HVAC&R Nation April 2020 by AIRAH

Skills

WORKSHOP

Brazing and welding – Oxyacetylene plant

Foreign aid Can overseas labour help bridge the skills gap?

Where there’s smoke... There’s an HVAC issue April 2020 / ISSUE 130

PRINT POST APPROVAL NUMBER PP 727272/60606

FREE

SELF-CLEANING TECHNOLOGY

ECO-MOTION SENSOR

ANTI-BACTERIAL ANTI-ALLERGEN

5 POWER USAGE TRACKING

PROGRAMMABLE WEEKLY TIMER

PARTS & SERVICE WARRANTY

Dec 2019

2 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | April 2020

April 2020 / ISSUE 130

Where there’s smoke… 10

HVAC&R Nation is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (Inc). AIRAH – National Office James Harrison Centre 3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000

Fax: 03 9614 8949

www.airah.org.au/nation

Magazine team Communications Manager Matthew Dillon matt.dillon@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3000 Editor Mark Vender mark.vender@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3001 Contributing writers Danny Chan Sean McGowan Willow Aliento

Australia’s summer of ferocious bushfires led to air quality issues indoors as well as outdoors. Experts in their field share the key learnings with Willow Aliento.

Advertising sales

HVAC&R Nation regulars

Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3018

John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3007

ISSN 1834-9522

HVAC&R Nation is printed on paper sourced from well manned forests and other controlled sources.

Global Update

Cool Tech

No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R Nation’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. HVAC&R Nation 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.

Brazing and welding – Oxyacetylene plant

Industry news from around the world

Exclusive to this issue

Finding the perfect wave, miles from the beach!

Digital Developments

Business intelligence can reveal the insights in the gigabytes

24 View from the front of the class

Long-time educator Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, shares his industry outlook

Around the Nation

AIRAH News

13,159 September 2018

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

Disclaimer HVAC&R Nation is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R Nation do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members.

The Toolshed

Skills Workshop

Who’s in the news?

Foreign aid

As the Australian HVAC&R industry grapples with an ongoing skills shortage, some contractors are looking overseas for technicians, as Sean McGowan reports.

We want to hear your views on licensing.

Smoko with …

Q&A with Emma Weir

Lighter Side

The shonkier side of the nation

PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

COUGH COUGH

coughs or exhales – rather than through tiny airborne particles. But the bottom line is that we are still learning about the disease. The situation is evolving day by day.

So far, 2020 hasn’t exactly been the year of breathing easily.

First we had the bushfires sweeping through the country, and the smoke they produced. People were checking the air quality index more often than they checked the weather forecast – which in Melbourne is saying something. Inside the AIRAH office we had the surreal experience of smelling burnt bush. We have a slightly special HVAC system here, so our maintenance contractor had to come out and manually set it up to recirculate. Fair enough – most air conditioning systems operate on the assumption that outdoor air is desirable, rather than dangerous. And now, as I write this column, the COVID-19 wave is looming large, just about to break. Major events (including ARBS) have already been postponed. Other normal activities will be suspended by the time you read this.

Now that we are some distance away from the bushfires, there has been time to analyse the effects of the smoke on our homes and workplaces, and prepare ourselves for the future. We’ll go into next summer with a better idea of how to respond. We’ve compiled the information we believe most important for HVAC&R technicians in this month’s cover story. I hope you find it useful. When it comes to the coronavirus, it’s still way too early to provide a definitive guide. But AIRAH is staying abreast of the latest developments and posting updates and links to useful resources on our website: www.airah.org.au

Working in HVAC&R, you have no doubt been fielding questions from clients, friends and family about whether air conditioning systems can spread the disease.

The next couple of months are going to be challenging for everyone, in ways that will go far beyond buying groceries. While great parts of our society will no doubt go into lockdown, the HVAC&R systems that support us will be more vital than ever, as will the people who keep them running.

The advice from the World Health Organization is that the coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets – produced when someone with COVID-19

Take care, and I hope that by the time I sit down to write the next Ed’s letter, the way ahead will be a little clearer for all of us. ■

@AIRAHnews

Mark Vender Editor mark.vender@airah.org.au

D E N O P T POS New dates and information coming soon! ARBS.COM.AU 4

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Toolshed 1

Made to measure

Dwyer Instruments has released a new series of pencil-style air velocity transmitters.

“The Series AVPT pencil-style air velocity transmitter uses thermal anemometer technology to provide high accuracy and stable air velocity measurements in imperial and metric units across ranges of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000FPM (5, 10, 15, or 20m/s),” says Dwyer.

“The FrostWash Technology works behind the scenes, with a suite of other innovative features to help keep the air cleaner, fresher and more comfortable all year round, while being energy-efficient,” says Hitachi. FrostWash Technology was first introduced into the Japanese market, where it won an “Excellence Award” from the Japan Electrical Manufactures Association in 2018.

“The Series AVPT can be configured with either a voltage output or BACnet MS/TP communication to provide universal inputs to a variety of monitoring equipment. Models are available with fixed cable lengths of 20 or 78 inches with flying leads or a 5-pin M12 connector on a 24‑inch cable. Probes are available in lengths of 6 or 12 inches. A mounting flange included with the product provides the ability to vary insertion depth. “Models are available in 3 per cent or 5 per cent accuracy to suit a variety of applications, while the optional BACnet MS/TP communication protocol allows units to be daisy-chained to provide access to all of the velocity and temperature measurements.”

The self-cleaning system is designed to freeze moisture on the surface of the indoor unit heat exchanger, capture and then flush away impurities that can build up over time.

The technology has been incorporated into Hitachi’s S Series High Wall systems. The company claims that this can reduce bacteria by as much as 91 per cent and remove mould in the unit by 87 per cent. The S Series also features a Nano Titanium pre-filter as well as a Nano Titanium Wasabi air purifying filter.

“Not only does the new S-Series High Wall split system come with the innovative FrostWash Technology,” says Hitachi, “it also comprises a built-in motion sensor, leave home function, weekly timer and power consumption tracking capabilities – designed for comfort and function.” S-Series High Wall Systems are available now from all authorised Hitachi distributors and installers.

Go to www.dwyer-inst.com.au ■

Go to hitachiaircon.com.au ■

Up and pumping

Sauermann Group has released Si-83, a tank pump that the company says its engineers have re-designed “from the inside-out”.

Dwyer Instruments has released the TDFT range, a series of thermal dispersion flow transmitters with continuous frequency output. The company recommends the transmitters for a variety of systems – chillers, boilers and liquid transfer – and says the model fits applications with pipe sizes from ½ to 2 inches (12.7 to 50mm).

Tank pumps are designed to collect and discharge condensate water. Although mainly used for air conditioning and refrigeration applications, Sauermann says the unit is equally proficient for heating applications. With a 2L tank capacity, the Si-83 pumps the condensate at a maximum flow rate of 700L/h – reaching a maximum pressure of 5.7m. Designed for “quicker and easier installation in any place”, the unit can be floor-mounted, wall-mounted or suspended from the ceiling. The company says the tank pump’s compact profile, standing at 129mm in height, allows it to be easily installed, whatever the layout of the premises. Six inlet options – four on top and one on either side – offer more versatility for low condensate entry.

“San-Air is a proven biostat that uses natural ingredients blended scientifically to provide powerful microbial control in all indoor environments,” says San-Air.

Freeze and flush treatment

“Twelve years ago, SAN-AIR was tested against coronavirus. As virostat testing was not readily available at the time, virucide test procedures were used under an elongated time‑lapse study.

In response to what it perceived as an unmet need for greater cleanliness in air conditioning systems, Hitachi has introduced “FrostWash Technology”. “Air is always travelling across the surface of the heat exchanger,” says Hitachi. “Dust, mould and bacteria can accumulate, leading to reduced performance and perceivable odours. Keeping the heat exchanger clean is the key to better-quality air.” According to Hitachi, FrostWash Technology addresses an issue that had long stumped the air conditioning industry: how to effectively and efficiently clean the inside of room air conditioning units. |

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Sn-AIR-ing the Coronavirus

Mould expert San-Air has released a namesake product that it claims has “been proven to yield a 14.5 per cent cull of coronavirus within 15 minutes”. In fact, the company says the evaporative gel product is “an Australian invention that significantly reduces coronavirus in HVAC systems and occupied space”.

Go to sauermanngroup.com ■

According to Dwyer Instruments, TDFT features 316L stainless steel housing for use in harsh environments, flow measurement in low-flow applications, continuous frequency signal from measured flow velocity, low pressure‑drop and no moving parts. Go to dwyer-inst.com.au ■

The Si-83 comes with a customised smartphone app – available for both iOS and Android devices – designed to make the installation process simple and intuitive. The company says the app’s maintenance function allows for quicker and easier maintenance, as with other features such as a “removable anti-return valve” and eliminating the need to remove the pump from the installation to clean.

In the pipeline

April 2020

“The test parameters were set to replicate the release rate of the San-Air gel into the air via an air conditioner. This is a very realistic test for an evaporative gel product.”

The gel purportedly stops the spread of coronavirus by evaporating into the air and neutralising bacteria whenever it comes into contact with them. San-Air says it intentionally designed the product as a biostat – an agent which inhibits the growth or multiplication of an organism, especially a microorganism.

