HVAC&R Nation August-September 2021 by AIRAH

From plantroom to classroom Fridgies who make the switch to teaching

Skills

WORKSHOP

Inverter diagnostics and testing

ALL SYSTEMS GO Preparing for launch with building commissioning

August–September 2021 / ISSUE 140

PRINT POST APPROVAL NUMBER PP 727272/60606

FREE

2 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | August–September 2021

August–September 2021 / ISSUE 140

All systems go 20

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 Sean McGowan Willow Aliento

After a long design and construction process, the building is finally ready to occupy. Or is it? Sean McGowan looks at a vital but often-neglected final step: building commissioning.

Advertising sales

HVAC&R Nation regulars

Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au Tel: 0411 839 667

The Toolshed

Global Update Industry news from around the world

ISSN 1834-9522

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

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. 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.

Inverter testing and diagnostics – Part 2

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au Tel: 0419 556 108

Skills Workshop

Exclusive to this issue

Legal Speak Can an employer require their staff to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

AIRAH News All the action from AIRAH’s South Australian HVAC&R Apprenticeship Awards

Business Tips How IoT is changing the service and maintenance game

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

From plantroom to classroom

Smoko with …

Would you consider a career change from working on the tools to teaching? Willow Aliento talks to three educators who have made the switch.

Q&A with David West, Affil.AIRAH

11,510 September 2020

Green Wedge The classic Kombi goes electric

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

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

LET’S TALK ABOUT TEACHING “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.”

So wrote George Bernard Shaw back in 1903. The quote has survived the test of time, mainly as a witty put-down. But these days we have a better appreciation of what it takes to be a teacher. I learnt the hard way that being able to “do” doesn’t necessarily translate into being able to “teach”. When I started a stint teaching English as a second language in South America, I felt pretty well qualified. I had a degree in English literature, had done a short course on teaching ESL, and I was a native speaker. But after three years I walked away feeling like I’d never really cracked it. Occasionally I would attend classes given by other teachers. With the good ones it seemed like magic. They just had a way of saying the right thing to make their students understand and learn.

Some of that was the training they had done, but some of it was natural aptitude.

The switch has mostly been a positive one – for them and their students.

Many of you are experts when it comes to working with HVAC&R systems. How do you think you would fare standing in front of a class of students? Would you consider it as a career option?

To be fair on old George Bernard Shaw, he was being deliberately provocative when he penned the words at the start of this column. He was criticising the education system more than the teachers. A century later, we still haven’t got that system working perfectly. Far from it!

The hours are good – no midnight call-outs to fix a faulty coldroom. If you’ve got school-age kids, you’ll have holidays at the same time, too. And it’s not as hard on the body as it can be working in the field. There are challenges, of course. What do you do when students aren’t engaged with the class? What about the marking and paperwork? And the pay, how does that compare? In this issue we talk to three very talented teachers of refrigeration and air conditioning about their experiences moving from the tools to the school.

Although the refrigeration and air conditioning training package was recently updated, it really needs a complete overhaul. Teaching is hard enough without an unwieldy course. A case for change has been presented and AIRAH is supporting it. Fingers crossed we see some action soon. Enjoy the issue! ■ @AIRAHnews

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

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

The ARBS Industry Awards represent the highest honour in the HVAC&R and Building Services industry. Categories recognise excellence and achievements in individual performance, projects, products, services and education. Entry is free and the nomination process is simple.

NOMINATE NOW arbs.com.au/awards Winners will be announced at the ARBS Industry Awards Gala Dinner to be held on 28 April, 2022 at Crown Palladium, Melbourne. ARBS Industry Awards are proudly sponsored by:

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

EF Series

LN Series

Multi Split Systems

A Single Outdoor Unit for up to 6 Rooms The air conditioning needs of an entire house or apartment (up to 6 rooms) can be met with one compact single-fan outdoor unit.

Smaller MXZ with 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 ports

(example of MXZ-6F120VGD-A1 system)

MSZ-EF

MSZ-AP

MSZ-LN

MFXZ-KW

SEZ-M

SLZ-KF

MXZ-6F120VGD-A1

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

Phone:1300 280 625

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Toolshed 1

Quality touch

Quality Air Equipment (QAE) has released of a new range of Qline eight-zone and six-zone glass touchpads. They are fully compatible with the company’s 24V motorised zone dampers, which are used to control airflow in HVAC heating or cooling systems.

AIRAH members can purchase the manuals for $59, and non-members for $209. AIRAH members also have exclusive digital access to the manuals.

QAE says the main advantage of the new glass touchpads, aside from their modern look, is that they are connected to the zone damper through the main control module (MCM). This allows use of up to eight controllers at the same time. The MCM can be programmed to select individual zones available for individual touchpads and program spill function. New touchpads are connected to the MCM with “RJ45, 8-pin cable”, and dampers are connected to the MCM via “RJ11, 4-pin cable”. QAE also offers one-zone to four-zone touchpad controllers, as well as 240V zone dampers. The range of QAE’s dampers consists of sizes 150–450mm in diameter, available in both 24V and 240V options. QAE has housed the motors (yellow) 24V and (red) 240V for convenience. Other features include a 3.5Nm torque motor, additional blade support, sealed joints (no rivets, no spot welds), insulated casing and sealed joints (to eliminate air leakages), dual-earth cable option (240V), and five‑year warranty for motors in a domestic application and a one‑year warranty for commercial applications.

Go to www.airah.org.au/DA_manuals ■

Other features include low-density shock absorbing midsole with anti-bacterial agent; rubber outsole designed to increase slip resistance; and broad‑fitting impact-resistant steel toe cap.

Carel has extended its range of local supervisors with the addition of Boss Micro, a new format that completes the Boss range and enhances its offering of local monitoring systems.

Blundstone says the #984 is heat resistant to 300˚C; oil, acid and organic-fat-resistant; and electrical hazard resistant.

The new device is designed for applications with a limited number of units – such as edge data centres, c-stores and petrol stations – but that still require the same user experience and advanced system management functions.

“Boss Micro is not a simple gateway,” says Carel, “but rather an edge device in its own right, because in addition to connecting the field devices it provides local processing, storing and displaying data as trends, as well as an intuitive and easy-to-navigate responsive web pages for all devices, even smartphones.”

The recommended retail price is $220. Go to www.blundstone.com.au/work-boots/new-arrivals ■

HVAC know-how 5

DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC is a new release in AIRAH’s collection of technical resources. The manual discusses the testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) of air distribution systems in HVAC&R applications. It also promotes best practice for the balancing of air distribution systems in the industry. 6

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

RectorSeal of approval

RectorSeal RSH Series devices have been designed to protect HVAC equipment from electrical surges, brownouts, and other voltage disturbances resulting from transient over‑voltage and natural-cause surges.

Go to www.carel.com/carel-australia ■

AIRAH has released two Design Application (DA) manuals focusing on commissioning air distribution systems and hydronic water systems.

RectorSeal has introduced two new products to the RSH Series of surge protection devices (SPD) and voltage range monitoring (VRM) kits.

Carel says the wide range of additional software components means the Boss Micro supervisor can optimise system performance in many HVAC&R applications.

“An extension of the hugely successful XFOOT rubber range, the new boot is packed with all the benefits of Blundstone’s legendary safety and comfort features,” Blundstone says. Features include water-resistant nubuck leather, YKK heavy‑duty zip, and thermal regulating bamboo lining for breathability. “The #984 is a new addition to our range, with all the best in class features you know and love from Blundstone,” says Blundstone global work and safety range manager Adrian Blandford. “Packed with our premium safety and comfort features, we’ve wrapped up this new boot in a sleek, stone colour nubuck upper that discerning tradies will love.”

Carel’s Boss attitude

There are four different hardware versions to adapt to different needs, integrating a wi-fi hotspot and a 4G modem for local and/or remote access without requiring additional infrastructure. Like the other supervisors in the Boss range, Boss Micro implements cyber-security standards to ensure controlled and secure access to the information at all times, as well as undergoing a periodic security assessment, performed by outside organisations.

New kicks in nubuck

Blundstone has expanded its selection of durable boots with the launch of the #984. Market research undertaken by Blundstone revealed that young workers were looking for colour variations in their safety footwear. The #984 in a stone colour nubuck leather was the result.

Go to qualityairequipment.com.au ■

DA24 Hydronic System Balancing – in HVAC is a revised and updated Design Application manual, which focuses on the testing, adjusting and balancing of hydronic water systems. The previous version of this technical resource was titled DA24 Water Systems Balancing.

August–September 2021

“The RSH series is a preferred choice for HVAC technicians,” says the company. “Offering easy installation, proven performance, and an outstanding limited warranty, RSH Series products are weather-rated under NEMA 3R and can be installed within minutes to the outdoor disconnect electrical box.” The RSH-VRM60A voltage range monitoring device is designed to support 120/240 single phase, 60-amp double pole capacity relays for loads of 15–60 amps. It can be used with ductless and ducted HVAC systems. Features include a voltage read-out screen, a large, easy-to-read LED digital display, and dual red and green LED diagnostic indicators. The RSH-VRM60A also has an over/under voltage cut-off device with an auto restore and push-button cut-off setpoint adjustments to cover a wide range of input voltages. A two-year limited warranty covers the device. The RSH-50VRM Kit is a surge protector and voltage range monitor designed to support 120/240 single phase, 60-amp double pole capacity relays of 15–60 amps. According to RectorSeal, no laptop or programming tools are required, resulting in easy set-up, and the device is field programmable. For more information, go to www.rectorseal.com ■

Toolshed 6

Bitzer’s comprehensive guide

Alfa Laval is promoting its T10 heat exchanger in the Australian market. According to the company, the T10 has been built with an entirely redesigned plate concept, which boosts energy efficiency and sustainability, while reducing total cost of ownership thanks to a smaller footprint and reduced maintenance needs.

