HVAC&R Nation February 2017 by AIRAH

Skills WORKSHOP

Welding safety basics

FEATURE

HT UG O

TO YOU

OF THE

FRIDGIE

SIN

GIVIN

CE 1920

Cooling tower filtration

THE I ND

FUTURE

WHAT WILL THE HVAC&R TECH LOOK LIKE 20 YEARS FROM NOW?

PRINT POST APPROVAL NUMBER PP 727272/60606

February 2017 / ISSUE 098 / FREE

Clean Air Home & Office™ HVAC & Duct System Protectant, Cleaner / Freshener Clean Air Home & Office™ is a simple and economical way to clean and freshen HVAC systems and ductwork from large central systems to small wall units. A full treatment takes only minutes, requires no tools and has immediate and long lasting results. Clean Air Home & Office™ cleans away the residue in evaporators and drain pans which is the cause of odours and the growth of bacteria, algae, fungi and moulds. The Clean Air Home & Office™ freshens the entire system leaving behind a durable, invisible, protective coating which is leach-resistant and non-migrating. It protects from broad spectrum biostatic activity on many surfaces and lasts approximately three months in HVAC systems. Heat transfer loss is not compromised due to the microscopic coating. In fact, it can increase efficiency as it breaks down surface tension of condensate water, allowing it to drain out of coils. Clean Air Home & Office™ has little degradation up to 170° C and contains no phenols, tin, heavy metals, lead or formaldehyde. It is non-toxic, water based and provides long term protection. One 250gm can of Clean Air Home & Office™ can treat a five to six tonne unit (approximately 5,000 sq ft of building area), or two to four typical wall units (15,000BTU). For ducted systems, locate the return air grille and remove the filter, with the system ON spray the contents of the can into the duct, the product will then be pulled into your system where it goes to work. You will immediately smell a light fragrance coming from the air vents in every room as the product travels through the entire system. The fragrance should disappear within 24 hours leaving the coating behind to continue its work.

2 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

ISSUE 098

HVAC&R Nation is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (Inc).

February 2017

3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000

20 years on

Fax: 03 9614 8949

www.airah.org.au/nation

Magazine team Editor Boon Mark Souphanh boon@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3011 Contributing writer Sean McGowan

Advertising sales Glenn Douglas glenn@airah.org.au Ph: 03 8623 3018 John McGrath john@airah.org.au Ph: 03 8623 3007

A report prepared by the CSIRO in partnership with Construction Skills Queensland has examined what the construction industry could look like 20 years from now, and how job profiles and skills requirements might change to align with that future. As Sean McGowan reports, it points to a world of digital disruption.

ISSN 1834-9522 HVAC&R Nation is printed on paper sourced from well managed forests and other controlled sources.

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HVAC&R Nation regulars 6

The Toolshed

Skills Workshop 15

see what’s new in the ‘Shed

Welding basics

8 Global Update industry news from around the world

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.

13,979

TRAINING LIFT-OUT

February exclusive

Green Wedge fuel your enviro cred

Fly Guy accessories to keep you fly

24 Around the Nation who’s in the news?

26 AIRAH News keep up to date with the Institute

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free listings from around the nation

Lighter Side

Filtering the cost The days of discharging large amounts of wastewater from cooling-tower systems to the sewer are nearing an end. However, as water filtration systems become more efficient, the economics of water and energy-efficiency bite.

the shonkier side of the nation Please consider the environment and recycle this magazine if you are not going to keep it.

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 3

➲ Editorial

FUTURE TALK

Things have changed a lot of in past 20 years. What will the next 20 hold?

I recently had the opportunity to rekindle some old friendships over a cold brew at my 10-year high school reunion. While it was nice to revive some of the immature banter of yesteryear, the experience also gave me a stark reminder how much things have changed since I chucked on that stuffy, woolly blazer for the last time. There were obviously the changes to the facilities – those ancient computers with CRT monitors and floppy-disk drives were gone, replaced by rooms filled with latest flat-screened Apple offerings. I was also reminded of my trademark Sanyo “portable” cassette player, which provided me with my daily dose of nu-metal and gangster rap on commute to class. I eventually graduated to a 64MB MP3 player by my final year. And of course, arguably worse than my music choices, were my hairstyle choices – but let’s not get into that. Musing over these social and technological changes of the past decade, I was led to ponder what may become of our industry in years to come. How will HVAC&R roles and skills requirements change to align with that future? Attempting to answer that question, a report prepared by the CSIRO in partnership with Construction Skills Queensland has examined what the construction industry could look like 20 years from now. You can read more about it in this month’s cover feature on page 10. “The challenge for the industry is to shape the transition and create economic opportunity for tomorrow’s workforce,” the report says. “New competencies and strengths in innovation management and digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence will be needed to grow jobs in the future.”

Personally, I look forward to technology making the job easier and safer for everyone working in HVAC&R. Your ability to adapt to changes and upskill accordingly will be the challenge. The fact that so many are ditching their analogue kit for more convenient digital alternatives is perhaps a sign that the automation age is already upon us. Are you ready for it? Boon Mark Souphanh Editor

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4 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

Consult the cornerstone

Consult the DA manual The Design Application (DA) series of publications produced by AIRAH are best-practice guidelines to assist HVAC&R practitioners with their day-to-day tasks in the design, operation and maintenance of mechanical building services. THE G

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

DA01 •

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Compensate for small deviations in alignment between the pump and pipework connection. Compensate for expansion and contraction of the pipework or pump due to temperature changes.

DA02 NOISE CONTROL

Using a flexible pad (neoprene, silicone or similar) between the full contact surface of the pump and the foundation.

•

Using a base isolation system such as rubber pads or inertia base with spring.

Very small in-line pumps (such as in-line canned rotor pumps) can be supported by the system piping but APPLICATION MANUALMany larger pumps need to be independently supported. in-line pumps are configured to make it easy to provide the additional support directly under the pump.

9.4.8. Pipework

The piping installer should route the piping with flexibility designed into it, using the minimum amount of pipe, fittings, and expansion loops.

MPS

Pipework should be independently supported to ensure that no forces or moments due to pipe weights or thermal expansion will be imposed on the pump. Flexible connectors are never designed to carry loads. Similarly pump flanges and connections are not designed to carry the weight of system pipework and liquids. All pipework and accessories should be supported independently of the pump.

AL P

During the course of physical routing of any piping system, the installer should ensure the provision of high-point vent and low-point drain connections for the filling and draining of the piping system with water (for hydrostatic testing and operation) and for the purging of air entrapped within the system.

In all cases the method of isolation should be appropriate for the environmental conditions in service, including temperature, humidity and chemical degradation. Install the pump on the level base and make sure all mounting bolts are centred. Ensure that the pump is level and if not level shim the feet to level the shaft.

9.4.9. Valves

Long coupled type pumps will require realignment on site after installation and after any motor replacement. Install the motor on the base and, using a straight edge, perform THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING a preliminary shaft alignment. Shim the motor feet for the

Valves in acid and caustic services should be located below the plant operator’s eye level or in such a manner as to not present a safety hazard.

Note: Levels of piping insulation, required by regulation (NCC), have been increased over historical practice and designers/installers must allow sufficient clearance to accommodate this.

•

The location of valves, with consideration for operating accessibility, should be accomplished in the natural routing of the system from point to point.

9.4.11. Wiring

•

Valves in overhead piping with their spindles in the near horizontal position should be located so that the bottom of the hand wheel is no more than 2m above the floor. Only infrequently operated valves should be located above this elevation.

•

A minimum 100 mm of knuckle clearance should be provided around all valve hand wheels.

Space should be provided for the removal of all valve internals.

The piping installer should be familiar with the installation and engineering of the thermal insulation materials specified and specifically with the method of fixing appropriate for the type and thickness of insulation. There must be spacing and clearance between the insulation of one pipe and any adjacent pipe and insulation, or other

Base isolation

FANS

•

9.4.10. Insulation

DA13

Valves should be installed with the spindles between the vertically upward and horizontal positions, to prevent the entrainment of air and debris in the valve.

•

Figure 9.1: Base mounted pumps

PL IC

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Airfl

•••

All pumps and associated electrical equipment should be wired in accordance with AS/NZS 3000. Control and monitoring instrumentation should be wired in accordance with the manufacturer instructions and all relevant regulations.

Note: Refer AIRAH DA 27 for further information on the installation of control wiring.

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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

9.4.12. Access

The provision of adequate access to the pump and its accessories for maintenance and service is essential and is a requirement of AS/NZS 3666.1 which is a regulated requirement in Australia through building and health regulations. Large centrifugal pumps are often supplied with access points. For larger pumps, the provision of lifting eyes and overhead lifting beams or davits should be considered to facilitate pump replacement or servicing in a safe manner.

DA15

N MA

DA13

FANS

possible interference such as structural steel. The piping installer should also recognise that in some applications insulation may not be required for the prevention of heat transfer but will be needed for personnel protection.

•

•••

A PPLI

DA16

AIR FILTERS

ING

Ax rem ial fans redu oval ge tw ced of th nerate within im by us e sw swirl Clau in th pelle ing irl im in th se e sa rs inde guid prov e di 2.6 es Som .6. me ca pende vane fan scharg the e ax effi sin s, g, knently see cie e airstr redu forw ial fan ow drive Clau ncy. eam confi ction ard an s are n as n in se 2.6 Sw irl an ge gura wh d re reve cont op .3, ca d th nera tio en ve rsi ra ro posit or by n be e in rse ble, n lly Ax inc the reve direc i.e. tatin e dire usin reas effi rse 2.6 tio th shutial fans g se ctio g ed cienc . In all ns, ey ca ns e .1. , se fans off can n of Pla e Cl y is low varia ten oper whi . 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AIR CONDITIONING LOAD ESTIMATION

APPLICATION MANUAL

Figure 9.2: Supporting pipework independently of pump connections

hammer. The following precautions should be taken during installation:

Improper application and placement of valves in the piping system can be detrimental to system function Valves shouldAND never be installed with the spindle facing THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR•CONDITIONING HEATING and can result in malfunction of the valve and in water downwards.

