Around the Nation 1
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FOCUS ON FIRE IN NSW
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The company says the world must move from a “best endeavours” carbon-reduction process to a definitive and transparently accounted for elimination approach.
The NSW government has released a report that provides recommendations on how to improve fire safety in new and existing buildings.
“It is important that A.G. Coombs as a significant provider in the Australian property and building construction industry’s supply chain has a strong process in place to be part of this transition,” says A.G. Coombs Group Managing Director Russell Telford, “including a clear commitment to a net zero operating position.”
The project was commissioned by the Office of the Building Commissioner to draw upon specialist industry expertise to identify practical measures the NSW government could take to help improve fire safety in class 2 residential buildings.
Since 2005, A.G. Coombs has operated an environmental program, with two objectives: reduce the environmental impacts of its operations, and assist customers and clients to achieve the same. ■
“While there have been a range of reforms to improve fire safety,” the report reads, “there remains room for improvement. Serious defects in fire safety systems are the second most common defect identified by inspections of class 2 buildings undertaken under Fair Trading’s occupation certificate (OC) audit program, arising in around 46 per cent of buildings. Also, recently published research found serious fire-related defects were in around 14 per cent of strata buildings completed in the last six years.”
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The A.G. Coombs Group has committed to a clear net zero goal: Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions by 2030. The building services specialist will work with its value chain, industry partners and customers to achieve net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040.
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HVAC&R News
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www.airah.org.au/hvacrnews
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NEW WAREHOUSE FOR RECTORSEAL
RectorSeal Australia has announced the opening of a new warehouse tailored for Australian customers. Located in Brendale, Queensland, the warehouse will function as the company’s Australian head office. According to the company, the location offers additional warehouse space to help expand RectorSeal’s current product offering to customers, and the warehouse will be fully staffed “to ensure operational excellence with regard to customer service and product availability”. “Our team is enthusiastic about the new warehouse location, which will support our strategic goal of increasing inventory on hand while decreasing shipping times,” says RectorSeal Australia General Manager Craig Bicket. “With our own dedicated space, we will be able to manage a greater level of inventory to serve our customers’ needs more efficiently.” Bicket and other key RectorSeal staff members will relocate to Queensland as part of the new warehouse move.
“The prestigious awards continue the decade-long tradition of recognising and rewarding outstanding contributions within Australia’s HVAC, refrigeration and building services industry.”
“I look forward to meeting our current and new customers to show them our new facility,” says Bicket. “We expect these impressive enhancements we’ve made will offer even higher levels of customer service along with a broader product offering.”
A panel of industry experts will evaluate nominations based on criteria such as leadership, sustainability, performance and innovation.
“Climate change is the most critical challenge facing the world today,” A.G. Coombs says. “Through their construction and operation, buildings are responsible for nearly 40 per cent of annual global CO2 emissions. The A.G. Coombs Group is committed to minimising its emissions impact.”
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“If you know a person, business or product that through their endeavours deserve to be recognised by the industry, then nominate for an ARBS 2022 Industry Award,” says ARBS.
Award categories include: ARBS Young Achiever Award 2022; ARBS Product Excellence (HVAC) Award 2022; ARBS Product Excellence (Refrigeration) Award 2022; ARBS Software/Digital Excellence Award 2022; ARBS Project Excellence Award 2022; ARBS Outstanding Industry Education/Training Award 2022; and ARBS Industry Hall of Fame.
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NET ZERO HEROES
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IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE
ARBS 2022 is calling for nominations for the ARBS Industry Awards.
The project working group included fire safety, property, building and construction practitioners with expert legislative and technical knowledge. They offered four recommendations: establish a customer-facing building manual; ensure the effective regulation of fire safety practitioners; enhance the trustworthiness of Fire Safety Schedules, Fire Safety Certificates and Annual Fire Safety Statements; and more effective regulatory and compliance action. Go to bit.ly/3fu1JL0
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Go to www.rectorseal.com.au
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SMART ADVICE FOR SCHOOLS
AIRAH has released a guide to COVID-19 ventilation optimisation aimed at primary and secondary schools.
Nominations close Friday, February 25, 2022 at 5pm. Award winners will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner on August 17, 2022 at Crown Palladium in Melbourne.
Authored by Brad Prezant, Affil.AIRAH, the guide offers readers a better understanding of airborne transmission and building ventilation systems found in schools in Australia. It also provides advice about building a strategy for different facilities.
More details and full category and criteria requirements for entry are available on the ARBS 2022 website. Go to www.arbs.com.au
It is intended as a resource both for schools, and for mechanical engineering designers and maintenance engineers.
February–March 2022
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