Toolshed “San-Air is classified as a virostat as it starts working within 15 minutes. In a closed loop air-conditioned space this equates to 103.5 minutes to achieve 100 per cent elimination of coronavirus,” says the company.

Safety boot manufacturer Oliver Footwear has released a new catalogue of footwear that it says is designed for “all outdoor activities”.

Go to san-air.com.au ■

Time for a Re-Boot?

No more mastic mistakes

“Each style in this catalogue has been selected due to its ability for use in both work and play, and includes Oliver’s signature footwear.”

Kilargo has developed the Intumescent Fire Damper (IFD) Mastic Calculator that the company says is complementary to its IFD installations.

The shoes are made from water-resistant materials, and the company says the entire range includes its COMFORTcushion technology for optimum comfort as well as protection and slip resistant soles to ensure safety at all times.

Kilargo claims that the Mastic Calculator can help to cut down on time, money and materials wastage, warning that “consumable products can be wasteful if not utilised correctly”.

“Oliver’s variations of heat-resistant soles provide assurance to wearers that their feet and shoes will stay cool all summer long. Every style in the catalogue complies with Australian and New Zealand safety standards and comes with a six-month manufacturer’s warranty,” says Oliver.

Prior to installing a Kilargo Intumescent Fire Damper, the new online app allows you to “pre-calculate precisely how much mastic is required to install your product”.

The Oliver Black Lace Up Jogger (pictured) features water‑resistant nubuck leather, padded collar and tongue, scuff cap for toe and heel protection, and full lining and footbed treated with “Odorban Control”.

The calculator is located on each of the company’s product pages or the main IFD product portal. Go to kilargo.com.au ■

Go to oliver.com.au ■

DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED?

Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

] S U R I V A N O [ COR Breaking the Chain

�,� I

HVAC & Built Environmental Deep Cleans – Bacteria Virus Mould – Managing the risk • Indoor Air Quality Testing AS/NZS 3666

• Corrosion services

• Mould Bacteria Virus Hygiene • Indoor Air Quality Testing • ~30% Energy Saving Aeroseal • Mould remediation • HVAC-R &• Facility Inf Control • AEROSEAL ~30% energy AS 4254.1 <3% Saving leakage BCA 2013 HVAC Infection Control Experts AS4254.1 <3% leakage BCA201 • Seals from the inside • HVAC Corrosion protection • High Energy Germicide UVC • Indoor Air Quality Testing AS/NZS 3666 • Corrosion services • High Energy Germicidal UVC • HVAC Fan resurfacing

�,� I

rD ® � Ai L y T !; � _ CC T (_ I (AUS J P\peeial/!I! “Everyone deserves to breath easy with Clean-Air quality” AERO§EAL 1r rD ® � Ai L y T !; � _ www.cleanairaust.com.au www.aerosealductsealing.com.au lCC (_ I (AUSTJ P\peeial/!I! www.cleanairaust.com.au Mobile: 0448 883 966 Office: 1300 883 634 info@cleanairaust.com.au AERO§EAL 1r www.aerosealductsealing.com.au

• Mould remediation • HVAC Infection Control Experts • High Energy Germicide UVC

• ~30% Energy Saving Aeroseal AS 4254.1 <3% leakage BCA 2013

• Seals from the inside

• HVAC Fan resurfacing Duct Sealing Services

Duct Sealing Services

Pure Air. Real Science'."

ng Cleanin Condftlool

ng Condftlool

Cleaning

www.cleanairaust.com.au www.aerosealductsealing.com.au Mobile: 0448 883 966 Office: 1300 883 634 info@cleanairaust.com.au April 2020

0448 883 966 • 1300 883 634 info@cleanairaust.com.au

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

NORWAY

VENDORS BEND THE RULES

COLD GOLD

In a recent audit, the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) found that a significant proportion of heat pump and refrigerant vendors have breached F-gas regulations – Europe’s equivalent of the HFC phase-down rules. Of 20 heat pump equipment distributors, more than half did not comply with the F-gas regulations. On top of that, 10 of the 11 companies that were selling to consumers failed to verify their installations had been carried out by a certified company or individual; four out of 10 selling HFC refrigerant did not verify that the buyer was a certified business; and a “good number” did not keep a record of their greenhouse gas customers. To follow up on the findings, NEA says it will be introducing new supervision of sellers of HFC refrigerants and equipment dealers – including companies involved in the sale of HFCs to car repair shops. ■

Dave Pearson has been awarded the J & E Hall Gold Medal for his ongoing work in the development of industrial-scale heat pumps. He comes from a family of J&E Hall Gold Medallists – his father and brother won the award in 1991 and 2006 respectively. The award recognises Pearson’s efforts deploying water-based heat pump technology, and for leading the team responsible for the installation of the world’s largest water-sourced 90°C heat pump system at Drammen in Norway. “The Drammen district heating project takes energy from a fjord to provide the town with 85 per cent of its heating needs,” says J&E Hall. “It delivers a world class coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.05 at 90°C from seawater at 8°C. This achievement is still unmatched across the world nine years after the system went into operation.” ■

USA

JAPAN

IS EVERYONE COMFORTABLE?

GREEN SOLUTIONS AHOY!

Imagine a dynamic air conditioning system that takes each occupant’s ideal temperature range into account and optimises room temperature for everyone. That’s the objective of Occutherm, a system developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd has launched the world’s first liquid hydrogen marine carrier at its Kobe shipyard. The christening ceremony of Suiso (the Japanese word for hydrogen) Frontier drew a crowd of 4,000, including Australia’s ambassador to Japan, Richard Court, and Toyota Motor Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada.

Occutherm works by estimating the circumference of an individual’s shoulders from above, then combining it with height and weight estimates to infer their optimal temperature for comfort.

The untapped potential of liquefied hydrogen is two-pronged: its value as a fuel substitute and its lightweight properties for easier transportation. Compared to petrol, liquid hydrogen provides about three times as much heat per kilo. It has also been hailed as the most efficient method of storing energy.

Depth-imaging sensors mounted on doorways estimate the body shape information. The information is then aggregated to determine the temperature that most occupants will find comfortable. As people enter or exit a room, Occutherm will dynamically factor these movements into the system’s temperature setting. “These results are promising and show that there’s potential for non‑intrusive technologies to obtain comfort-predictive attributes for occupants,” says Professor Mario Bergés, who led the research. ■ 8

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

The 116m-long vessel was designed to provide a means of transporting compressed liquefied hydrogen at 1/800 of its original gas-state volume – after the hydrogen has been liquefied at -253°C. Kawasaki plans to install a 1,250m3 liquefied hydrogen storage tank on the ship. The vessel is expected to be completed by late 2020. The carrier is poised to tap into the growing demand for hydrogen. According to market research firm Fuji Keizai, this is estimated to increase by a factor of more than 50 to about $3.75bn in 2030. ■

When technology and sophistication meet The premium LN Series wall mounted system range blends technological features with a sleek and ultra modern design. Why choose the LN Series? » Dual Barrier Coating prevents the accumulation of grease and dust. » Plasma Quad Plus Filtration can filter out particles less than 2.5µm. » 3D i-See Sensor which monitors a whole room and directs the airflow accordingly. » Built-In Wi-Fi capabilities for your customers to enjoy smarter heating and cooling. » Innovative Double Vane Structure which operates independently to distribute horizontal and vertical airflow simultaneously throughout the room.

Available in three colours

Onyx Black Crystal Red Pearl White

For more information on our products please visit www.mitsubishielectric.com.au

Phone:1300 280 625

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE... In the aftermath of Australia’s summer bushfires, Willow Aliento asks the experts how smoke impacts our HVAC systems – and what actions may be required.

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

Cover Feature The summer of 2019-20 will be unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, with bushfire emergencies affecting every state except the Northern Territory. The scale of the fires, both geographically and in terms of their duration, was unprecedented. Along with the direct impacts on communities and the landscape, they also created a significant health hazard for many major cities and regional centres. Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth all experienced days where bushfire smoke was so bad, state and territory Environment Protection Authorities rated the air quality as hazardous on multiple occasions. The advice from health authorities was for people to stay inside when smoke was at its worst. But many found their building HVAC systems were not up to the job of ensuring indoor air was safe, with smoke levels in some buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra becoming high enough to trigger fire evacuation alarms.

WHY IS BUSHFIRE SMOKE SUCH AN ISSUE? Bushfire smoke can contain a range of pollutants, including a mix of very fine particulates from the incomplete combustion of fuels, says Jeremy Stamkos, M.AIRAH, principal consultant for environmental consultants Eronmor. It contains gases including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds such as formaldehydes and benzene, water vapour, as well as small particles of hydrocarbons, trace minerals and many other compounds, depending on what has been burned. In the case of the Australian fires, which burnt down homes and other buildings, smoke could contain microparticles of metals, plastics, cellulose, lignin, silica, or even potentially friable asbestos. According to John Mediati, managing director of air filtration specialists Camfil, the pollutants found in bushfire smoke can cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes and a runny nose to aggravated heart and lung conditions.

AIR PATROL Doing a job that often involves working outdoors, HVAC&R professionals need to be conscious of air quality issues not only for their clients but for themselves. The Environmental Protection Authority and other bodies in each state and territory provide online measurements with a focus on particles in the 2.5-micron range (PM2.5). These sites indicate whether the air quality is suitable for working outdoors.

HOW DO HVAC SYSTEMS DEAL WITH SMOKE?