Pump Pump isolation

•••

APPLICATION MANUAL

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

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DA09

HVAC&R AN INTRODUCTION

9.4.7. In-line pumps

Precision grouting is probably the most critical part of the installation. The surface beneath the base plate must be properly prepared for grouting, any concrete laitance (structurally weak layer) must be removed from the concrete and the aggregate exposed. All dirt and dust must be removed from the area prior to grouting. Properly grouting the base plate to the concrete slab lowers the natural frequency of the base plate and reduces resonant vibrations which can damage bearings and seals.

CEN

DA08

DUCT WORK FOR AIR CONDITIONING

Coordination of condensate trays and drains with pump mounts and inertia bases is an important aspect to consider for chilled water pumps.

Pumps should not be mounted directly on to springs as this provides no inertia to reduce vibration of the pumps and will impart all vibration to pipework. If pumps are in a noise critical area such as on a suspended floor or roof above or below an inhabited area then inertia bases should be used.

UG TRIF

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING E OTHE F RE FRIG ER AT ION, AIR CO NDIT IONI NG AN D

Pressure

1 0 DA Grouting the pump to a concrete foundation of suitable mass.

•

DA03

Modern equipment using laser alignment technology should be used where possible, especially for larger units. The advantages of high precision alignment include less noise and vibration, longer equipment life (bearings and drive components) and less energy wastage at the drive. Aligned pumps can be doweled to the base to prevent future misalignment.

9.4.6. Base mounted pumps

•

DA01

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

final alignment and align using a laser based system. This should normally be carried out by the pump manufacturer or supplier, and must be completed prior to running the pump.

Isolate the pump from the structural loads of the pipework system.

• •

The pump should be correctly levelled before securing to a stable base. Pumps should be well secured to the base in accordance with the manufacturers installation instructions and so that vibration transmission is minimised. Common installation methods used include:

APPLICATION MANUAL

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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

APPLICATION MANUAL

DA19

HVAC&R

•

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

DA20 HUMID TROPICAL AIR CONDITIONING

APPLICATION MANUAL

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

DA21 AMMONIA REFRIGERATION

APPLICATION MANUAL

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DA26

HVAC&R MAINTENANCE

APPLICATION MANUAL

d Du

•••

MAINT

Maintainab maintenancility of the system e strate and future • Locat gy, ion of and safe • Reliab Contractors le and appro access to the have a respo • Monit priate contro services, ongoing oring, meter nsibili maintenanc l system the future • Certifi ing and s, e requir ty to inform owne recording cation of ements rs of the with regardresponsibilities commission facilities, • Opera of system for the plant to that ting and and ing data maintenanc owners and result maintenanc and opera of • Detai Specific e. • repor s, led maint e inform requiremen tors t on the manuals ation for enance • Recom ts for opera maintenanc • are sched and system mendations ules and responsible ting e effect information the transfer instructions , iveness, of desig and maintenanc on maint for the plans and Designers constructio are required n , enance procedures periodic review to be met related HVAC&R e manageme n is unde maintenancare best positi . of maint regim if the buildi Successful nt. e. The AIRAH r a building 2.3.9 Ten oned enance e philos ng maintenanc rating or contains ophy for to develop the going comm ants accre particular HVAC&R system e mana a buildi design/ Designers Tenants and maint ng or system requiremen star rating ditation maintenanc itment of mana gement relies need have a legal enanc design tool the system to be instru ts or credit on . gers e fundin e inform respo will cted in g and user to maintenanc the onation. s for operaalso responsibili be safe to opera nsibility to ensur the correc to be engagand this shoul e plann education. ting d te and t e that 2.3.5 Sys ing, 2.3.7 Mai either by ty continues efficiency/s ed by the buildibe in lay terms operation of through maintain. This their the origin . Tenants tem com ng mana ustainability ntenan design the const if furthe Correct al desig need The maint ger on r desig mission ruction features commission ce Con Tenant enance proce undertaken n, or modi ners or by subse of the buildithe energy optimum tractor ers maintenanc fit-outs contractor fication quent desig ss system ing of a system . ng system can HVAC&R to the origin e needs of in accor perfo is a succe contract. s. systems impact on system dance with to supply ssful maint rmance and essential for al desig ners Designers fit-out activi may commission performan n, is the THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING THE AUSTRALIAN OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING need some INSTITUTE the maint system enance THE AUSTRALIAN ties. Rules the ongo have a responsibili program. implementation ce and ing data enance ensure redes The maint plan, the will ing maint that Becau ty form perso any negat or procedures ign as a result enance to inform se the proposals the basis enance overall maintenanc maintenanc nnel comm of need contractor ive impac their building of the ission e respo needs owners and of the futureor life cycle costs clients of ts of tenan to be in place and system should and licens e personnel nsibilities. ing the systemmaintenance and opera to of their t fit-outs responsibili ensure are appro to ensure that performan ed to carry Tenant Commission tors with design also that: appro priate ties systems ce is mitiga on the • Comm out the of system priate. regard to Particularly ing perso have can be base buildi work and ly trained, skilled issioning ted. maintenanc nnel ng system connected to are super procedures carried part I2 on with the provis e. considerable The maint or be separ vised as out appro s. They enanc can • Comm maint priately, for plant and access for energy efficient ions of the BCA ate be comp e contractor developme enance systems regarding issioning lex and from in them Tennant are should responsibilimaintenance, installations and require data is prope • System considered nts in all areas selves. there systems part J8 and advise keep abreast of commission that modi rly record law. Buildi are also maintenancty on the system is now an explic on econo desig cover the ed ficatio ng mic ing data and logge owne designer laws as n data, it ed by the advantage. n can be any tenan for adequ e regime for complies well as to deter legislated BCA and made to r when it is • Any the ate acces with system d, non-compl building make the t/owner contractuaother laws, do the plant Contractors maintenanc s to that system plant and mine the not recog to building iance is may also l arrang to desig repor Tenan of I2, there e to be perfo plant to allow repor nise owne ement but Specific n have ting ts and ted and r respo rmed the requir generally addressed. indicators of ongoing sustaia responsibility imperatives occupiers need nsible for plant with would have been . Even witho required manageme ements for for the ut associated nabili to be inform compliance commission for maint facilitate performan a designed requir a responsibili the provisions . are requir nt and comm with partic ty or performan formal enanc ing, comm ed ty to all ce. issioning ed perfo Modern ce ular system for maint reasonable requee and should be of the issioning under a ed to be met if rmance ensure that maintenanc enance. s. Green Star the buildi documentation maintains and the sts for acces encouraged Specific e is a partn HVAC&R maint ng const requiremen that accreditatio to s to HVAC ership system knowledge enance contr ruction manuals ts for opera n regim &R plant star rating requiremen is and loop, regard actor needsof stakeholders 2.3.10 e. The AIRAH ting system information the transfer tool also to ensur manageme ts for comm ing HVAC maintainers Occupi of desig and maintenanc contains must issioning n relate under a nt. er Occupants e and opera &R services, e that the and comm particular d HVAC building be met if the buildi between The maint tors is facilit &R a design issioning rating or the system need to unde Periodic enance ated. and accreditationg constructio rstand the recommissio contr • Inspe administrati constructio n is system on system and the influe n regim ction, testin actors’ role can n is also requir ning of a system nce that correct operation e. The BCA performan but their ve matters suchdocument and includ perfo their • g ed and of e: or Repair and ce. is rmance behaviour does not need is monitoring as maint Well inform (refer to for optimum long parts of a required implic replacemen contain can have enance , Clause 6.2). • Comp to be maint it in order term system manu t, to poten ed occupants liance activi ained and to know what als tial probl can alert 2.3.6 Bui • Purch ties and plant is when. future maintenanc records, ase and or furthe ems and also lding/Fa 2.3.4 HVA e mana installation identi r system The buildi • Purch gers cility man improveme fy opportunit of C&R Sys ase and Occupiers Regular manager ng manager, facilit ies for installation plant, nts. • Contr agers tem con inspe of spare knowledgeform part of the ol of onsite installation ctions shoul primary has a significant y manager or tractors s and consu role of the d be made • Energ stores and maintenanc maintenanc maintenanc loop between communications representa by HVAC&R system mables, and its y mana manager durin spares, e e system systems e. gement tives to is to ensur responsibili • Water contractors g system operation and are funct and repor ensure: • Adeq manageme ioning optim e that the ty. 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They needskilled and super personnel be tor, meter Auditor system manuals, design er and vised a good shoul , record intent. • comm Surveyorss understand for the work and repor the contro d operate and unicate t system ing l system in maintenanc • resolv performan Figure logic being particular fully of how each e issues e acces 2.4 HVAC& understand ce, Maintenanc applied s issues , R system , to the system knowledge and licenc e personnel . require loops a range on HVAC es to carry out of certifi the &R cations handling, systems partic required maint and electr boiler work, waterularly in respect enance work to refrig ical work. treatment, hydraulic erant Inadequate services maintenanc in unsat e of isfacto unexpected ry operation, mechanical plant higher costs will result breakdown and unne s. cessary

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February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 5

➲ Toolshed 01

“As well as being ideal for residential application, the Pearl series can also be used in commercial applications such as hospitals, aged care facilities, offices, schools and hotels,” says Carrier. “Enhancements to the Pearl Inverter Hi-Wall split system have expanded the thermal operating limits of their units, giving new meaning to reverse-cycle versatility – from minus 15˚C in heating mode and up to 46˚C in cooling mode.”