Fundamentals of Refrigeration is a new manual published by Volker Stamer, Director of the international Bitzer training centre Schaufler Academy. According to Bitzer, the text is a comprehensive guide to refrigeration, with a wealth of basic information aimed at new entrants to the industry, and extensive reference material that will serve experienced refrigeration technicians. “The manual gives new recruits and experienced readers alike an overview of all the important aspects of refrigeration and fills in partial knowledge gaps,” says Bitzer. “The content of the compact 220-page manual is both graphic and realistic for readers, from the fundamentals of thermodynamics and the components of a refrigerating circuit through to commissioning and troubleshooting refrigeration systems. The various subject areas of refrigeration are made easy to understand with numerous colourful diagrams, illustrations and overviews.”

Heat exchangers to a T

The T10 is the successor to the long-selling M10 in Alfa Laval’s industrial line of plate-and-frame heat exchangers. “Built with a revolutionary new plate concept, T10 eliminates the compromise between efficiency and pressure drop,” says Alfa Laval. “With the improved design, customers can better accommodate uneven flows, making it possible to optimise the performance of the heat exchanger according to its specific position in the processes.”

The T10’s major update from the previous generation is a new plate concept.

The bilingual manual – written in English and German – was developed with the help of external experts as well as Bitzer staff. It is available in hardback and as an e-book.

“With the new FlexFlow plate design feature, T10 units can be configured more precisely without compromising between thermal performance and pressure drop,” says Alfa Laval. FlexFlow enables as many as 10 channel combinations using only two plates.

Go to trainings-events.bitzer.de/Handbook ■

Go to www.alfalaval.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.

Clean air, our care

The school provides the best education. AFPRO Filters provides the clean air.

Everyone is entitled to clean, healthy air. It is an

AFPRO A+ filter main quality features are:

important part of a healthy lifestyle and essential in all public spaces. That is why we take our filters

● effective on even the smallest fine dust particles (PM1)

to the next level. AFPRO Filters stands for health, sustainability, efficiency and innovation. They all come

● extremely energy efficient due to low air resistance

together in our latest creation: the AFPRO A+ filter.

● innovative filter media with a durable pre-layer for easy installation ● Eurovent guaranteed performance

Find out more at www.afprofilters.com.au sales@afprofilters.com.au +61 3 9312 4058

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

GERMANY

ISRAEL

HFOS ON THE NOSE?

BRICK BY ICEBRICK

A new report from the German Environment Agency has raised more concerns about HFO refrigerants.

Israeli cold-energy storage company Nostromo has raised US$13.6m after commencing trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

HFOs have very low global warming potential (GWP), but research has identified issues with the chemicals they produce when they break down. The German report focuses on these chemicals, in particular trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

The company has developed an advanced ice-powered energy storage system based on its IceBrick-encapsulated ice cells. When electricity demand is low or there is a surplus of renewable energy, the system “charges” cold energy. It “discharges” the energy during peak consumption hours, relieving the grid from the high air conditioning electricity demands.

TFA finds its way into water bodies such as rivers and lakes through precipitation, and eventually into plants, fish, animals and humans. Although it has previously been classed as having very low toxicity, recent research has indicated it may impact health. It is extremely persistent and cannot be removed by current water-treatment technology. The researchers say the use of HFOs “must be regarded as problematic”. “If manufacturers and operators now change over to systems using natural substances with a low global warming potential, such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or ammonia,” says German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner, “both the emissions of TFA can be significantly reduced and the climate can be protected.” ■

Nostromo has inked deals with the Hilton Beverly Hills hotel and retail operator Westfield to install systems onsite. ■

NORWAY

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

FISHY BUSINESS

Resident Brandon English arrived home to find his house unbearably hot, endangering the health of his sleeping young daughters. The family’s smart thermostat was installed several years ago as part of a new home security package. Many smart thermostats in the state can be enrolled in a program called “Smart Savers Texas” operated by a company called EnergyHub. In exchange for an entry into sweepstakes, electricity customers sign an agreement, the fine print of which allows companies to control their thermostats during periods of high energy demand. English unenrolled the thermostat as soon as he discovered the arrangement. “I wouldn’t want anybody else controlling my things for me,” he says. “If somebody else can manipulate this, I’m not for it.” ■ |

“Nostromo’s energy storage technology offers an innovative, highly-efficient, clean, sustainable, scalable and safe alternative to lithium-based storage,” says CEO Yoram Ashery.

USA

In late June, Houston residents reported that their homes had been much warmer than usual, even while running air conditioners. Some were blaming their home’s smart thermostat, which they say had been altered during a three‑hour “energy saving event” without their permission.

The technology is said to be suitable for facilities that carry large electricity demands for air conditioning and cooling. Other benefits derived from shifting electricity demand during peak hours for air conditioning include the buildings’ ability to meet other energy demands, such as charging electric vehicles, without further infrastructure investment.

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

Data centre firm Green Mountain has entered into an agreement to use waste heat from the DC2-Telemark centre at what reportedly will be the world’s largest land-based trout farm, in Rjukan, Norway. When fully operational in 2023, the waste heat will be used in the production of 9,000 tonnes of trout annually. “Although our data centres run on 100 per cent renewable hydropower, we do not like to waste the energy,” says Green Mountain’s Tor Kristian Gyland. “This project is a breakthrough example of circular economy – where the output of one company can benefit another, with an environmental benefit on top.” The two facilities will be connected via a pipe system. Heat exchangers will ensure the Hima facility can use the energy from the data centre water to obtain the correct water temperature for its recirculation aquaculture technology (RAS) solution. The same water, once cool, will then be returned to Green Mountain and reused to cool the data centre. ■

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Feature

FROM THE PLANTROOM TO THE CLASSROOM Willow Aliento talks to three educators who downed their tools to lift the skills of the next generation of fridgies.

Behind every successful tradie is a trade teacher, who ensures every apprentice learns all they need to make their way in the world of HVAC&R. It is a job with enormous rewards, and not a few challenges.

Meeting former students later in their careers and seeing how far they have come is one of the things that delights Steve Smith, education relationship manager at Superior Training Centre in Sydney.

He says he went into teaching expecting it to be easier than being out in the field. Instead, he found that TAFE is also in some ways a 24/7 commitment.

In some ways, Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, has had a career path that has brought him full circle. He is currently Portfolio Manager – Heavy Automotive and Refrigeration for South Metropolitan TAFE in Perth, having gone into teaching after a career on the tools where he reached management level with a Western Australian HVAC&R firm.

“I didn’t know everything I needed to know to teach everyone everything,” he says with a laugh. “So, I spent the first six years up every night until 1am preparing for the next day before being up at 6am and doing a one-and-a-half hour motorbike ride to class.

“I went from a trade qualification to a Bachelor of Education Degree, to writing curriculum, to writing a textbook, to being seconded to industry as a ‘Technical writer’,” he says.

“But once I got through that first six years, I had a handle on it.”

THE UPSIDES OF EDUCATING

“Before I started in TAFE I was a service manager, now I am a manager again!” Boyle was 30 when he began teaching and says at that time there were many other young lecturers in the TAFE refrigeration and air conditioning team. “One of those lecturers is now managing director of North Regional TAFE in WA,” says Boyle. “I am still here, but no longer lecturing.” 10

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Smith was a TAFE teacher for more than 30 years, after completing his own apprenticeship, spending some years on the tools, and running his own HVAC&R business.

One of Australia's most experienced educators, Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH. August–September 2021

Smith says that in the average class of 15 students, there are usually three that do exceptionally well, three that find it very challenging, and the rest are average. The three at the top, he says, keep the teacher on their toes, and often push them to go further in their own knowledge by asking difficult questions.

Feature The students that struggle also fuel the educator’s mission. And Smith says running into a student who got off to a slow start then turned into a success is still a highlight for him. “Seeing the results of the interaction I had with them … and seeing the result of a lot of energy pay off, is wonderful,” says Smith. “It could be 10, 20 or 30 years later – but I so enjoy watching people succeed.” Overall, the relationships with students have been a huge reward. “The kids I taught at TAFE were another family to me,” he says. “I have been to weddings and christenings of former students – I have been invited into people’s lives.” Four years ago, Adam Brown traded the toolbox for a role as an HVAC&R teacher at Box Hill TAFE in Melbourne. He says having a wide diversity of experiences in the industry, both in Australia and overseas, has been an asset as an educator. In particular, it helps ensure that apprentices in his classes are gaining the diversity of knowledge they need to build a satisfying career.

If an apprentice is not being given a wide variety of opportunities for on-the-job learning, but variety was promised to them, or if they are unhappy with the limited scope of their work, Brown supports them to look beyond that. Brown also supports students to navigate some of the other challenges that can arise, such as workplace bullying, or where employers are failing to meet required standards for workplace safety, superannuation or payment of overtime. “I bring up safety, their rights and responsibilities in the first year,” Brown says. That includes matters such as their rights around employer payment of trade school fees once they successfully complete their first year of TAFE, and important administrative matters such as employer obligations to provide payslips. Safety is a key part of the curriculum. That includes explaining not only how a JSA (job safety analysis) or SWMs (safe work method statements) should be correctly done, but also why they matter. “There are so many opportunities in this trade. I tell students that if their boss wants them to work in an unsafe situation, they do not have to accept that.”

“There are some apprentices in my classes who are not being trained up to the standard they should be on the job,” he explains, “because all they are experiencing is installing split systems day in, day out.”

HOW STUDENTS HAVE CHANGED

Brown says his role involves a degree of career counselling as well as educating. He asks his students what kind of work they are being exposed to – whether the company has a service department, for example.

According to Boyle, the age of students hitting the classroom has changed, with the emphasis on young people completing Year 12 a major factor. When he was first teaching, leaving at Year 10 to take up an apprenticeship was common.

After more than 30 years at TAFE NSW, Steve Smith is now at Superior Training Centre.

“When I was an adult apprentice, I was something of a rarity,” Boyle says. “Now we would have over fifty per cent adults and most of the others are Year 12 graduates.” Brown agrees that the age of apprentices is increasing. “In my classes I have many students who are doing second trades, such as a lot of mechanics and chippies,” he says. “They often make the jump across in their late 20s or early 30s, and it’s not uncommon to find people in their mid‑to‑late 30s or 40s in class.