Most air conditioning systems

Mediati says most Australian commercial HVAC systems are fitted with air filters that focus on filtering coarse particles and dust greater that 10 microns in size.

will allow high levels of firerelated particulate to enter

generally low-quality filters

The standard coarse filter will remove only around 5 per cent of PM1 particles being drawn in through the air intake system. This could be either outdoor air coming in, or air from within the building being drawn into the system – as is the case with many small reverse-cycle and split system residential units.

Research into the long-term health effects of smoke from the 2014 Hazelwood Mine fire in Victoria is also finding problems including higher rates of gestational diabetes and long-term effects on the respiratory system.

“This means that the most dangerous particles for our health are not being removed from the air we breathe in our homes, at work, and in many public buildings,” Mediati says. “During periods when air pollution levels are high, such as when bushfires are active, indoor air can be just as dangerous as outdoor air.”

the building through their outside air component, and

The research is being led by a team including CSIRO, Menzies Institute of Medical Research at University of Tasmania, Monash University and Federation University. It is some of the only Australian research done to date on the effect of prolonged exposure to bushfire smoke in the broader community.

Airepure Australia national product manager Jonathan Bunge says that for all types of small residential or commercial systems, the grade of the filter is typically not high enough to capture smoke particles measuring 0.3–0.5 microns.

While the smoke we can see is both hazardous and unpleasant, it’s the tiny, invisible components of smoke that pose the most insidious risks.

“If the filter is upgraded to combat this, the fan system is likely unable to cope without being subsequently upgraded due to increased static pressure – and this may not be practical,” he says.

Mediati explains that the finest particles, known as particulate matter (PM), can cause significant damage. PM contaminants are also found in other types of hazardous airborne pollution including motor vehicle exhaust, crystalline silica dust and coal dust. Research into their effects raises serious concerns.

In a soon-to-be-published article, Airepure recommends that E11 filters (EN1822 standard) are used within commercial building HVAC systems, because they have an estimated 95–98 per cent filtration efficiency for smoke particles at 0.3–0.5 microns.

“Bushfires generate particles less than 1 micron in size (PM1), meaning they are fine enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream,” he says.

It notes that airflow and space restrictions, however, may make this an unsuitable solution for some systems. In those cases, the highest possible upgrade is still preferred over inaction.

“Long-term exposure to PM1 particles has been linked to cancer, as well as diseases of the liver, kidneys and nervous system. “All forms of air pollution can represent a significant threat to human health.” Stamkos says that during a smoke event, any smoke particulate will dissipate or settle out fairly quickly within either an indoor or outdoor environment. “However, once the source is no longer there, the answer is the introduction of ‘fresh’ or outside air to dilute it,” he says. “Most air conditioning systems will allow high levels of fire-related particulate to enter the building through their outside air component, and generally low-quality filters.”

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AFTER A SMOKE EVENT? “If smoke has entered the property, there’s a good chance it has also infiltrated the internal components of any heating and cooling systems,” Stamkos says. Mediati says that after periods of intense smoke, air filters should be checked and replaced if necessary. Under normal conditions, a final-stage fine particle filter, for example, can work effectively for years. Pre‑filters would generally need to be routinely checked every three months.

Bushfire smoke isn’t only a health risk for outdoor activities.

Familiarise yourself with your local service and check in regularly in periods of high smoke pollution.

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature But much higher pollution loads mean filters will have worked harder, and will probably have accumulated a load of gunk that can be detrimental to overall system performance. “Due to the high concentration of particulates in the air, filters may have reached their load-holding capacity earlier than usual,” Mediati says. “Failing to replace filters when necessary can result in higher energy consumption, contaminant bypass, and accumulation of dust throughout ductwork and on cooling coils.” Stamkos says both internal and external surfaces and components of heating and cooling units should be cleaned, and any flexible air ducts cleaned or replaced if necessary. Operating a contaminated heating or cooling system can redistribute airborne contamination, creating an inhalation risk even after the bushfire smoke event has passed.

THE UPSIDES OF UPGRADING BEFORE ANOTHER SMOKE EVENT

A pleated carbon filter (left) versus a recommended carbon filter (right). Images courtesy of Camfil.

As a minimum, the fine particle filter should be rated at ePM1 60 per cent (according to ISO 16890).

“Although the summer of 2019/20 was unprecedented in the severity of the bushfire season, it is unlikely to be a one-off and scientists warn that with rising temperatures this is likely to become somewhat of a new normal,” A. G. Coombs said in a recent advisory note, Managing Building Services Systems and Bushfire Smoke.

“A compact carbon filter should be used instead of a pleated carbon filter to ensure effective, long-term removal of odours and molecular contaminants, such as VOCs and ozone,” Mediati says.

“With that in mind, it is prudent to take steps to assess how our buildings can be adapted to cope better with poor air quality levels in future and provide a safe and comfortable environment for occupants when outdoor conditions deteriorate.”

Something to keep in mind is additional filtration can affect the energy-efficiency of the HVAC system and also airflow. A filter creates greater pressure, so the system has to work harder to push air through.

“Pleated carbon filters have a minimal, temporary impact and can allow trace odours and chemicals to progress into occupied spaces.”

Long-term, Mediati says the best solution for addressing the particulate and molecular contamination associated with bushfire smoke and other pollutants is to upgrade the HVAC system’s air filtration set-up. Camfil recommends a two-stage set-up with a fine particle filter followed by a carbon filter.

While using them may have an impact on airflow and energy use, it can be seen as a useful short-term trade‑off, given the air quality benefits.

For detailed guidance, Jeremy Stamkos, M.AIRAH, says technicians can also refer to:

Airepure recommends that after addressing the highest priority – which is upgrading particulate filters – a gaseous (carbon) filter be installed where space and fan power allows for it. This can help eliminate some of the unpleasant odours associated with bushfire smoke in commercial buildings.

AIRAH’s HVAC Hygiene Best Practice Guidelines NADCA USA Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC Systems

According to Airepure, the gaseous filter should be placed after the upgraded particulate air filter in the commercial HVAC system, so the actual particulate matter is removed before the gaseous filter cleans out the odorous gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and VOCs.

IESO/RIA STANDARD 6001 Evaluation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Interior Surfaces to Determine the Presence of Fire-Related Particulate as a Result of a Fire in a Structure.

The long-term upside to upgrading filters extends beyond the kind of smoke events seen this summer.

See also the A. G. Coombs advisory note at: www.agcoombs.com.au/news-andpublications/advisory-notes/managingbuilding-services-systems-and-bushfire-smoke/

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

A quick call to a filter specialist can get you some good advice in this regard. Airepure suggests technical and maintenance staff could consider keeping a stock of spare higherefficiency particulate air filters that could be used for short periods when required, for example, when bushfire smoke is present.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?

“If you are in the process of getting a system designed or engineered for a project, make sure it will perform with the lowest possible pressure drop if the more effective filters are installed,” Mediati says.

“By reducing airborne particulate matter, the improved air quality provided year-round by the upgraded system would be beneficial for the health of all occupants,” Bunge says, “in particular for asthma sufferers.” |

April 2020

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE SYSTEM CAN’T BE UPGRADED Where the specific type of HVAC system is not suitable for installing a filter upgrade – often the case with small residential or commercial units – air cleaners and air purifiers can be workable solutions. There are two types: small, portable units that can be used for a single office or specific rooms of a home; and larger, wired-in units more suitable for larger spaces including warehouses and industrial premises. For technicians, Mediati says maintenance of hard‑wired systems is fairly straightforward, and requires no specific additional training or kit. The same is true for the in-system compact carbon or fine particle filters where they have been installed into HVAC air handling units or air intakes.

SPECIAL ISSUES FOR RESIDENTIAL SPACES According to Airepure, residential and small commercial buildings tend to be more “leaky” than large commercial buildings, which tend to be tightly sealed in terms of unmanaged outdoor air infiltration. Air flows in through multiple points: doors, windows, vents and also any gaps or cracks in floors, ceilings, architraves or walls. This makes it tricky to manage indoor air quality when outdoor air quality is extremely poor. For occupants, Bunge advises it is important to close all windows and doors and seal up any possible air leaks to minimise outside air entering the building. If there is no filtered outside air provided to the building, care must also be taken to ensure outside air is let into the well-sealed house when air quality improves, to maintain indoor oxygen levels. “Sealing a leaky building is difficult, but it is critical to improve indoor air quality during events when outside air quality is poor,” he says. “Neglecting to do this significantly reduces the effect of all other improvements.” ■

From 2kW to 200kW we have the solution for you. Our wide range of products give you the solution for every scenario, delivering industry leading performance and coming with a well-earned reputation for reliability. And because we are based right here in Australia, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never have to call overseas or wait long for service and support.

Wall Hung

Cassette

Multi Split

UltraSlim

Split Ducted

Packaged

2kW - 8kW

7kW - 13kW

5kW - 13kW

7kW - 12kW

9kW - 71kW

12kW - 200kW

And no matter which system you choose, when you buy an ActronAir you know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re choosing: Advanced design to perform better in Australia

The best local customer service and support

Australian spare parts depository

Reliable performance in extreme conditions

To learn more about how our extensive range can improve your business, please contact: 1300 522 722 or visit us at actronair.com.au

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Cool Tech

SURF’S UP... EVERY TIME! Now you can ride perfect waves year‑round in Australia’s first surf park. Unless you’re a purist who thrives on seeking out the perfect surf beach, the idea of a man-made lagoon that generates mechanised waves according to your skill level may not sound like a bad idea. Billed as Australia’s first surf park, Urbnsurf opened its shores in January to eager anticipation.