Single-stage Solo

For full compliance to the flame arrestor clause of AS/NZS 1668.1:2015, a UL 1046-certified kitchen-exhaust hood filter is required. With that in mind, Airepure Australia has released a single-stage hood filter that is UL 1046-rated satisfying compliance to AS/NZS 1668.1:2015. The Captrate Solo is designed to provide three-times the grease capture ability of standard baffle filters. This can significantly reduce the maintenance requirements and fire hazard associated with grea se build-up in hood plenums, duct work, fan assemblies, rooftops and adjacent surfaces. These filters aim to reduce operating costs by decreasing the frequency of hood and duct cleaning and extending the life of particle and odour filtration within downstream air purification systems.

Carrier has also integrated the “Follow Me” sensor to the remote controllers, which work to deliver precise temperature regulation.

The Pearl series comes with washable filters and an intelligent self-cleaning function, which works to prevent mould by removing excess moisture. For more information, go to www.carrierair.com.au n

Featuring a unique S-Baffle design, in conjunction with a slotted rear baffle design, the Captrate Solo filters are constructed from lightweight 430-grade stainless steel (typically used for kitchen-grade equipment) and is sized to fit into standard 50mm-deep hood channels. The company says In-house cleaning is achieved simply by soaking these filters in a commercial degreaser overnight and/or washing in a standard dishwasher cycle.

The MDM50 portable hygrometer from Michell Instruments looks to quickly provide spot checks of dew-point or moisture content down to -50°C dew-point. Using its own self-contained sampling system, setting up the MDM50 involves connecting the hose to the sample point. There are no extra sample conditioning add-ons to purchase or to carry around.

These filters are designed to help you achieve AS/NZS 1668.2 compliance. For more information, go to www.airepure.com.au n

The integral sampling system allows for measurements of dew point to be made at pressure, up to 20 barg, with an option available to measure up to 300 barg.

Ultra upgrades

The new PowerLine Ultra from Fantech is designed to produce up to 30 per cent more airflow than current models, without generating higher noise levels.

Michell Instruments says the integrated filter removes particulates down to 0.3µm, which provides 99.5 per cent protection to the sensor.

The polymer moisture sensor of the MDM50 aims for rapid dew-point measurements in compressed air – T95 to -35°C from ambient – typically in less than 5 minutes.

This new generation in-line fan uses an advanced, mixed-flow impeller design with high-performance blade geometry.

The MDM50 is designed for 16 hours of operation time on one full charge.

The ground-breaking design of our new Powerline Ultra offers continued savings to building occupants through reduced running costs and a quieter environment,” says Fantech’s engineering manager Kerry Dumicich, M.AIRAH. “They also feature a more compact design, so they are easier to transport and install.” The new compact design aims to produce a higher volume of airflow than existing PowerLine models of the same size. Therefore, a smaller PowerLine Ultra that consumes less energy and produces less noise can be installed as a viable alternative.

For more information, go to www.ams-ic.com.au or www.industrial-automation.com.au n

Fantech says the smaller Ultra unit will produce similar airflows to the standard PowerLine and meet the essential specifications required, in most cases.

For more information, go to www.fantech.com.au n

A whole new Pearl

The Pearl Inverter Hi-Wall split system is Carrier’s latest offering, integrated with DC technology. The range comes with a five-year warranty and includes several developments highlighted by the inclusion of three controllers to suit every need. 6 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

Complying compressors

Emerson Climate Technologies has updated its Copeland compressor lines to meet new compliance standards. “The refrigeration industry is taking an even closer look at both CO2 (R-744) and propane (R-290); each has extremely low global warming potential,” says the company. “In one back-toback R-290 performance testing, Emerson saw an efficiency improvement of approximately 10 per cent.”

The PowerLine Ultra is available in an AC configuration, or can be installed with an EC motor for further savings in running costs.

Spot-checks simplified

Several compressors that utilise these natural alternatives have been released, including Copeland semi-hermetic transcritical CO2 compressors, Copeland Scroll compressors for subcritical CO2 applications, and Copeland hermetic compressors for R-290 to be used in small reach-in systems where the refrigerant charge is less than 150g. Most Copeland compressor platforms have also been validated for use with A1 hydrofluoroolefin blends, such as R-448A and R-449A. This includes both the Copeland Scroll and Copeland semi-hermetic compressor lines. For more information, go to www.emersonclimate.com n

Toolshed 06

Coolnomix uses two sensors and an internationally patented algorithm called ORS (Optimized Refrigerant Supply) to control the compressor. Initially, it prioritises comfort before determining whether sufficient cooling capacity is available to give the compressor a break. According to the company, this achieves savings of between 15 and 40 per cent in most situations.

I want to braze-free

The ZoomLock braze-free press-to-connect fittings from Parker Hannifin have earned the US gold award in the components and accessories category at the Dealer Design Awards. The fittings are engineered for high-pressure copper refrigeration connections and are designed to replace the highly skilled and time-consuming practice of manually brazing copper joints.

“Our team has been working on this for over 10 years,” says Moore. “The algorithm is quite complex and includes numerous fail-safe measures to prevent issues like short cycling.”

Patrick Michel is the CEO of Watt Solutions, the Australian distributor of Coolnomix, and believes it’s the right solution for this market.

According to the company, five years of research and development went into ZoomLock. The patented Parker Zoom-Lock technology was developed with contractor productivity in mind.

“It delivers significant savings, can easily be retrofitted to just about any air conditioning or refrigeration unit, and it provides customers with a very compelling return on investment (ROI) without the need for any significant equipment upgrade,” says Michel.

ZoomLock refrigeration press fittings are UL-listed to 700-psi operating pressure and can be used in refrigeration applications down to minus 40°C and air conditioning applications up to 149°C.

For more information, go to www.wattsolutions.com.au/COOLNOMIX n

For more information, go to www.sporlanonline.com n

Sistematic solution

The new range of Asada HVAC service tools is now available to the Australian market.

Carel recently unveiled its Hecu CO2 – a high-efficiency solution for condensing units that is now also compatible with systems operating on CO2 natural refrigerant. The company’s Hecu sistema has been updated to work with natural refrigerants by integrating management of DC inverter compressors for CO2. By using DC inverter compressors, Hecu Sistema can provide real modulation of cooling capacity, and therefore deliver low energy consumption above all at part loads.

Asada Corporation of Japan specialise in the development and manufacture of pipe and tube working equipment, such as threading and cutting machines. The company is offering its range through Australian agent Garrick Herbert Pty Ltd.

The company’s major innovation is the Asada cordless vacuum pump – a lightweight, service tool for vacuuming split-system air conditioners and other small-room air conditioners, refrigerators, and automotive A/C, without the need for a 240V power supply

The company says the system both complies with the Eco-design directive on energy performance and exceeds the limits set by the F-Gas Regulation for condensing unit applications. “Hecu sistema stands out for its real-time communication with the refrigeration units,” says Carel, “allowing implementation of advanced system optimisation logic, with dynamic set points and extremely stable control to ensure perfect food preservation and reduce food waste; essential for the commercial refrigeration.”

The unit is designed to be light and compact at 2.9kg and is powered by a 18v 5.0Ah rechargeable lithium battery. The company says it works for up to 50 minutes with a fully charged battery. The unit comes with a carry case and is applicable for R32, R410A, CFC/HCFC/HFC gas.

For more information, go to www.asada.com.au n

For more information, www.carel.com n

Cheaper cooling with Coolnomix

Coolnomix is designed to provide commercial air conditioning and refrigeration users with an effective retrofit solution to realise energy savings of 15 to 40 per cent. The product was first released in 2012, by Hong Kong company Agile8 Consulting. Company CEO Kevin Moore says air conditioners do not operate at full capacity all-year-round, and most of the time the compressor is controlled by thermostat.

The coolest press fittings

The MaxiPro is the latest in press-fitting technology from Conex Bänniger. The robust press system aims to provide a secure and permanent joint suitable for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Compared with traditional techniques, MaxiPro is designed to significantly enhance productivity by allowing work to be completed during working hours or with public access, by a single person.

Used in conjunction with a custom press tool from Rothenberger, the new MaxiPro fittings benefit from a 3-point press: two presses both sides of the bead and one press compressing the O-ring.

“Because thermostats only use a single room-temperature sensor, they run compressors for much longer than necessary,” says Moore. “Towards the end of these extended runs, little useful work is being achieved. Not only is energy being wasted by running too long, it also results in hotter condensers, which also reduces system efficiency.” This double-edged problem gave Agile8 Consulting the impetus to come up with a smarter way of controlling compressors – this led to the development of Coolnomix.

Asada hits Australian shores

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

“The quality design provides reliable, repeatable and tamper-proof connections every time,” says the company. “It is intrinsically safe because it has no fire hazards, dangerous materials or fumes, and features no brazing. That means no nitrogen purge during the fitting installation process is required.” For more information, go to www.actrol.com.au n Email boon@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 7

➲ Global Update SWEDEN

TAIWAN

ARCTIC ACCOMMODATION

TOWER WITH A TWIST

The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened for business in Sweden. The Icehotel 365 is located approximately 200 km north of the Arctic Circle.

