world.

KEEPING THE FAITH WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS Although customer loyalty is what underpins business, it also holds it back. While consumers expect reliability and consistency from brands that they support so they can trust them, they also expect them to innovate and offer something new. According to Homegrown CEO Brad Gillis, it is imperative for business

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owners to realise and acknowledge that COVID-19 has caused permanent shifts in customer behaviour. “We need to start thinking about meeting our customers where they’re at,” Gillis says, “and not expecting that they’ll come to you.” When the pandemic hit, the sales of Homegrown’s sustainable restaurant company fell from having 50–100 daily lunchbox orders down to two or three. Rather than simply tweaking the business model, Homegrown invested in making permanent changes in its services, and moved to the surging grocery delivery space. To differentiate from established corporations, it focused on sustainable pantry staples from local producers and farms, which aren’t easily found in grocery stores.

REAL CHANGE A recent global survey reveals that what people want is real change, for the world and their personal lives. In the survey conducted by Ipsos of 21,000 adults across 27 countries, 86 per cent of adults said they want the world to significantly change and become more sustainable and equitable after the pandemic. They didn’t want to go back to the way things were. In order to pivot successfully, businesses must understand and listen intently to what people want and need. It’s no longer just the end product that people are concerned about. What’s important to them is knowing and having faith in the entire process, what the product is made of and how it was produced.

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“Consumers and employees are now acutely aware of how their lives can change overnight and how supply chains directly affect them,” says Abbie Morris, co-founder of Compare Ethics, a sustainability platform that connects consumers with verified sustainable products. In fact, the sales from Compare Ethics’ site increased by 150 per cent in June 2020 compared with the previous month, suggesting that consumers are now paying closer attention to supply chains. Nevertheless, there’s still so much work that needs to be done. Let’s take the humble pallet, for example. Like plastics, pallets are actually deemed an essential piece of equipment for many businesses, yet there has been little to no consideration given to how this critical element pivots to a more sustainable model. The Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics (CSCL) 2017 Pallet Survey Report highlights that out of about 140 million pallets in Australia, 88 per cent are made from native timber, making it one of the major culprits in the quiet crisis of deforestation. What if manufacturers pivoted to a more sustainable, recyclable pallet such as Re>pal, manufactured locally to customer demands, and powered by a renewable energy source? It would be easy to say that building a recycled pallet industry isn’t a global priority. But last year, if an article had appeared decrying a world shortage of ventilators in the face of a possible pandemic, would governments have jumped to pay attention? Whether or not we expect industries and economies to “pivot”, “veer” or do a complete U-turn, it’s not the action that matters, it’s the vision and the will.

WE, THE PEOPLE The ability or extent to which organisations can pivot depends on the investment they have had made in business resilience, and the mindset of its leaders and staff. A sense of purpose among employees has been proven to be an effective driver of change within a business. According to McKinsey, those who feel that they are contributing to something bigger than themselves are likely to perform well and help a company to pivot successfully. It pays to know our “whys”. C

Perhaps, despite all the havoc and agony that the pandemic has inflicted, there can be something good to come out of it. Of course, this does not take away from the loss and suffering that has occurred, as many things can never be replaced. However, if such a wake-up call allows world leaders, big corporations, and all of humanity to pay attention and refocus on what’s truly important, then this can only be considered a good thing. CMY

Business needs to provide room for change and give itself space to move and make adjustments when situations call for it. So, when our backs are pressed against a wall, we do what we need to do. We pivot. ❚ This article originally appeared in Aurecon’s Just Imagine blog, accessible via www.aurecon.com.au/blog

and many more

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Would you like to know more? Read the Ipsos global survey at www.ipsos.com/en/global-survey-unveilsprofound-desire-change-rather-returnhow-life-and-world-were-covid-19

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F E AT U R E

Harmony of difference

Although the Passive House concept wasn’t immediately attractive to Aurecon’s Walter van der Linde, he gradually warmed to it. Here he writes about Passive Principles for harmonised heat recovery. The design of my first Passive House HVAC system certainly wasn’t love at first sight, but now I’m hooked. This was without a doubt the steepest learning curve I’ve ever faced. In between arriving in a new country, taking over the mechanical design on an existing project, getting to know the project team and coming to grips with the tight project timeline, I had to understand the somewhat 2 8 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

foreign concept known as “Passive House”. It was overwhelming at first and there were many unknowns. What makes a Passive House HVAC system so different? How do you achieve a cooling demand of less than 15kWh/m²a? Will the contractor be able to build what we want? Are we going to pull this off? Behind every Passive House there’s a story, this is mine …

I arrived in Melbourne during October 2018. Spring was in the air and (for me at least) it was the first time I witnessed clouds of pollen floating through Collins Street, something I’ll come back to later. As I started my first day, my line manager told me he had a project ready for me: Monash University’s Woodside Building for Technology and Engineering Design. I thought to myself, “Great, I’ve done one

The new Woodside Building was envisaged as a space where students and researchers can embrace innovation, design and cutting-edge technology to develop new solutions in sustainable energy technology. Image courtesy of Monash University.

and only those who understands these dependencies can optimise the system to its greatest performance. I was lucky that a former colleague of mine, Johanna Trickett, was well across these interdependencies and quickly brought me up to speed, understanding and applying this whole‑systems thinking approach. With her expertise in delivering high‑performance façades and knowledge of how Passive House buildings have long been delivered in Europe, together we made a good team to cover – and identify the links between – these six Passive House principles: 1. High levels of continuous insulation 2. High-performance windows 3. Passive solar strategies 4. Minimise thermal bridges 5. Airtight construction 6. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The principles seem self-explanatory; however, I still feel the need to run through them, as they are holistically connected, and all are equally important.

High levels of continuous insulation: High levels of continuous insulation clearly ask building designers to wrap a building in high-performing insulation (high R-values). The entire building’s thermal envelope needs to be considered, i.e., roof, façade and floor.

High-performance windows:

of those before”. He then told me that the building was being designed according to Passive House principles. This was completely new to me and I started to think, maybe I should ask if there weren’t any conventional building projects around for me to start off with? After reading up on the Passive House design principles, I must admit I had some serious doubts as to whether the principles would bear any fruit, and if it could and would be implemented as intended. Everyone has in their careers experienced a situation where the intent of a concept is good but when put into practice, the concept lets you down.

No need to be alarmed; I believe success is around the corner. If I had to describe the Passive House standard in three simple words, I would say “whole systems approach”. One thing I learned very quickly is that the Passive House standard is not another green rating tool from which to pick and choose. It only works if building physics and building sciences are considered in their entirety. No longer can we look at individual components, be it the façade and the heat pump, or the concrete structure and the AV loads – typically all divided among different disciplines. Everything is interrelated,

Windows are typically the weakest element in every building envelope. To avoid a large portion of energy losses and the risk for draughts and condensation, windows must be of high performance. In Melbourne, this would typically be represented by a double‑glazed, argon-filled window with a thermally enhanced or broken frame with warm edge spacers. All up, a U-value of less than 2.0W/m²K.

Passive solar strategies: This does not mean that windows are tiny. Rather, passive solar strategies such as shading devices and sensible SHGC values need to be applied. The shading devices must be optimised to allow solar heat gains during winter and reduce those during summer. In simple terms: good design. J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 2 9

FE ATURE

Minimise thermal bridges: The building thermal envelope is made up of multiple layers and elements such as a steel roof with plant on top and various services penetrations. The façade is formed by windows, balconies, doors, walls, shading devices, etc. The floor is concrete, typically with various services penetrating the floor. It’s critical that thermal bridges are minimised.

The steel-framed building contains acoustically isolated modules, like these research clusters. Image source: Monash University.

Thermal bridges occurring between the various façade systems (i.e., where a wall starts and a window ends, or where a balcony starts and a window ends) need to be evaluated and minimised. Same applies to any service (i.e., pipe, duct, cable etc.) passing through the thermal envelope. There are three main types of thermal bridging: geometric, regular and irregular thermal bridges. Geometric thermal bridges occur on corners and edges due to the ratio of internal to external surface area changing. Regular thermal bridges are those that should be accounted for in a total system R-value, such as steel members that interrupt the insulation layer in a wall or roof. Irregular thermal bridges account for those instances where thermal properties of a wall or slab are compromised due to changes in material or geometry. Typical examples are slab penetrations for balconies; fixings for sun shading; plant platforms on the roof; or any service penetration, be it ducts, pipes or conduits.

Airtight construction: Now that the thermal performance of the building fabric has been covered, it is important to ensure that these systems are assembled in an airtight manner. Why? Simply to: • Mitigate the risk of interstices condensation forming (leading to mould growth or even corrosion)

controlling the temperature, relative humidity, and airflow velocity, and by reducing CO2 levels, VOCs , dust particles, etc. In Passive House buildings, high air quality is achieved by avoiding recirculation of air (which typically delays the removal of indoor pollutants) and by introducing two-staged filtration. Typically, buildings that run on 100 per cent fresh air would not be very energy efficient because general exhaust systems continuously extract large quantities of conditioned air out of the building and simply put, dump it outside. That’s where under the Passive House Classic Benchmark description Heating demand kWh/(m²a)

• Avoid draughts, leading to low occupancy comfort.

Cooling and dehumidification demand kWh/(m²a)

Finally, last but not least, we have this high-performance building envelope, but we need to keep the occupants comfortable and healthy by means of 3 0 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Passive House benchmarks: The table below provides an insight into the key Passive House benchmarks that need to be met, addressing energy and airtightness requirements for the building as a whole. The six principles described earlier all contribute and allow the building to achieve the set-out criteria. Criteria

Alternative criteria

Space heating

• Keep the conditioned air from leaking to the outside to decrease heating and cooling demands, and to

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery:

Passive House standard mechanical heat recovery ventilation (HRV) comes into play. In summary, apart from the energy savings, the added advantage of heat recovery is that air is not recirculated, which assists in maintaining high indoor air quality.

≤ 15

Heating load (W/m²)

≤ 10

Space cooling* ≤ 15

Cooling load (W/m²)

≤ 10

Airtightness Pressurisation test result n50 1/h

≤ 0.6

Primary energy renewable (PER) PER demand (kWh/m²a)

≤ 60

* Alternative values are applied in locations with high latent cooling loads.

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So, coming back to my initial task, which was leading the mechanical design for a Passive House building – what was different? What were the benefits for building occupants and the building owner? What would it take to guide the design team and the building contractor on this journey of applying Passive House principles to the mechanical ventilation systems?

Occupant comfort A well-designed HRV system provides increased air quality inside a building. If you have ever inspected filters as part of a condition assessment, you will know how important they are and how hard they work to clean the air before it enters the building. The filters used for the outside air are of a high quality, typically rated as G4 (primary filters) and F7 (secondary filters) in accordance with EN779. The result is less pollutants and dust particles being dragged into the building; a specific example is the floating pollen clouds in Collins Street. With an HRV system, the air is typically not recirculated but instead it is exhausted, and so the building is continuously being flushed with outside air. As a result, CO2 levels and VOC concentrations remain low. Avoiding pollutants entering the building and removing those generated within the building are both essential to the health and well‑being of the occupants. In a Passive House building, air is supplied in a slow and comfortable manner due to outside air being preconditioned by the heat exchanger and the high-performing building envelope. In summary, the HRV system provides many benefits for the occupant’s health and well-being because it increases the thermal and acoustic comfort while reducing health risks associated with dust, pollens, internal and external pollutants, and other contaminants.

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32 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Reduced energy bills In recent times, it seems we have successfully flattened the curve of COVID-19. However, building energy consumption and climate change has yet to receive the same flattening. The introduction of an HRV system is one step in the right direction. Instead of conditioning air and then expelling it outside, a large proportion of the energy (up to 90 per cent) is recovered.

Overall, HRV leads to a reduction in peak load and energy demand. It is critical that these HRV systems be designed to perform with low energy consumption. This not only decreases the building’s energy bills but gives building owners a pathway towards carbon neutrality. It is important to note that when HRV systems are designed with low-pressure losses, the additional fan power required for the heat exchanger becomes less than the power required to condition the make-up air. Previously I mentioned that the HRV system runs quietly. This also means the plant’s life expectance is increased because it’s not being pushed to its limit. Generally, mechanical moving parts don’t like high temperatures; if the HRV system runs at lower speeds, it also runs at lower temperatures. It’s always good to know your building services can run for longer and are therefore more resilient. When considering the capital cost implications of an HRV system compared to a system that pre‑conditions the outside air, the results are quite surprising. The difference in cost is minimal, especially when the overall mechanical contract value is considered. No doubt, there is additional plant space required. When comparing an HRV system used to precondition the outside air compared with a DX AHU system to precondition the outside air there is approximately a 5 per cent increase in plant footprint, and approximately 25 per cent increase in plant height. Note that there is no additional ceiling height required because a standard plantroom height will be enough for both systems.