Keep HVAC&R Units Cleaner for Longer 4 Up to 12 Month Protection 4 Non-Corrosive 4 Improve Indoor Air Quality & Reduce Running Costs

T: +61 2 8344 1315 | E: info@aeris.com.au | aeris.com.au

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Feature Brown has seen the evolution first-hand, including new technology entering the market such as energy‑reclaim equipment, advances in cooling, battery technologies, energy-efficiency improvements, electrical controllers, BMS systems, inverters, new refrigerants and bulk codes for work orders. While the technology can make the job easier – for example being able to assess a breakdown by tuning into the building BMS via a digital device such as a laptop or smartphone – apprentices still need to learn the mechanical and first-hand diagnostic approaches. Technology may not always work the way it should. Internets go down and devices can malfunction. There is a huge amount of new information in HVAC&R, particularly around technologies and flammable refrigerants. Because of this, Brown says we may see an increase in the hours apprentices devote to education. That may include building more face-to-face time into the apprentice learning requirements, and also utilising online learning so apprentices still get sufficient time on the jobsite. Brown notes that having moved to online learning due to COVID‑19, there are opportunities now for TAFE to keep utilising it for part of the curriculum to provide learners with self-paced, offsite educational content.

Adam Brown moved to teaching four years ago, and is loving his job at Box Hill TAFE in Melbourne.

“There are a lot of mature‑age students, and that helps with the dynamics of the class.”

Smith says the fragmentation and specialisation seen now in the industry is also causing issues in the VET sector. For example, he estimates around 70 per cent of students have only installed wall-mounted split system air conditioning units.

Boyle notes there are a growing number of women coming into the classroom too, many from the resource industry, or becoming a dual trade.

“The majority of employers specialise in a portion of the trade, so when we get the students come in, 95 per cent don’t have any knowledge of what you are talking about.,” he says. “When we start talking about refrigeration in supermarkets and big systems in high‑rise buildings, they are not interested.”

“They [may] already have an electrical trade and their company encourages them – male and female – to train in refrigeration and air conditioning. These large companies often have gender equity selection policies in place.” Although there is a misconception that trades are a pathway for those who can’t succeed at school, Boyle says the courses are academically challenging. Many students thrive, but others “continue to fail because TAFE courses have the same academic rigour as their school”.

Brown says the main qualities a student needs – aside from an interest in the trade – are being comfortable with the curriculum, respectful in their approach to people, and reliability. If an apprentice can do those three things, they are “halfway there to succeeding in the job”.

Smith says many students lack literacy and maths skills. For a highly technical course like refrigeration and air conditioning, that results in a high failure rate. On the flip side, he is seeing more students from migrant backgrounds who bring enormous enthusiasm and dedication with them.

Application to the process of learning also matters. To complete the apprenticeship and gain certification, students must show the examiners competency.

Attitudes have also changed. When Smith was at TAFE, students largely assumed they needed to know everything they were being taught. Before the internet and smartphones, what tradies had in their heads made them stand out. Today someone can just google something, or message a colleague.

www.airah.org.au/nation

the way that working in industry can

MAKING THE SWAP Boyle says there is an issue with the ageing of the TAFE teaching workforce. This is not wholly due to difficulties recruiting new teachers. Recently Boyle did recruit a young teacher for refrigeration – and he hopes more young tradies will make the shift.

“We recruit when we need people, either through growth, promotion or retirement.

Unlike some trades, for example carpentry, plumbing, plastering or boilermaking, HVAC&R is a trade where change is fast-paced and constant in terms of technology, equipment, legislation and work methods.

the body and relationships

“I was reasonably IT illiterate when I started, but I can’t get away from IT now! I say that to students too.”

He believes this has also changed the skills required for educators. Rather than teaching theory, it’s about teaching students how to research and how to discern between good and bad information. HVAC&R Nation

you don’t tend to wear out

“Teaching is a job where you don’t tend to wear out the body and relationships the way that working in industry can,” he says, “so without a retirement age people can hang in for longer.

HOW THE CURRICULUM HAS EVOLVED

Teaching is a job where

Mechanical skills and aptitude are not the whole story either. Digital literacy is now crucial, and this is something Brown found most challenging personally when he became a TAFE teacher.

“Some students are sitting there now thinking, ‘I don’t need to memorise this’,” says Smith.

Smith says one of the challenges with the TAFE curriculum is the cumbersome process for updating it in line with advances in technology, standards or processes. As a nationally registered course, all states and territories have to agree to any changes before federal endorsement for its use in TAFE. This can result in content lagging behind.

August–September 2021

“It is the criteria that is used for recruitment that governs the people you choose.” Often, there is no clear career path within the training system that can take a “switched on” tradesperson to the top, Boyle says. Boyle says RAC at WA TAFE is “fortunate” in having a relatively large team that delivers across a range of qualifications.

Feature “When we recruit a new lecturer, we can often afford to ease them into the system and mentor them into their new career,” says Boyle. “In smaller teams they don’t always have that luxury, so it can be very stressful starting a new career as a lecturer. Not everyone is cut out for teaching. There is much to learn, and it is often hard to start from the bottom again learning a new set of skills.”

Brown says his life experience, including having lived and worked overseas, and working for both large and small companies is an asset. Empathy is required, as teachers need to “gain an understanding of the student on an individual level”.

You have to like people in general, and also have

The role does need practitioners to be seasoned, as the onsite experience is crucial to be able to deliver the learning students need. Brown says HVAC&R also needs more women in the trade, and more women teaching it.

He has had female teachers and says his best student to date has been female. So if a woman has an interest in taking up the educator’s role, he believes they can not only succeed but thrive. To become an effective TAFE teacher in HVAC&R, Brown says a “reasonable background” of 10 years or more on the tools is important. A teacher also needs a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to be formally qualified. But beyond the professional credentials, there are important personal qualities.

One of his favourite things about teaching is the interaction involved. “I was a heavy industry mechanic, so I spent a lot of time working pretty much autonomously,” he says.

At age 49 with 27 years on the tools, Brown is still one of the younger teachers in the TAFE HVAC&R education space. This is slowly changing, he says, with Box Hill Institute in Melbourne recently adding some teachers in their 30s and early 40s to the staff.

“When I was at RMIT [doing my trade course] there was not one female student,” he says.

“You need to put on the academic’s hat and have the confidence to stand up in front of a class, possibly unruly at times. The saying is that 10–20 per cent of your students will create 80 per cent of your work, and there is some truth to that.”

the ability to say to students ‘here are the boundaries’ Brown says sharing experiences helps build that understanding and common ground. “You can use your own experience as an encouragement for students. I tell them that the sky’s the limit, so don’t pigeonhole yourself. This trade can take you anywhere.” Educators also need to be interested in students, while holding the line on expectations around classroom behaviour. “You have to like people in general, and also have the ability to say to students ‘here are the boundaries’,” Brown says.

Having regular hours, including knowing when the day starts and when it will end, and where exactly he will be working is also a plus. Having a family, Brown finds the synchronisation of TAFE holidays with school holidays is also advantageous. “It is more family-friendly,” he says. “There are not the call‑outs at all hours or the unpredictable overtime. There is great work-life balance.” Brown says the administration side of teaching can feel a “bit onerous” at times, so he recognised a systematic approach was needed to keep on top of it. Overall, Brown says he would “not be going back on the tools in a hurry.” “I love encouraging students. What really floats my boat the most is someone who I think won’t cut the mustard. They may change employers, or their mindset, and then at final assessment they blow you away. “It’s an awesome trade – and it’s rewarding when I see students grow, when I see them do their capstone, their final assessment (nerves aside), and they are standing there in their own power.” ■

future-proof solutions

FOR INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION

CO2 evaporator

CO2 gas cooler with adiabatic pads

NH3 insulated cooler

NH3 evaporative condenser

 

customized evaporators for DX and pumped NH3 and CO2 insulated coolers for easy high utilization of the room space and convenient maintenance



air cooled and adiabatic condensers as well as gas coolers



evaporative condensers with stainless-steel-coils

thermofin Sales Office Australia · 2 Apollo Court, Greensborough VIC 3088 phone 0475 626762 · huss.osman@thermofin.de · www.thermofin.de

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Legal Speak

JABS ON THE JOB Can employers require their workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine? Frank Gambera and Bridget Vaughan give us the legal perspective.

Employers have an ongoing obligation to ensure the health and wellbeing of their employees by providing a safe working environment that, so far as is reasonably practicable, minimises the risk of spreading COVID-19. Legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) encourage the implementation of control measures aimed at managing COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace.

the effects of mandatory vaccination on your workplace culture and how it will affect relationships. Anonymous polling can be an effective first step at figuring out the overall sentiment of COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace.

their employees. It’s unlikely that this information is sufficiently related to an employee’s work duties, so employers should seek legal advice on whether it is appropriate to keep a database of records on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their employees.

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS NO

UNFAIR DISMISSAL CLAIMS

Control measures such as working remotely from home, mandatory masks and regular sanitisation have become common practice. Employers are now seeking clarity on whether it is reasonably practicable to make workplace vaccinations compulsory.

Employers may struggle to find the appropriate response to employees who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19. They may refuse for medical, religious or personal reasons. It’s important for an employer to be consistent in their responses to employees who are refusing the vaccine. An employer could face claims of bullying and discrimination. Where an employer terminates an employee for such refusal, they could also face claims of unfair dismissal and adverse action.

It is still unclear whether an employee’s claim for unfair dismissal as a result of refusing to receive the COVID‑19 vaccination would be successful.

ASSESSING THE CASE In determining this, it is important to consider: • Whether employees will be working in high-risk sectors such as healthcare and aged care • Whether the vaccination is necessary for the employee to perform the inherent duties of their position safely • Whether employees can provide legitimate reasons to not be vaccinated, for example medical reasons • Whether this is consistent with employment contracts. Depending on the nature of the workplace, an employer may find it difficult to justify that all its employees become vaccinated. They may find it more appropriate to mandate vaccinations as a pre‑condition to attending the workplace onsite. This would allow some scope for employees working remotely.

