Around the Nation

3 5

4

QBCC SAYS CHECK YOUR LICENCE

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is alerting employees who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work for a licensed contractor that they must hold the relevant mechanical services occupational licence by January 1, 2022.

Under the new licensing framework, the threshold value of mechanical services work has been reduced to zero. This means the performance of any mechanical services work requires the appropriate licence.

The new framework also includes a single occupational licence for employees who perform RAC work for a licensed contractor. Employees must hold the occupational licence by January 1, 2022.

“If you are an employee, we encourage you to review the technical qualifications now to ensure you have the required qualifications in time to be licensed by January 1, 2022,” says the QBCC.

“Although the deadline seems a long way off, we encourage you to review the licensing requirements now to ensure you will have the required qualifications in time. Any additional training that is needed should be considered as soon as possible.”

Go to: www.qbcc.qld.gov.au ■

DUAL-TRADE PILOT IN SA

Apprentices in South Australia will soon be able to complete both electrical and RAC qualifications concurrently, thanks to a new program.

The Electrical, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician apprenticeship will run for five years. At the end of the program, graduates will have a UEE32211 Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration and the UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.

“For some time now the refrigeration and air conditioning sector has reported a shortage of electrical refrigeration technicians who are fully skilled and licensed in both the electrical and refrigeration trades,” says Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni.

“Despite both qualifications being in demand, until now the only way to resolve this issue was by people completing two apprenticeships – a pathway that can take up to eight years.

“Through concurrent delivery of the training, it is intended that the dual-trade qualification can be achieved in just five years, making the new apprenticeship attractive to both employees and employers.”

A pilot project will be established during the first stage of implementation, with a small number of apprentices starting in early 2021. ■

3

BEIJER BOOSTS LOCAL MANUFACTURING

Beijer Ref in Australia has announced the formation of SCM REF Australia, a Sydney-based OEM to service the Australian refrigeration industry.

“The investment is a significant injection into the Australian refrigeration industry and allows us to strengthen our manufacturing capability, including our natural refrigerants offer to local customers,” says Wayne Ferguson, managing director for Beijer Ref in Australia.

A sales team led by Inderpal Saund and supported in the field by Douglas Herkess, Jason Pearce, Affil.AIRAH, and Andrew Galliano, Affil.AIRAH, will continue to build on the natural refrigerant system work already done within the local retail sector and apply an increased focus on the broader commercial and industrial refrigeration markets.

Beijer Ref says the business remains committed to locally manufactured customised solutions, with SCM REF Australia able to assist customers meet their unique project requirements.

The SCM REF Australia manufacturing operations will be located at the new Australian Beijer Ref headquarters at Bankstown Airport, Sydney and will be headed by director of operations, Paul Campbell. The facility will be operational Q1, 2021.

4

ARBS HANDS OUT AWARDS

Back in October, ARBS announced the winners of the ARBS 2020 Industry Awards in a gala online ceremony.

“Leading a business or product to success is a remarkable endeavour, which is why we are proud to showcase the dedication and expertise of our deserving award winners,” says Sue Falcke, ARBS exhibition manager.

AIRAH cracked the champagne after winning the Outstanding Industry Education/Training Award for our Professional Diploma in Building Services – HVAC&R.

Chris Stamatis, Affil.AIRAH, from CopperTree Analytics took away the ARBS Young Achiever Award. Bueno and Woolworths won the ARBS Project Excellence Award for their work on the Woolworths Energy Management Centre. Actrol scored the ARBS Product Excellence Award for its DC-3 Smart Refrigeration System. And Bueno took home another gong for its Bueno Platform in the Software/Digital Excellence category.

Finally, ARBS also announced the Hall of Fame inductees for 2020: Mike Garton (CIBSE ANZ), Alan Channells (AREMA), Steve Smith (RACCA), John Mott, F.AIRAH (AIRAH), and Michael Crook (AMCA).

Go to www.arbs.com.au/arbs-2020-awards/ ■

5

SEMINAR SESSIONS ON NOW

Although the big show couldn’t be held this year, ARBS has converted its usual seminar series into online seminars featuring leaders, academics, organisations, associations and experts in the HVAC&R and building services industry.

The ARBS Seminar Series Online started in November and goes into December. A small registration fee applies to selected sessions. Topics include using IoT solutions for monitoring refrigeration systems, energy efficiency of ammonia systems, and standardised digital engineering.