The Tullamarine park, located a three-minute drive from Melbourne Airport, provides a shark-free, wave riding experience for surf enthusiasts. At Urbnsurf, newbies and experienced surfers alike can look forward to perfectly controlled whitewater swells – rolling in at a rate of around 1,000 every hour. Unlike the hit-or-miss nature of ocean surfing, the renewably-powered surf park delivers between 10–12 waves for each rider every hour.

The artificial surfer’s paradise owes its predictable swells Unlike the hit-or-miss to Wavegarden technology. Nobody is revealing how nature of ocean surfing, the breaks and barrels are actually being generated but the physical attributes of the wave-making the renewably‑powered surf park technology provide a bit of clue. Underneath the lagoon, a modular sequence of pistons wags like delivers between 10–12 waves the tail of a T-rex, each swishing movement timed HVAC Hygiene ad - October 2019.pdf 1 19/9/19 2:44 pm and calibrated to unleash the ocean-like waves. for each rider every hour.

CMY

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

Shaped like a baseball diamond, the 2.1-hectare lagoon is comparable in size to the MCG. It’s separated into three zones catering to different skill levels: from knee-high tides for beginners and waist-high waves for intermediate surfers all the way to two-metre plungers (known as The Beast) for seasoned pros. If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf but never got around to it, the park provides a safe and controlled environment to get you started. Lessons are available for adult and child beginners, ranging in price from around $60–70 for group lessons and upwards of $130 for private lessons. For regular wave riders, hourly surf sessions are also available at lower rates, depending on the zone you pick. ■

MODULE

130

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

DA19 – HVAC&R Mainenance

BRAZING AND

WELDING – OXYACETYLENE PLANT

Skills summary ■ What? A guide to operating and maintaining oxyacetylene plant.

■ Who? Especially relevant for anyone involved in the installation and

One of the best methods of connecting parts together in a refrigeration system is to use welded (brazed) joints. This type of joint is used to connect tube to tube or tube to fitting. It is leakproof, permanent and gives maximum strength. The silver‑brazed joint is used extensively in refrigeration work. Silver brazing incorporates the use of a high‑silver‑content welding rod and appropriate flux. This type of brazed joint can be used to join copper to copper, copper to brass and brass to steel; these are all common types of joint used in refrigeration systems.

maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, but also more widely applicable to general HVAC&R technicians.

One of the major requirements for carrying out brazing operations is a safe, well‑maintained oxyacetylene plant. This Skills Workshop provides advice on operating and maintaining this plant.

Oxyacetylene plant The main parts of the plant (Figure 1) are: • Oxygen cylinder (black) • Acetylene cylinder (maroon)

cylinder contents and outlet pressure gauges cylinder contents and outlet pressure gauges

pressure-regulating screw valves

flashback arrestor

• Cylinder valves and key • Regulators (acetylene has left-hand threads for the hose) • Gauges (separate indicators for contents and outlet pressures)

flashback arrestor pressure-regulating screw

• Hoses (acetylene hoses are red) • Welding torch (or blowpipe)

oxygen cylinder (black)

– handpiece with left-hand threads for acetylene hoses tips (brazing, welding or cutting)

acetylene cylinder (maroon)

– control valves – mixer.

Cylinders Industrial gas cylinders are made to rigid specifications, and are inspected each time they are refilled by the supplier. Oxygen is stored in the cylinder under a pressure of up to 20,000kPa and the safe operating pressure is up to over 200kPa. Acetylene cylinders contain porous material which is impregnated with acetone. The acetone is dissolved under a pressure of up to 1,500kPa. The operating pressure of acetylene must not exceed 105kPa, otherwise liquid acetone may be discharged from the hose.

flashback arrestors welding torch (blowpipe)

Fig 1 – Oxyacetylene plant April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

HVAC&R Skills Workshop welding tip

mixer

• Keep disposable butane cigarette lighters away from flames or sparks – they can explode.

handpiece

• When transporting gas cylinders, ensure they are firmly secured and the vehicle is adequately ventilated. They should not be transported within service vans or passenger cars which have not been specifically designed for the purpose.

control valves

Fig 2 Welding torch (Reproduced with the permission of BOC Limited, a member of the Linde Group.)

Welding torch (blowpipe)

Opening an oxyacetylene plant 1. See that the regulators are closed (unscrewed).

A welding torch (blowpipe) consists of four parts: • The control valves – which control the volume of each gas delivered from the regulators to the welding tip • The handpiece – which is the actual handle section of the blowpipe • The mixer – which mixes the two gases ready for burning at the welding tip • The welding tip – the actual burner of the blowpipe. It takes the mixed fuel gas and oxygen from the mixer and passes it through the correct‑sized hole for the required flame size. There are several tip sizes available to give a selection of flame sizes for welding and brazing.

Safety precautions • Always use appropriate protective clothing and equipment; that is, goggles, apron, gloves, hairnet (if required) and ventilating fans.

2. Open the main cylinder valves approximately half a turn (both oxygen and acetylene cylinders have right-hand threads). Open the main valves slowly, or damage to the seat can result. 3. Adjust the gas pressures to the required values (about 50kPa for each is typical), with the gas flowing. Leave the key in the acetylene cylinder.

Welding tip selection Gas welding plants come complete with a selection of different-sized welding tips. Tip size controls the heat input to the job and the correct-sized tip is the one which will heat the work piece to the desired temperature in a reasonable time. The most suitable tip size for a job will be learned by experience, but Table 1 provides a fairly reliable guide for oxyacetylene work. The actual size of the pieces being joined also influences the tip size required. It may be found that, for a particular application, the gas pressure needs to be decreased or increased. If this is so, remember that the oxygen and acetylene pressures should be equal – and must not exceed 105kPa.

• Do not use oil or grease on fittings likely to come into contact with oxygen, as this could cause an explosion. Greasy overalls can also be a fire hazard. Do not use oxygen as compressed air. • Keep the plant and accessories in good order and the place of work clean. • Do not store or operate an acetylene cylinder lying down. If the cylinder is used lying down, liquid acetone may pass through the valve with the acetylene. • Keep the cylinders cool.

Tip size

Regulator pressure

Gas consumption

(kilopascals – kPa)

(cubic metres per hour)

Oxygen

Acetylene

Oxygen

Acetylene

0.007

0.128

0.210

• N ever open a main cylinder valve more than 12 turns, and leave the cylinder key in the acetylene cylinder so it can be turned off in case of an emergency.

0.34

• Never exceed 105kPa for acetylene.

0.45

• Keep the hoses away from sparks or hot objects.

0.68

• Do not use plant which has leaking hoses.

1.04

• Do not use a flame close to concrete or asbestos sheeting. Local heating can cause an explosion.

Application

Table 2 Gas pressure and consumption for oxyacetylene welding tip sizes

Welding tip size (number) for each metal thickness 0.8mm

1.6mm

2.4mm

3.2mm

4.0mm

5.0mm

6.3mm

13mm

6–8

Braze welding Steel Cast iron Copper and brasses

8–12

Fusion welding Steel Brasses Cast iron

Brazing Aluminium

6–8

Silver brazing Steels Copper and brasses

Table 1 Recommended welding tip sizes 16

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

HVAC&R Skills Workshop Flame adjustment 1. Select the most suitable tip for the job and fit it to the handpiece. 2. “Crack” the valves on the handpiece and allow the gas to flow for a few seconds. This is known as “purging” the hoses to remove dust or water from inside them. 3. Turn on and light the acetylene (with a flint gun); then adjust the flame until there is a minimum of soot but the flame is still touching the tip. Do not use matches or a cigarette lighter – you may burn your hands. 4. Open the oxygen valve slowly and adjust the flame to the required setting. The flame burns at approximately 3,200°C, with approximately equal parts of oxygen and acetylene. The three basic types of flame are:

Fig 4 Nozzle cleaning

Maintenance of nozzles Take great care with the nozzle: it is easily damaged. Carburising flame – which has an excess of acetylene

To clean welding tips, special tip-cleaning reamers, marketed in a wallet, are obtainable. It is recommended that these are used in preference to other means (Figure 4).

Backfires and flashbacks Neutral flame – a general-purpose flame

A backfire is a momentary extinguishment or burning back of the flame into the torch tip. The effect is usually a loud “bang” from the tip. It is caused by: • Touching the tip against the work, or allowing particles to enter the tip and obstruct the gas flow, or • Overheating the tip, or using pressures too low for that tip.

Oxidising flame – which has an excess of oxygen Fig 3 Basic types of oxyacetylene flame (Reproduced with the permission of BOC Limited, a member of the Linde Group.)

A neutral flame is used for the majority of welding requirements, but oxidising and carburising flames are used in certain applications, for example braze welding (slightly oxidising) and hard facing (carburising) – see Table 3. It is essential that the operator learns to recognise the three types of flame because incorrect flame setting could lead to failure of the weld. The first step in flame adjustment is to adjust regulator pressures and light up as explained in the preceding section.