Another important issue is privacy. Legislation such as The Privacy Act 1988 and the Health Records Act 2001 regulate the collection, use, storage and handling of personal or health information. According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, an employer is limited to their ability to require information of an employee’s vaccination status. Information related to the COVID-19 vaccination status of an employee could be justified if a workplace is in a high-risk sector. Employers should consider how they will manage information related to the vaccination status of

Many employers will be reluctant to implement mandatory vaccination policies in the workplace as the federal government has emphasised that COVID-19 vaccines will be voluntary. It is important to consider 14

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

The Fair Work Commission recently rejected a childcare employee’s application for unfair dismissal where the employee was dismissed as a result of their refusal to be vaccinated against influenza for medical reasons. This decision was based on the fact that the employee was frequently in close contact with children and that there was a high risk of contracting and spreading the flu. Therefore, it was a reasonable requirement of their employment that the employee should be vaccinated. In the event that an employee refuses a direction to get vaccinated, an employer should first consider alternative arrangements such as having the employee work remotely, before terminating employment. Finally, be sure to check with local authorities for the current health directions in your state or territory. Employers should seek legal advice if they have any queries regarding their obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. ■

This article was prepared jointly by Frank Gambera and Bridget Vaughan of McMahon Fearnley Lawyers. Contact them through www.mcmahonfearnley.com.au

MODULE

140

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Skills summary ■ What?

A guide to inverters in modern air conditioning units and some common problems you may encounter in the field.

■ Who?

Relevant for HVAC&R technicians and anyone involved in installing, commissioning, and maintaining air conditioning equipment.

INVERTER DIAGNOSTICS AND

TESTING – PART 2 One of the most common ways to modulate the cooling capacity in air conditioning systems is via inverter technology. An inverter controls the speed of the compressor to change the refrigerant flow rate. The turndown ratio depends on the system configuration and manufacturer. Inverter technology is commonplace in today’s air conditioning systems, from commercial units through to residential split systems. Often, issues with the inverter will cause the system to stop working. This Skills Workshop looks at common causes for these issues and describes how to fix them.

Logic control Every supplied air conditioner that comes with micro-processer control is a ready-engineered direct digital control (DDC). What separates one brand from another comes down to what is flashed up in the memory as intellectual property for control parameters/operation and the other proprietary unit designs or exclusive OEM components. Without that, the unit won’t do much other than be an interface for connecting components, sensors, inputs, and outputs. It’s a shame really that customers do not see the amount of work and thought that goes into logic-based control for air conditioning. Over the years there has been improvement on improvement. Good working models have sensors that can be multi-tasked to perform multiple operations and, in the case of energy-saving needs, adjust performance in real time. Control comes in both operation and monitoring. Like any Boolean equation, everything has a rule to work to. These rules are absolute – they have to be – with the main variable being what the operator wants to do and external influences. The service manual is the rulebook, and examples of logic are everywhere: fan staging control, compressor control, temperature, defrost and fault detection. Thermistors, current and pressure sensor information are major players in operation and provide much of the limiting control to protect the system while providing maximum capacity for the customer. A paired system considers itself first, and while there might be overriding host control from network interface, their own rules come first.

Faults can be the result of direct and indirect component feedback. This includes everything from an obvious temperature trip from a compressor overload to a safety or low-performance mode caused by refrigerant restriction. And many problems come from setting errors from first commission. Here someone has locked in a value and locked something else out.

YES

Logic flow charts work on binary absolutes. There are no maybes. The rule applied to an outcome must be met and the checks given in the shapes apply, or will affect that rule being met.

YES

MAYBE?

Checks can be resistive, or voltage based and even whether something like a harness is plugged in or a fan rotates.

Logic flow chart – example

So, if you are testing parameters, the operating logic should be used for that component or function as stated by service information. If you are checking a fault code, look at the reason, the condition and the rules that apply.

Inverter PCB and compressor

When analysing systems , knowing what rules apply matters to a service technician. In many examples, systems are not faulty but may be reacting to logic rules overriding good performance caused by conditions outside the system’s control. Excessive defrosting or low performance may come down to how that unit was installed and logic being applied to invariant conditions where something is not changing.

At the What Would Dennis Do? website, there are lots of questions about inverters. Many technicians have trouble grasping the fact that the compressor is run by a power transistor, which can be quite small in comparison to a load‑bearing contactor. Many think the PCB wont last. In fact, it is quite the opposite, where longevity of the product really comes down to the environment and quality of installation.

When analysing faults through error codes, a condition is met when the rule of that condition has been met.

AC compressors are a thing of the past now. ABB produces a SynRM synchronous reluctance motor now that no longer uses direct grid AC into an induction motor. Unlike permanent magnet motors that we see in inverter compressors, the SynRM works on a temporary magnet principle. As there is no induction it does not suffer I²R losses. Yet it is driven just like inverter compressors by a complex driver circuit to ensure a smooth rotational start.

It has a reason, a value, sometimes a timeframe and an outcome. There is no ambiguity here, so when fault-finding, use error code logic flow charts to help determine what directly results or can be associated with that fault. There are no maybes, and everything outside that fault code’s condition rules should be ignored. It tends be accurate mostly, but logic can be a hinderance when components , especially analogue ones, start to malfunction.

Permanent magnet motors using high-strength neodymium rare earth magnets are suited well for air conditioning needs. The object here is to suffer minimal losses while providing extra motor torque at low and high August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

HVAC&R Skills Workshop speeds. The whole point is to vary refrigerant flow and save power at partload conditions. The compressors are star wound and windings are tested no differently from their AC counterparts. Scroll compressors are directional and most brands use phase rotation detect circuits on larger three-phase class systems. With smaller single-phase splits, make sure the U,V,W colour scheme matches the circuit drawing. The biggest issue onsite for many is testing out the compressor and/or the driving PCB. In some cases it is difficult to check if inverter PCB is faulty or the compressor is faulty, e.g., locking.

worry since it will see a position response from any condenser fan. This can cause fin overheating, so double-check they are in the right outlets. • Once you start exceeding approximately 92°C, the fin thermistors detect radiant energy rise until they deem an operation halt followed by an error code. This is the first sign to check.

The power transistor An isolated gate bi-polar transistor works as follows:

Many of you reading this workshop have been to manufacturer training sessions, used service manuals and likely purchased tools such as inverter checkers/analysers. So, to save a bit of time and not complicate matters , source all information first and apply it through resistive checks on primary components and any other given tests. Although fault codes will give you direction and test requirements, knowing about the flow of power across the boards is always a good start. This workshop will not go through every possible inverter circuit – that’s for the manufacturer training sessions and the manuals to explain.

Pole gate

Isolated DC Power Supply

+300VDC

Gate Drive

C P U

Optocoupler Pole gate

Isolated DC Power Supply

The simplified image shows power flow across inverter printed circuit boards.

U phase

Gate Drive Optocoupler

-300VDC Power input from mains and noise control.

Rectification circuit and power factor correction.

This is sometimes known as the filter p.c.b.

Diode bridge

High DC capacitors

Usually contains radio frequency and electromagnetic interference suppression components

Power Transistor

Compressor

I.G.B.T.

(3 phase)

Isolated gate bi-polar transistor

IGBT switching by CPU (example showing one phase)

There is a positive and negative transistor to replicate the AC sine wave. Bi‑pole means “two poles”, so two per pole or two per phase. Since we have a threephase there will be six in total. The isolated power supply drives the base for each gate, isolated from the CPU, which is the “driver circuit” and separates the high DC power for conversion.

Simplified Inverter power flow

When testing inverter system for faults or problems, acquaint yourself with the flow layout of your model and electrical drawing. Chances are it follows the above image from source power in, to conversion of power to the compressor. The following applies in most designs of air conditioner, from domestic to commercial. They operate in a very simple way.

1. Supply power Enters and is filtered using common mode chokes, low-pass filters and typically electromagnetic and radio frequency suppression. Unwanted power noise and high frequencies from the lines coming in are dealt with before rectification. Usually here you will also find high-voltage surge arrest components such as varistors.

The CPU is protected as it uses a light-sensitive opto-isolation circuit; the optocoupler is a light-sensitive transistor that drives the isolated gate drive to open and close the power transistor. The computer side is protected by a beam of light, which is quite amazing thinking. Failure of the driving circuit comes down to CPU error in switching the power transistors at the right time and speed. The power transistor itself is subject to any fusion load issues. So, issues such as gates being on at the same time causing a power shoot through or not opening at speed or at all, can occur. And we have just the tools for that one.

Inverter tester/checker When testing, ask these questions: • What is the law in my state on live testing?

2. Rectification and power factor correction

• Am I competent to do this test?

In some models these can be two separate parts or one component. Whenever switch mode power supply converts mains power, it leaves fragments of the original waveform that have to be dealt with. The power transistor needs linear switching to work effectively, which is taken care of at this point.

• Is the device secure and the area secure prior to testing?

3. High DC power capacitors These do a few things but are hungry for current on start-up. Resistors are sometimes used in series as a prestart to reduce the in-rush current and then switch out for full operation. These are the resistors that smoke up when shortcircuits occur in the DC side. Also, a very important safety note: the metal top of the capacitor is live, so exercise all caution. ELV or extra low voltage is below 50V, and ensure capacitors are discharged prior to servicing.

• Can this device be fitted safely? Most importantly, if there is a resistance-based transistor test available or recommended, you always should consider that the first option or the only option. These testers can validate a fault detected by resistance.

4. Power transistor This is the business end of the conversion, which replicates three-phase power to the compressor. These can take a lot of current and a lot of switching speed and are tough. They have one major weakness and one major need: shortcircuits in the compressor such as full earth fusion or very low-ohm fusion events take them out. Their major need is cooling since they generate heat. Good heat transfer is needed between the transistor and the heat sink. Some clever brands now employ assisted fin‑cooling, using the refrigeration network piping and a dedicated fin cooling heat exchanger. Fin cooling is essential. A couple of tips here: • Use the correct or recommended heat transfer agent. • If you have a horizontal discharge dual-fan outdoor unit, usually the first fan that starts and the last fan that stops services the heat sink. It is possible to plug the fans in to the wrong fan sockets, and mostly the logic will not 16

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

Refco Inverter checker pictured

HVAC&R Skills Workshop V+ ф3

ф2 ф2

ф2 ф3

ф1

ф3 ф1

ф1 ф2 ф3 Variable reluctance motor, over-simpliﬁed operation.