A "carbon-absorbing" 22-storey tower in Taiwan will be filled with around 23,000 plants, vegetable gardens, and trees on every floor, which will absorb an estimated 130 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

While many temporary ice hotels exist around the world, Icehotel 365 uses solar cooling to provide a permanent ice environment, even in summer. The hotel uses solar panels that harness 75 kWh of electricity to keep the space cool during the spring and summer months from April to August. During these months, the sun in Sweden is almost constant. The temperature in the hotel will be kept at –5°C year-round. The hotel has 20 suites, a restaurant, offices, and an ice gallery—all fashioned from snow and ice by artists from around the world. n

The Agora Garden Tower has been designed with 90° twist that is achieved with a 4.5° turn per floor as the building ascends. The design is inspired by the helix shape of DNA. The shape also allows for balcony gardens for some of the building's plants. Also, the core and each cascading level form a network of water, air, heating, and electricity "flows" that maximise energy efficiency. The building is scheduled to be completed in September. n

CHILE

HOT CHILE A heat wave has brought sweltering temperatures Chilean capital Santiago, breaking a century-old record as thermometers reached 37.3˚C. Chile's meteorological service called the event extreme, while the health ministry advised residents to wear light clothing, drink water and avoid outdoor activities. The nation's forestry service, which has been battling scores of forest fires in central Chile, warned of "extreme risk" of dry vegetation igniting. This also poses a huge threat to Chile's timber industry. n

JAPAN

GARBAGE HEATING Utility giant National Grid has announced a £6.3 million (AU$10.7 million) investment in the world's first commercially-operating plant to produce “green” gas from rubbish for heating. The new multimillion dollar plant developed by Advanced Plasma Power (APP) in Swindon will take household and commercial waste and process it into gas pure enough to be used in existing gas boilers. National Grid claims enough gas could one day be made this way to heat a third of UK homes. The UK’s rising tax on landfill rubbish means more councils and businesses are willing to pay for waste to be disposed of in alternative ways. n

A SOUND REFRIGERATOR

RECORD REDUCTIONS

Japanese researchers have demonstrated an innovative refrigerator that employs a thermoacoustic engine to cool things down to a minimum temperature of –107.4˚C.

Physicists have achieved record levels of temperature reduction radiative cooling, by beaming heat from Earth's surface into outer space.

The “sound wave refrigerator” works on waste heat alone, which can be as low as 270 ˚C.

A team from Stanford University lowered the temperature of a thermal emitter – a device designed to give out more heat than it takes in – to as much as 42.2°C below that of the surrounding air.

The operation of the thermoacoustic engine is centred around the heating, cooling, and oscillation of gases enclosed in dedicated cavities. Typically, helium is used. Instead of using mechanical compressors, loud sound waves at resonant frequencies generate compression of the gas. The process is theoretically more energy efficient, and doesn’t require the use of ozone-depleting refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons or ammonia. n

8 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

The researchers placed the emitter in a vacuum chamber, isolating it from the atmosphere and cutting off almost any heat transfer through conduction or convection, which could cause the emitter to warm up. Heat from the emitter was radiated out of a specially designed window on top of the vacuum chamber, which was directed at a clear patch of sky. n

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February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 9

➲ Cover feature

20 YEARS ON What will the HVAC&R industry look like in 2036?

Jobs involving repetitive and routine tasks are most at risk of being automated

FOUR SCENARIOS Based on industry input and trends analysis, the Farsight report has developed four scenarios that capture key areas of uncertainty and impact for jobs and skills in the construction industry. “Farsight was designed to help the industry understand what could happen in the future, and to identify what future(s) the industry wants and what steps could be taken to move toward desired futures,” says the report’s authors. The four scenarios are presented in a quadrangle separated by a horizontal and vertical axis (see figure 1). The horizontal axis relates to the extent to which task automation will play a role.

A report pre pared by the CSIRO in part Skills Queen nership with sland has ex Construction a m in ed what the could look li construction ke 20 years fr industry o m n o w , and how jo skills require b profiles an ments migh d t change to As Sean McG align with th owan report at future. s, it points to a world of d igital disrupti on. Although 2036 might seem a long way away, many of us will remember saying the same about the years 2001 and 2010. Key dates in science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke’s Space Odyssey series that partially explore the perils of artificial intelligence – they too seemed like a distant future when the first book and Kubrick’s film adaption were released in 1968. Clarke’s future of artificial intelligence and sentient computers has yet to be fully realised. Yet no one can argue technology’s role in transforming society in the decades since. You only have to look at those very personal computers that fit in the palm of our hand – the smartphone – to see how far technology has come in just a few short years and its impact on nearly every aspect of daily life. In the HVAC&R and the wider construction industry, the future of employment, skills, and digital disruption are “hot button” topics.

It led CSIRO, in partnership with Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), to examine the future of construction work in the Sunshine State in last year’s report titled Farsight for Construction. Based on the contributions of 80 leading experts from across the state, Farsight discusses the “critical trends and alternative scenarios” for the future of Queensland’s construction workforce. It paints a picture of what the industry could look like in 2036, and how job profiles and skills requirements might change to align with this future. “Disruption is not new,” says the report. “But each generation and century throws up new challenges and opportunities.” If you thought 2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL 9000 computer (pretty much ripped off in 2013’s Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise) had you guessing about the future, best you keep reading.

10 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

“Both end points see a world more technologically advanced than today – the distinction is based on the extent of task automation,” it explains. “On the limited end, automation has followed an incremental path of development. Jobs are still recognisable from today’s perspective, but digital technology is assisting workers and tradespeople with day-to-day communications, and project and workflow management.” At the substantial end, however, an industry transformed by smart robots and advanced manufacturing is imagined. Many of today’s jobs are obsolete and new jobs in robotics, programming and design have emerged. The vertical axis relates to the extent to which an innovation culture exists, and its influence on embracing or resisting new ideas. “As with the horizontal axis, there is a degree of innovation at both end points. However, the approach to innovation activities varies considerably.” At the cautious end point, risk aversion shapes a culture that is wary of radically new materials, methods, tools, and practices. But at the opposite end is an industry pushing to be at the leading edge of construction innovation, responding proactively to the big challenges facing cities and the built environment.

MANAGING THE DISRUPTION While all four scenarios forecast very different futures, all point to inevitable social and technological change.

Cover feature Some current jobs and markets will be lost. Others will be created.

Innovation culture

Bold

SCENARIO 2: SMART COLLABORATION

SCENARIO 4: RISE OF THE ROBOTS Automation is mature and Queensland has emerged as a global construction hub shaping the transformation. The state is the go-to place for testing and refining exosuit, intelligent robot and advanced manufacturing and materials, attracting massive foreign investment and exciting high tech jobs.

The report says the extent and reach of task automation is unclear. However, all four scenarios it presents highlight the growing importance of eliminating human labour for dangerous and difficult tasks – particularly considering the aging workforce.

Task automation

Innovation culture

Limited

The digital age is already bringing new complexity, and it is sure to continue.

Substantial

Queensland is embracing advanced manufacturing and new tools, making the construction process safer, more productive and less labour intensive. While the promise of smart robots has not been fulfilled, the industry has built word-class innovation capacity, attracting international collaborators and investment.

“Jobs involving repetitive and routine tasks are most at risk of being automated, whereas jobs involving creative design, complex reasoning, social interaction and emotional intelligence are likely to proliferate,” says the report.

SCENARIO 1: THE DIGITAL EVOLUTION ‘Robot labour’ technologies have not progressed as quickly as expected. Little has changed in the industry, but wide adoption of digital technology (e.g. BIM) has boosted productivity in the face of fierce competition. Parts of the workforce are utilising exosuits to manage challenges of an ageing workforce and extreme weather.

“The challenge for the industry is to shape the transition and create economic opportunity for tomorrow’s workforce. New competencies and strengths in innovation management and digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence will be needed to grow jobs in the future.” And it says such opportunities are only likely to arise in an environment that embraces new ideas and develops them into useful products and services, as well as provides incentives and opportunities for lifelong learning.

SCENARIO 3: GLOBALLY CHALLENGED Queensland’s workforce is under pressure due to advanced manufacturing and robotics internationally. Overseas entrants are introducing new construction technologies and methods, and local companies and operations are competing through outsourcing to sophisticated low cost producers in Asia.

“Developing a bold innovation culture,” the report says, “is ostensibly Australia’s biggest conundrum.” The Farsight for Construction report is available for download from the CSQ website at www.csq.org.au n

Cautious

Figure 1: Source: Farsight for construction: Exploratory scenarios for Queensland’s construction industry to 2036 CSIRO & CSQ, 2016.

read measurements from multiple smart probes in the field.

NEW TECH FOR TECHS

Measurement data is displayed on the smartphone as instrument readings, tables or graphs and can be saved as PDF or Excel files.

Although 2036 remains two decades away, the jobs of today are already being impacted by technology advances.

“Being able to export full service reports and graphs of system pressures and superheats to your service manager or customer with attached pictures of their systems really makes life easy,” Redden says.

HVAC&R service technicians once relied on traditional and analogue tools. However, today’s technicians are armed to the teeth with digital gizmos and gadgets.

Whitehouse, too, relies on wireless tools and test equipment and their associated apps.

A smartphone, tablet, laptop, and digital gauges are now just as important as hand tools – if not more so. In fact, such has been the impact of the smartphone that Johnson Control’s senior service technician Nigel Whitehouse says it’s the most utilised piece of equipment he uses throughout the day. “It’s always in my possession and available to utilise, and has access to information whereas the tablet or laptop are bulkier and get left in the car,” Whitehouse says. “I am able to access technical literature from specialist websites and suppliers. And working for Johnson Controls, I have access to all the York chiller technical literature via our intranet, which I can access remotely.”

Smartphone apps are also part of the modern technician’s arsenal, with a proliferation of apps available that have been designed specifically for the HVAC&R industry. A basic search on Apple’s App Store instantly reveals more than 100 apps relevant to the subject – and that’s without really looking.