Neutral flame

Oxidising flame

Carburising flame

mild steel

brass

hard facing

cast iron (silicon welding)

bronze

linde welding

copper

bronze welding cast iron

high-carbon steels

lead

bronze welding galvanised iron

Inconel®

aluminium

die-cast

Monel®

The trouble will sometimes clear itself immediately. If the work is hot enough, the blowpipe will re-light automatically. If this fails to happen, close the blowpipe valves at once. Before re-lighting, check the gas pressures and allow the tip to cool. A flashback is the burning back of the flame into the blowpipe, or the ignition of an explosive mixture in one of the gas lines. Flashbacks can burn right back into the tubing. If a flashback into the blowpipe occurs, a shrill hissing sound will be heard. Close the blowpipe oxygen valve at once; then close the acetylene valve. Wait for a few moments to make sure that the flame is out. Allow the tip to cool before re‑lighting. The most common causes of flashbacks are wrong gas pressures, a distorted or loose tip, or overheating or clogging of the tip. A flashback is always a sign that something is wrong, either with the equipment or your handling of it. Before attempting to re‑light the flame, identify the cause and correct it.

Closing down the plant 1. Close the acetylene valve on the handpiece and the flame will go out. Then close the oxygen valve on the handpiece. 2. Close both cylinder valves (do not overtighten them). 3. Open the oxygen valve on the handpiece to release the pressure in the hose. When both regulator indicators fall to zero, close the oxygen handpiece valve and then close the oxygen regulator by unscrewing it. 4. Repeat the procedure in Step 3 above for the acetylene equipment. 5. Hang the hoses neatly on the trolley – not over the gauges. ■

magnesium alloys stainless steel

This month’s Skills Workshop has been taken from Australian Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Volume 1, by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH.

copper nickel alloys low-melting-point alloys Table 3 Types of oxy-welding flame for different applications

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

DA19 – HVAC&R Mainenance

Next month: Insulated enclosures in coldrooms April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Australia’s definitive industry reference has been fully revised. The fourth edition of DA19 features important updates on: • Energy efficiency • System sustainability • Asset management • Smart maintenance The fourth edition is also complemented by a free user guide for facilities managers and building owners. DA19 is a complete guide to defining a performance-oriented, outcomes-based maintenance regime.

Access your electronic version or order your hard copy online at www.airah.org.au/DA_Manuals 18

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

Digital Developments

PUTTING BYTE INTO YOUR BUSINESS

don’t end up with cash that’s tied up in stock that’s moving slowly or not selling at all. When you have live visibility of your sales, operations, productivity and profitability, you can see what’s driving business success and be aware of any roadblocks. BI simplifies complex data into user-friendly dashboards so you can see at a glance what’s working and what needs improvement. By giving you complete control over the important processes in your business, BI lets you make decisions to invest in areas that need it or lower costs in others to respond to customer feedback and compete more effectively.

STRENGTHENING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Are you a business owner struggling to find the valuable insights in mountains of data? Pat Turner explains how business intelligence can help. Do you remember those “magic eye” pictures from the ’90s? They looked like a mess of colours, but if you stared long enough you could see a 3D image hidden within the chaotic pattern.

outstanding on debtor payments, or even your gross profit? KPIs are a part of the business intelligence toolbox that can provide live tracking against business targets.

Fast-forward a couple of decades and business intelligence (BI) is doing something similar – it’s revealing the hidden image among the mess of data. It does the heavy lifting of data analysis, and helps you understand the trends and changes in your business.

Many businesses create objectives, then fail to measure them or act on the results. With business intelligence KPIs, you know exactly how you’re tracking every time you look at your BI dashboard.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED As your business grows, the amount of data accumulated grows with it. At a certain point, it becomes hard to see the wood from the trees.

Delivering great customer service can be challenging, no matter what business you’re in. By leveraging BI, you can guide decisions and choices that benefit the customer experience. For example, you can track customer support cases on your dashboard. You can even drill down into fulfilment and delivery times, zeroing in on the areas of the business or processes that may be affecting the customer experience.

Knowing when to increase or change efforts between under- and over-performing parts of the business can be invaluable. KPIs let you make agile, data-driven decisions and stay focused on the results you need.

USING DATA TO REDUCE COSTS

The good news is that times have changed. Many cloud-based ERP systems and online business management software packages now include business intelligence functions as standard. You can set up powerful live dashboards and see live updates every single time you log in.

Having the business intelligence at your fingertips can also help you reduce purchasing costs. How? If you had a good idea of how much stock you needed in advance, you could get your purchasing happening much more strategically. Purchasing larger stock quantities to secure bulk discounts can be done confidently with the right data behind you.

Key performance indicators, or KPIs, can become a crucial gauge of the health of your business. Are you on-track with monthly sales revenue? How about your customer acquisition, days

BI reporting can help more accurately predict stock demand by bringing together data on inventory, sales, seasonal fluctuations, and more. You can also start predicting over-stock situations to ensure you

Put simply, BI enables you to dig deeper into the numbers and know where you can improve the customer experience. BI can help you quickly identify those opportunities and focus on the right strategies to strengthen customer relationships and boost customer retention. These are just a few of the benefits that business intelligence is delivering right now. Switching your view from the data chaos to easily identifiable trends and insights can help you turn your goals into results, reduce costs, know what’s driving your business and strengthen customer relationships. Knowledge truly is power. With BI delivering clear insights, you can start making more profitable, data‑driven decisions that make a lasting difference to your business. ■ This column was provided by Pat Turner from JCurve solutions. For more information about JCurve, go to www.jcurvesolutions.com

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Feature

FOREIGN AID What do you do when the industry’s skills shortage stops you filling job vacancies locally? As Sean McGowan reports, some RAC contractors are now recruiting from abroad.

South African born and raised, Ben commenced his refrigeration and air conditioning career in 2005 after completing Year 12, and has worked to build his skills and knowledge in Pretoria in the years since. But when his brother – who has lived in Australia for over a decade – told him about the lack of skilled technicians and opportunities in Australia’s HVAC&R industry, Ben recognised the chance to secure a better future for his young family.

With the knowledge provided by his brother, Ben scoured the many jobs advertised online. And while keen to explore the opportunity to move his family to Australia, he soon discovered there was no clear pathway for a qualified RAC technician to apply for jobs listed overseas. Online applications went unanswered, and his frustration built. That was until Ben was contacted by Tony Swift of Swift Support via LinkedIn.

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP Since being approached by Australian HVAC&R contractors to help them find suitable candidates for vacant positions, Swift has come to discover how the skills shortage is directly impacting the local industry. “I think it is a serious problem,” he says. “The industry will continue to grow, so the need for installation and service technicians will only grow with it. And there are plenty of jobs out there, but the local talent pool is exceedingly shallow right now.”

Swift’s approach was greeted with enthusiasm, and Ben soon agreed to a take up a service technician’s role based in Sydney.

This was the experience of Ben’s employer, and Swift’s client – a family-owned RAC contractor operating in Sydney.

Ben and his family arrived in Sydney in early November 2018 and he commenced work just 10 days later.

No fly-by-night operation, the contractor (who wishes to remain anonymous) has operated for over 30 years in the domestic air conditioning, commercial air conditioning and commercial refrigeration sectors. Recent growth had required it to hire more service technicians to add to its 20‑plus workforce, but after many months of advertising job vacancies it was unable to find quality candidates locally to fill the roles.

“The work experience has been great, with the work similar to what I was doing in South Africa,” explains Ben.

Swift Support is an independent HR Business Partner that works with SMEs (small to medium enterprises) not big enough to justify a permanent HR manager |

Swift Support had been engaged by a Sydney‑based refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) contractor to find suitable candidates for vacant positions. After not being able to fill the positions with local talent, Swift Support was exploring the option of recruiting from abroad. “Tony contacted me and asked whether I was interested in relocating to Australia for work,” says Ben. “He was also keen to gain an understanding as to whether other South African professionals would be interested in exploring job opportunities overseas.”

“South Africa is going backwards, and there is no future for my children there,” Ben says candidly of his homeland.

on their payroll, but still large enough to require HR services to fill job vacancies.

“I adjusted quickly to the ways of the Australian standards, and I’ve really enjoyed the work, challenging myself every day to become the best I can be in my career and an asset for the Australian industry.” April 2020

Feature “We were offering a permanent, steady job within a family-owned business and would have been more than happy to employ locally, but the applicants were just not there,” says the company’s business manager. “We advertise a lot, but the responses are normally from candidates who have a limited training background, or have not held down a position for a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, applicants often don’t turn up for their interview while others are quite clearly shopping around for better, unrealistic offers, and are not a solid prospect.”

Applicants often don’t turn up for their interview while others are quite clearly shopping around Enter Ben. After being contacted by Swift Support, Ben jumped at the opportunity to explore the option of moving to Australia to further his career in Sydney. But he first needed to satisfy himself that it was a safe and realistic option. “I just wanted assurances that I would be safe in the opportunity and not be sent away if things didn’t work out,” he says.

Ben was subsequently interviewed by both Swift and his prospective employer via Skype, and after being assured of the process and opportunity, progressed to applying for a TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) 482 visa with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

THE 482 VISA According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa subclass 482 lets an employer sponsor a suitable skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill.

“The 482 visa replaced the 457 visa a couple of years ago, and offers two streams – short and medium term,” says Swift. “A short-term 482 visa is valid up to two years, while a medium-term visa is for four years. HVAC&R technicians are listed on the medium-term stream, which again reflects the seriousness of the current skill shortage in this industry.”