If using an inverter tester/checker/analyser, its primary job is to look at the what the six power transistor gates are outputting. Here voltage is not the key player, although it is well present during operation. There are three scenarios possible when using these.

1. Power transistor check mode If the system has a power transistor check mode, this allows for IGBT output constantly without faulting on zero current and compressor rotation position feedback. The output is at low frequency, otherwise all these LEDs would be lit solid due to high speed. These provide the luxury of time so you can really be sure. For a unit to be operating correctly, all LEDs must flash at the same time, speed and interval and never stay on or off. This is a “qualitive” measure of the human eye. After testing, the LEDs go off and may come on again due to a phase discharge function when the on gate is closed to bleed power down for safety. This is normal and many systems do this after compressor stop to prevent high power being locked in circuit.

2. Quick test Sometimes there is no transistor check mode, but you still have a start and stop window. Most air conditioners use time guard logic to delay first start from power on for 3 minutes, and between compressor operation. Set the mode on, wait 3 minutes, and then you may have up to six seconds to view the output before the system detects current and position fail causing an error or a retry start. Some models might have longer times – check with the brand.

3. No test possible Some models just won’t tolerate a disconnected compressor, even for a microsecond. In that case, this test won’t work.

Compressor To finish this insight into inverters, let’s look at the compressor. Typically, they have a three-phase star wound, permanent magnet motor. Scrolls have more compression surfaces than reciprocating in one RPM, so are very good for air conditioning efficiency. Driver circuits that control compressor rotation are complex and always monitoring the rotor position. A permanent magnet follows a rotating field effect, but if the field position changes incorrectly this could stall or create unbalance in the compressor. Fortunately, the rotor has kinetic energy on mass, which keeps turning during the zero-power moment. The position signal allows the drive to know which next winding phase to fire to keep advancing the rotor – that’s the complex job. To do this it requires a position signal feedback sensor. There are two distinct designs:

Source: Lessons In Electric Circuits – Volume II, Tony R. Kuphaldt

The 3-wire circuit uses a sensor-less system to detect back EMF; it uses motor terminal voltages. There are a number of detection methods that can be used, such as when one phase is at zero or sensing which phase is being unused during cycle operation. These detections are responsible for the errors produced when the compressor does not start or fails to rotate at speed. Mechanical locks are rare in compressors. Confusion exists about whether a compressor is locked or the driver/IGBT is faulty. Eliminate all possibilities and follow the directions on error codes in the service manuals. Power transistor check modes ignore position and current feedback from the compressor. If the compressor is not disconnected for an inverter checker and left on during this mode, you will hear the compressor turn over slowly. That proves a non-mechanical lock. If the system drops out as soon as it starts, ignoring the position signal system can help test that out, but it is not absolute. Importantly, position faults can occur for many reasons not related to the compressor, such as PCB dry joints and socket corrosion, but this is an environmental influence. In my experience, as long as the output from the transistor is balanced, compressor position faults are very accurate, and the compressor may need an inspection. If a system is horribly overcharged, this can cause mechanical lock. Always review the service manual, think about what information it provides, and how it can help onsite. Attend the manufacturer training sessions too – technology changes very quickly. Don’t be afraid to ask those burning questions. Importantly, do not be overwhelmed by these systems. Once you look at many you will see many similar arrangements and testing approaches. Just be aware that readings and voltages differ between brands, as does layout of components. The above is based on my experiences and actions onsite. Always contact your brand manufacturer/agent for advice and service on their product. ■

This month’s Skills Workshop was provided by Dennis Kenworthy, Affil.AIRAH, lecturer at South Metropolitan TAFE, WA and administrator of the website What Would Dennis Do? www.whatwoulddennisdo.com

• 3 pin (3-phase inlet) (sensor less feedback U,V,W) • 4 pin (3-phase inlet), fourth pin outlet (direct feedback U,V,W + N) The 4-wire circuit uses a feedback signal that is connected to the star-point of the compressor winding. This is a direct back EMF detection method.

Next issue: Understanding cooling tower access August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

First choice for corrosion protection for HVAC equipment

With more than 40 years of experience, Blygold is the market leader in high end corrosion protection of HVAC equipment Tube sheet & waterbox cladding  Prevents corrosion on tube sheet and waterbox

HVAC coil coating and casings protection  Prevents corrosion  Unique products and application

 Unique products and application

 Triples the lifetime

 Seals off dissimilar metals

 Saves up to 30% on energy costs

 High chemical and mechanical resistance

 All types of air cooled HX

 Preventive on new equipment

 11,000+ hours in salt spray test

 Corrective rebuilding of affected surfaces

 Factory & field application

Global presence....... local service Quality

NSW P: 02 9481 0300 E: nsw@blygold.com.au

QLD P: 07 3807 0660 E: qld@blygold.com.au

SA/NT VIC/TAS WA P: 08 8347 7695 P: 03 9544 6754 P: 08 9200 7002 E: sa-nt@blygold.com.au E: vic@blygold.com.au E: wa@blygold.com.au

w w w. b l y g o l d . c o m . a u

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Innovation

August–September 2021

Sustainability

New Zealand P: +64 9 948 1560 E: xavier@blygold.nz

w w w. b l y g o l d . c o. n z

AIRAH News

FRIDGIES OF THE FUTURE

plying the trade, he has learnt that you have to be “prepared for anything”. He admits, however, that he wasn’t completely prepared for winning top honours. “In most classes I’ve had I feel like there’s been smarter people than me,” says Errington. He believes his perseverance helped him stand out from the pack. “I try not to give up on things easily. If I find it hard to get my head around something I’ll do my best to work it out myself before asking for help.

South Australia’s top refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices have been recognised at the annual AIRAH Apprentice Awards.

“To be nominated is just awesome,” he says, “and to win it is even bigger.” ■

Believe it or not, AIRAH has been celebrating the best up-and-coming talent in South Australia’s HVAC&R industry for more than 60 years. The 2021 Apprenticeship Awards continued the tradition, this time at the Adelaide Pavilion. “It was a great success and honoured some really talented young men in the trade,” says Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, President of AIRAH’s South Australian Division Committee. “The standard of the eight candidates put forward by TAFE SA was excellent, and even though only one person was able to take home the top prize, all have a prosperous future ahead of them.” James Errington of M & C Hutchins receives the AIRAH South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021 award from Darren Hill, M.AIRAH, representing sponsor ActronAir.

James Errington from M&C Hutchins won the top award – the AIRAH South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021.

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS AIRAH South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021

James Errington of M & C Hutchins (Sponsored by ActronAir) AIRAH South Australia Runner-Up Apprentice of the Year 2021

Dylan Cox of Cold Logic

(Sponsored by AMCA Australia) Encouragement Award

Bailey Badcoe of Polar Air Heating and Cooling (Sponsored by Air Con Serve) Airefrig Scholarship Award

Miller Fergusson of K & K Cooling Solutions (Sponsored by Airefrig)

Errington says that in the four years he has been

HVAC Automation: Beautiful Intelligent

Connected

Your HVAC Solutions Shop August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature

ALL SYSTEMS GO When it comes time to hand over the keys to a building, how can you be sure that the systems will operate as intended? Sean McGowan opens a door onto the vital work of commissioning. Commissioning is vital in ensuring a building’s HVAC services operate as designed and intended at the completion of an installation. We asked three experts about the challenges of this process: Mark Jacobson M.AIRAH, commissioning and integration manager at Flowtech National; Neil Caswell M.AIRAH, managing director at Engineering Commissioning Services; and William Lane F.AIRAH, working director at Air-Con-Tech.

Mark Jacobson: Commissioning is more than just “bringing static equipment into operation” and “performance validation against the specification” It is integral to the life-cycle of a project and starts with project design philosophies, is strengthened with good design and provides a beneficial legacy over the years of operation.

For those in need of reminding, what is commissioning?

MJ: The act of commissioning, when delivered correctly, ensures a facility delivers not only on its “design intent” but provides a healthy environment for people and building services systems alike. A well‑commissioned facility will not only last longer, but will perform better and add value to all stakeholders. When delivered poorly, the design intent (and associated efficiencies) is ineffectual and the facility can be plagued with a wide range of problems that further drive up the cost of the asset. A dollar effectively invested in commissioning can overcome a multitude of lifelong operational

William Lane: Commissioning is the art of installing breath into nut and bolts. In its broadest form it can be described as the finale in a play – the culmination of all that has been performed before. Neil Caswell: Commissioning is basically the process by which we take a system or equipment from conceptual design through to fully operational status. It includes a range of tests that should be undertaken to verify that the performance meets the design intent. 20

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Why is commissioning so important?

August–September 2021

and performance costs that mount up year on year over the life of the building. NC: Without carrying out a step-by-step commissioning process it is often difficult, if not impossible, to tell whether a system is operating properly. Without testing, measuring and verifying the performance it leaves doubt as to how the system is working and how it may be impacting on other systems it interacts with. WL: Commissioning ensures a return on investment for the owner, ensures the system has obtained the original design intent as described by the design engineer, and ensures longevity of the plant and energy savings at an acceptable level. In your experience, does the average HVAC tradesperson know about commissioning and the importance of it? NC: The average HVAC tradesperson usually knows about the commissioning process as it relates to

Cover Feature their part of the overall building services installation. However, the interaction between their own system and building services in general isn’t as well understood. In addition, there aren’t many contractors who fully understand the interdependency between their own trade and others. WL: From my experience the commissioning process is the thing that happens at the end of the project that enables final payment to be awarded. Because commissioning is a non-tangible item it is very easily overlooked as not important. MJ: I have found that there are two types of people in construction: those who have been burnt by poor commissioning outcomes and work proactively to overcome these problems, and those who are yet to be burnt. This proactive approach is evident when a project is managed by staff who understand what commissioning implications are incurred as a result of changes during the design and construction phases. How can the work of tradespeople negatively impact on the commissioning process? Are there common issues you see on projects? NC: It isn’t that unusual to find that the tradespeople haven’t done any checks of their system prior to “getting it working”. Quality inspections, pre‑commissioning checks and the like are often skipped to save time. We are all familiar with the time pressures at the commissioning stage of a project! Unfortunately, this means that when a problem is discovered, the investigation and rectification work usually takes far longer than if they had done a more thorough job in the first place.