Building contractor The new generation of HRVs come with all kinds of smart control systems and are locally available. As the industry continues to grow, more and more suppliers will reach our shores. The construction industry will get to know and hopefully love the technologies accompanying it. Some of the control options available are airflow control (constant air volume, variable air volume, demand control ventilation), air quality control (CO2 and VOC), humidity control, minimum temperature control, summer night cooling, energy recovery function, economy cycle, etc. If needed, heating, cooling and

FE ATURE

The Woodside Building houses more than 30 learning spaces, including an interactive tiered collaborative space accommodating 360 people. Image source: Monash University.

humidification can be added to these systems to form one unit. As clients demand increased flexibility and higher levels of indoor air quality, HRV systems become an attractive solution. A key element when designing a system to meet Passive House principles is the building energy balance. Considering the building will be airtight, the HRV system assists in maintaining the building’s energy balance. The high-efficiency EC (electronically commutated) fans can accurately control the airflow moving in and out of the building, but equally important is the ability to control the air moving in and out of each individual space. This can be done using constant airflow volume control dampers (CAVDs). These dampers regulate the airflow independent of what is happening upstream and accurately maintain the design airflow rate. The HRVs and CAVDs make a powerful combination and offer mechanical contractors an easy installation, and even easier commissioning. The system can be self-balancing using a BMS, or the equipment can be set up manually. The use of CAVDs reduces time onsite and provides accurate commissioning. The cost of the HRVs and CAVDs is nearly the same as the cost for preconditioning DX AHUs and standard opposed blade dampers. However, the time spent onsite to commission the system is drastically reduced. Contractors can work smarter and not harder; they’ll save money and time. In an industry notorious for high pressure, tight deadlines and cost penalties, these easily adaptable systems have lots to offer.

Design team The Passive House design principles are well known to many HVAC designers. There’s nothing new here; however, a paradigm shift has occurred. There is a clear need to consider long-term performance and energy consumption of HVAC systems, with carbon neutrality in the front of everyone’s mind. This paradigm shift is like a dream come true for many designers (myself included). We can now use the many tools at our disposal to design low-energyconsumption HVAC systems with the knowledge that carbon neutrality is the target on the horizon. There’s nothing too prescriptive either. The Passive House benchmarks, albeit difficult to achieve, can be approached and solved in various ways. What designers need to focus on are: Outside air pre-treated by HRU: A crossflow heat exchanger is essential to pre-treating the outside air. There needs to be an effective heat recovery rate of ≥ 75 per cent. The maximum electric power consumption should not be greater than 0.45Wh/m³. The HRVs can operate in economy cycle to get the best out of the most favourable times of the day. There are cross-flow heat exchangers available that have efficiencies greater than 85 per cent, electrical power consumption lower than 0.3Wh/m³, and static pressures available in the range of 150Pa. The responsibility then lies with the designer to design an air distribution system with a suitable pressure loss. High-efficiency cooling and heating equipment (if supplementary cooling and heating is required): Various systems can be used: air‑cooled chillers, water‑cooled chillers, air‑cooled VRF systems, DX packaged systems.

FE ATURE

The main factor that all systems need to have in common is a high COP or SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). When considering the cooling/heating plant efficiencies, attention needs to be given to part-load efficiencies and the ability for the plant to reject heat effectively. Supplementary cooling and heating (if required): These systems may be in the form of fan coil units, air handling units, underfloor heating and cooling, chilled beams, active chilled beams, etc. Due consideration should be given to ensure these systems don’t exceed electrical power requirements and offer effective filtration systems. Duct airtightness: This relates to exterior ducting and any duct or louvre penetrating the façade. Air leakage needs to be limited because airtightness is a critical parameter to maintain a building’s energy balance. This introduces a challenge that can be overcome by installing tight sealing motorised dampers, which shut down the air path when the mechanical equipment is switched off. In my experience, due consideration should be given to the damper selection, ensuring they withstand the 50-pascal pressure of the blower door airtightness test. Automated airflow balancing to maintain energy balance: To maintain the energy balance and provide outside air to all areas of the building, the airflow needs to be accurately Covering 23,000m² over five storeys, the Woodside Building was a substantial Passive House challenge.

Image source: Monash University.

3 4 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

controlled. There are once again various mechanisms available to do this. CAVDs are one option, while maintaining constant duct pressure in a CAV system could be an alternative. As designers, we always should ask the question if the design promotes low energy consumption and flexibility. Low airflow velocities, reduced noise, and low pressure drop through the air distribution systems: Linking up to the HRVs, air distribution systems need to be designed with minimal pressure losses across the system. And where the air is introduced into the space, it should be done at a relatively low velocity, taking into consideration the air terminal type (grille, diffuser, perforated plate, displacement diffuser, etc.). Indoor air quality: As designers, we should design systems where indoor air quality is not only measured, but where parameters such as CO2, VOC, temperature and RH can all be tightly controlled. Filters should be selected to extend the filter life at low airflow velocities. Primary and secondary filtration is a requirement (disposable filters are advisable) and should be monitored to determine when filter maintenance is required. Thermal insulation of services: All piping and ducting transferring heat and mass should be well insulated. Where plant is located externally, and the heat and mass are transferred to the building, the exterior section should

be very well insulated, and typically 100 per cent additional insulation is required of the nominal diameter. The above-mentioned designed criteria are key elements that need to be achieved. However, there is no set recipe, and this allows designers to apply their minds liberally to achieve the best result with low energy consumption and high occupancy comfort in mind. The use of Passive House design principles when designing mechanical systems has an overall positive effect on all stakeholders involved. It is good for the occupant’s health and well-being by increasing the overall comfort and air quality. The building owner occupies or leases a building with significantly reduced energy consumption and associated bills. In our experience, contractors are more than capable to deliver these high‑performance buildings and there are strategies available to implement the presented solutions in a cost‑effective manner. Designers can explore new horizons while meeting key success criteria. The Australian construction industry is ready for high-performance buildings that have HVAC systems that meet and exceed current efficiency targets. The designers of these systems play a key role in guiding the industry during this transition from standard performance to high performance.

FE ATURE

Implementation of Passive House design principles, specifically relating to HVAC design (heat-recovery ventilation, low energy consumption of fans, and high-performing COPs of supplementary heating and cooling) benefits building occupants, building owners and – last but not least – our environment.

The Woodside Building was completed in February 2020. Image source: Monash University.

The Woodside Building for Technology and Engineering will certainly gain some attention when we start tracking the building’s HVAC performance. Our intention is to closely monitor the building’s energy consumption and occupancy comfort during its first fully occupied year. No doubt, HRV being a relatively new design strategy in the Australian market, the energy saved due to heat‑recovery ventilation will be a topic of interest. We will hopefully be able to confirm that the building consumes the predicted energy as per the stringent Passive House benchmarks. More on that next time! ❚

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F E AT U R E

Interesting tension

Understanding that architects and engineers think and work differently means that projects must be negotiated carefully and thoughtfully. As part of the i-Hub initiative, Integrated Design Studios have been exploring this concept. Ecolibrium broke bread with the University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor in Digital Architecture Dominik Holzer; and Enterprise Professor, Architectural Engineering, Brendon McNiven. Ecolibrium: Are we finding out anything new about the relationship between architects and engineers? Dominik Holzer: Our work is in many ways much more aligned than what it may appear in practice. Misconceptions or misalignment of views between architects and engineers often stem from a lack of time to communicate and interact, due to the way projects in practice are typically run. Information systems and collaboration tools allow us to become faster and faster in delivering projects, but at the same time don’t always benefit our understanding of “integrated design”.

Do we become confrontational, work sequentially, or do we try and work more concurrent and iteratively? Eco: Your research has been about the nexus between architecture and engineering. Does that imply that you see architecture as more science than art? DH: Architecture is what you make it. There is no one way to it, as every project has its own challenges and opportunities, and every architect will understand and grab them differently. In other words, I’m not a big fan of any attempt to put architecture into any

specific category. The nexus between architects and engineers has many facets, from being a dependency, mutually beneficial, inspirational, practical, educational, and so forth. Eco: Where are the tensions do you think? DH: By nature, engineers think more analytically whereas architects need to be able to rely on their gut instinct and their ability to draw on many references to propose an innovative design solution. That doesn’t mean that engineers aren’t able to do that as well.

Brendon McNiven: Personally, I would say the work is more aligned but the way we think is more different than I had anticipated. Eco: Do architects and engineers generally work differently do you think? DH: Yes, we do, but that’s not necessarily a problem. Architects are trained to take risks; engineers are trained to minimise them. That paves the way for some interesting tension. The question then emerges: How do we “dance that dance” when interacting on projects?

Dominik Holzer

Brendon McNiven

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 37

Paul Matthews

FE ATURE

In practice, tensions often arise where architects seem to change their mind frequently as design remains in flux; yet engineers find themselves pushed in a corner if they have to respond to these changes quickly – and frequently – while their fees don’t allow them to constantly update their calculations. Technology can help this to a degree, but process innovation and change is required on both ends. Eco: Are there still instance of projects where architects design a building and expect engineers to make it work? DH: We refer to this as “sympathetic engineering”. I’d say it happens in 90 per cent of cases unfortunately. It would be wrong to demonise this though. It is a symptom of industry practices that have persisted for decades.

The Steens Gray & Kelly family would like to recognise the 30-year contribution of Paul Matthews to the ﬁrm.

BMcN: When architects do this, they put themselves at the mercy of the engineer. If they are lucky, they get “empathetic engineering” – not the best solution, but one that tries to empathise with the architect and what they are trying to achieve. If they are not lucky, they get a brute, “do whatever it takes” approach regardless of the architectural intent. Solutions are often driven by minimum fee spend (and the time thinking) required. The answer to many of the architect’s wants is, “Computer says no!” Eco: Are projects still hierarchical – and is this a problem for accelerating integrated practice?

Your tireless efforts and leadership have built such an amazing place to work and thrive.

DH: Of course, they are. It comes down to contracts, fees and legal constraints. In my opinion, one can undertake integrated design between architects and engineers under pretty much any contract type, but collaborative contracting makes it so much easier. The key to the problem is knowing what to look for and selecting the right project team from the client side.

Congratulations and thank you!

BMcN: Agree. Our mates in infrastructure seem to do this better than we do in buildings. Collaborative (alliance type) contracting is far more common, perhaps because they are more engineering driven, so the cost of not doing it this way can be very high – also they are much bigger, usually involve many disciplines, and often have large government clients who are well versed

3 8 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

in multi-discipline design management involved (i.e., educated clients). Eco: Do architects look down their nose at engineers, or is that an old stereotype? DH: Anyone looking down anyone’s nose must be an idiot. A lack of confidence on either side can lead to misconceptions and an “us vs them” mentality. It’s a mindset that we must change. Eco: Why are we still seeing what appear to be unrated tall buildings cropping up in areas such as Box Hill in Melbourne’s east? DH: That, you might need to ask to those commissioning and approving those buildings. In general, I see councils become more aware of sustainability issues, and weaving them into their tender requirements has become second nature. BMcN: I put this down to procurement models and project‑management practices that value blind reduction in risk and fees. This approach discourages time spent thinking about how to do things better, and encourages resorting to what has been done before. When faced with developing large complex projects in an adversarial environment, the majority of developers and contractors prefer to do what they have done before, knowing it will deliver a small but safe margin, even though they know it is not the best design. Eco: We have been speaking about integrated practice for a long time. Is it happening? DH: As practices are changing constantly, so is integrated design and its implementation. It has been around for many decades or even longer, and it often depends on the mentality of those involved on projects and the opportunities they are either given, or they are able to create themselves. BMcN: I believe we are currently seeing a groundswell in integrated design – driven largely by the recognition of its effectiveness in sustainability. The growing number of architectural engineering courses on offer in Australia is a sign of this. We are behind Europe and perhaps (but less so) the United States in this respect. ❚

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J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 3 9

C O V E R F E AT U R E

Next level A new mixed-use development in Melbourne’s Collins Street has brought a sophisticated combination of work, retail and accommodation to one of the city’s most desired addresses. Sean McGowan reports.