To be eligible for a TSS 482 visa, the candidate must be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor, have the right skills to do the job, and meet the relevant English language requirements.

While some might see recruiting from abroad as not being supportive of local workers, restrictions are in place so that employers are only able to use this visa to “sponsor” candidates from overseas after demonstrating their efforts to hire locally have been unsuccessful.

Applicants for the medium-term visa, which allows the candidate to work in Australia for up to four years, must have at least two years relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.

“Australian HVAC&R technicians have nothing to worry about,” says Swift. “My clients are using overseas workers to supplement their hiring efforts, not to replace local workers.”

At the time of writing, the cost of this visa is $2,645 for the main applicant and for each dependent over 18 years of age, and $660 for each dependent under 18 years.

In fact, the significant costs of recruiting, interviewing and sponsoring candidates from overseas suggest that it would more likely to be a last resort for companies who have exhausted all avenues to find suitable employees.

For more information, visit www.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas

As well as the recruitment costs, there is also the cost of an immigration agent required to work with the

• IT’S PERIPHERALS MONTH AND WE HAVE A LARGE RANGE OF PRODUCTS TO SUIT YOUR INSTALLATIONS AND SITE NEEDS. • WE KEEP MANY LEADING BRANDS IN STOCK • COME AND TALK TO THE SALES TEAM AT REGULATOR AUTOMATION FOR ALL YOUR HVAC SOLUTIONS • REPLACEMENT AND RETROFIT SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF YOUR PROJECT AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

client, the sponsored employee and the recruiter to complete paperwork and help navigate what can be, at times, a complicated process.

BUILDING AUTOMATION Solutions for Pressure, Temperature, Air Quality, Flow and Thermal Energy Monitoring

CC-HV&R-027

For all your HVAC product, design, installation and servicing needs: Call (02) 9804 6366 or visit: www.regulatorautomation.com.au

DWYER INSTRUMENTS, PTY. LTD.

02 4272 2055 dwyer-inst.com.au

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Feature Many occupations related to construction appear on the list of occupations eligible for a temporary skills shortage visa.

FILLING THE GAP The skills shortage, which has for so long been a talking point of the HVAC&R industry, is now beginning to reach crisis point. “Feedback from business owners in this industry is pretty consistent – it’s very difficult to find suitably qualified technicians by advertising on job boards like Seek,” says Swift Support’s Tony Swift. “I’ve tried to help business owners hire locally, but my experience matches their feedback – it’s just really tough to find qualified, quality candidates.”

“An overseas candidate who is motivated will already have their Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) underway,” they say.

Then there is the significant cost borne by the candidate. “The costs are shared between the sponsoring company and the employee,” explains Swift. “Both have skin in the game.”

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is a skills assessment service provider specialising in assessments for people with trade skills gained overseas or in Australia, for the purpose of migration and skills recognition. A major step in confirming their qualification and ability, this process confirms the candidate is able to do the work the job requires.

He says that the sharing of investment and risk ensures that both begin the relationship with an attitude of “wanting to make it work”. “There is a solid cost-benefit for companies who pursue sponsoring quality candidates from overseas, while from an employee perspective, their investment is driven by a desire to improve the prospects of themselves, and often their family,” says Swift. “So it’s a win-win.”

Once in Australia, overseas candidates seeking to work in the HVAC&R industry must also complete all necessary gap training components within TAFE pertaining to Australian refrigerant and workplace health and safety (WH&S) standards.

TRADES RECOGNITION

For Ben and his employer, this has been somewhat of a minefield.

In contrast, Swift says recruiting from overseas can be easier because there is a clear pool of qualified candidates motivated to relocate to countries such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. South Africa is one of a number of countries to have candidates ready and willing to emigrate to a new country. “There are currently serious security issues in South Africa, as well as career path issues driven by government policy that can limit progression locally, which means candidates are highly motivated to emigrate,” Swift says. As well as having the advantage of speaking English, South African candidates also benefit from being educated in an effective training system that can more easily be aligned to Australia’s. “My ideal South African candidates are those with a young family keen for a life-changing, one-way move to Australia,” says Swift.

According to Ben’s new employer, the challenges associated with sponsoring an overseas candidate are countered by the candidate’s motivation and determination to see the process through. This starts by the candidate having their overseas qualifications recognised.

TRADES RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA The TRA’s TSS Skills Assessment Program is an assessment pathway for applicants applying for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, who work in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country or Special Administrative Region (SAR), and are required by the Department of Home Affairs to have a skills assessment for temporary migration. A skills assessment determines if a candidate has the skills and experience necessary to work in Australia at the trade level of their occupation. For 2019–20, the Department of Home Affairs has capped total immigration places at 160,000. Around 70 per cent of these will be skilled migrants.

For more information, visit www. tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

Feature “Once I arrived in Australia, there were no clear guidelines on how and where to start with my gap training so as to convert my offshore qualification to an Australian qualification,” he says. “But after a long search, we finally found a TAFE in South Australia that provides gap training, and while there may be others who can also help, no one was really sure how to go about it.” To counter these delays, Ben’s employer had procedures in place to ensure he was a productive member of staff from day one.

We are making it work for us because we know there is a better future

A CONTRACTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Ben’s employer has been around for over 30 years. They have seen the ups and downs of the industry, and ridden the waves that come with it. But the current skills shortage is one crisis they don’t expect to go away any time soon. “The problem has been prevalent for many years and is of serious concern,” says the company’s business manager. They say there are a number of factors influencing the skills shortage, including low apprenticeship wages, a reduction in TAFE courses, and a lack of focus and guidance on trades by the Australian school and education sector. “Young people are not seeing the benefit of being in a trade, and not realising that beyond

the low apprentice wages, once qualified, they will have a job for life.” Additionally, the contractor points to the emergence of private colleges seeking to fast‑track the system as also having a negative impact on the industry. “Private colleges are issuing Certificate III after a short study period and receive large fees for the courses,” they say. “We have had first-hand experience of several past employees clearly not having the same skill set as technicians who had completed a four-year apprenticeship, yet they still commanded the same remuneration package.”

here in Australia As well as work-related challenges, Ben and his family have also had to navigate Australia’s healthcare and childcare systems since relocating to Sydney. But he says overcoming such obstacles has been well worth it. “Coming from where we were, these are just little speed bumps,” he says. “We are making it work for us because we know there is a better future here in Australia.” Editor’s note: For the purposes of privacy, we have chosen to withhold Ben’s real name.

TECHNICAL SERVICES ON-SITE TESTING & MAINTENANCE OF HEPA FILTRATION & KITCHEN EXHAUST

ON-SITE NATA TESTING

FILTRATION SYSTEMS

Cleanroom Equipment Testing Cleanroom Certifications Australia Wide

EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS

ph:1300 886 353 www.airepure.com.au

HEPA Filter Replacement & HEPA Filter Testing Australia Wide

TECHNICAL SERVICING Airepure Kaire & PowerClean Carbon Media Replacement ESP Cell Cleaning

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Special Feature

VIEW FROM THE FRONT OF THE CLASS

In our February issue, five industry experts told us what they expect for 2020. This month, long-time TAFE lecturer Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, offers his perspective. Australian TAFEs are the life-blood of the HVAC&R industry and in many ways, taking the pulse of the TAFE system provides an indication as to the general health of the sector. Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, is portfolio manager (heavy automotive and refrigeration) at South Metropolitan TAFE in Perth. He shares his view from across the Nullarbor.

What is the general health of the TAFE system, particularly given the updates to training packages expected in the near future? The entire training system in Australia utilises training packages as a curriculum base, and these are linked to The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). According to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), training packages are developed by Service Skills Organisations (SSOs) to meet the training needs of an industry, or a group of industries. Training packages do not suggest how a learner should be trained, but rather they specify the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the workplace.

How was last year for Australian TAFEs in general? Most industry people ask us about student numbers as an indication of the health of the system and more generally the economy. In WA, we are no different to other parts of the country – a healthy economy leads to greater employment opportunities and a greater take up of apprenticeships.

Each training package is made up of three components: units of competency, a qualifications framework and assessment guidelines. The first training packages were introduced around 1998 and have continued to be used with ongoing updates.

In WA in recent years we have seen a slight decline in RAC apprenticeships as construction has slowed; however, in the heavy automotive industry (which has greater linkages to the resources sector) we have seen an increase in apprenticeships as companies try to cope with increased demand for trained personnel. 24

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

We hear criticism of training from various industry sectors, but what people often fail to realise is that TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations (RTOs) do not control the training package. They deliver and assess training according to the rules of |

April 2020

the training package and must deliver that training to nationally agreed standards. So, one of the major issues with training packages is maintaining their currency, updating them for new and developing technologies, while at the same time maintaining standards that are acceptable to industry. This is the job of the SSOs, and for them to achieve this they seek the assistance and advice of Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) and the IRCs get specialist input from Training Advisory Committees (TACs). Both of the training packages that deal with RAC trade qualifications – UEE (Electrotechnology) and MEM (Manufacturing and Engineering) – are working at the moment to introduce updates, but it isn’t easy. Change is a process that takes time! Currently the federal government is reviewing the VET system so we can expect more change in the near future but what that means on the ground is anyone’s guess. Working at one of the country’s leading TAFEs, what do you see as the greatest challenge for TAFEs as we enter this new decade? One of the big issues that all TAFE colleges have to deal with is quality. As mentioned, our national training system is managed by the regulator ASQA (in WA TAC) and all colleges must meet the standards laid out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. We have to prove to the regulator that our employers and industry have confidence in the integrity, currency and value of certification documents that we issue.