TRAINING REQUIRED As lead author of AIRAH’s two DA manuals on commissioning – DA04 and DA24 – William Lane is passionate about seeing commissioning technicians appropriately trained, and ensuring these skills are kept up to date. He proposes the following four levels of accreditation that would provide easily recognised, and uniform, standards for the industry to indirectly improve overall workmanship quality.

• Electrical: Wiring diagrams and schematics, overload protection devices • System components: Understanding all components used in air conditioning systems • Controls: Electrical schematics, plus electronic and pneumatic controls The senior technician should have the above skills, plus: • Plumbing: Installation of components, gas, water, steam

The introductory technician should be skilled in the following:

• Customer liaison: Good presentation and highly skilled communication

• Air balancing: Methodology used, understanding of air conditioning components • Water balancing: Methodology used, understanding of hydronic components • Psychrometrics: Understanding the properties of air and effect of humidity • Test instrumentation: Understanding the accuracy of the test instrumentation • Job and personal safety: Understanding the risks to personal safety (OH&S) The novice technician should have the above skills, plus: • Refrigeration: Knowledge of components, electrical supply, and controls

• Documentation of results: Ensure that the results are true and accurate The master technician should have the above skills, plus: • Steam: Properties of steam, safety when using steam “Ongoing training must be part of the accreditation to ensure that the technician is keeping abreast of the ever-changing technology within the industry,” proposes Lane. “This could be by 12 hours over two years at recognised training courses that would help advance their knowledge and career within the industry.” ■

Save on space, without sacrificing performance. Slim Modular VRF For more details, visit: hitachiaircon.com.au/business

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature MJ: The biggest issue facing all phases of a project is time. When the information that flows to the field is incomplete or assumed, we can only rely on the experience of the tradespeople. If this experience does not align with the design, performance, or operational requirements, commissioning will also suffer to varying degrees.

A US report found median wholebuilding energy savings of 16 per cent for existing buildings and 13 per cent for new construction when commissioning was properly completed.

Another recurring issue faced by services and commissioning tradespersons is the lack of adequate access. Not only is this a legal requirement, but subsequent activities such as maintenance are also put at risk if this plant is not serviced correctly. WL: With the lack of accountability towards the installation’s acceptable standards, at times decisions are made by the installer that suit the profit margins obtainable. Common issues include a lack of professionalism with regards to acceptable installation practices, flexible ducting too long, cushion heads not the correct size, light air boots and linear slot boots not sealed correctly, not providing balancing dampers for air and water systems alike, and the installation as-built different to the original design. What are the barriers to better commissioning outcomes? MJ: Basically, education and the move from commissioning activities becoming the project float on the schedule.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY THE GOOD “A site manager assures me that the water-balancing valves are accessible because he has personally reached each one and had also moved a few access panels so we (the commissioning technician) would have a free run at the balance – which we did.” – Mark Jacobson. “We were building a multi-storey building with an individual AHU per façade and time was very tight on the project. However, the builder decided to use the ‘business-as-usual’ approach and have the ceiling fixer teams working on one floor at a time, which meant that the HVAC team was always waiting on ceilings so they could get grilles fixed, etc. After discussions, we ended up splitting up the ceiling fixer teams and concentrating on grid and tiles on multiple floors on a single façade, allowing the grilles to go in and the AHU to be run up earlier to enable a rough balance to get started. We shaved a fair amount of time off the program and allowed the balancing guys to get onto the systems much earlier than might otherwise have happened.” – Neil Caswell.

THE BAD “Started a 50 per cent flow test on a helipad deluge system, and when the spray heads ‘let go’ due to the holding bolts not being of sufficient strength, it was back to the drawing board for the designers. The last thing you need is a spray head hitting a helicopter blade when it is on fire!” – Mark Jacobson. “I’ve had many issues over the years where inspection and pre-commissioning haven’t been done properly – issues like closed dampers, fans rotating the wrong way, valves in backwards etc. – that should have been picked up much earlier in the process. It reminds me of the first rule of commissioning, taught to me by my boss back then, to never assume anything.” – Neil Caswell.

THE UGLY “A builder refused to accept that a stair pressurisation shaft was leaking and that we needed a bigger fan. When the photos came back of entire row of bricks missing in the shaft, the builder was then convinced it was not a fan issue.” – Mark Jacobson. “I was working as a commissioning manager for the Health Authority on a large new hospital development. The ventilation systems were put up for verification, so I reviewed the paperwork and all seemed to be in order. Then we went out onsite to record some velocities. Onsite, we couldn’t get any consistency between the readings recorded and the actual velocities as it was continually surging. So, we went back to basics and I went on the roof to check the fan. Guess what? The fan hadn’t been wired up and was only free-wheeling with the wind! Yet, the balancing guys had been struggling for two days, trying to get the system ‘in balance’.” – Neil Caswell ■

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

Owners should demand that the commissioning schedule be protected to ensure the process is undertaken and validated correctly without the need to commission the project over split shifts and weekends to achieve completion. One approach could come in the form of a construction practical completion and then the commissioning phase is undertaken to deliver a project performance practical completion. Pharmaceutical, data centres, oil and gas all adopt this process successfully, and I would argue that the facilities we deliver are no less important. NC: The first thing that springs to mind is that commissioning needs to be recognised as one of the most important stages of construction and shouldn’t be compressed to save time. Commissioning needs structure to be effective; it’s a step-by-step process with one test following another. It isn’t possible to have multiple tests going on at the same time and be effective. The other issue that I have encountered is that the “hands-on” aspect of commissioning is usually at the end of a project, when everyone has their mind set on the next job. In addition, many trades are trying to preserve whatever profit they may have made – or are minimising their losses. As a result, it is appealing to cut corners with the commissioning process to save time and money. This then leaves us with a building that isn’t performing as well as it should, with issues being resolved during the defects liability period (DLP) and the building owners or clients thinking we don’t know how to properly commission their building! WL: Industry awareness of the importance of the commissioning process and the training of competent technicians with the skill sets to suit the task at hand. Making the technician fully accountable for any/all test results they submit. And the time available to perform the task of commissioning – which may also be due to inclement weather or a lack of funding. How can these barriers be overcome, particularly by engineers, trades and commissioning specialists working together? WL: Training of the technician to enable a better understanding of the complexities within the design of the system. A closer working

Cover Feature relationship with the commissioning tech and design engineer (a hand‑in‑glove approach). Registration of the technician to certify their ability to perform the task at hand. And publication to the general audience of the importance of commissioning, and government involvement to help regulate the importance of commissioning. MJ: Until commissioning is actively included throughout life of a project, we will continue to “relive” past failures. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different outcome. The same is true if we don’t embrace commissioning as a design, construction, performance, and operation activity, not just a necessary evil at the end of a project schedule. NC: It’s amazing what communication and collaboration can do! When the engineers, trades and commissioning teams work together, the needs of the commissioning process can be embedded in the design from the start. There is a fairly fixed amount of time needed to properly commission a new building and that needs to be recognised and adhered to. It isn’t possible to just “throw labour” at commissioning – 3,000 hours of commissioning can’t be done by 3,000 people in one hour! What impact will the new Standards Australia Technical Specification on Building Commissioning have on setting a new bar in the industry? NC: My hope is that commissioning will take on a greater importance within the completion of a building and allow the trades time to properly complete the works. By putting a structured approach together, it aims to build a framework for success.

MJ: This Technical Specification will enable all owners, designers, and construction stakeholders to understand what delivery process is required to achieve an effective commissioning management model when developing the principal’s project requirements (PPR) and the basis of design (BoD) documentation. These documents are then disseminated among the design and delivery team and will ensure commissioning is integral throughout the entire project life-cycle.

At the end of a project, people are often focusing more on the next job than commissioning.

What about AIRAH’s two DA manuals related to system balancing – DA04 and DA24? NC: The two DAs detail the process involved with air and water balancing and are a valuable resource for the HVAC or balancing technicians. The Technical Specification doesn’t go into the detail of commissioning individual services, but rather provides a best-practice framework for building commissioning. Therefore, the DA guides should be read together with the Technical Specification to determine the best way to approach commissioning. MJ: There is a plethora of information available and this can often be overwhelming when it does not have to be. These AIRAH manuals are a good point of reference that will allow the reader to understand the underpinning and application of these areas of commissioning. As with the Technical Specification above, these DA manuals were developed in consultation with the industry, so the content has a solid foundation and they are very “usable” documents.

DO IT BY THE BOOKS AIRAH recently released two new/updated Design Application (DA) manuals: DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC and DA24 Hydronic System Balancing – in HVAC.

WL: As the lead author on both manuals, I believe they are a great start to bring a better understanding of what is an acceptable standard to performing these tasks. ■

For more information go to www.airah.org.au/DA_Manuals

“The best opportunity to protect the environment is preventing the release of refrigerants and other gases into the atmosphere”

A-Gas Rapid Recovery your refrigerent recovery experts Call 1800 002 427 for more information agasrapidrecovery.com.au

ZEROHarm HVACR July 2021 HP - Sept edition.indd 1

ZEROCarbon

ZEROLeaks August–September 2021

*Rebates Apply for all returned refrigerant. AU11734 * Source: Drawdown, The most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming, Paul Hawken

www.airah.org.au/nation

| 23 HVAC&R 19/07/2021Nation 3:20:41 PM

Business Tips

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER WITH IoT As a follow-up to last month's feature on building management systems, simPRO offers some insight into how IoT benefits the service and maintenance industry. To understand the impact of the internet of things (IoT) in the service and maintenance industry, we need to turn our focus away from the sensors and data. Instead, businesses adopting IoT for the first time should research how it will impact business operations and workflows. Let’s take a look at four considerations you should make before implementing IoT into your field service business.