“I also use apps from suppliers to assist in parts selections, such as electrical parts,” he says. “And I use apps to assist in the auditing of client equipment, which allows me to input all the required information and then provides a report that can be emailed to the client.” Among the other apps likely to be found on a technician’s smartphone are heat-load calculators that assist in the correct sizing of air conditioning units, Google Maps, and PT (pressure temperature) charts.

But one particular app associated with a set of wireless, digital tools has AJ Baker’s Tom Redden excited. “My digital smart probes are probably the most time-saving and professional tool I have,” he says.

These apps have quickly replaced traditional tools and documentation, and can all be located in your pocket.

These tools are operated with a smartphone and an associated app to allow the user to remotely

Says Redden: “I don’t think I know a fridgie without a PT chart app.”

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 11

➲ Green wedge

What’s golden can also be green.

GOLDEN STATE

GOES GREEN A radical new plan to roll-out solar panel installations has San Francisco well on its way to becoming a 100 per cent renewable energy city. Following the passing of a new law, all newly constructed buildings in San Francisco below 10 storeys will be forced to have solar panels installed on rooftops. Coined the “Better Roofs Ordinance”, the announcement positions San Fran as the first major US city to mandate solar panel installations on new constructions.

The new law forms part of the city’s wider vision to generate 100 per cent of its electricity via renewable energy. The Better Roofs Ordinance was passed unanimously by the city's Board of Supervisors, and will apply to new both commercial and residential constructions. "Activating underutilised roof space is a smart and efficient way to promote the use of solar energy and improve our environment," says supervisor Scott Wiener, who introduced the legislation in back in early 2016. "We need to continue to pursue aggressive renewable energy policies to ensure a sustainable future for our city and our region." The new regulations add to already existing Californian laws which require 15 per cent of rooftops on buildings of 10 storeys or less to be unshaded and solar ready. The new law will now force buildings to have either solar photovoltaic or solar water panels installed, or a mix of the two. San Francisco isn’t the first city to adopt such a policy, with similar initiatives rolled out in the UAE, India, and the smaller Californian cities of Lancaster and Sebastopol. In fact, UAE capital Dubai plans to make rooftop solar panels mandatory for all buildings starting in 2030, as part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. San Francisco has always had a reputation for being a breeding ground for America’s cultural trendsetters. And now, “City by the Bay” can also call itself a frontrunner when it comes to sustainability. n

EASY to install • Links Mineral/AB oil to any HFC refrigerant • Eliminates oil change requirements • Conversion flush not required • Boosts oil return & heat transfer

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12 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 13

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Don’t melt. Replace your old APAC unit with Specialized air conditioning.

Right now, roof top units everywhere are reaching their “use by” dates. But you can replace them quickly and easily with an exceptionally efficient solution from Specialized Engineering. In fact, Specialized systems are a perfect replacement for APAC units as they use exactly the same footprint, duct work, mains power and controls, so there are no expensive modification costs. Find out more at specializedengineering.com.au

14 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

Hyperflex™ High Efficiency Air Cooled Packaged Units on R410A 012 to 095kW

WELDING Skills Workshop SAFETY BASICS HVAC&R

MODULE

PULLOUT

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A number of recent incidents have resulted in workers being severely burnt when a mixture of refrigerant and compressor oil was expelled and ignited while servicing air conditioning refrigerant systems. The refrigerant systems contained non-flammable refrigerant R22. However, when the refrigerant mixed with oil, it was ignited by an oxy-acetylene torch used by the workers’ to unsweat the copper fittings when replacing the refrigerant compressor. In light of these incidents, this month’s Skills Workshop provides a basic overview of welding processes and controlling the risks involved.

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is welding? Welding is the process of permanently joining two or more materials together, usually metals, by heat or pressure or both. When heated, the material reaches molten state and may be joined together with or without additional filler materials being added. Thermoplastics, for example can be welded together using a suitable heat source to form permanent joins. Many different energy sources can be used for welding including gas flames, electric arcs, electric resistance, lasers, electron beams, friction, molten metal baths and ultrasound. Welding includes joining methods as diverse as fusion welding, forge welding, friction welding, braze welding, brazing, soldering and explosion welding. Welding is a potentially hazardous activity and precautions are required to avoid electrocution, fire and explosion, burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation.

1.2 Who has health and safety duties in relation to welding? A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking.

A person conducting a business or undertaking that carries out welding activities must eliminate risks arising from welding, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable. The WHS Regulations include more specific requirements to manage the risks of hazardous chemicals, airborne contaminants and plant, as well as other hazards associated with welding such as noise and manual tasks. Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of plant or substances used in welding must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant or substance they design, manufacture, import or supply is without risks to health and safety. This duty includes carrying out testing and analysis as well as providing specific information about the plant or substance. Officers, such as company directors, have a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure that the business or undertaking complies with the WHS Act and Regulations. This includes taking reasonable steps to ensure that the business or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks that arise from welding. Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and must not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable instruction and co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety at the workplace. If personal protective equipment is provided by the person conducting

the business or undertaking, the worker must use it in accordance with the information, instruction and training provided.

REGULATION 32–38 In order to manage risk under the WHS Regulations, a duty holder must: • identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to the risk • eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable • if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk – minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of risk control • maintain the implemented control measure so that it remains effective • review, and if necessary revise all risk control measures so as to maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, a work environment that is without risks to health and safety.

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 15

➲ HVAC&R Skills Worskhop consult with workers to better understand the work practices they use and the potential hazards they face. Consultation with workers can help you select appropriate control measures, including any personal protective equipment they may require.

Consulting, co-operating and co-ordinating activities with other duty holders

SECTION 46 A person conducting a business or undertaking must consult, co-operate and co-ordinate activities with all other persons who have a work health or safety duty in relation to the same matter, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Sometimes you may share responsibility for a health and safety matter with other business operators who are involved in the same activities or who share the same workplace. In these situations, you should exchange information to find out who is doing what and work together in a co-operative and co-ordinated way so that all risks are eliminated or minimised as far as reasonably practicable. For example, if you hire a welder to repair an item of machinery at your workplace you should work together with the welder to plan the work, discuss any safety issues that may arise and how the risks associated with the welding processes, such as exposure to fumes and noise will be controlled.

1.3 What is required to manage risks associated with welding processes? The WHS Regulations require a person conducting a business or undertaking to ‘manage risks’ associated with specific hazards, including noise, hazardous chemicals, confined spaces, plant and electricity.

SECTION 47 A person conducting a business or undertaking must consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers who carry out work for them and who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a work health and safety matter.

This Code provides guidance on managing the risks of welding processes by following a systematic process that involves:

SECTION 48

• identifying the hazards • if necessary, assessing the risks associated with these hazards • implementing control measures, and

If the workers are represented by a health and safety representative, the consultation must involve that representative.

• reviewing control measures. Guidance on the general risk management process is available in the Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.

Consulting your workers Consultation involves sharing of information, giving workers a reasonable opportunity to express views and taking those views into account before making decisions on health and safety matters.

Further guidance on consultation is available in the Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination.

Information, training, instruction and supervision

SECTION 19 A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of any information, training, instruction, and supervision necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out. The information, training and instruction that is provided to workers who carry out welding should include:

Consultation with workers and their health and safety representatives is necessary at each step of the risk management process. By drawing on the experience, knowledge and ideas of your workers you are more likely to identify all hazards and choose effective control measures.

• the proper use, wearing, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE)

For example, metal surfaces need to be cleaned prior to welding to remove debris and hazardous materials. When considering how to safely prepare metal using chemical treatments, you should

• how to access safety data sheet (SDS) for hazardous chemicals

16 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

• how to work safely in hazardous environments, such as a confined space • first aid and emergency procedures

• the nature of, and reasons for, any health monitoring if required.

HVAC&R Skills Worskhop REGULATION 39 A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that information, training and instruction provided to a worker is suitable and adequate having regard to: • the nature of the work carried out by the worker • the nature of the risks associated with the work at the time of the information, training and instruction, and • the control measures implemented. The person must also ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the information, training and instruction is provided in a way that is readily understandable to whom it is provided.

PULLOUT

2. THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS 2.1 Identifying the hazards The first step in managing risks associated with welding processes is to identify all the hazards that have the potential to cause harm. Welding and allied processes can have similar hazards and you can follow the same process to identify hazards. For example both welding and allied processes produces ultra violet and infra-red radiation which can cause burns, cancer and blindness. Potential hazards may be identified in a number of different ways including: • conducting a walk through assessment of the workplace observing the work and talking to workers about how work is carried out • inspecting the materials and equipment that will be used during the welding process • reading product labels, SDS and manufacturer’s instruction manuals • talking to manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and health and safety specialists • reviewing incident reports.

2.2 Assessing the risks A risk assessment involves considering what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard combined with the likelihood of it happening. Under the WHS Regulations a risk assessment is not mandatory for welding however, it is required for specific situations, for example when working in a confined space.

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In some circumstances, a risk assessment will assist to: • identify which workers are at risk of exposure • determine what sources and processes are causing that risk • identify if and what kind of control measures should be implemented • check the effectiveness of existing control measures. Risks will depend on various factors, including the: • properties of the materials being welded • surface coating of the items being welded (for example whether they contain lead or other toxic materials) • condition of the welding equipment

• Engineering controls – use engineering control measures to minimise the risk, for example, ventilation systems to remove welding fumes. If risk then remains, it must be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable. For example, if a welding process takes place in a very hot environment, allowing the welder to weld for a limited time followed by a suitable rest and cooling-off period will reduce the risk of heat exhaustion. Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, if the welder has to stand on metallic surfaces that form part of the electric circuit it may become live. The use of rubbersoled boots will reduce the risk of electric shock. Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision. If used on their own, they tend to be least effective in minimising risks.