The 27-storey hotel tower at 80 Collins Street is now home to Next Hotel. Image: Greg Elms

Completed in 2020, 80 Collins Street is one of the largest mixed-use precincts in Melbourne’s CBD.

Multiplex says the cantilever is an Australian first.

Built by Multiplex for QIC (Queensland Investment Corporation) and Dexus, the premium commercial development consists of a new 38-storey, 43,000m² commercial office tower (South Tower), and a new 27-storey, 255-room hotel.

Achieved through a tailored engineered solution requiring the use of five customfabricated “mega trusses” to support the 32 levels above, it has been built to withstand 30,000kN of tensile force. The concrete core removed the need for additional structural support columns.

The project also includes major refurbishments to the site’s existing 50-storey A-grade commercial office tower (North Tower) – including a reactivated entry – with this work carried out while the building remained occupied.

All three buildings on the site have been interlinked and interconnected, with retail and dining spaces on the ground and podium levels featuring a unique urban design that taps into Melbourne’s laneway culture.

Designed by architects Woods Bagot with Dutch firm UN Studio, the project’s new South Tower, with its faceted glass exterior and diagonal bracing, is a striking addition to the city’s existing skyline.

All three buildings on the site have been interlinked and interconnected

But it is at street level that the tower’s design really makes it mark, cantilevering 12m over existing Victorian-era buildings at the “Paris End” of Collins Street.

FAÇADE FANTASTIC The high-performance façade and passive chilled beam integration were a crucial element in successfully achieving cooling capacity and comfort conditions in the South Tower.

“The building structure, with its offset structural core and one-third cantilever design, resulted in significant structural elements within the ceiling spaces that made coordination critical to the design,” he says.

AECOM’s Drew Toscan says alternative design approaches would otherwise have impacted the project’s budget and sustainability targets.

“The use of 3D Revit modelling in the design process allowed this to be assessed in real-time, and integrated into the final design.” ❚

COV ER FE ATURE

BALANCING BEAM The selection of chilled beams to serve all office levels (levels 4–38) in the South Tower carried the greatest capital expenditure of all the options considered by the design team. However, the multiple benefits offered by the system – including energy efficiency, increased NLA and reduced floor-to-floor heights – were considered to be of greater importance by the client. ❚

Photo by Greg Elms

A PREMIUM DESIGN AECOM joined the project’s original design team in 2012. The multidisciplinary consultancy delivered engineering design services for both of the new towers, the North Tower’s new entrance, and the initial enabling works for the continued operation of that tower for the duration of the project. Multiple disciplines were involved including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire protection, vertical transport, structural and civil engineering. “All building services are separated between the three towers, to allow future flexibility for the development to be divided into individual titles if required – with the exception of the common basement,” says AECOM associate director Drew Toscan.

Toscan says the client sought to provide a premium product to the Melbourne CBD commercial leasing market through the completion of the South Tower.

“Chilled beams were ultimately selected for the project, as they achieved the sustainability objectives in terms of operational energy savings,” says Toscan.

He says the design objectives and criteria were therefore set to meet this objective. Other aims were satisfying the criteria for the Property Council of Australia’s Premium grade, as well as high-end sustainability targets.

“They also provided the client with the highest available net lettable area (NLA) and increased floor-to-floor heights as a result of the reduced supply air quantities required by the system.”

The new South Tower was designed to achieve a 6 star Green Star Office v2 rating, 5 star NABERS Energy Operational rating, and is targeting a 4 star NABERS Water Operational rating. To this end, the selection of passive chilled beams and a 100 per cent outdoor air ventilation system was deemed to meet these requirements. The bonus is increased comfort conditions, low levels of drafts and noise.

DRIVING FORCES As building services engineer at 80 Collins Street, AECOM spent eight years on the project – from concept stage to completion. AECOM associate director Drew Toscan, shares some of the lessons learned over that time. The design team worked closely from the initial concept stage to really understand the driving forces for the project’s success. This allowed the design to be developed to ensure key elements of a premium-quality and sustainable development were achieved while working with the restraints of a brownfield site with an operating office tower in a high-profile CBD location. We sought early engagement with the mechanical contractor to test the actual installation of the passive

4 2 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

chilled beam system in a mock arrangement with high‑performance façade. This confirmed design assumptions and provided greater assurance to the client of the outcome of the installation. Leveraging 3D Revit modelling, the AECOM services and structural teams were able to deliver a coordinated design that incorporated the complexity of the high-performance façade, offset structural core location and a third of the cantilevered floor plates. ❚

The air handling plant selected is a 100 per cent outside air system. It is sized to provide 150 per cent increase on the minimum outdoor air rates required by Australian Standards. This equates to 18.75L/s per person.

The delivery of outdoor air is split between air handling plant located at podium level, and on the rooftop The delivery of outdoor air is split between air handling plant located at podium level, and on the rooftop. To rationalise riser sizes and save floor space in the building, the chilled water thermal plant was located with the mezzanine plantroom, with heat rejection achieved via cooling towers at roof level. “The passive chilled beams are supplied from a dedicated set of high-temperature chillers, independent from the primary chilled water chillers, to gain maximum efficiencies of the systems at all times,” says Toscan.

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COV ER FE ATURE

ACCOMMODATING DESIGN The 27-storey hotel tower – now home to Next Hotel Melbourne – was designed to achieve targeted 5 star Green Star Design and As-Built ratings. Front-of-house areas are served by a floor-by-floor, air-cooled VRF (variable refrigerant flow) system with the 255

individual hotel rooms provided with concealed bulkhead fan coil units (FCUs). Outdoor air and toilet exhaust are provided by common ducted risers, with the hydraulics riser passing through each floor to the mezzanine and rooftop plantrooms. ❚

The chilled water thermal plant was located on the mezzanine plantroom, with heat rejection achieved via cooling towers at roof level.

Designed to provide the bulk of the cooling to the space, the passive chilled beams also allowed the supply air volume (and relevant ductwork) to be reduced in size. A decision to not incorporate heat recovery from the relief air system was made based on a detailed whole‑oflife analysis. This demonstrated that the additional fan and pump energy required did not offset the energy savings.

FROM DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION Ellis Air was appointed by Multiplex as the D&C (design and construct) mechanical services contractor following two years of involvement in the design and value-management phases.

Image: Ellis Air.

Working closely with AECOM throughout the course of the project, Ellis Air proposed a list of alternative designs as part of the value-management process. This sought to reduce the project’s installation and equipment cost, labour costs and overall energy consumption. “There was a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, and this was the key driver

ON THE JOB Mohammed Iftekar, M.AIRAH, engineering manager (Victoria) at Ellis Air, details some of the key learnings from the mechanical services design and construction at 80 Collins Street project. Assessment of pipe riser anchor design during the early stages of the project was important in highlighting any structural issues. We sought earlier engagement and discussions with the ICA to address any project scope gaps and any additional design expectations. Frequent liaison with the project site and commissioning team was critical in rectifying ongoing and future issues in a timely manner so the project program was not impacted. Chilled beams are very fiddly when completing fit-outs. Our recommendation would be that if it can be done as part of integrated fitout works, then they are lot simpler to deal with. ❚

4 4 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

The cantilevered facade has become a feature of the “Paris End” of Collins Street. Image: AECOM.

COV ER FE ATURE

HIGH AND LOW The South Tower features both low‑rise and high-rise AHU plantrooms located on Level 3 and Level 39, respectively. Chilled water is provided to these AHUs via the low-temperature chiller set located within the Level 3 plantroom. The high temperature chillers are also located within this plantroom, and serve the passive chilled beam circuits serving levels 4 to 38.

Ellis Air was appointed as the D&C mechanical services contractor.

for the adoption of the passive chilled beam system,” says engineering manager (Victoria) Ellis Air Mohammed Iftekar, M.AIRAH. This led Ellis Air to select chilled beams that have a higher radiant and natural convection heat transfer.

Image: Ellis Air.

“These help to provide better thermal comfort within the occupied spaces,” says Iftekar. In order to reduce overall energy use, Ellis Air worked to maximise the cooling provided by the chilled beams while simultaneously reducing the cooling

Due to the building head height, the high temperature chilled water circuits are provided with pressure breaks on Level 3, and with satellite risers running up the building. Cooling towers, heating hot water boiler plant and cogeneration plant are all located on Level 40. ❚

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Outside air

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“Considering the design is based around a constant-air-volume system, the first stage of cooling was to utilise lower Melbourne ambient conditions where possible,” Iftekar says. “If the ambient conditions aren’t

According to Iftekar, one of the major challenges of the project was the handling of the chilled beams onsite.

Supply air

The first stage of cooling was to utilise lower Melbourne ambient conditions where possible

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Humidity and 4 6 Control J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M Evaporative Cooling

“By providing tenant outside air and exhaust air via façade louvres, we eliminated the need for separate risers for these systems,” he says, “and therefore maximised the floor NLA.”

WORKING WITH BEAMS

Return air

Exhaust air

Iftekar says this presented some challenges in terms of reticulation of services from the northern-most point of the floor plate to all other areas of the floor.

favourable, and the space conditions are not met with 100 per cent supply air, then a second stage of cooling is met via the chilled beams.” In the event that the chilled beams are not able to meet the thermal loads, then the supply air temperatures are reset to provide top-up cooling via the primary air. The aesthetics of the building’s architectural design dictated that louvres for outside air intakes be incorporated only into South Tower’s north façade.

“Due to their lightweight construction, it made it difficult and challenging to store the chilled beams onsite, as well as installing them while other services were working around us,” he says.

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL All building services across 80 Collins Street’s South and hotel towers are controlled and monitored via an IP BACnet open protocol control system, incorporating a specialised energy‑management system. The system includes the mechanical services system controls and monitoring, as well as monitoring of electrical, hydraulic, vertical transport and fire systems across the site. ❚

COV ER FE ATURE

Additionally, with piping to the chilled beams configured in a reverse return set-up, it was important to get the right lengths and bends over a series of chilled beams connected to the one circuit. Extensive flushing and chemical treatment of this chilled beam pipework was also required to maintain a low pH, due to the soft soldered joints. To facilitate improved planning and achieve a faster, safer onsite installation, prefabrication was utilised in the assembly of some of the larger fans and attenuators installed within the South Tower, as well as the chilled beam valve trains. But perhaps the biggest challenge confronting Ellis Air was to be found in the design and installation of secondary structure (anchors) used to support chilled water, heating hot water and condenser water pipework risers.

DOUBLEDECKER In a Victorian first, double-decker lifts were incorporated into the design of the South Tower. These minimise the core configuration and enable maximum NLA while providing premium-grade vertical transport capacities that offer a fast, reliable and efficient service. ❚

PROJECT AT A GLANCE The personnel ▲ Architect: Woods Bagot + UN Studios ▲ Builder: Multiplex

Due to the massive, combined weight of these pipes – estimated to be around 120,000kg – and the structural requirement to support this only in the Level 3 plantroom – the secondary structure had to be carefully designed by Ellis Air.

▲ Building services engineer: AECOM

“This was a unique challenge,” says Iftekar. “It was overcome by sub‑contracting the structural steel design to an independent structural engineering consultant who also provided their own certification upon completion.”

▲ Mechanical services contractor: Ellis Air

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▲ Client: QIC and Dexus ▲ ESD engineer: WSP ▲ Façade engineer: Arup

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80 Collins Street’s 38-storey South Tower reached completion in March 2020, with the 27-storey hotel completed in September 2020.

▲ Chilled Beams: ACS (Lindab)

The first occupants of the South Tower arrived in mid-2020, but due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, the building’s systems are yet to operate fully due to low occupancy levels.

▲ Cooling Towers: Evapco

“But since restrictions have eased, the systems have performed well, with ratings targets achieved and minimal issues encountered to date,” says Toscan, “even with ongoing fitouts occurring across the building.”