However, what they won’t understand is that data will only change after an asset has failed. Access to information is great, but in this context, the customer won’t be able to harness the true power of IoT as a warning system for asset failure.

Consider charging a different rate in your contracts for after-hours attendance, or creating contracts specific to IoT-monitored assets. Are you prepared to cover the costs of sending field staff to site after hours, or do you need to adapt both SLA and employee contracts to suit?

As an industry expert, however, you can warn customers of this. You can explain that, for a more proactive model, clients should be measuring the status of certain parts within a heating or cooling unit. You’ll need to be there, with the right information, to manage customer expectations and ensure they’re within service limits and price range.

Consider how many staff you’ll have available in the field. If you can remotely monitor assets, will you need the same amount of staff in the field? Or can you scale back and rework field staff schedules to adapt to the needs of IoT? And examine whether you have enough staff capacity to adapt to a condition-based maintenance service model.

CHOOSE YOUR TECHNOLOGY WISELY When it comes to the technology you use to enable your new IoT-based contracts, consider whether your IoT technology is open architecture,

The point here is to make sure that you understand how IoT technology is going to change the nature |

www.airah.org.au/nation

Locked in, proprietary technology is not ideal. Consider a solution that offers the ingestion and allocation of third-party data and your own data into a single monitoring dashboard. This will greatly benefit you when it comes to monitoring and keeping customers happy.

For example, a customer may say they want to know a building’s environmental data.

Be cautious when nominating response times in contracts. If you have a one-hour response time but an asset fails at 2am, is your team going to be able to make it to the site in time?

HVAC&R Nation

HELP CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND EFFICIENT MONITORING

When drawing up contracts, ensure you understand their needs around asset monitoring. You can then use this information to decide what should be measured.

There are a few things you will need to be wary of with your SLAs.

and whether it can be used by anyone if your business is taken off the job.

It is important to work with your customers to help them understand what data should be measured and monitored. Most will be under the impression that they need to know every piece of information available when really, they don’t.

REVIEW SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS (SLAs)

of your maintenance work, and make sure you cater to that in your revised contracts.

August–September 2021

EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS WHEN PITCHING NEW CONTRACTS TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS It’s important your customers have a clear vision of what you are trying to achieve and how IoT will benefit their business and enhance your customer service. When pitching new contracts to existing customers, explain the benefits for both your business and theirs. For customers, it might be better uptime, more proactive repairs and cost savings when compared with a standard PPM service contract. For your business, it could be better response times, improved level of management of remote assets and better maintenance control. ■ This article was provided by simPRO Regional Director Asia Pacific, Peter Darley. For more information on simPRO IoT, head to: simprogroup.com/ features/iot‑asset‑maintenance

DA04 DA24

ESSENTIAL TOOLS IN HVAC COMMISSIONING

AIR SYSTEM BALANCING

HYDRONIC SYSTEM BALANCING

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

DA04

DA24

AIR SYSTEM BALANCING – IN HVAC

DESIGN APPLICATION MANUAL

This new DA manual discusses the testing, adjusting and balancing of air distribution systems in HVAC&R applications. DA04 promotes best practice for the balancing of air distribution systems in the industry. It has been prepared to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge.

HYDRONIC SYSTEM BALANCING – IN HVAC

DESIGN APPLICATION MANUAL

DA24 is a complete revision of the previous version, titled DA24 Water Systems Balancing. This manual promotes best practice for the balancing of hydronic systems in HVAC&R, recognising acceptable industry-standard techniques. It also highlights the importance and complexity of hydronic balancing.

Designed for engineers, architects, contractors, equipment owners, operators, and specifiers. Anyone involved in air/water balancing or in HVAC&R system commissioning or recommissioning should keep copies of these manuals handy.

Access the electronic versions or order hard copies at

airah.org.au/DA_Manuals August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Around the Nation 1

1 BE COUNTED! AIRAH is calling on those involved in HVAC&R to highlight this vital sector in their response to the 2021 Census of Australia. The Census takes place on Tuesday, August 10. In the question that asks about industry or business (Q46 in the paper/online form), AIRAH is encouraging all of those working in the sector to classify themselves as “HVAC&R”.

“And that is what we would like to address. Whether you’re a technician, a consulting engineer, a business manager, a salesperson, an educator, or one of many other roles in our industry, when you fill in the industry question on your census on August 10, write that you work in HVAC&R and help us get the standing we deserve.” Go to airah.org.au/census ■

2 AMR A WORK IN PROGRESS On July 1, the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme took effect. The new system has been hailed as a way of cutting red tape and allowing Australians to work across borders without having to apply and pay for additional occupational licences, if they are already licensed for the work in their home state or territory. As well as benefiting 168,000 workers, the initiative is expected to boost the economy by $2.4 billion dollars.

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

Moreover, those jurisdictions have filed lists of occupations that are exempt from AMR until June 30, 2022, unless revoked earlier. The lists are extensive, and cover many occupations, including refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.

“The awards weekend is a celebration of the shared success, and we take this opportunity to thank every dealer for their support throughout what was a challenging year,” says Zane Barron, general manager – LEG national sales.

The long-standing mutual recognition arrangements are still operating for those who wish to obtain a second state registration. ■

Dealers enjoyed talks from economist Saul Eslake and survivor of the Beaconsfield Mine collapse Todd Russell. The culmination of the event was a gala ball hosted by Ed Kavalee that saw 38 Sales Excellence Awards, 15 Regional Dealer Awards, and three General Manager Awards handed out.

5 RACE IS ON FOR SEELEY

The team at Daikin took students through exercises such as measuring air conditioning unit size requirements for houses, calculating co-efficient of performance (COP), and completing heat load calculations. Students got hands-on with a working 2.5kW split system as well as a disassembled system to gain an understanding of the components used.

Seeley International has become the first air conditioning manufacturer to join a new collaborative research centre (CRC) focused on clean energy – RACE for 2030. The CRC aims to boost energy productivity and demand flexibility, cutting energy costs and reducing emissions, for Australian homes, businesses and industries.

“We know that when students consider getting into a trade, they immediately think of the typical trades like plumbing, electrical and carpentry,” says Daikin Technical Manager Pravneel Singh. “At Daikin, we want to hero the HVAC&R trade by highlighting the huge number of applications it impacts in our lives.”

“We know that cooling is a huge component of a building’s energy demand, which multiplies during peak demand, especially during the hot, Australian summers,” says Seeley’s executive director of imagineering Rob Gilbert.

4 ACCOLADES ON THE APPLE ISLE Mitsubishi Electric Australia has celebrated its dealer network at its annual Diamond Dealer Awards Weekend. This year’s event was held in Hobart, and marked nearly 15 years since the event was last hosted in Tasmania. It was also a return to a face-to-face format, after the 2020 Awards were held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. |

Go to www.mitsubishielectric.com.au ■

A recent Mathematics in Trade Workshop run by the NSW Department of Education, RACCA and Daikin introduced high school students in Sydney to the refrigeration and air conditioning trades.

RACCA and the NSW Department of Education plan to roll out the workshops to more schools, and Daikin has indicated it is also keen to continue being involved. ■

The opening of the scheme, however, has demonstrated the difficulty the federal government faces in harmonising rules across states and territories. Envisaged as a national scheme, at this stage it only covers New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. |

3 HVAC&R HIGH SCHOOL

“It is strange that a sector worth $38 billion, that uses more than 24 per cent of Australia’s electricity and that accounts for 11.5 per cent of our carbon dioxide emissions is basically unknown to most Australians,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson.

August–September 2021

“The major challenge in our clean energy transition will be to shape the energy load so that it aligns with the demand. As global demand grows for air conditioning and well-ventilated buildings, we cannot overstate the importance of clean, efficient HVAC technology.” RACE partner Professor Frank Bruno, F.AIRAH, of UniSA’s Future Industries Institute, says he is proud to have the South Australian partner on board. “UniSA has had a strong partnership with Seeley for more than 20 years,” Professor Bruno says. “As the only air conditioning and heating manufacturer in the CRC, Seeley will play an important role in ensuring the latest innovations are used for a secure, affordable, clean energy future.” Go to www.racefor2030.com.au ■

Around the Nation 6

Airmaster CEO Noel Courtney, M.AIRAH

Inaugural AMCA Australia president Michael Anthony, M.AIRAH

6 NEW RULES FOR SMALL AC? The federal government has put forward a proposal to limit the import and manufacture of small air conditioning units using high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. The approach would ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioning units using refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750. The rule would apply to non-ducted units including split systems, window/wall-mounted units and portable air conditioners with a refrigerant charge up to 2.6kg. This would effectively ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioners using the refrigerant R410A, which has a GWP of 2,088. Equipment already in Australia would not be affected. Given that most new equipment in this category has already switched to R32, which has a GWP of 675, the approach is not expected to increase costs to manufacturers or consumers, nor significantly impact consumer choice. The ban would support the HFC phase-down by closing the door on equipment using old‑generation HFCs. Before going ahead with the plan, the department has been consulting users of small air conditioners, as well as manufacturers, importers, technicians and other stakeholders. This includes the specifics of the limits, as well as the timing of the proposed implementation. ■

7 AIRMASTER GROWS FIRE BUSINESS Airmaster has entered into an agreement to acquire fire protection services company Celsius Fire and its Queensland operations Fire2U. The move strengthens Airmaster’s fire services capability, after its recent acquisition of Melbourne‑based Specialised Fire Protection. Airmaster says the latest acquisition will further grow its suite of in-house knowledge and expertise in fire services. With more than 20 years of experience, Celsius Fire and Fire2U have a customer portfolio that includes both small and large facilities,

including multi-state portfolios with government departments, hospitals and commercial office buildings. Between them, Celsius Fire and Fire2U have four offices across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. “Since 1988, Airmaster has continued to develop and evolve through considerable knowledge and experience in the technical services and facilities management industry,” says Airmaster CEO Noel Courtney, M.AIRAH “Through strong growth in Airmaster’s fire and essential safety capabilities, this further acquisition of a fire protection services business accelerates this within key geographies.” Go to www.airmaster.com.au ■

“They have been supporting Ravenscroft Fire Dampers in North Island for eight years, and now take over the Australasian distributorship. Pacific Ventilation will continue manufacturing and distributing Ravenscroft circular fire dampers to the very highest standards.” Pacific Ventilation managing director Peter Gibson, Affil.AIRAH, says the addition of Ravenscroft circular fire dampers to the business is a “big win” for Australian and New Zealand customers. “We look forward to supporting Ravenscroft’s existing North Island customers and offering these outstanding fire dampers to our South Island and Aussie customers. Ravenscroft’s high-quality circular fire dampers are a perfect fit for our business.” Go to www.pacificventilation.com ■

8 HITS AND VIEWS FOR FUJITSU Fujitsu General Australia has launched a new website.

10 ANNOUNCING AMCA AUSTRALIA

“It has a modern and clean design, is much simpler for visitors to navigate, and includes new interactive tools such as the Fujitsu Assist Tool,” says Fujitsu director of sales, marketing and product Dave Smith.