8 9 10

of education and updates to our industry,” says ARBS exhibition organiser, Sue Falcke.

“We hope you can join us for this exciting series of seminars.”

The next face-to-face ARBS exhibition will be held from April 27–29, 2022, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The ARBS Seminar Series Online aims to reach an even more diverse audience, connecting industry from Australia and throughout the world.

Go to www.arbs.com.au/timetable-sso/ ■

NO CHANGE TO HC RULES

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Dr Anthony Lynham, has responded to the parliamentary petition to “approve the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants and appliances in Queensland” tabled by One Nation member for Mirani, Stephen Andrew.

In his response, the minister clarified that hydrocarbon refrigerants and appliances may be used in Queensland under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004. According to Dr Lynham, as of August 13, 2020 there were 2,800 models of refrigeration devices – including domestic fridges – that use hydrocarbon refrigerant approved for use in Queensland.

“The Queensland public has access to a wide range of hydrocarbon refrigeration devices if they choose to purchase them,” said the minister. ■

RECORD FINE FOR IMPORTER

The largest fine ever issued under Australia’s ozone protection laws has been handed down to a Victorian-based fire protection company for the unlawful importation of HFCs.

Following a civil prosecution from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, the Federal Court of Australia found the company formerly known as Fire Protection Technologies Pty Ltd to be in contravention of section 13(1) of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. The company has been ordered to pay a civil penalty of $500,000.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley says the department’s prosecution against the company began in July 2019 after an investigation into the importing of bulk HFC without a controlled substances licence.

“During our investigation, department officers seized several one-tonne capacity cylinders containing HFC-227ea, a widely used extinguishing agent, from the company’s premises in Melbourne and Perth,” says Ley.

“The company was aware of their obligations and import licensing requirements but proceeded to import a significant quantity of HFC-227ea anyway.”

HFC-227ea is the fifth most potent of the 18 scheduled HFCs under the Act, with a global warming potential (GWP) of 3,350. ■

8

JUST THE FACTS

A new version of the Cold Hard Facts report has been released. It is the fifth in a series that has become the definitive industry reference for quantifying Australia’s HVAC&R industry.

This year’s report found that Australia may have hit “peak bank” – the point from which the total global warming potential of our synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) begins to decline.

The report says this has been driven by a softening of RAC equipment sales in 2018 and 2019 across nearly all major equipment segments, in line with softer economic conditions, and potentially market saturation in some smaller air conditioning equipment segments.

“Slower growth in the bank of refrigerants is also a product of new equipment designs that require smaller charge sizes to deliver equivalent refrigeration services,” says the report.

“Adoption of natural refrigerants and larger numbers of units in some segments, particularly in self-contained commercial refrigeration, is displacing traditional HCFC and HFC applications – even while the stock of equipment is growing.”

9

POD PEOPLE

GOTAFE is partnering with Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI) and HVAC&R industry bodies in an innovative new training project for RAC trades.

One of the most significant parts of the project is the development of state-of-the-art refrigeration training pods, custom-designed and manufactured to meet the needs of industry. The units can be towed behind a car, allowing GOTAFE and BKI to deliver specialised training to students all over regional Victoria.

The project will see students learn to install, set up, test, repair and maintain refrigeration systems and equipment. The project also aims to develop training modules to assist with the transition to refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP) and other related technologies.

Steve Crapper, Affil. AIRAH, a refrigeration teacher at BKI, says the new pods will allow meaningful practical classes for students wanting to learn about natural refrigerants.

“The new pods will support the theory in this area of refrigeration and air conditioning in both existing and new competencies being introduced next year.” ■

10

SPECIAL OCCASION FOR COOMBS

Mechanical and building services contractor A.G. Coombs has had two milestones to recognise recently: 75 years in operation, and what would have been founder Allan George Coombs’ 100th birthday.

“Allan Coombs was instrumental in the establishment of the HVAC industry in Australia straight after WWII, the development of industry standards and tradebased training for the industry, and the founding of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association – AMCA,” says A.G. Coombs Strategic Development Director Bryon Price, F.AIRAH.

“He was recognised for his contribution to the industry with an Order of Australia (AM) in the 1979 New Year’s Honours List, and was one of the inaugural inductees to the ARBS Industry Hall of Fame in 2010, along with James Harrison.” ■