Special Feature Our system requires all colleges to engage in “mutual recognition” – in other words we are all training to the one standard. If anyone comes to me with a Certificate III and wants to use that as partial credit towards a Certificate IV, then so long as the Certificate III comes from an RTO, I can have confidence that the person holds those skills and I can’t make them repeat that training.

Anyone who works outside their licence runs the risk of prosecution in the same way an unlicensed driver takes a risk if they get behind the wheel of a car. Whether you think we should have a Certificate II or not is another argument, but it isn’t a training problem.

The system works so long as everybody does the right thing. If an RTO isn’t doing the right thing then the regulator can remove that qualification from their scope of delivery until they can prove to the regulator that they are once again compliant. Maintaining compliance is a lot of work and a major burden on RTOs. Much of the audit work is a paper trail, so the onus is on the RTO to provide written proof of compliance with the eight standards and their various clauses. Also, we must comply with the National Vocation and Training Regulator Act 2011 and the VET Quality Framework. In the HVAC&R industry, we find a lot of ill-informed comment about the Certificate II in Split System and Heat Pump installation qualification. There were some “shonky” practices by some public and private RTOs at one time and we have all heard of the two-day courses! What we must remember is that it isn’t the qualification that is at fault if an RTO doesn’t do the right thing, and it isn’t the qualification that is at fault if the person holding the qualification works outside of their licence. If the RTO is at fault in their delivery, then they can be investigated by the regulator and have the qualification removed from their scope of delivery.

What business conditions do you expect to face in 2020? We are expecting a better year. The state government has made some strategic changes that will possibly increase our international student intake (Diploma and Advanced Diploma of HVAC Engineering). It has also reduced fees for many courses including the RAC trade course. While this is a positive move, it may not affect apprentice numbers because for an apprentice to enrol, that apprentice has to first have an employer and employers are unlikely to employ apprentices unless they have sufficient work. A lot depends upon the economy and there are some mixed signals at the moment. For Australia, unemployment is rising, and the drought is affecting many of our rural areas. Property prices are rising on the east coast but remain in decline in the west. In WA the resources sector is buoyant, but the key is how that will impact on the rest of the state with metropolitan construction still in decline. A lot depends on infrastructure spending which should kick off next year with Metro Net and the push for WA to take over the Collins Class submarine full cycle docking from SA. These should, along with the resources sector, improve business confidence.

Are there any big changes and/or emerging technologies that could disrupt TAFEs in 2020 and beyond? The major operating cost for a TAFE or RTO is wages. So, the only real way to reduce costs and gain efficiencies is to reduce the contact time between students and lecturers. We can do this by providing more online training and reduce faceto-face training – well, that’s the theory anyway! It can work, and we have some great examples, but the problem is that you need people with great skills and knowledge to prepare and maintain the online delivery and they are in very short supply. So, while every TAFE would aspire to have more online delivery, they run into two major issues: having the people with the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to write and develop the programs, and the ability to fund and resource the product development. We’ve successfully developed materials online to change the delivery to a flexible mode as potential students were mainly in the resources industry working FIFO (fly in, fly out) rosters. The result was highly successful because the lecturers were passionate about it. We have currently developed this model to deliver our Certificate IV in HVAC Commissioning and a Diploma Advanced Trade. The key is having someone who is passionate about online and willing to take on the challenge. ■

Showcasing companies in your industry Australia’s ONLY dedicated HVAC&R directory Control your own profile via customer CMS Add videos, photos, products, articles and more Join your HVAC&R peers and competitors Boost sales enquiries Increase traffic to your site

Join Australia’s leading HVAC&R directory www.hvacrsearch.com.au

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Around the Nation 1

1 ARBS 2020 POSTPONED

2 NOMINATIONS OPEN

4 A SUB-STANDARD LICENCE?

In March, ARBS Exhibitions held an extraordinary board meeting and decided that the ARBS 2020 exhibition scheduled for May 19–21 will be postponed due to the COVID-19 virus.

AIRAH has officially started accepting nominations for its 2020 Awards.

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has called out Queensland for putting consumers at risk with a “sub-standard RAC licence”. The licence is part of the new mechanical services regulations that came into effect on January 1 this year.

The Awards will acknowledge the country’s achievements in the HVAC&R industry on November 10. This year’s Awards program will coincide with AIRAH’s 100th anniversary and the Outlook 2020 International HVAC&R Conference, to be held from November 8–10.

“Circumstances relating to the virus have triggered the postponement,” says ARBS events organiser Sue Falcke. She cites a number of factors as playing a major role in the decision.

Nominations across 13 categories are open for submission, inviting recommendations of notable individuals and projects that made significant contributions to the HVAC&R industry from 2018–2019. Submissions close on Friday, May 15.

“ARBS exhibitions generally host around 10,000–12,000 participants, involving exhibitors, visitors, suppliers and contractor staff, and we are concerned for the health, wellbeing and safety of all participants during what will be a challenging time for the whole country,” says Falcke.

One closely watched category for readers of HVAC&R Nation will be “Student of the year – Trade”. This award is given to an outstanding student at any level in the HVAC&R industry’s trade sector. Nominations can only be made by a third party, and are restricted to AIRAH members only. But remember that student membership is free – so all apprentices are eligible.

“Many international exhibitors and a number of interstate exhibitors have now limited or banned staff travel. It is likely that the government will recommend or prevent major travel and movement and possibly limit large events if the virus continues to spread.

Go to airah.org.au/awards ■

“Many companies and staff may be put into selfisolation, with the rate of spread of the virus at this stage unknown.

3 FREEZER EFFICIENCY

“A number of our seminar presenters have already flagged their intention to cancel any travel in the foreseeable future. “These are only a few of the major factors that influenced our decision.”

AIRAH is releasing a new design application (DA) manual that will be of great interest to many fridgies: DA12 Energy Efficiency in Cold Rooms.

Falcke says that ARBS is now looking at options for rescheduling, and is discussing options with the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. ARBS organisers hope to be able to announce an alternative date in the very near future.

Designed for engineers, refrigeration technicians and contractors, as well as equipment owners, operators and specifiers, the manual provides topical reference material for walk-in cold room energy efficiency in Australia.

“We are very sorry that such a drastic measure has had to be implemented,” says Falcke, “and we will do everything we can to ensure the successful reschedule of the exhibition once a suitable date has been secured and hopefully once the threat of the virus has subsided.

It covers walk-in cold rooms constructed from insulated sandwich panels, forming an enclosure that is constructed onsite or is factory built and prefabricated, delivered either ready for assembly or made up and pre-assembled. Topics include design considerations; a star rating index for walk-in cold rooms; refrigeration equipment, controls and defrost; insulated enclosures; installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and documentation; and more.

“More details, including the process and timelines of the postponement, will be provided as soon as feasibly possible.” Falcke has requested that any direct queries be sent to arbs@arbs.com.au. ■ 26

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Go to www.airah.org.au/da_manuals ■ |

April 2020

“The major issue is that one of the qualifications required for the Queensland licence does not specify any refrigeration or air conditioning units,” says the ARC. The qualification in question is the Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (MEM30219), which can be completed without doing any RAC‑specific units/electives. The ARC has called on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to tighten the rules and align them with the qualification requirements of the ARCTick Full RAC licence. “The Full ARCTick refrigeration and air conditioning licence does specify RAC units, and is the national licence, which many states already align with, supporting the way industry works while achieving environmental and consumer protection outcomes,” says the ARC. “In essence, Queensland is promoting an RAC licence without RAC-specific competencies. Not only that, it will encourage illegal activity and sub-standard RAC work, jeopardising the safety of technicians and consumers. “Thankfully, an ARCTick licence is still required for RAC systems operating on fluorocarbon refrigerants, irrespective of whether the Queensland licence is obtained.” ■

5 CAMFIL AIR‑QUISITION Sweden-based clean air solutions manufacturer Camfil has announced the acquisition of Airepure Australia. “The acquisition will help strengthen Camfil’s position as a global leader in air filtration, offering innovative clean air solutions, which will benefit our customers across the industry in Australia and New Zealand,” says the company. “Airepure’s addition to the Camfil Group will create a solid foundation for further growth in Australia and serving our customers with world-class filtration solutions.”

Around the Nation 7

5 6

Airepure Australia is a leading name in the national air filtration industry, providing solutions ranging from basic HVAC filtration to HEPA/ULPA filtration, airborne containment technologies, along with NATA testing services. Airepure has been part of Elta Group, UK since 2011.

role. You must also hold appropriate insurance, and must agree to and abide by the FPA Australia Code of Professional Conduct.

“Airepure has a strong offering to customers, and is a well-run operation, with strong capabilities in key areas like testing services, R&D, engineering and customer service,” says Alan O’Connell, President Asia Pacific at Camfil Group. “We look forward to joining forces with their team of talented and competent people.”

From April 6, when the scheme is expected to be gazetted, you will need to have passed this assessment to continue working in annual assessment roles in NSW.