AMCA has officially switched from its previous state-based structure to operate as a single national industry association under the name AMCA Australia.

“This helps customers identify the most suitable unit for their residential space, then connects them with the closest Fujitsu Authorised Partner to quickly get a quote and progress their enquiry.

The move comes following a comprehensive, three‑year review of all association activities, upon which the organisation decided the time was right for AMCA’s state-based entities to formally join forces.

“Finding a local stockist or a finance specialist and booking service calls is also much easier via the new website, and the extensive library of handy tips and helpful articles can be quickly accessed.” Go to www.fujitsugeneral.com.au ■

PACIFIC SEALS DEAL WITH RAVENSCROFT

Pacific Ventilation has acquired Ravenscroft Fire Dampers, a New Zealand-based business that has been developing fire dampers for more than 23 years. “I am pleased to see the Ravenscroft circular fire damper business going to Pacific Ventilation,” says Ravenscroft Fire Dampers owner Malcom Ravenscroft, who is retiring after 40 years in the HVAC business.

Inaugural president of AMCA Australia, Michael Anthony, M.AIRAH, has stressed the importance of maintaining a strong presence in every state and territory. “From occupational licensing to health and safety laws, many of the operating conditions faced by HVAC companies are determined at the state and territory level,” Anthony says. “Member companies must continue to receive local support – and they will. In fact, the new model will allow our executive directors and local staff to connect more regularly with members while empowering them to focus more closely on state and territory issues.” Go to www.amca.com.au ■

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

Smoko with . . .

RAH

Name: David West, Affil.AI

on and West HVAC

Company: West Refrigerati

r Engineer/Managing Directo Occupation: Refrigeration st HVAC – West Refrigeration and We ut working in What’s the best thing abo it presents to make HVAC&R? The opportunity progression to he a meaningful difference in t Industry has a Our . a more sustainable planet rate as a society. ope we y huge effect on the wa implement changes We have an opportunity to ul difference. that make a very meaningf d in the industry? How long have you worke Since 1998. that has changed What’s the biggest thing rted working in it? in HVAC&R since you sta ship, safety didn’t seem When I started my apprentice focus on safety now is like a topic of discussion. The And technology, in both so much higher than it was. ration systems and control the complexity of the refrige edibly over the last 20 years. systems, has advanced incr ly).

Favourite tool: Laptop (sad

ever received: Best on-the-job advice you Listen to your customer. erstand It’s the only way you can und . are ds nee r what thei nt has been What’s the happiest a clie ermarket sup s iou Var with your work? ts and -ou call d nde atte I r managers afte them g pin kee re we t tha es resolved issu at the store after hours. Dream car: Bugatti Divo. ding trip Dream holiday: Snowboar through Canada and USA. Favourite smoko snack: Salmon poke bowl. the way What did you listen to on Andy Podcast. and ish to work today? Ham des. Sporting hero: Adam Goo enturous life … Living a very full and adv When I’m not working I’m four amazing children. with my beautiful wife and

There’s a whole other world of HVAC&R to discover in Ecolibrium magazine.

Get a taste of AIRAH’s official journal at www.airah.org.au/ecolibrium To advertise in ECOLIBRIUM contact — Glenn Douglas 0411 839 667 or John McGrath 0419 556 108

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

August–September 2021

Green Wedge

TRANSPORTER RESURRECTION The Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter (better known as the Kombi) is being reinvented as a fully electric vehicle (EV), the ID Buzz.

Back in 2015, the Volkswagen brand suffered a hit by what was dubbed “Dieselgate”, when the company cheated to under-report emissions from its diesel engines. What an environmental and PR disaster that was. The trust the company had built up over decades evaporated. Fast forward to 2017 and the Detroit Motor Show of that year, when the company unveiled its ID Buzz, an electric people-mover inspired in part by the beloved Type 2 Transporter, or Kombi. Not only did it provide the image massage the previously esteemed company required, it also served as a green marker in the figurative sand of where the company is headed. Next year the ID Buzz goes into production, part of VW’s concerted push into EV manufacturing. Indeed, the Teutonic auto maker has invested an astonishing AUD$55 billion into the program. The company plans to launch many EVs, all built at carbon-neutral manufacturing plants, such as the one at Zwickau in eastern Germany. “With our electric cars we want to make a substantial contribution to climate protection,” says VW’s Thomas Ulbrich. “The ID will be a model for sustainable mobility.” Zwickau will be ground zero for the company’s global roll-out of its E-fleet. Capable of manufacturing 330,000 electric vehicles a year, it represents the world’s first transformation of a major car factory from internal combustion production to e-mobility. As for the ID Buzz, if the concept model is followed it will have eight seats, two electric motors producing 275kW, all-wheel drive, and a 600km range.

Feeling the buzz? The electric Kombi is scheduled to go into production in 2022.

And should everything go to plan, it will be the first VW capable of autonomous driving. ■

Demand new standards. Break new barriers.

Boost your efficiency and sustainability with Alfa Laval T10 When it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability, we’re never satisfied with the standards as they are. That’s why we’re breaking new barriers with the versatile T10 gasketed plate heat exchanger. Designed with a revolutionary new plate concept, T10 eliminates the compromise between efficiency and pressure drop. With performance optimised according to the specific position and duty, T10 can provide up to 30% higher efficiency along with reduced fouling. T10 is built to boost sustainability – whatever the application – with lower cost of ownership, a smaller footprint and reduced maintenance needs. Learn more at alfalaval.com.au/T10

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

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

1 WINNER

5 1 NATURE PREVAILS This nest was found by the Greenstar projects team during a recent unit replacement at an electrical switch room. “The bird has been systematically pulling cable ties off cable runs,” says Brett. “Not sure it would have had the desired thermal effect, however!” Graham says: Nature will always have its way, and this can often become an issue for HVAC&R equipment. Sometimes a technician’s job can become most unpleasant as “pest controller” and dead animal remover (there is a bad smell somewhere)!

2 PASS ME THE WHIPPER SNIPPER The residents at this property weren’t sure why their AC wasn’t working. To be fair, it doesn’t look too bad with the cover on. Thanks to Trad for the photo. Graham says: Always safer to use proper mounting blocks or wall brackets. Bad installation begins with the placement of the outdoor unit, which locks in the future demise of the installation.

NO DUCT TAPE? NO WORRIES! 3

“Here’s a new way of joining duct,” says Ian, who found this in a resident’s house in North Queensland, along with plenty of condensation. Graham says: Interesting what can be hidden in a roof space! The condensation is a real worry, especially in tropical areas. I have seen ceilings collapse because of condensation off badly insulated air conditioning equipment where there is high relative humidity.

4 THE PROBLEM WITH R32 It seems some people still don’t realise flammable refrigerants are screwed anti‑clockwise. Incredibly, it’s not the first time we’ve seen photographic evidence of someone attacking a bottle with an angle grinder. This one was handed in to Luke at Kirby’s Osborne Park branch in WA. Graham says: Ignorance rules – and can be highly dangerous too!

5 WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT Alistair in Melbourne noticed this on an adjacent roof. “The old cabinet cooler casing complete with thermostat has been recycled,” he points out. “Wonder what the thermostat is set to?” Graham says: You sort of hope it wasn’t someone you trained who left a job looking like that! It will eventually rust out the roof as the timber “mounting” disintegrates.

Additional comments and observations provided by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, portfolio manager, heavy automotive and refrigeration at South Metropolitan TAFE. Please note that the comments are provided on the basis of the photos only and should be read with this in mind – not all issues or solutions are apparent from a 2D image.

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

August–September 2021

Ahead of the pack APAC Commercial HVAC

• Tailored flexibility for all commercial & industrial projects • • 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

Visit apacair.com.au for more information

August–September 2021

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

EMBEDDED CONTROLS FOR STREAMLINED INSTALLATION

Introducing Daikin Air Handling Unit with Product Integrated Controls (AHU-PIC) – an industry-leading AHU that delivers data-driven insights to assist in the creation of performance-optimised Smart Buildings.

• Quality control and testing performed in factory to reduce risk of issues during installation • Plug and play – BMS contractor can communicate with AHU-PIC via High Level Interference (HLI) removing the need for field-fitting of controls • Easy access to all components for service and maintenance • Fast and easy installation

SMART BUILDING FRIENDLY

PLUG AND PLAY

REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT

DAIKIN FACTORY QUALITY ASSURED

Download our brochure to learn more

Provide more efficient installation and maintenance solutions to your clients with our comprehensive product line-up. Visit commercial.daikin.com.au or call 1300 368 300

HVAC&R Nation August-September 2021

Articles inside

Green Wedge

HVAC&R Nation regulars

AIRAH News

Global Update

Around the Nation

Smoko with

The Toolshed