▲ FCUs: GJ Walker and Temperzone

As Melbournians return to their city after almost a year away, 80 Collins Street is sure to become a favoured destination both at day and night. ❚

▲ Sensors: Alerton

▲ Chillers: Daikin ▲ Convectors (in-floor): Holyoake ▲ CRAC Units: Vertiv

placing them at the top of the category. categor

▲ Dampers: Celmec ▲ Diffusers: Shapeair + Trox ▲ Fans: Fantech ▲ Grilles: Shapeair and Trox ▲ Heat exchangers: FluidPro ▲ Outside air intake vents: Fantech ▲ Pumps: Wilo ▲ VSDs: ABB (Source: AECOM and Ellis Air)

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FORUM P E E R - R E V I E W E D T E C H N I C A L PA P E R S

Carpark mechanical ventilation – time to take performance seriously? Craig Pregnalato, PhD, BEng(Hons), M.AIRAH – Director at Desanco

ABSTRACT Recent adoption of the 2019 National Construction Code (NCC) has highlighted the improvements attainable in energy efficiency and sustainable design. However, the same cannot be said of the antiquated ventilation requirements for carparks in Section F of the NCC. The Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions of the NCC state that carpark ventilation systems should comply with AS1668.2, yet the vehicle emission rates (and the corresponding exhaust ventilation flow rates) in AS1668.2 have not changed in almost 20 years. This despite the fact that automobile technology has made huge advancements considering increasingly stringent exhaust emission requirements – modern vehicle fleets have transitioned to smaller more efficient engines, and the progressively larger market-share of electric and hybrid vehicles. It is therefore timely to consider how Performance Solutions for carparks can lead to better designs that are more reflective of modern energy-efficient and sustainable policies.

INTRODUCTION Compliance with the NCC 1 for carpark ventilation may be achieved via two pathways, namely the DtS approach or a Performance Solution. The performance requirements are detailed in FP4.3 and FP4.4 of the NCC, and the corresponding verification method is FV4.2 which states that carbon monoxide (CO) exposure levels should not exceed the limits specified in Table FV4.2 (reproduced here in Table 1). The DtS provisions state that the carpark must have a system of mechanical ventilation complying with AS1668.2;2 it is inferred that a ventilation system designed in accordance with AS1668.2 should result in CO levels in the carpark that are within the limits specified in Table 1. It is difficult to verify if this holds true in practice since DtS designs are hardly ever subject to performance appraisals; indeed, many DtS designs are often found to be non-compliant when assessed in comparison with Performance Solutions. In light of this, it is suggested that Performance Solutions for carpark ventilation systems should be considered more seriously instead of defaulting to the DtS methodology – it is demonstrated that alternative considerations of the primary factors that amount to a DtS design have the potential for significant design improvements and cost advantages. Some of these parameters include: • Using more representative vehicle emission rates; • Considering actual vehicle speeds in carparks; • Employing ambient background CO levels obtained from relevant Environmental Protection Agency data; • Better estimating vehicle parking times or exit durations. 4 8 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Concentration (ppm)

Total exposure duration per day

100

Not to be exceeded

15 minutes

1 hour

8 hours

Table 1. Maximum carbon monoxide exposure for carparks.

VEHICLE EMISSION RATES The emission rate of CO from internal combustion engines is highly dependent on a number of factors, including the age of the vehicle, engine temperature, vehicle speed and ambient temperature, to name but a few. The CO emission rates are higher for older vehicles, when starting from cold, and for low ambient air temperatures. When considering the emission rates for vehicles in carparks, it is important to separate the emission rates from “cold-start” (at initial start-up when the engine is cold, assuming a cold soak period of six-plus hours) and “hot running” (where the vehicle engine and emission control technologies have reached their optimal operating temperatures). At an ambient temperature of around 20°C, hot running conditions will generally be achieved within 15 minutes of driving; however, the magnitude of cold‑start emissions is largely determined by “light-off” conditions of the catalyst and tight control of the air-to-fuel ratio. This is usually achieved within a minute of engine start for modern vehicles and a few minutes for older vehicles.3

A history of the vehicle emission rates in the current and previous versions of AS1668.2 is shown in Table 2. The vehicle emission rates in AS1668.2-1991 are based on 1990 fleet mix with 25% catalyst cars; the basis of the emission rates for the 2002 and 2012 versions are not described in the standard, however, the 2012 edition states that “emission controls do not start functioning effectively until several minutes after the engine has been in operation”.2

engines would have had sufficient cold soak time (eight-plus hours) to have cooled completely such that cold-start emissions would be significant. Likewise, for commercial carparks, the peak hour could be in the afternoon when occupants depart on their home journeys. A vehicle cold soak time of eight hours would be a reasonable assumption in this situation. On the other hand, for retail carparks, a peak hour for vehicle movements is more difficult to ascertain – if a traffic study is available for the development, then this may be used to estimate the distribution of vehicle movements over a given time period. In lieu of a traffic study, assumptions would need to be made regarding the duration of individual visits; vehicle cold soak times could range from as little as 15 minutes to a full day. The influence of the cold soak time on the CO emission rates would need to be considered as discussed in Favez et al.7 Alternatively, cold-start conditions could be assumed which may result in excessively high CO emission rates.

It is important to note that since the emission rates in the current version (2012) of AS1668.2 are independent of advancement in engine and emission control designs, it follows that these values are inherently conservative and are not reflective of the emission rates that may be expected in current vehicle fleets, especially considering the trends towards smaller more efficient petrol and diesel engines, as well as the adoption of electric vehicles and hybrid technology. In addition, these emission rates and the corresponding basis of the airflow rates in Appendix J of AS1668.2 are informative, and are therefore to be considered only for “information and guidance”. It is disappointing to observe that in our experience, too many certifiers and building surveyors are unwilling to accept solutions that depart from these values or the ventilation airflow rates that follow. This can make acceptance of a Performance Solution a difficult value proposition for the proponent, and helps to explain why so few carparks are designed as a Performance Solution even though the benefits greatly outweigh those of a DtS design as discussed herein.

Time

AS1668.2-1991

AS1668.2-2002

AS1668.2-2012

1st minute

35g/min

25g/min

2nd minute

24g/min

16g/min

3rd minute

17g/min

10g/min

4th minute

13g/min

7g/min

5th minute

10g/min

5g/min

Hot

8g/min

3.2g/min

Table 2. Vehicle CO emission rates in the current and previous versions of AS1668.2.

To alleviate these apparent concerns, a prospective Performance Solution should detail the vehicle emission rates used together with appropriate references. For cold-start emissions a good starting point is the study by Singer et al.4 , which details vehicle emission measurements in a three-level underground carpark. Pollutant concentrations and vehicle movements were measured during morning and afternoon sample periods; the median age of vehicles in this study was a manufacture year of 1991, with a larger proportion of cars in the range 1989–1997. Analysis of the data suggests emission rates typically two to three times lower than those in Table 2.

AVERAGE SPEED IN CARPARKS In addition to the emission rates described above, AS1668.2 uses an average car speed of 6km/hr in calculating the CO contaminant generation rates. These rates consider vehicle movements when exiting the carpark, since the departing scenario is when the emission rates are highest because of cold engine starts. Speed limits in carparks vary across the states, with most jurisdictions categorising carparks as Shared Zones, which generally attract a speed limit of 10km/hr. Where carparks can be classified separately a different speed limit can be applied; in Victoria for example, the VicRoads speed zone guidelines 8 state a 20km/hr speed limit for carparks and similar areas where vehicles and pedestrians mix.

For hot engine emissions, one can consider the exhaust emission rates set out in the Australian Design Rules (ADR) for light vehicles as far back as 1976. Recent motor vehicle census data 5 shows that the average age of vehicles across Australia is 10.2 years as at January 2019, corresponding to an average manufacture year of 2008. The relevant ADR for these vehicles is ADR79/02, which references the Euro 4 test standard; the resultant emission standard for CO is 1.0g/km.6 To statistically allow for a wider range of vehicles, it may be suggested that the older ADR79/01 standard be applied with a CO emission standard of 2.3g/km; note that this emission standard is more stringent and covers vehicles (in terms of CO emissions) manufactured from 1997 onwards.

A Victorian government inquiry into pedestrian safety in carparks 9 described a series of studies in Melbourne that investigated the actual vehicle speeds observed within regional and local shopping centre carparks. It found average speeds ranging from 14–30km/hr, with speeds of up to 60km/hr detected. The inquiry also recommended that carparks be designated Shared Zones where appropriate.

The intended use of the carpark also affects the choice of vehicle emission rates to use. For residential carparks, the peak hour for CO emissions could be in the morning when occupants depart for their workplaces; it is likely in this scenario that the vehicle

The study by Singer et al.4 evaluated vehicle emissions and movements in a three-level underground carpark in 1997; the average vehicle speed measured was 16–24km/hr although the sign posted speed limit was 8km/hr.

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 4 9

FORUM

It is reasonable to assume that vehicles entering carparks are likely to travel at lower speeds in their search for an available parking space; conversely, vehicles departing the carpark are more likely to travel at higher speeds as they make their way direct to the exit. Considering the above points, it may be advocated that a more representative departing vehicle speed used in a Performance Solution could be 15–20km/hr.

AMBIENT CO CONCENTRATION In AS1668.2 2 a peak ambient CO concentration of 9ppm is assumed; this is based on the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) 8-hour average standard of 9ppm. Every state and territory measures CO at a number of locations (except Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which are not required to monitor CO levels); annual reports on current air quality are published by the respective state environmental protection authorities. A recent national air quality report was published in 2010,10 representing the period 1999–2008. Over this period, the 95th and 50th percentile concentrations showed a gradual decline at all reported monitoring sites; indeed, at the end of this period, the 95th percentile CO concentration was less than 2ppm at every station monitored. More recent data may be obtained from the relevant state authorities. In Victoria, statistics for 2018 11 show that the maximum eight-hour CO reading recorded at any of the monitoring sites was 1.8ppm; the highest 95th and 50th percentile concentrations were 0.9ppm and 0.3ppm respectively. The (informative) Appendix N in AS1668.2 2 declares “where data from the relevant EPA or from site monitoring indicates a consistently lower ambient value, then that value may be used in calculations.” It is put forward that for the purposes of choosing an ambient CO concentration for a carpark ventilation Performance Solution, a value equivalent to the 95th percentile from the relevant EPA would be a practical estimate.

PARKING TIMES The basis of the exhaust flow rates in AS1668.2 make two important assumptions on the exiting strategy of vehicles, namely: • A car takes 0.5 to 1 minute to leave the zone; and • Cars exiting from other areas are in the second minute of operation. These guesses make no allowance for the size or complexity of the carpark, and importantly imply that the driving distances/ speed have no influence on the time vehicles spend in the carpark; indeed, the formulae assume a maximum vehicle transit time of two minutes. Obviously the larger the carpark the more inaccurate this assumption becomes. Likewise, for small carparks where the exit times could be one minute or less, the formulae over-predict the CO generation rates. An alternative is to calculate the parking/exit times based on the actual driving/bypass distances and average vehicle speed – this can be performed easily for any carpark (including with multiple levels) and yields a much more realistic estimation of the vehicle 5 0 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

transit times. Using this approach, transit times of six-plus minutes can be obtained for large multi-level shopping centre carparks during a representative peak hour scenario.

INFLUENCE ON CARPARK CO EMISSION RATES It is evident that the total CO emission rates are highly dependent on the chosen vehicle emission rates and the average speed of vehicles in the carpark; altering these two parameters can have a significant impact on the calculated CO emission rates. To illustrate this, consider the carparks in Table 3, which represent a broad range in terms of size and usage. Here we have a small single-level residential carpark that is representative of a townhouse complex; a medium-size multi-level commercial carpark typical of an office block; and a large multi-level retail carpark that is characteristic of a shopping centre. All three examples presented are actual projects where Performance Solutions have been obtained. For all three categories of carpark, the CO emission rates were computed using average driving and bypass distances (depending on the carpark layout) as referenced in AS1668.2. In addition, the parking times assumed in AS1668.2 (discussed above) were not used; instead, the vehicle transit times were calculated based on the actual driving/bypass distances and average vehicle speed. The CO emission rates were then calculated for every level and integrated to yield the total emission rates for each carpark. The influence of the vehicle emission rates and average vehicle speed assumed was assessed for the following scenarios: • Standard – using the standard calculation procedure in AS1668.2 (Case 1); • High speed – using an average vehicle speed of 10km/hr instead of 6km/hr. The term “high speed” is used here purely to distinguish from the “standard” speed of 6km/hr (Case 2); • Reduced – using more representative emission rates, 4, 6 (Case 3) and typically two to three times lower than the values in Table 2; • Reduced and high speed – a combination of the above two scenarios (Case 4). Table 3 and Table 4 show that the effects of altering these parameters can be significant, both in absolute and percentage terms. For the carparks considered here, just assuming an average vehicle departing speed of 10km/hr can reduce the calculated CO emission rates by almost 20%; if higher speeds can be justified, then the reductions will be more substantial. Even more extensive are the reductions in calculated CO emission rates when more representative vehicle emission rates are used; here, reductions of approximately 70% are demonstrated. Since these emission rates directly affect the required exhaust flow rates, the corresponding reductions in exhaust flow rates are equally significant. In our experience, for small residential carparks where the simple procedure 2 is usually followed (typically yielding a minimum exhaust flowrate of 2,000L/s) the calculated flow rate reduction with a Performance Solution can be 80% or more. For larger commercial and retail carparks, exhaust flow rate reductions of 50% and greater are not unusual.