“The Airepure team welcome this acquisition and the opportunity to combine the best of Airepure and Camfil’s people, products and custom‑engineered solutions to provide quality, purpose-built clean air solutions for the Australian market,” says Airepure CEO Roger Van Oosten. The image above shows (from left): Kristian Kirwin, Affil.AIRAH – National Engineering Manager, Airepure; Roger Van Oosten – CEO, Airepure; Alan O’Connell – President Asia Pacific, Camfil; Bill Wilkinson – Managing Director, UK, Camfil. ■

6 FPAS ACCREDITATION Fire safety rules are changing in New South Wales from April. For HVAC practitioners, the major change at this stage is that only those who are accredited as competent fire safety practitioners (CFSPs) under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) will be authorised to conduct the annual assessment of essential fire safety measures. This includes the four mechanical fire safety measures: • fire dampers

To combat such unsavoury practices, NATSPEC has launched the National Construction Product Register (NCPR), a searchable online database of construction products that the organisation has vetted and approved for inclusion. Supported by both the government and industry, the initiative puts in place a risk-assessment process via which NATSPEC authenticates construction products for which demonstrable evidence of conformity to prevailing standards has been provided.

You can now apply for assessment in these areas through the FPA Australia website.

Part of the process involves identifying – and rejecting – products that are accompanied by fraudulent certificates or doctored documents. Unfortunately, this practice is rife in an industry where a variety of product alternatives has spawned the common practice of product substitution. The NCPR can help to check whether a product substitution meets the same standard as that originally specified.

Go to www.fpaa.com.au ■

7 FINGER-LICKIN’ COOL A Sydney KFC outlet has installed a hydrocarbon‑based air conditioning system. The system uses two 15kW Frascold reciprocating compressors with Engas’ M50 mixture of hydrocarbon refrigerants. The M50 mixture consists of propane, propylene, ethane and butane.

NATSPEC relies on external conformity assessments. A national not-for-profit organisation, it is impartial and not involved in advocacy or policy development. ■

Shaun Bailer, managing director of local contractor Bailair – which installed the system – said the hydrocarbon-based system was picked to replace the store’s 20-year-old R22 system due to its energy-efficiency benefits. Installed in April 2019, the roof-top packaged system supplies air conditioning for the restaurant’s dining room.

9 ARC AND COVID-19 In response to the coronavirus situation, the ARC has put in place measures to keep the RAC industry permit scheme operating on a “business as usual” basis, with only minimal changes.

Frascold sales area manager Giovanni Lo Nero says the KFC installation reflects the optimism in hydrocarbon air conditioning applications in Australia. “Lately, I’ve seen a lot of interest, especially in air conditioning,” says Lo Nero. “In fact, I’ve been receiving more inquiries about it and for big applications, meaning big reciprocating and screw compressors too. I think there are big opportunities for the use of propane in Australia.” ■

• smoke dampers • mechanical air-handling systems • smoke and heat vents. The Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) class of FPAS accreditation accredits people who undertake assessment of the performance capability of fire safety measures for the purpose of informing an annual or supplementary fire safety statement. To gain FSA accreditation, you must demonstrate a level of required knowledge, skill and experience to perform the fire safety assessor

8 CONFORMANCE: CHECK! In the age of fake news, the building industry has encountered its fair share of falsehoods – be it in the filing of false evidence to support regulatory conformance or the use of inferior-quality materials. This consequently puts Australian buildings at risk. And it undermines the trust of building clients towards the industry at large and compromises the general safety of the public.

Face-to-face permit condition checks (audits) will be replaced by electronic checks via email. For lodging and assessing online renewals, however, it will be business as usual. The Cool Change newsletter will continue to be published to provide up-to-date industry, government, licensing and technical information. As a temporary measure to minimise the risk to industry, the ARC reception area will be closed to the public. If you want to drop off an application form or other documents, call 1300 884 483 or post them to Locked Bag 3033, Box Hill, Vic 3128. The same phone (1300 884 483) and email support (enquire@arctick.org) will be available Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.30pm. “With COVID-19 causing changes to the way you manage your health, work and home life, you have enough to worry about,” says the ARC. “That's why the ARC is working to ensure your licensing-related requirements aren't one of them. We will also continue to keep you informed of the most important business and employee support for the RAC industry.” ■

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

AIRAH News Step one is to clearly state the problem in a way that people outside our industry can understand. In order to make a change, regulators and government will need a clear and compelling reason. This involves quantifying the problem. How much it is costing our country in terms of safety, money, emissions, jobs and so on? This is an ongoing piece of work, being led by AIRAH’s Refrigeration Special Technical Group. Step two is to propose a solution. What changes could be made to improve the licensing regimes in Australia? What would be involved?

LICENSING – HAVE YOUR SAY! One topic that never fails to provoke a strong response in the HVAC&R community is trade licensing. And although the conversation has been going on for years, we still have not reached a satisfactory conclusion. As things stand, HVAC&R technicians in Australia are covered by a patchwork of licensing regimes, depending on where they work. While all technicians

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

fall under the national ARC licence scheme, some states and territories also have requirements. None of these schemes currently offers a complete solution.

As part of its mission to create an Australian HVAC&R industry that is highly skilled and professional, safe, sustainable and environmentally effective, AIRAH is attempting to move this conversation forward, and is looking to stakeholders in our sector – large and small – to provide their input.

April 2020

AIRAH has started this journey by putting together a licensing position statement, which describes the problem and proposes a solution. We are now looking for feedback from all members of the HVAC&R industry, including technicians, apprentices, engineers, educators, wholesalers, manufacturers, government and industry bodies. The position statement is available to read on the AIRAH website, along with a short survey. We will be accepting input until April 30. Once we have incorporated the feedback, step three is to take the position statement to government departments and regulators and advocate for change. ■

TO PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK Visit www.airah.org.au/licensing by April 30.

Smoko with . . .

Name: Emma Weir Company: Heuch Pty Ltd igeration mechanic. Occupation: Third-year refr ut working in HVAC&R? What’s the best thing abo travel to, ranging from The places and sites I get to to Queensland and Barry’s Beach to Olympic Dam everything in between. d in the industry? How long have you worke Three years. scles. Favourite tool: My girly mu ever received: Best on-the-job advice you ver ... “No matter where This will stick with me fore e a stubby holder with tak you go, always ALWAYS ded to show me the you.” My boss then procee with him. had he s der eight stubby hol HVAC&R industry, If you didn’t work in the be doing? what do you think you’d e! sur for ker sma I’d be a dres nt has been What’s the happiest a clie a client I cleaned with your work? Onsite for ore starting my work the whole workshop area bef

for the holidays. and then again before I left surprised as and ked sto They were pretty that good. ked loo er nev had the workshop wanted Scored some chocolates and me back asap. Dream car: Not car, but bike – Yamaha MT-10 (Or MT-07 for learner licence). dreamt of Dream holiday: Ireland! I’ve remember. n I ca the place for as long as Favourite smoko snack: I love a cheeky potato cake. What did you listen to on the way to work today? ) The Rhapsody Tapes (album by Ocean Grove. iel Sporting hero: Caleb Dan (AFL star). ... When I’m not working I’m ying pla or Exercising, sewing csgo (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive).

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

The Lighter Side This month’s Lighter Side brought to you by:

Ahead of the pack APAC Commercial HVAC AC

1 WINNER

Visit apacair.com.au for more information 2

1 NO PUMP, NO PROBLEM!

3 SINKING STANDARDS

Straight into hand basin for this condensate drain, and some interesting use of tape as a saddle. Surprisingly, it didn’t get any complaints! Thanks to Callum for the pic. ■

Paul sent us this (erm) innovative method of bomb‑charging a chiller. “I walked onto a job and discovered the chiller technician was doing this, with a heat gun and timbers,” says Paul. ■

4 NEW FORMS OF MOBILE AC This caravan install was snapped in Albury.

2 MILK CRATE MAGIC

“Don’t even know what to say,” says regular contributor Mick. “At least it has an oil trap I suppose.” ■

Anthony from WA came across this shocker out at a remote community in the Pilbara.

5 LOOK OUT BELOW

“The height of the crates didn’t quite make it,” he says, “so a few rocks seemed to do the trick.” ■

We’ve had quite a few suspended condenser units at The Lighter Side, but this hanging package takes the cake. Thanks to Shane for the photo. ■

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be 18 or over. Send your hi-res (>500KB) photos to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

April 2020

Ahead of the pack

APAC Commercial HVAC

• Tailored flexibility for all commercial & industrial projects • Energy efficient operation • Low installation cost • Low noise As populations increase and become more urbanised, the demand for trusted, innovative HVAC cooling and heating solutions are greater than ever. Engineered and built in Australia, the industry-leading apac units are ready for new developments and are perfectly suited to replace existing apac units nearing the end of their life cycle. The new apac ranges are manufactured to superior standards, using the highest quality materials and components. Fully MEPS compliant and Quality ISO 9001 certified, apac is truly ahead of the pack.

Visit apacair.com.au for more information

April 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

AVAILABLE WITH BLACK FASCIA

VRV ROUND FLOW SENSING CASSETTE INTELLIGENT 360Â° ROUND FLOW CASSETTE WITH ADVANCED FEATURES FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT. New 16.0kW model

Presence and floor sensors for ultimate control and efficiency

Individual flap control for precise airflow direction

commercial.daikin.com.au