• conditions under which welding is carried out (for example, confined spaces) • skills, competence and experience of the welder. Different welding processes also influence the risk. For example, the risk of electric shock is lower using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) than manual metal arc welding because the open circuit voltages are lower, only direct current is used and the power is switched at the hand piece. The following questions may help to assess the risk: • In the event of exposure to the hazard, will the outcome be severe, moderate or mild? • How often, and for how long, will exposure to the hazard occur?

2.3 Controlling the risks The hierarchy of control measures Some control measures are more effective than others. Control measures can be ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of control. You must always aim to eliminate a hazard and associated risk first. For example, fabrications may be designed to include many pre-cast components or extruded shapes to eliminate the need to weld. If this is not reasonably practicable, the risk must be minimised by using one or more of the following approaches: • Substitution – replace a hazardous process or material with one that is less hazardous, for example using submerged arc welding instead of flux-cored wire welding will reduce the risk of exposure to radiation and fumes. In welding, such types of substitution are not always practical or technically suitable. • Isolation – removing the welder and nearby workers from the hazard or isolating or screening the hazard from the welder, for example ancillary processes like plasma cutting, gouging, grinding, fettling and guillotining can be carried out in specified areas away from general fabrication, to reduce risk of exposure to loud noise at the welding station.

A combination of these control measures may be required in order to adequately manage the risks with welding. You should check that your chosen control measure does not introduce new hazards. Chapter 3 of this Code provides information on control measures for welding processes. Guidance on allied processes control measures can be found in Health and Safety in Welding WTIA Technical Note No. 7.

2.4 Reviewing control measures The control measures that are put in place to protect health and safety should be regularly reviewed to make sure they are effective. This may involve, for example, atmospheric monitoring to measure the amount of welding fume in the welder’s breathing zone following introduction of fume extraction equipment. If the control measure is not working effectively it must be revised. Common review methods include workplace inspection, consultation, testing and analysing records and data. If problems are found, go back through the risk management steps, review your information and make further decisions about controlling the risk. n

MORE INFORMATION This month’s Skills Workshop has been adapted from the Worksafe NSW’s “Code of Practice – Welding Processes”.

For more information, go to www.safework.nsw.gov.au

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CAPACITY RANGE

16.0kW* - TO -

168kW

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GENERATION VRV IV SYSTEM

VRV IV IS DAIKIN’S ANSWER TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF VARIABLE REFRIGERANT VOLUME AIR CONDITIONING Daikin VRV IV Systems offer greater design flexibility, improved energy performance with Variable Refrigerant Temperature control, superior comfort and reliability of operations, and comes with a wide range of product offerings to meet the needs of the modern commercial building.

AVAILABLE IN HEAT PUMP, COOLING ONLY AND HEAT RECOVERY - Standard, High COP or Space Saving type available to suit design priority - Refrigerant cooled inverter PCB for greater operational reliability - Variable Refrigerant Temperature “VRT” feature for improved energy efficiency and comfort - Heat Recovery Link technology for precise and efficient capacity control (only applicable to heat recovery series)

*Heat Recovery series available from 22.4kW to 168kW, Space Saving type not available.

Visit commercial.daikin.com.au or call us on 1300 368 300

18 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

Fly Guy

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM Qantas unveils a sleek, feature-packed luxury cabin design for its new fleet of “Dreamliners”. A new-look Flying Kangaroo. Photo Credit: Qantas.

Photo Credit: Qantas.

Fear not, those in economy class will also get some neat benefits from the new fleet, starting with more space and leg-room. Economy seats will also recline 2.3cm more compared the current A380 planes. And of course – larger HD touchscreens, personal device holders and USB ports will also come as standard.

Lights will be set into the seat-backs, designed to minimise disturbance to other passengers. There's also a "footnet", which allows passengers to rest their legs when sleeping. “The Dreamliner is an aircraft built for comfort,” says Qantas boss Alan Joyce. “The windows are bigger, it helps reduce jet lag, it’s extremely quiet, and there’s a system that smooths out turbulence. Customers are going to love it.” Set to rival the offerings from the world’s premier commercial airlines, Qantas’ cabin designs for its future fleet of Boeing 787-9 “Dreamliners” aim to maximise passenger comfort on the long-distance routes. The seats in business class will offer passengers better privacy, with the help of adjustable dividers. Passengers also have the option of converting their seats into fully-flat beds. A "1-2-1 configuration" provides direct access to the aisle from each seat, and also creates more space for working and eating.

Many of the updated cabin design elements reflect customer feedback, with personal storage rating highly. In response to this, Qantas has also created extra space in economy for customers to store their personal devices and water bottles. The unveiling of the fleet coincides with a rebranding for the national carrier, which includes a subtle change to the iconic flying kangaroo logo. With the new fleet expected to jet between long-distance routes exclusively, now’s the perfect time start planning your next trip to London or Chicago. n

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Or contact Thermo Controls who can put you in touch with a supplier near you.

Email: sales@thermocontrols.com.au Phone: 1800 300 661 February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 19

â&#x17E;˛â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Feature

FILTERING THE COST Different water filtration systems each offer differing benefits and associated costs. Understanding the differences in these technologies is necessary for proper selection.

The days of discharging large amoun from cooling ts of wastew -tower syste ater m s to the sewer are However, as water filtratio nearing an e nd. n systems b the econom e come more ics of water e fficient, and energy-e fficiency bite . We are all aware of the benefits of keeping cooling-tower systems clean. A clean, open recirculation cooling water system maintains public safety by managing the risk of microbial growth, including Legionella. It also assists in maintaining heat-transfer efficiency, reduces maintenance, and enhances the effectiveness of any water treatment program. But open systems are prone to all manner of fouling from airborne and waterborne contaminants, as well as those contaminants associated with a process. Air contains dust, dirt, organic matter, insects, microbiological organisms and gasses. Make-up water can contain a variety of dissolved salts, suspended solids and microbiological organisms.

Systems can also produce suspended solids from within, due to corrosion, scale and microbiological growth. These contaminants can be removed from the cooling-tower system using filtration. This can also reduce water consumption, extend the life of the system and system components, as well as reduce maintenance and its associated costs. Separators, media filters, automatic screen filters and cartridge/membrane systems all offer an effective way of removing material from the circulating water. However, each of these technologies offer differing benefits and associated costs.

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Filtering the cooling-tower water minimises the need for manual cleanings and the associated costs and system downtime.

According to Hydrochemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior project manager and VAF filtration product manager Roy McDougall, understanding the differences in these technologies is necessary for proper selection. He says the selection of a filtration system will depend on the quality of the make-up water being added to the system, the type of contaminants getting into and/or being generated within the system, and the contaminants already existing in the system. Additionally, the operational duty of the system, the type of water treatment being applied, and the cycles of concentration at which the system is being operated should all be considered.

Feature

DESIGN FEATURES HydroChem’s Roy McDougall suggests looking for the following design features in a cooling-tower water-filtration system: • The ability to remove both organic and inorganic suspended solid particles • Uninterrupted filtration during the flush or screen-cleaning process • Flush-flow rates in the range of 5 to 10 per cent of the filter’s total flow rate to minimise the loss of treatment chemicals and make-up water requirements • Short cleaning cycles • Simplicity in design – fewer moving parts and simpler controls require less maintenance.

“Selection of appropriate filtration systems should be made in conjunction with a specialist, and/or a filtration system supplier or manufacturer,” McDougall says.

THROUGH THE FILTER Filtering cooling-tower water is likely to provide several significant benefits that will provide a significant return on investment.

McDougall says the use of an efficient filtration system will improve cooling-system efficiencies by reducing the “fouling factor”, which can otherwise increase energy consumption. “It has been shown that 0.023mm of fouling equates to a 10 per cent reduction in cooling efficiencies,” he says, referring to the ASHRAE 2000 Systems and Equipment Handbook. “Solid contaminants can also clog small-spray nozzle orifices, causing poor distribution of water throughout the cooling-water distribution system. Filtration minimises deposits on heat-transfer surfaces, prevents heat-exchanger clogging and maintains efficient cooling-water distribution.” Filtering the cooling-tower water minimises the need for manual cleanings and the associated costs and system downtime. “In most cases, an efficient water-filtration system can reduce system downtime by more than 80 per cent,” he says. The life of the entire cooling-tower system can also be extended by preventing solid contaminants from building up in the system. The presence of solid contaminants reduces the ability of treatment chemicals such as corrosion inhibitors or oxidisers and biocides to reach the surface of the cooling tower basin, pipe-work, and heat-transfer vessels.

the beneficial effects of treatment chemicals and can make additional chemical treatments necessary.” Filtering also prevents the contribution by solid contaminants to bacteria growth such as Legionella pneumophila and algae. This further minimises the additional need for chemical use.

The most important prerequisite in specifying a filtration system is to define the requirements of the cooling tower in which the system will be used, as well as the quality of the water to be filtered.

This leads to a reduction in chemical treatment and associated costs.

FILTER SELECTION

“A layer of contaminants in the cooling-tower system provides an excellent environment for corrosion, bacteria, and algae growth,” says McDougall. “Also, suspended solid contaminants can reduce

In open-loop water-circulation systems, such as those used in cooling towers, filtration systems can be sized to filter around 5 to 10 per cent of the full stream.

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 21

➲ Feature This set-up is commonly known as side-stream filtration. According to McDougall, with this amount of the full stream filtered, the water is cleaned and its particle-load condition stabilises in a short amount of time – typically less than two or three days. “In areas where debris is more prevalent, the side-stream amount can be increased to handle the higher particulate load,” he says. “But in severe cases, a full-stream system can also be implemented.” A number of filtration technologies are currently available in the Australian market. These include centrifugal separators, sand media filters, micro-filtration systems and self-cleaning screen filters.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS There are three primary sources responsible for most common cooling tower contaminants:

1. Airborne

2. Circulation water

3. Make-up water

Cooling towers make excellent air scrubbers. As relatively high volumes of air pass through cooling towers, most of the contaminants in the air will end up in the cooling-tower basin. These include dirt, windblown sand, soot, and all manner of organic debris.