FORUM

Total CO Emission Rates (g/hr) Size

Type

No. of levels

No. of cars

Standard

High Speed

Reduced

Reduced and high speed

Small

Residential

174

151

Medium

Commercial

456

12,201

10,147

3,536

3,304

Large

Retail

1,011

41,006

33,990

11,578

10,744

Table 3. Comparison of total computed CO emission rates. Total % Reduction from standard emission rates Size

Type

No. of levels

No. of cars

Standard

High Speed

Reduced and high speed

Reduced

Small

Residential

n/a

13%

54%

60%

Medium

Commercial

456

n/a

17%

71%

73%

Large

Retail

1,011

n/a

17%

72%

74%

Table 4. Reduction in total CO emission rates.

EXAMPLE PERFORMANCE SOLUTION

in a large proportion of the carpark – this illustrates the fact that the one-size-fits-all DtS approach does not always result in a compliant ventilation layout, and serves as evidence that the well-intentioned performance requirements in the NCC are not necessarily satisfied by DtS designs.

We present now a real-world example showing how the ideas above can be implemented to positively impact the design outcomes. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach is adopted to assess the performance of the ventilation system as a Performance Solution. Since the airflow circulation in a carpark (and the corresponding dispersion of CO) is highly dependent on the distribution of obstacles and obstructions, it is imperative to include all significant impediments in the CFD model – these include vehicles, columns, ductwork and ceiling beams as a minimum.*1

By considering a higher average car speed in the carpark (Case 2), the CO concentrations are improved but still non‑compliant. However, if lower vehicle emission rates are used (Case 3), the CO concentrations are much lower – the vast majority of the carpark indicates CO levels that are less than the 60ppm criterion. Although there exists a high-CO area at the upper-left side, this is caused by flow re-circulation as shown in Figure 3 – it may be argued that vehicles passing through this area would extinguish any re-circulation (due mainly to flow entrainment from moving bodies) and thus the solution would be compliant. With both a higher average car speed and lower emission rates (Case 4) the CO concentrations are lower still.

A one-level basement commercial carpark is considered here with a DtS exhaust flow rate of 7,700L/s, a supply flow rate of 6,200L/s and an ambient CO concentration of 9ppm; the CFD model geometry is shown in Figure 1. Supply air is provided via the carpark entry and ducted system on the south side; contaminated air is extracted via the exhaust system on the north side. Since attendant parking is not used, occupants will not be exposed to CO for long durations and therefore the eight-hour CO concentration limit of 30ppm (Table 1) is not applicable. Instead, the (correct) compliance criterion to use is the 1-hour average limit of 60ppm. It should be noted that different requirements including workplace health and safety may be applicable if attendant parking is employed.

Although a commercial carpark is considered in this example, the methodology extends to carparks of any usage – this includes mixed-use carparks where the localised CO generated in different parts of the carpark (e.g., residential, commercial or retail) can be proportioned and integrated into the one model. CO Concentration (ppm)

The four scenarios mentioned above were simulated to appreciate the impact each change would have on the computed CO concentrations; the results are presented at an assessment plane 1.6m above floor level in Figure 2 up to a scale of 60ppm (i.e., the one-hour average criterion). Note that CO concentrations greater than 60ppm are not elucidated but are instead captured within the solid red contours. The spatial average and maximum CO concentrations (across the assessment plane) are summarised in Table 5.

Case 1 Standard

Case 2 High Speed

Case 3 Reduced

Case 4 Reduced and high speed

Spatial average

Spatial maximum

341

296

148

131

Table 5. Comparison of the computed onehour average CO concentrations.

DESIGN OPTIMISATION Although the Case 3 and Case 4 results shown in Figure 2 may be considered an acceptable solution, it may be warranted to take full advantage of the Performance Solution and yield a ventilation design that is optimised in terms of providing a compliant

It is interesting to note that the DtS design (Case 1) yields CO concentrations that are much higher than the 60ppm criterion * In this example, the software ANSYS Fluent is used.

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 51

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Figure 1. Carpark CFD model.

solution with the minimum quantity of exhaust flow. For this example, an optimised design could comprise the following: • Deletion of the mechanical supply system; • Use of the carpark entry for make-up air; • Removal of the mechanical exhaust ductwork and replacement with a single exhaust point; • Addition of two jet (impulse) fans to improve the air distribution and lower the CO concentrations; • Reduction of the total exhaust flow rate by 60% (from 7,700L/s to 3,000L/s).

Figure 3. Velocity vectors showing the flow re-circulation zone.

The resultant CO concentrations for this scenario are shown in Figure 4. With the above changes to the design, not only are the maximum CO concentrations compliant (maximum CO of 55ppm) but the substantial reduction in the total exhaust

Figure 2. Comparison of the computed one-hour average CO concentrations for the four simulated scenarios.

52 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

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Figure 4. Optimised design with addition of jet fans, removal of supply system and reduction in exhaust flow rate.

flow rate and removal of the mechanical supply system will allow significant reductions in up-front and ongoing costs. Clearly these benefits can be amplified when designing ventilation systems for larger capacity carparks.

REFERENCES 1. National Construction Code Volume One – Building Code of Australia, Australian Building Codes Board, 2019 2. Australian Standard: AS1668.2-2012 The use of ventilation and airconditioning in buildings Part 2: Mechanical ventilation in buildings, Standards Australia, 2012

CONCLUSIONS Australia has made great advances in adopting sustainable design and energy efficiency practices in recent times, as evidenced by Section J of the NCC. However, these advancements have not extended to the DtS design of carpark ventilation systems in AS1668.2; in order to apply the latest sustainable design principles a Performance Solution is required.

3. Smit, R. & Ntziachristos, L., Cold Start Emission Modelling for the Australian Petrol Fleet, Air Quality and Climate Change, vol. 47 no. 3, August 2013 4. Singer, B.C, Kirchstetter, T.W, Harley, R.A, Kendall, G.R. & Hesson, J.M, A Fuel-Based Approach to Estimating Motor Vehicle Cold-Start Emissions, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 49:2, 1999

The DtS pathway is certainly straightforward, and this helps to explain its popularity, but it certainly should not automatically be assumed to result in a well-designed layout. Alternatively, when considering a Performance Solution, it is suggested that the exhaust flow rates calculated using AS1668.2 be used as a guide, since these flow rates can be over-conservative when considering modern vehicle fleets and the ever-increasing improvements in vehicle emission controls.

5. Australian Bureau of Statistics: 9309.0 – Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, 31 Jan 2019 6. Summary of Emission Requirements for New Petrol Passenger Cars in Australia 1972 – 2018, Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, 2018 7. Favez, J, Weilenmann, M. & Stilli, J, Cold start extra emission as a function of engine stop time: Evolution over the last 10 years, Atmospheric Environment, vol. 43, 2009

It can be simple enough for a capable engineer to design a Performance Solution utilising some of the principles discussed here, but the effort may be futile if the respective certifier is not on board with the solution. It is therefore incumbent on all parties to become more familiar with the Performance Solution approach and to be mindful of the significant benefits that can be realised with this method. ❚

8. Traffic Engineering Manual Volume 3 – Speed Zoning Guidelines, VicRoads, ed. 1 June 2017 9. Inquiry into Pedestrian Safety in Carparks, Report of the Road Safety Committee on the Inquiry into Pedestrian Safety in Carparks, Parliamentary Paper No. 311 Session 2006–10, 2010 10. State of the Air in Australia, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Commonwealth of Australia, 2010

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Craig Pregnalato, M.AIRAH

11. Air Monitoring Report 2018 – Compliance with the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, October 2019

Dr Craig Pregnalato, M.AIRAH, is a director at Desanco. He has been working in the built environment for more than 15 years, with particular expertise in CFD modelling and analysis.

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 53

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5 4 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

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University challenge Victoria University engaged Applied Energy Saving Solutions (AESS) to conduct an energy audit of its Nicholson Campus at Footscray.

AESS found that the domestic hot water system in one of the campus buildings was provided by a calorifier, which was connected to the space heating boiler. The large domestic gas boiler and its big primary and secondary circulating pumps had to run during summer to meet only the small domestic hot water load in the building by heating the water inside the calorifier. Because of this inefficient design, and also the low efficiency of the old calorifier, AESS proposed separating the domestic hot water circuit from the space heating boiler circuit and installing a solar hot water system with gas boosters. This would replace the old calorifier to supply domestic hot water to the building.

The webpage features five sections: Connected communities, Built environment, Data and integration, Team processes, Member services, and Resources.

AESS estimated that implementing this recommendation would save 87,390MJ in gas consumption annually, and 8,240kWh in electricity. This is equivalent to avoiding around 13.4 tonnes CO2 emissions.

Hayter leads a Vision 2030 team of 18, including fellow Presidential Fellow Thomas H. Phoenix, who is Vice‑Chair of ASHRAE Vision 2030.

Victoria University decided to implement the recommendation. AESS specified evacuated tube solar collectors for this project, due to their high efficiency compared to flat plate collectors. The mechanical contractor, selected by Victoria University, carried out the detailed design for this project and completed the installation last year. ❚

Go to ashrae.org/vision2030. ❚

A better future through refrigeration The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published its first Activity Report, emphasising the essential role of refrigeration at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are considered a blueprint to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. “Naturally, global sustainability cannot be achieved without refrigeration, as it is present in most past, present, and future areas of human activity,” the IIR says. “It is absolutely necessary for life, and accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the world’s electricity; a figure that is constantly increasing. Aligned with the institute’s ethos of “Refrigeration for sustainable development”, the Activity Report 2020 provides an overview on how the IIR’s work is linked to the SDGs.

ASHRAE’s long view

“The report details how the IIR has clearly set its strategy and actions within the framework of the sustainable development of the refrigeration sector,” the IIR says of the Activity Report. “In concrete terms, this has resulted in new agreements with various international bodies and the drafting of documents of general interest to promote the role of refrigeration in this perspective.”

US engineering body ASHRAE has launched its Vision 2030 webpage.

The organisation says its Vision 2030 is about providing professionals in the building industry with the resources to drive the innovative and strategic improvements needed to foment the revolution of the built environment. “The Vision 2030 webpage provides guidance to support intelligent design, construction, and operation for a more adaptable and resilient built environment,” says 2018–19 ASHRAE Presidential Member and Vision 2030 Chair Shelia J. Hayter. “We believe that the contributions of the Vision 2030 team will serve as a powerful resource to industry professionals and the general public alike.”

Go to iifiir.org/en/iirpresentation ❚

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 55

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Hop on the eCycle

Reliable Controls has announced a new initiative that it says will help customers minimise waste in the field: eCycle.

The eCycle service allows authorised dealers to send nonrepairable Reliable Controls and peripheral partner devices to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. When electrical and electronic equipment, including building controllers, is disposed of properly, electronic materials are recovered and can be used in new products. But Reliable Controls says programs for proper collection and disposal of e-waste vary widely by region. “With the new eCycle service, it doesn’t matter where in the world customers are,” says the company. “We will arrange for its authorised dealers to ship non-repairable controllers to a responsible recycling partner for disposal.” The products Reliable Controls manufactures follow the WEEE, RoHS 2, and R2 directives, which set collection, recycling, and recovery targets for electrical goods and restrict the use of certain hazardous substances. “With the introduction of eCycle, authorised dealers can assure their customers that the Reliable Controls long-term, better‑by‑design approach not only provides them with excellent ROI, but also mitigates the negative impact of waste management; our products are recycled responsibly and built to last,” says Reliable Controls. Go to www.reliablecontrols.com ❚

Milestone for Matthews This year marks a significant milestone for long-standing AIRAH member Paul Matthews, M.AIRAH: he is celebrating 30 years with Perth-based mechanical building services consultancy Steens Gray & Kelly. Matthews joined the firm in 1991, and quickly became an integral member of the team. By 1994 he had been promoted to associate and over the next seven years he cut his teeth in the Perth market, working on healthcare, laboratory and government projects.

Paul Matthews, M.AIRAH

5 6 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

In 1997 he joined the partnership as a director, working alongside the original founding partners Nick Steens, Brian Gray and Max Kelly. Then in mid2001, following a strategic transition and the retirement of Kelly and Gray, Matthews took on the role of managing director, a position he has now held for 20 years.

“Since taking the helm as managing director, Paul has forged a reputation of excellence, through his attention to detail, robust design solutions and exceeding clients’ expectations,” says Steens Gray & Kelly general manager Ben MacLeevernan, Affil.AIRAH. Among Matthews’ many career highlights, MacLeevernan says the Joondalup Health Campus Redevelopment stands out. The project commenced in 2008 and comprised the major development of the existing tertiary public hospital, the construction of a new dedicated private hospital, along with associated central energy systems. Now a decade and a half later, the SG&K team are embarking on the second major redevelopment of this same site. “Aside from Paul’s enormous contribution to Steens Gray & Kelly, he has helped develop health design standards and guidelines, and mentored a great number of young engineers and drafters,” says MacLeevernan. “Longevity in business is becoming an increasingly rare attribute, and we take this moment to congratulate Paul on his impressive 30-year milestone with Steens Gray & Kelly.” Go to www.sgk.com.au ❚

See the heat with Testo Measuring technology supplier Testo has released its thermal imager testo 883.

“This thermal imager, which offers the best image quality and automatic image management, was developed and manufactured entirely in Germany, and greatly reduces the day-to-day workload of those who specialise in the efficient operation of plants,” the company says. The testo 883 thermal imager offers an infrared resolution of 320×240 pixels, which can even be expanded to 640×480 pixels with the builtin testo SuperResolution technology. Testo says the manual focus guarantees users full control of the thermal image. Testo says its SiteRecognition technology solves the problem of similar-looking images by automatically recognising the measuring location and saving and managing the thermal images. “This rules out any mix-ups, prevents errors during evaluation, and saves a lot of time by eliminating the need for manual image assignment,” the company says. “With the testo Thermography App, thermal images can be quickly analysed on a smartphone/tablet or shared with colleagues and managers. Readings from the testo 770-3 clamp meter are also integrated directly into the thermal image.” The testo 883 thermal imager is available now on its own or in a kit with telephoto lens, additional battery and charging station, from specialist dealers and also directly from Testo. Go to www.testo.com/en-AU ❚

PORTFOLIO

Ritter has over 20 years of international experience in delivering environmentally sustainable design (ESD) solutions and leads the team of environmental designers in Melbourne. Gandhi is a sustainability advocate and analyst who leads the firm’s energy modelling and building performance practice. She speaks regularly at industry events – including AIRAH conferences – and participates in sustainability thought leadership forums. “Our interest has always been in creating great environments for people,” says Ritter, “and for this you need a great team of designers that understand both the physical and the invisible architecture to make a building both inhabitable and inspiring. “I’m excited by the opportunity that myself, Priya, and the rest of the team in Australia have to provide vision and leadership in delivering the net zero carbon goals set by the international Paris Agreement. Through shared knowledge, holistic design thinking, advanced technology and engineering solutions we can do this.”

Fan-forced recovery

Global electric motor and fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg has reported sales of €639 million (AU$995 million) in 2020 – an increase of around 1 per cent over 2019 – and is expecting continued growth in 2021.

Go to www.atelierten.com ❚

A solution for modern spaces

“The year 2020 was like a rollercoaster ride,” says Ziehl-Abegg CEO Peter Fenkl, “alternating suddenly and rapidly between border closures, material supplies being cut off, falling sales and rising order books.” COVID-19 regulations presented significant obstacles to production and sales. This was compounded by a global shortage of components. And, as Fenkl points out, they live with the threat of further disruptions. “No one knows if we’ll see the beginning of another downward trend next week,” he says. Ziehl-Abegg was forced to abandon its original sales plans for 2020. Strong early sales in elevator drive technology failed to compensate for a slump in ventilation systems. Fenkl says that these only started to catch up in the fourth quarter, enabling Ziehl-Abegg to ultimately post slight growth in annual sales. Go to www.ziehl-abegg.com ❚

Mitsubishi Electric Australia has introduced a new 9kW wall‑mounted split system suited to large open-plan spaces that can often be hard to temperature control from a single unit.

Leading lights at Atelier Ten

The MSZ-AS90VGD-A1 is designed for year-round service in large open-plan living areas thanks to its relatively large capacity. It also includes features such as advanced air filtration, dual barrier coating, and long airflow operation.

Atelier Ten has announced the promotion of David Ritter, M.AIRAH, to director of the sustainable design consultancy’s Melbourne studio, and Priya Gandhi, M.AIRAH, to associate in Melbourne.

The dual barrier coating on the unit’s heat exchanger and facial surfaces is designed to prevent dust and greasy dirt from adhering to it. Mitsubishi Electric says this not only helps the unit stay cleaner for longer, but also makes cleaning the unit easier. According to Atesh Mani, National Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Australia, Australians are now seeking air conditioners that do more than cooling and heating – they want appliances that also focus on health and wellness. “Delivering clean, fresh and healthy air is a priority for us,” says Mani. “The AS90 uses a built-in anti-allergy enzyme filter which works to trap allergens such as mould and bacteria by using enzymes to decompose them.”

David Ritter, M.AIRAH

Go to www.mitsubishielectric.com.au ❚

Priya Gandhi, M.AIRAH

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 57

PORTFOLIO

Suzanne Toumbourou

Tomoki Miyamoto, Affil.AIRAH, Country Head, Air Conditioning, Panasonic Australia, has pointed to the opportunities the deal will create. “This opens up a new line of business for Panasonic,” says Miyamoto, “and we are excited to be working together to satisfy customers’ growing requirements for ventilation solutions in the large commercial sector.” Pacific Ventilation Managing Director Peter Gibson, Affil.AIRAH, has also hailed the partnership. “This new offering reflects the engineering excellence of two companies dedicated to improving people’s lives through cleaner, safer air,” says Gibson.

Toumbourou bids ASBEC adieu

Go to aircon.Panasonic.com.au and www.pacificventilation.com ❚

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has announced that Executive Director Suzanne Toumbourou has been appointed CEO of the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and will conclude her tenure at ASBEC at the end of June 2021. “It has been an immense pleasure and privilege to work with ASBEC’s members over the past decade,” says Toumbourou. “We have achieved so much real impact together, from mapping the emissions reductions possibilities presented by our buildings and infrastructure to securing cross‑government support for improved energy performance measures in Australia’s Building Code. “While I’m proud to have been part of the journey up to now, I know ASBEC’s members will continue to pursue their collective vision of a sustainable and resilient built environment in Australia.” Alison Scotland, former Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Standards Australia, has been appointed as ASBEC’s Interim Executive Director. She will work closely with Toumbourou during an initial handover period, and continue in the role until later in 2021. Go to www.asbec.asn.au ❚

Aircon alliance

Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation, a wholly‑owned subsidiary of the Systemair Group, have announced they will work together to market a large-scale commercial air conditioning and ventilation solution. Locally, the first stage of the collaboration will see Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation work together to market Pacific Ventilation’s indoor DX air handling units and Panasonic’s variable refrigerant flow (FSV) outdoor units. Panasonic says this is in line with its strategic partnership with Systemair AB Group, which seeks to leverage existing technology and expertise from both parties to create bespoke project solutions. The solution is designed for applications such as shopping centres, large grocery stores and hospitals. 5 8 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Showroom in cyberspace

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has announced the launch of its Virtual Showroom Innovation Park. Users guide themselves around the virtual showroom, and can access information on the latest product offerings, from small residential through to large commercial solutions. “Through this tool, customers can not only explore our product range, but they will also be provided with up-to-date product images and key features and functions on each product,” says MHIAA Managing Director Yuji Ito.

PORTFOLIO

If you do visit the park, you will notice some new awards stamps on the company’s split systems. MHIAA has been named by Finder as the Best Rated Split System Air Conditioner Brand in the latest 2021 retail awards.

“Unfortunately, homelessness can affect anyone at any time,” says Perham. “The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness at the moment. Of these, 60 per cent are under 35 years of age, 44 per cent are women and sadly, 13 per cent are children 12 years and under.

The 2020/21 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards recognises Australia’s best brands and are voted on by Australians. Within the split system category, consumers rated air conditioners in terms of quietness, performance, features and functions, and value for money. MHI air conditioners achieved the highest rating in every single category, taking out the 2020/21 Retail Award. Go to virtualinnovationpark.com.au ❚

Long night for a good cause

Philip Perham Perham says that participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and support the St Vincent de Paul Society to achieve its goal of reducing homelessness and poverty. He has set a personal fundraising target of $50,000.

Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham will be participating in his fourth Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 17, 2021. Spending the night with only a sleeping bag, pillow and some cardboard for comfort and protection, Perham will join hundreds of CEOs and business owners at White Bay Cruise Terminal, on Sydney Harbour, to help raise awareness of homelessness.

Go to www.ceosleepout.org.au ❚

HVAC Hygiene BEST HVA C TICE H YGIAC ENE PR INES 1.8.4. GUIDEL Unu

TIN G TE OF AND HEA N INS TITU DIT ION ING TRA LIA CON THE AUS TIO N, AIR ERA REFRIG

H VAC H YGIENE

AIR A H BEST

INES PRACT ICE GUIDEL

SYSTEM HYGIENE ACCEPTABLE TABLE 2.3 MINIMUM Classification. HVAC system (See 1.5)

or Component HVAC System (See 1.6)

Air intakes and

General Use Systems

exhausts

level Minimum hygiene (See Table 2.1)

Clean

Moderate

Exhaust air system

Light Clean

AHU

Clean

– moisture Supply system producing equipment exhausts Air intakes and or Supply air system, or Return air system, Outside air system

Clean Light Pre filtration – – Clean Post Filtration Clean No Filtration – Moderate

Exhaust air system Non-ducted refrigerated

a/c

Clean

Evaporative coolers

like may have theatres and the ing/processing rooms, operating such as clean bodies, manufactur use applications other governing determined by certain HVAC special be noted that of HVAC hygiene Note: It should s for higher levels specific requirement and the like. and operators System owners activities, regulations within HVAC systems. are familiar with the regulatory that they component should ensure in which they operate. the jurisdiction ion in or on a system visual requirements of If fungal contaminat identifiable through

not readily for should be taken is suspected, but surface samples taking procedures for assessment, then are Recommended ion assessment laboratory analysis. for fungal contaminat surface samples D. detailed in Appendix by t has been confirmed, be , to If a system or componen or analytical assessment system or visual observation ed then the affected ated. contaminat mould ts should be decontamin system componen remediation of a mould affected or if a thorough Decontamination undertaken only be and system should been undertaken the system has samples. assessment of based on limited not an assessment

mould or system due to ation of a HVAC activity that is Note: Decontamin n is a specialised State and Territory microbial contaminatio of this Guideline. s for the outside the scope have specific requirement n governments may contaminatio control of microbial reporting and

1.10. Be st pra damage hygiene ctice 2.5.7. Water and components subjected to surfaces to determine salvage All HVAC system manage In should be evaluated water damage restoration activity. ment d for success of any should be investigate1.10.1. ability and likely Prin any internal insulation

be sent to a analysis need to assessment, and Samples for fungal for testing and mycological laboratory growth site. Details of sample a fungal be analysis should identification as assessment and removal, transport, testing laboratory. the coordinated with be helpful to identification may Fungal species from the indoor there is a shift whether in determine This is needed concentration. . Clear to the outdoor a proper risk assessment owner and order to perform building the between in order communication should be established following the HVAC cleaner level acceptable fungal to determine an of the HVAC system. cleaning and remediation ated and cleaned 3. has been decontamin verified, see Section Once the system level should be the system hygiene

www.airah.org.au

AIR AH

ciples

BES T

PRACTIC

E GUI DEL

1.10.2. Record s

or lining materials HVAC insulation When internal traces of the deteriorated and within the system are found to be product found should be insulation or lining deteriorated surfaces of the system ts components, the affected componen restored and the system inspected and the entire should be cleaned cleaned as required. ts and for contaminan