The water circulated through the cooling-tower system can also be responsible for contaminants building up in the system. Calcium-carbonate scale that forms in the system will flake off and enter the circulation water, while treatment chemical residue and algae can also build up.

Depending on the source and water quality, the make-up water used by a cooling-tower system can also contribute to contaminant build-up.

All have their pros and cons. For instance, centrifugal separators can remove up to 90 per cent of particles that have a specific gravity greater than water and are larger than 70 microns. With that being said, organic particles and those lighter than water or smaller than 70 microns are unlikely to be removed in a single pass. To be removed, those particles must remain suspended for longer periods of time.

Proper cooling-tower maintenance minimises the risk of microbial growth, including Legionella.

More recently, automatic self-cleaning screen filters have become the filter technology of choice for cooling-tower applications, as they remove all particles down to the micron rating of the filter.

For this reason, centrifugal separators are often used in concert with other filtration technologies to remove the remaining, finer and lighter particles that have passed through the separator. While sand-media filters can remove particles 10 microns or smaller, and are excellent for removing organic debris, they require a relatively large footprint and back-flushing. This not only takes the system offline for minutes at a time, but the process to remove heavy particles often results in the loss of a significant volume of water, as well as the loss of filtration media. Where micro-filtration is required for specialised cooling systems, cartridge, bag or membrane systems can remove both organic and inorganic particles as small as 0.5 microns without requiring back-flushing. According to McDougall, such systems can be expensive because the cartridges, bags or membrane systems used might foul frequently and require replacement.

“Where frequent replacement is required, these types of filters may require a pre-filter to be placed in front of the bag, cartridge or membrane to remove the larger particulate and reduce the total suspended solids (TSS), thereby maximising the life of these technologies,” he says. More recently, automatic self-cleaning screen filters have become the filter technology of choice for cooling-tower applications, because they remove all particles down to the micron rating of the filter. These filters result in the least flushing discharge (wastewater) during the self-cleaning process, which some are able to undertake without disruption to the system.

Like a side-stream arrangement, water is removed from and returned to the cold-water basin via the filter. Some basins can incorporate sump agitation to remove settled solids, while water jets or eductor nozzles can be employed to create underwater currents to direct solids toward the drain or filter-suction points. So which filter system is right for your application? “A filtration system can be designed to meet any level of filtration quality desired,” McDougall says.

“Some automatic self-cleaning screen filter technologies use only a few gallons of water during each flushing cycle,” says McDougall.

He says the most important prerequisite in specifying a filtration system is to define the requirements of the cooling tower in which the system will be used, as well as the quality of the water to be filtered.

“With the lower flush-volume required to clean the screen, it is much easier to show that none of the flush water is waste, since it is a small portion of blow-down requirements.”

“Most importantly, purchase the level of filtration that will achieve the highest ROI,” he says. “And reduce the total suspended solids only to the desired, cost-effective level.”

SYSTEM DESIGN As airborne contaminants and suspended solids in the circulating water tend to settle out in a cold-water basin, this is usually the most effective location for the filtration system to be installed.

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“Don’t over filter – you’re not going to drink it.” n

Source: The ROI of Cooling Tower Filtration by Roy McDougall, HydroChem

AIRAH TRADE NIGHTS AIRAH Trade Nights are a great opportunity to broaden your networks and see the HVAC&R industry’s latest innovations. Whether you’re looking for the latest technology to improve your business, or extending your networks, there will be plenty on offer. AIRAH Trade Nights are free to attend and open to everyone, but you must be registered to attend.

March 2

Port Macquarie

March 9

Hobart

March 16

Wagga Wagga

March 30

NSW

July 27

Central Sydney

August 8

Cairns

Qld

NSW

August 10

Mackay

Qld

Rockhampton

Qld

August 31

Wollongong

May 11

Melbourne

Vic

September 14

Ballarat

May 25

Perth

September 28

Canberra

June 1

Western Sydney

NSW

October 12

Shepparton

Vic

June 8

Darwin

October 19

Adelaide

July 20

Brisbane

Tas

NSW

NSW Vic ACT

Qld

Free entry –Doors open at 4pm Exhibitors with the latest HVAC&R products and innovations. Drinks, food and more.

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 23

➲ Around the nation 2

APPRENTICE OLYMPICS TESTS APTITUDE

BSA recently held its annual Apprentice Olympics, which sees its apprentices compete against each other in a set of trade-relevant tasks. Since 2002, BSA has provided an award-winning internal training and development program to improve the skills of its apprentices. Every year, for a period of over 12 weeks, the apprentices undertake intensive training outside of their learning at TAFE to further develop their skills and knowledge in HVAC&R. This program culminates with the staging of the Apprentice Olympics, which tests their aptitude and the skills they’ve acquired in a range of related areas. The skills assessed include occupational health and safety, fault finding, correct pressurisation, service reporting and customer service. n

NEW HOTLINE FOR ASBESTOS ADVICE

The NSW Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA) have launched a new hotline number and educational video to provide free advice and guidance on asbestos-related issues. HACA chair Peter Dunphy says the new number 1800 Asbestos provides the NSW Community with a central point of contact for making enquiries about asbestos. The video will work to educate people on how to manage asbestos safely. “Calls to 1800 Asbestos (1800 272 378) will be answered by the SafeWork NSW Customer Contact Centre who regularly manage general asbestos enquiries,” says Dunphy. “The hotline will be particularly useful to homeowners and renovators including advice on what they should look out for before renovating an older style home, built prior to 1987.” Callers to the hotline will also be referred to an extensive range of free educational resources on

asbestos, such as information on managing or removing asbestos in the home or workplace.

group business manager at Coca Cola Amatil prior to joining Fujitsu General.

References to the correct government agency or local council for further advice and assistance where appropriate can also be provided.

“Western Australia presents potential for significant growth in the HVAC market. Brendon possesses extensive experience in sales and combined with proven leadership qualities, problem solving skills and an innate ability to develop selling solutions that deliver win/win outcomes,” says Smith. “We are confident someone of Brendon’s repertoire will help Fujitsu General reinforce its robust offering within the dealer and commercial networks along Australia’s west coast.” n

Dunphy says that between July 2015 and June 2016, the SafeWork Customer Contact Centre handled more than 4,000 asbestos enquiries. HACA aims to improve the management, monitoring and response to asbestos issues in NSW by developing coordinated prevention programs and developed the NSW state-wide plan for asbestos, as well as a model asbestos policy for local councils. Asbestos licence holders still must notify SafeWork NSW before licensed asbestos removal work is commenced on the Asbestos and Demolition Hotline, 1800 672 718. For more information, go to asbestosawareness.com.au and safework.nsw.gov.au n

STATE SHUFFLE AT FUJITSU

AIRAH company member Fujitsu General has appointed two new state managers to its team – Alex Elliott for Victoria and Tasmania; and Brendon Macpherson for Western Australia. With 16 years’ experience in HVAC&R and consumer electronics, Elliot brings extensive industry knowledge and sales experience to the role. “We are excited to introduce someone of Alex’s calibre to the business,” says marketing general manager Dave Smith. “His background and broad depth of knowledge makes Alex an incredibly valuable asset to Fujitsu General as we continue building momentum in the retail, dealer and commercial spaces.” Macpherson brings to the table a comprehensive background in sales. After beginning his career as a sales representative in the FMCG industry, he quickly progressed through the ranks to the role of state

24 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

AUTOMATIC HEATING ADDS EXPERTISE IN NSW

HVAC equipment provider Automatic Heating recently appointed Brian Dolly as its new business development manager for NSW. Dolly brings with him over 20 years of industry experience and will be supported by Automatic Heating’s technical team. In his new role, Dolly will work with mechanical consultants and contractors to help them better understand Automatic Heating’s heating solutions. “Brian has been at the forefront of leading changes in the industry, with a wealth of experience in product development, finance, and sales,” says general manager Anthony Plaisted. “He brings the ‘big picture’ to the job, with a special ability to communicate complex technicalities in simple terms for clients and partners to understand products and how to deploy them for best performance.” n

HEATED RESPONSE FROM HYCHILL

HyChill Australia general manager Mario Balen has penned a strong response condemning AREMA’s open letter warning users, mechanics, and specifiers to avoid retrofitting different refrigerants into the existing equipment.