AIR AH

damage

g or renovation 2.5.9. Buildin contamination t category

contaminan subject to this level of Any HVAC system to determine the hygiene ts found to have should be evaluated system or componen debris greater the system. Any dust and particulate be cleaned. 2.3 should accumulated general d, specified in Table ion encountere than the levels the type of contaminat Depending on

www.aira h.org

GUIDELINES BES T

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1.11. HV AC sta and reg ndards ulations

The descri system ptions listed in hygien Table

fined

2.2. Ac cess for inspe ction

2.1, provid e inspec determ tor with e the HVAC ine the minim if cleaning is requir four hygie ed when ne levels to in Table um acceptable assess 2.3. hygiene standards ed against as listed

Hygiene

Level

1. Clean 2. Light

3. Mode rate

4. Heavy

.au www.aira h.org

TABLE

Description

2.1 DEFI NITION

Access is requir ed in order of all comp to inspec onents internal t the intern and a repres surfac 1.6.12. AS/NZ es of the HVAC entative portio al surfaces n of the systems S 3666 provision of access parts 1 and 2 both as defined in for maint enance. require adequ ate Inspections and

OF HYG

IENE LEVE

No visible LS dust, debris or other contam O n l y sli ination. ghtly vi sible lay to no variati er of fin ons in densit e g en er al dust Component y. consiste surface nt over remains the com visible benea ponent Visible levels sur face th the fine of gener w i t h li t t layer of le al dust Component dust. with varyin surface g densit is still visible y and limite High levels in some d areas areas benea of visible of accum other contam dust, debris th the fine ulated ination fine debris dust but that cover , fibres or any Component . in isolate the comp d sectio surface onent. ns may is barely not be. if not at all visible beneath the contam ination. Reference image

s for the

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H YGI ENE

System and asseinspection ssment

2.1. Hy giene levels de

oration or 2.5.5. Deteri es non-porous surfac

s oration of porou 2.5.6. Deteri linings surfaces and

INE S

Best practi building ce HVAC hygie ne mana and system operation gement requires and maint documentati system on includ good enanc drawings system showing e manuals, accur ing up to date commission access points ate as ing data. and origin installed The buildi al conductedng owner should maint with record HVAC Hygie ne Inspec ain records of s of any any system tion Repor cleani hygiene ts along verificat ng or remedial inspections. i o n c ar r works and Maint profile of aining these ied out as a result any a buildi records HVAC hygien ng or of suc e mana system over timebuilds up a hygieh gement. that assists in ne In addit ion, any repor ts assessments relating or any energ to indo also be or a retained y with these management ir qualit y repor ts records. should

growth. Best practi particular logging or fungal ce HVAC throug evidence of water salvageable h the imple hygiene mana manageme geme ts or ducts deemed mentation nt practi of a few nt can be achiev Any system componencleaned and free from microbial ces. relatively • Filter ed logged insulation should be thoroughly maintenanc simple affected or water against growth. Any water replaced. dust and e – Filters are the be be regula The prima particulates primary products should ry design defen . System on within the accord rly inspected 1668.2 which standa filters shouldce and ance due to condensati of the deals with rds for HVAC and AIRAH with the requir maintained, outdoor Any water damageto be assessed and the cause systems at least ventila air, ements DA19 on are AS in system and AS/NZ location of intake tion requir system also needs of AS/NZ mitigated. HVAC&R assessment S 3666.1 identified and S 3666.2 s and discha ements (minim maint condensation which deals be specification should includ enance. The um tofilter rges, exhau need AS/NZS structure) initial with micro is optim e a review s to determ 1668.1 details (pipes, building al any HVAC bial controst rates) of the ine if filter control Any water leaks persons. type, filter for the HVAC to undertaking requir l. associated application system, repaired prior identified and with mechements for fire including likely contarating, system due to asbestos work. system HVAC airflow the The prima anical ventila and smoke ation of a is outside the cleaning or restoration of install minant profile and pressu filter Note: Decontamin n is a specialised activity that tion system ation maintenancry standard for re, the information and maint and the gener contaminatio s. e is AS/NZ HVAC system al qualit enance. control on the s opera S y scope of this Guideline. filters Comp of 3666.2. selection tion and rehen provid Its prima sp. in buildimicrobiological materials are found heat or issmoke to • Manaand likely ed in AIRAH and application sive contaminan ry focus is ng water asbestos containing be shut down, components subjectedintegrity focuses DA15. the gement of air and air should If potentially friable All HVAC system on gener handling ts such as Legio by is critica to determine their and of moisture system, the system fire al all removed HVAC evaluated a HVAC be be l system for minim within – In particular should hygiene. material should s but it nella The stand conta ising the moisture mana restoration activity. mounted heaters mination also ard coveri alternative insulationon the asbestos containing geme success of any poten duct and smoke contro system removalists and ng and all electric the insulati in accordance s or comp any spills, leakstial for funga nt licensed asbestos smoke dampers l features the maintenanc . This includes onents for fitness for purpose inspec or wettin l 1851. if it is lled in its place e of the of HVAC of AS ted should as soon electric heaters AS/NZS should be assessed maintenance protocols products insta fire systems as is practi be dried outg of HVAC • Inspec 1668.1 g duct mounted and is AS 1851. and 2 are called , AS1668.2 with the survey and cable. board surroundin tion withstand and assess to and asbestos. unable be period ment – referenced up in the Buildi AS/NZS 3666 verified to contain ically ts or surfaces deemed with are beyond All part 1 and Any componen the recom inspec ted and HVAC system out in territories standards and ng Code of Austra cleaning and restorationsurfaces part s should should be carried are mand mendations assessed lia as prima proper mechanical be replaced. All• porous removal work of Practice may be of Australia. Apart Clean, restor atory National Code of this Guidein accordance Note: All asbestos ry individ be evaluated NOHSC:2002 – from buildi in all states e and verify salvage and should smoke damage should safety legisla ual state or comp cleaning all other applicable line. accordance with and or ng specifi s. hygiene of Asbestos and subjected to fire following theonent that should tion and regula c occupationalegislation there and requirement level for the Safe Removal ced been lsahave odour retention lecleani e rep ld band government regulations l health tions relatin identified – once system shoung for friability and restor operation be complied state and local ssed as friab immediately and e ation the s s s a to as s a e g r a conta y with odours to n work has A and ion HVAC including as they to impart minated, process. maintenanc should are releva hygiene materials likely of the restor materials and contaminat e. be The select ed system verifying the be under taken or resurfaced. Any nt to both Once all asbestos system should • Good cleanliness should be replaced. . the entire HVAC verified. by AS 1324ion and applic housekeepin supply air stream been removed level should be ation of due to heat a comm e g – HVAC damage system hygiene filtration and minimum gener on sense as asbestos-fre cleaned and the t surface exhibiting condition of application al filters are gener approach hygiene also acceptable Any componen ts should be labelled register updated. HEPA filters ventilation system ating activit residual to an cover requires requir to limitin The componen should be restored respo are classifi s are specifi ements for ed given to any ies materials/asbestos be g within exposure nding conta should hazardous on of ed in AS the to any and the ed in AS surfaces Even It is not internal unusual a building and minant 4260. or replaced. Considerati everyd on the 1668.2. intended prom highly contaminat be such that may remaindisinferesidueay tasks can Guideline that the smoke residue ion event ptly as cleani types of smoke cting)n, food affected . ng (vacuu mandatoryconflic t with the recommendations prepa copyin of the the system. Certainto eventualand deterioratio of this also beration and docum ming, lead unacceptabg may can be Commonwestandards or requirements corrosive and 12 e ent le contat oinadve Some smoke residues r smokrtently alth, State with the requir of any of these introducing printing component surface.faces affected by smoke, hea minan or Territo ements components are to ts into the al sur of any ry regula of non-porous HVAC system toxic. Any met or odours to competent persons tion. When the surface be evaluated by . or effective. contributing particulates residue should affect the quality will be achievable deteriorated and or otherwise adversely restoration should determine if restoration the air stream, suppression through the system, of all downstream water from fire ts affected by of the air moving with 2.5.7. cleaning Any componen in accordance and inspection/ be performed should be assessed required. as activities out components carried

If contaminat If HVAC system be taken and analysed.the samples should ion is confirmed suspected then asbestos contaminat ated by competent the presence of be decontamin entire system should

smoke 2.5.8. Fire and

Light

a/c

H VAC H YGIENE

1.9. HV AC restor ation

2.5.4. Asbestos dust or fibres is ion by asbestos

Clean

Moderate Pre Filtration – – Light Post Filtration Light No Filtration –

or Supply air system, or Return air system, Outside air system Non-ducted refrigerated Evaporative coolers

Special Use Systems

STANDARDS

tion eve

ygiene HVAC H

source of moisture presence and In particular the in the system should mould growth supporting any prevented. be identified and World is covered in the more generally A ir Mould in buildings (WHO) Guidelines for Indoor ation Health Organis and Mould. Quality, Dampness

Clean

AHU – moisture producing Supply system equipment

AIR A H BEST

INES PRACT ICE GUIDEL

sua contam l ina

HVAC system any unusu s and comp onents should any renov al contamination event such be inspec ted events are ation/building after as a fire activit assessed in accord ies. Unusual contaor flood or ance with mination 2.5 of this Guideline. Where HVAC adequately systems or component cleaned s canno they should be repair t be ed or replac ed.

BEST PRACTICE

four define

d hygien

e levels

are provid

ed in Appen

dix F.

www.airah.org.au

AIRAH’s HVAC Hygiene Best Practice Guidelines are available to purchase in hard copy. Establishes the criteria for evaluating the internal cleanliness of HVAC system components Clearly determines when cleaning is required, according to the building use Describes the components of HVAC systems to be evaluated Describes the types of contamination likely to be encountered and includes for post fire and flood damage assessments Specifies minimum inspection frequencies for various HVAC systems and components for scheduled maintenance programs

Purchase online at www.airah.org.au/store J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 59

6 0 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

AIRAH MEMBER NEWS

TRAINING

CONFERENCES

STAR STUDENT

Vinay Kumar, Stud.AIRAH, is an energy engineer and PhD Fellow at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. He describes himself as ambitious and driven. About Vinay As an active researcher, I am investigating cooling phenomena of magnetic‑nanofluids (ferro-fluids). I spend most days in my laboratory conducting the experiments and technical calculations. Occasionally, I also teach heat transfer to students in their final and pre-final year. I am passionate about clean energy innovation and transition for sustainability. Knowledge and application of new energy resources, and renewable energy in industrial, domestic, and commercial applications always fascinate me.

Finest hour I really enjoyed being the project engineer for establishing Anchor Institute of Solar Energy in 2017–18. In that short but highly demanding career phase I developed skills related to project management, client facing, technical documentation and training. On a personal note, at the age of 15,

I qualified for a national swimming championship in India.

What I’ve learned From my small professional experience, I have learned a few things: try to strive in difficult situations; failure is a good stroke of luck; have patience, resilience, and consistency to achieve long‑term goals; and change with technology. I admire God and my parents. I believe in the visions of people who have transformed and are transforming the world for a better future, like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Che Guevara, and Elon Musk. A motto I hold dear is, “If you want to go far, go with others.”

Dream sabbatical Post-COVID: Greece, Rome, Amsterdam, Venice and Prague to interact with locals and learn about cultures, arts and languages. And for fantasy, seeing the top soccer players in Wembley Stadium.

Favourites Book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Film: The Shawshank Redemption. I just adore the character of Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins.

AIRAH membership AIRAH is a competitive platform that helps me develop the required skills as per contemporary research and industry demands. Professional networking and industry mentorship will surely help me to succeed further. ❚

MEMORIES IN A BOX

A time capsule originally put together in 1995 for AIRAH’s 75th anniversary was recently opened. What comes to mind when you think of 1995? Friends was big on TV, grunge and the Spice Girls ruled the airwaves, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls were carving out their place in sports history.

staff and AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH, cracked open the time capsule at the recent Refrigeration 2021 conference

The time capsule was certainly well sealed, with fibreglass covering insulation, wrapped around a metal box.

What they found were sundry items, including: a full print-out of the AIRAH members database; various AIRAH state newsletters (hardcopy of course); newspapers from 1995 – including one that had a full-page advert about the AIRAH Exhibition (which later turned into ARBS); an IRHACE journal (but curiously, no AIRAH journals); AIRAH NSW divisional finances from the state office; and photos of the old AIRAH office in Carlton.

“It was a wonderful piece of over‑engineering,” says Brendan Pejkovic, who with the help of Marvel Stadium

Each item, though chosen randomly, helped tell the story of the Institute in the mid-90s.

There was, of course, no evidence of these things in the AIRAH time capsule put together at the time by Rod Eakins, M.AIRAH, from Baron Insulation. And nor should there have been. This was, after all, a receptacle of AIRAH things, moments and memories.

The time capsule was designed to withstand natural disasters.

The AIRAH staff are currently weighing up what should be included in a time capsule to be assembled now and due to be opened in 2045. We’re thinking a face mask will definitely be included. ❚ J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 61

AIRAH

2020 REVISITED

The AIRAH AGM was held as virtual event this year. It’s said that things never go exactly according to plan. And in the age of COVID-19, that’s certainly the case, with sudden lockdowns – even those that only last a few days – still causing disruption through the start of year. The 2021 AIRAH Annual General Meeting (covering 2020) was set to be a live-streamed and face-to-face event. Yet as things played out, only the live‑streamed component proceeded. At the AGM, Ian Harwood, F.AIRAH, officially stepped down as AIRAH President, handing over to Paul Jackson, F. AIRAH. Chris Stamatis, Affil.AIRAH, took his place on the board of directors. After thanking Harwood for his efforts over a number of years, AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH, led the online audience through some of the highlights of 2020. One of these, of course, was the organisation’s ability to improvise and adapt to radically changed circumstances last year. The AIRAH head office operated remotely from mid-March through year’s end.

SOME TALKING POINTS Another highlight included signing memorandums of understanding with like-minded organisations such as the IIAR, and delivery of the first NADCA certification training. A record of more than 4,000 people participated in AIRAH professional

6 2 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

development programs, and more than 2,750 attended online conferences and webinars. Sixty students participated in the PDBS program. The Institute released two DA manuals as part of a continuous cycle of review and renewal: DA07 Criteria for Moisture Control Design Analysis in Buildings; and DA12 Energy Efficiency in Cold Rooms.

Proposed changes to AIRAH’s Constitution were approved. These included the insertion of a “Preamble”, and a new clause for “Membership and accreditation”, as well as references to professional accreditation and continuous professional development.

BOTTOM LINE In light of the pandemic and its impacts, AIRAH performed well financially, with a net operating surplus of $237,125. Of course, in a strange year, a significant portion of this was via various government subsidies. In 2020 AIRAH experienced strong membership growth of 7.7 per cent, taking overall membership to more than 4,000 members overall. ❚

Would you like to know more? A digital copy of the annual report is available at the AIRAH website. For more information about AIRAH’s AGM and annual report, go to the “About” tab of www.airah.org.au

AIRAH

AT YOUR SERVICE

Meet the AIRAH members who represent you on your boards and committees. AIRAH BOARD Mikaila Ganado** – N SW Associate Director and Women of AIRAH Associate Director

Bryon Price** – Vic Associate Director Ura Sarfejoo** – Women of AIRAH Chair

Nathan Groenhout – Discretionary Director

Chris Stamatis – Big Data and Analytics STG Associate Director and Chair

Paul Jackson – P resident and Commissioning Special Technical Group (STG) Associate Director

Liza Taylor – Resilience STG Associate Director

Those marked with ** also sit on the Audit, Finance, Policy & Risk Committee (AFPRC)

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Ben Adamson – Refrigeration STG Associate Director

Chris Moore – NT Associate Director and Divisional Chair

Lu Aye – Renewable Heating and Cooling STG Associate Director

Michael Riese – SA Associate Director

Jesse Clarke – B uilding Physics STG Associate Director and Chair

Jeremy Stamkos – Indoor Air Quality STG Associate Director and Chair

Brad George – I nfection Control and Operating Theatres Practices STG Associate Director

Ken Thomson – Qld Associate Director Christopher Ward – ACT Associate Director

Ian Harwood – WA Associate Director

Graeme Williamson – Commercial Kitchen Exhaust STG Associate Director and Chair

Rick Gaffney – Tasmania Associate Director

DIVISIONAL AND STG CHAIRS Chris Bong – WA Divisional Chair

Jonathon Hare – Refrigeration STG Co-Chair

John Bourne – Qld Divisional Chair

Brett Hedge – Refrigeration STG Co-Chair

Jesse Clarke – Building Physics STG Chair

Erica Kenna – ACT Divisional Chair

Julian Cook – Tasmania Divisional Chair

Michael Riese – SA Divisional Chair

Abraham Corona – I nfection Control and Operating Theatres Practices STG Chair

Subbu Sethuvenkatraman – Renewable Heating and Cooling STG Chair

Scott Gregson – Resilience STG Chair

Gary Ward – Vic Divisional Chair

Erica Kenna – ACT Divisional Chair

Chris Bong – WA Divisional Chair

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 6 3

AIRAH

STAYING COOL IN FRONT OF A CHALLENGE

AIRAH’s Refrigeration 2021 Conference highlighted the incredible innovation and opportunities in our sector – and the need to overcome some familiar barriers. After a long, COVID-enforced break from large face-to-face events, AIRAH’s Refrigeration 2021 Conference at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne represented more than just a chance to explore the latest developments from the world of refrigeration – it was a much-anticipated reunion. “It’s been a long journey to return to in‑person conferences,” says AIRAH Chief Executive Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “And when you see the people from our industry back in the same room together, you realise what we’ve missed. There is a clear desire to reconnect.” This desire was reflected in a strong turnout of 150 people who enjoyed the two-day hybrid conference both live and online. They were treated to three international keynote presentations that highlighted innovations in the sector, and showed the profound impact that refrigeration has on our world.

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTES Bruce Nelson, M.AIRAH, from Colmac Coil Manufacturing beamed in from the US to discuss natural refrigerants. As well as looking at the more commonly used CO2, ammonia and hydrocarbons, Nelson spoke about systems that use water and air as refrigerants. He emphasised that these could pave the way to low-GWP heating and cooling.

“We know that these fluids that occur in nature are environmentally benign,” said Nelson. “So if that’s what it takes to reduce global warming and reduce ozone depletion, then let’s get on with it, and as refrigeration engineers let’s design equipment to fit these natural fluids.” Thomas Frank from Refolution in Germany followed up with a presentation on the air refrigeration systems his company has developed in European cold saunas that operate at -115°C. And Thomas Lund from Denmark shared Danfoss’ detailed analysis of the performance of industrial-size refrigeration systems.

SHARP FOCUS AND BIG PICTURE In all, more than 30 presenters and panellists offered insights on everything from advanced technical topics such as high-temperature heat pumps and cascade heat exchangers, to broader issues for the refrigeration industry such as attracting new talent – especially women. Elizabeth Paparo, Affil.AIRAH, presented an eight-step strategy for achieving gender equality in the workforce, and laid out the challenge in simple terms. “Men continue to hold a lot of the power,” Paparo said. “Ask yourself: What are you going to do with it? What do you stand for? And if not you, then who?”

AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH, welcomed the attendees.

As well as gender equality, other familiar challenges were raised by presenters and attendees alike. Lively discussions focused on the transition to lower-GWP and flammable refrigerants, professional registration and trade licensing, and the eternal quest for wider industry recognition. “These issues have been with us since we ran our very first Refrigeration Conference a decade ago,” says Gleeson. “But we believe they can be overcome. That’s why it is our goal to provide excellent technical content, as well as a broader conversation so that specialists and other stakeholders can tackle these big issues.” Videos from the live-streamed event will be made available to registered delegates soon – keep an eye on the conference website: www.airah.org.au/ refrigeration2021 ❚

AIRAH THANKS THE SPONSORS OF REFRIGERATION 2021 Diamond sponsor

Gold sponsors

Bronze sponsors

The refrigeration end-user panel included (L–R) Sarah Reid, City of Melbourne; Amna Abdalla, City of Yarra; Bryon Price, F.AIRAH, A.G. Coombs; and Julian Hudson, M.AIRAH, Glaciem Cooling.

6 4 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

and the Women of AIRAH STG as the Cocktail Function sponsor.

Keep your finger on the pulse of the HVAC&R industry • Latest news from Australia and abroad • Key legislation and regulation updates • New projects, products and services • Commentary from industry experts • Upcoming events, conferences and training

www.hvacrnews.com.au There’s a whole other world of HVAC&R to discover in HVAC&R Nation.

Read the digital version of AIRAH’s trade‑oriented publication at www.airah.org.au/nation

J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M 65

AIRAH

MEMBER PROFILE

BOUNDARY PUSHER

Boasting a Bachelor of Engineering in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy at UNSW, Jesse Clarke, M.AIRAH, has a background in ESD consulting. He has also logged time in building products manufacturing, focusing on insulation and glass. While working in building products, Clarke became Chair of AIRAH’s Building Physics Special Technical Group (STG). He now tries to lead the industry to better, more adequately air‑sealed, healthy, durable, and energy‑efficient buildings. What brought you to the HVAC&R industry?

How have you seen the industry change?

I was always tied to the construction industry through family history, and I grew up around residential construction sites.

Very, very slowly. Sometimes I think time has stopped. But then I remember I’m in the construction industry.

I never had a direct passion for mechanical engineering, but I ended up working with AIRAH because I wanted to make more sustainable buildings. I wasn’t sure what that meant until I stared working as an ESD consultant, which seemed to be primarily about increasing thermal performance of the building envelope to reduce cooling and heating loads. Dissatisfied with on-paper designs – knowing that what was being drafted and designed had little chance in the real world of delivering what computer models suggested – I set out to work out why. The goal was to utilise construction practices to deliver a building fabric requiring little energy to keep comfortable – in reality, not just theory. I still don’t know a lot about mechanical engineering or HVAC&R. My goal is not to waste the efforts of the AIRAH members who design elaborate systems to keep our buildings warm and cosy in winter and cool in summer. 6 6 J U N E –J U LY 2021 • ECO L I B R I U M

Sometimes I think time has stopped. But then I remember I’m in the construction industry How do you see HVAC&R developing over the next 100 years? From my perspective it will be about a far better integration of the HVAC with the building fabric. These two things need to work together. As airtightness is improved, the way air is moved into, out of, and around buildings gets much more critical. So that’s the first 30 years taken up. We will see more smart systems that allow the building fabric to be optimised to take the onus off the HVAC. There will be a focus on reducing heat gains and heat

loss so less heating, and cooling capacity can be delivered more efficiently through better building products, better HVAC technologies, or – ideally – integration of building products that can absorb, reject, and store heat when required to take the onus off heating and cooling systems. If Australia gets serious about tightening up the air infiltration in buildings, this will drive mass change in the evolution of HVAC solutions that work highly effectively with super-insulated and airtight building fabric. After that, it’s about rejecting heat to large heat sinks that are basically infinite, like outer space, to keep our super homes cool, and making use of simple but effective smart ventilation technologies – especially as IoT continues to evolve. It seems that every new generation of refrigeration gas has its own set of problems, so hopefully other methods of shifting heat that don’t require refrigerant gas may be mainstream within 100 years. ❚

The 100 faces of AIRAH Jesse Clarke, M.AIRAH, is one of the 100 faces of AIRAH. To read more, go to www.airah100.org.au

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Ecolibrium June–July 2021

Articles inside

Meet Jesse Clarke, M.AIRAH

Refrigeration 2021 wrap

2020 revisited – AIRAH AGM

News, products and personnel moves

Interesting tension

Carpark mechanical ventilation – time to take performance seriously? By Dr Craig Pregnalato, M.AIRAH

An enlightening conversation with Dr Normand Brais

Another way

Next level

Insulation installation recommendation

Rebirth of the cool

Building on momentum