Around the nation 5

“No one should be fooled by this latest attempt by the global synthetic refrigerants alliance to scare users away from searching for and using better, more efficient, environmentally safer and cheaper solutions,” says Balen. “The release does not offer any technical, safety, or other reason for its assertions. The global synthetic industry giants are evidently becoming increasingly concerned about the natural refrigerants encroaching on their monopolies and endangering their profits.” With the emergence of natural refrigerants are making significant inroads, Balen believes the synthetic refrigerants industry have been reduced to lobbying and scaremongering. “At the same time, these global behemoths are employing well-known and deplorable strategies of scaremongering and misinformation, trying to protect their turf,” he says. “This latest press release, which attempts to alarm users to avoid retrofits, makes no attempt to justify such approach on either technical, performance or safety grounds. Instead, they are trying to spread fear and ignorance amongst the industry members, going as far as to stating that there are ‘increased environmental risks’ from use of retrofitted refrigerants.” According to AREMA, the open letter was signed by eight other associations representing 90 per cent of the of the world’s RAC manufacturers. n

GLOBAL GAINS FOR REFRIGERATION

The global industrial refrigeration systems market is expected to reach $US23.22 billion (Approximately AU$31 million) by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.24 per cent between 2016 and 2022. According to a Research and Markets report, refrigeration systems are expected to grow substantially due to the adoption of environmentallyfriendly or natural refrigerants, and strengthening of cold-chain infrastructure in developing countries. “The equipment market of industrial refrigeration systems has been segmented into compressors,

condensers, evaporators, controls, vessels, pumps, valves, and auxiliary equipment,” says the report. “The compressors market has been further classified into screw and reciprocating compressors while the condensers market has been segmented into evaporative, air-cooled and water-cooled.” Among the overall equipment market of industrial refrigeration systems, the market for controls is expected to grow at a higher rate due to the increasing significance of controls and software, especially in improving the energy efficiency of existing refrigeration systems. The market for the CO2 refrigerant-based industrial refrigeration systems is also expected to grow at the highest rate by 2022. “Many end-users in food and beverage are focused on using CO2 as a preferred refrigerant type, especially as a secondary refrigerant and also in NH3/CO2 cascade systems,” says the report. “This trend is more prominent among developed countries across North America and Europe, which is expected to drive the market for CO2 refrigerant type at the highest rate during the forecast period.” Going on previous years’ data, North America has led the industrial refrigeration systems market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. n

SILENT AND DEADLY

slows trains, it melts roads, the air conditioning overloads our energy network, our health services come under severe stress, bushfires are much more likely.” n

CLIVE’S LEGIONELLA LOW-DOWN

Water treatment company HydroChem recently sponsored a series of technical seminars along the eastern seaboard. The seminars were timed to coincide with Australia's seasonal shift, and aimed to provide a comprehensive look at the control and management of Legionella, both locally and abroad. The series was titled Sydney's “Summer of Legionella - Clive speaks” and the keynote presentation was delivered by renowned Legionella authority and chair of AS/NZS 3666: Air-handling and water systems of buildings - Microbial control, Clive Broadbent, L.AIRAH. The seminars highlighted the deadly summer and autumn of Legionella in 2016 and touched on some of the key factors that may have contributed to the numerous resultant Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. HydroChem’s resources were stretched by the state government's request for mass CBD cooling tower cleaning in the aftermath, despite in no way being implicated in any of the outbreaks.

Extreme heat has emerged as the biggest threat to the safety of Sydney’s residents, with a disaster planner labelling it a “silent killer”.

As NSW Health scrambled to identify the source of the outbreaks, HydroChem says its clients saw immediate benefit in the water treatment company's big data application, Clarity.

Speaking at a City Talks event examining the city’s readiness in an emergency scenario, the City of Sydney’s resilience officer Beck Hudson says heat poses the most tangible and real danger and disruption to our daily life.

"Over 250 people attended the five seminars," says HydroChem CEO Nick Duncan. "Clive's presentation was tailor made for an engaged and informed audience and it was an honour for HydroChem to underpin a platform to share these critical messages."

“Heat shows us the connections between health, transport, energy and emergency response,” says Hudson. “When it gets hot in Sydney, it buckles rail lines,

After the final event in Melbourne, Duncan presented Broadbent with a framed copy of the caricature that the company created to market the seminars. n

February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 25

➲ AIRAH News

A GOOD SNOOK

“Luckily I had the best lecturers at South Metro TAFE to get me and the other lads through it.” Looking to continue with his career in HVAC&R commissioning, Snook is enrolled in the Commissioning Specialists Association (UK) learning program, which he says “keeps him busy” after work. The Association is at the forefront of career development and training in the UK, specialising in building services, commissioning and HVAC industries. “Centigrade Commissioning is in the process of obtaining NATA accreditation, which will open us up to more opportunities in the specialised fields of cleanroom and laboratory commissioning,” says Snook. “This is something I look forward to being a part of, as I believe commissioning is becoming more important in modern construction. I think I will stick with this for a while.” A proud AIRAH member, Snook encourages others in the HVAC&R trade sector to get involved. “I identified AIRAH as an organisation that not only could provide me with important networking opportunities, but also the chance to be a part of a body that represents the interests of our industry.” n

Western Australia’s Michael Snook, Affil.AIRAH, has been crowned AIRAH’s Trade Student of the Year for 2016.

WINNERS OF THE AIRAH AWARDS 2016

2016 AWARDS

Trade Student of the Year: Michael Snook, Affil.AIRAH Research Student of the Year: Xiaolin Wang, Stud.AIRAH AIRAH Future Leader Award: Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, from NABERS Award for Excellence in Innovation: Lommers Engineering’s DownUnder GeoSolutions High-Performance Computer Cooling Systems Award for Excellence in Sustainability: The work by Umow Lai on the School of Design at the University of Melbourne Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade: Refrigeration Innovations’ work at the IGA Boccaccio Cellars, Melbourne Product of the Year: Fast Works’ X-Operative TAB Centigrade commissioning technician Michael Snook has been crowned the Trade Student of the year at the 2016 AIRAH Awards gala, held at Sydney’s Luna Park. Now established as the HVAC&R industry’s top accolades, the AIRAH Awards honour the outstanding individuals, projects, and products of the past year. “Winning the Trade Student of the Year award means a lot – it is a great feeling when you are recognised for all of the extra work you put in,” says Snook. Snook became an apprentice in HVAC&R after experiencing the industry as a trades assistant during a university break. Training through South Metro TAFE (Polytechnic West) during his apprenticeship, he excelled in his training.

In 2013, Snook entered the Worldskills Perth Regional competition for R&AC and won the Gold Medal. He also won the Airefrig Supplies Student Scholarship Award the same year. He took out the AMCA Apprentice of the Year Award in WA for 2014, and was also recognised as an outstanding student by Polytechnic West after being awarded the Apprentice of the Year out of a cohort of over 8,000. He’s also a recipient of the Geoff Gale medal – the overall top student at Polytechnic West – which was contested by more than 30,000 students. “I spent another year-and-a-half undertaking night school, which is a big challenge when you have to go to TAFE after a hard day on the tools,” says Snook.

26 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

WR Ahern Award: Josh Wall, M.AIRAH – “Predictive control of refrigerated facilities for improved energy management.” The AIRAH Awards 2016 sponsors are n Mitsubishi Electric (event sponsor), n A.G. Coombs (Future Leader), n NABERS (Excellence in Sustainability), n Standards Australia (Excellence in Innovation), n Grosvenor Engineering Group (Student of the Year), n ActronAir (dinner sponsor and Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade), and n Daikin (after-dinner speaker sponsor).

For more info about the AIRAH Awards, go to www.airahawards.org.au

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Contact: Glenn or John 03 8623 3000 February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 27

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mechanic. Occupation: Refrigeration industry do you work in? What par t of the HVAC &R on. refrigerati Commercial and industrial &R industry? ut working in the HVAC What’s the bes t thing abo different ing eth and always have som You are always on the move ning -run and upt duc pro l the fina to do every day. I love seeing and a happy customer. rs. d in the industry? 15 yea How long have you worke benders. Favourite tool? Hydraulic do HVAC &R industry, what If you didn’t work in the electrician. rial ust ind an ly bab Pro doing? you think you would be Dream car? BMW M5. Dream date? Mila Kunis.

Canada. Dream holiday? Skiing in atures pale ale. Drink of choice? Little Cre ” by The Killers. listen to? “Mr Brightside What song did you las t ? Now she is sucking diesel. Favourite quote or saying Chicken avocado wrap. Favourite smoko snack? Rae. Sporting hero? Colin Mc

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28 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

AIRAH and industry classifieds EVENTS

NSW – Refrigeration Standards Update

TRAINING

Port Macquarie Trade Night

AIRAH and Standards Australia are pleased to present a seminar series on the recently adopted and published refrigeration safety and environmental standards.

Qld – Refrigeration Standards Update

AIRAH Trade Nights are a great opportunity to broaden your networks and see the HVAC&R industry's latest innovations.

AIRAH and Standards Australia are pleased to present a seminar series on the recently adopted and published refrigeration safety and environmental standards.

Date: Thursday, March 2 Time: 4.00pm–7.00pm Venue: Rydges, 1 Hay Street Cost: Free

Date: Thursday, February 16 Time: 7.30am Venue: Adina Apartment Hotel, 359 Crown Street, Surry Hills Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

Date: Tuesday, February 14 Time: 7.30am Venue: Berkleys on Ann, 255 Ann Street, Brisbane Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

Hobart Trade Night AIRAH Trade Nights are a great opportunity to broaden your networks and see the HVAC&R industry's latest innovations.

Vic – Refrigeration Standards Update AIRAH and Standards Australia are pleased to present a seminar series on the recently adopted and published refrigeration safety and environmental standards.

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SA – Refrigeration Standards Update AIRAH and Standards Australia are pleased to present a seminar series on the recently adopted and published refrigeration safety and environmental standards. Date: Thursday, March 2 Time: 7.30am Venue: The Hackney Hotel & Function Centre, 95 Hackney Road, Hackney Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

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Date: Wednesday, March 1 Time: 7.30am Venue: Quality Hotel Ambassador, 196 Adelaide Terrace, Perth Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

Date: Tuesday, February 21 Time: 7.30am Venue: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

Date: Wednesday, February 15 Time: 7.30am Venue: Dialogue Conferences, 4 National Circuit, Barton Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

Whether you are looking, selling, trading or tendering – HVAC&R Nation classifieds is the best way to spread the word! HVAC&R Nation is offering a free industry classified service! Send in your submissions, text only – no images or logos. Send your submissions to: boon@airah.org.au or c/o AIRAH, Level 3, 1 Elizabeth St, Melbourne Vic 3000.

AIRAH and Standards Australia are pleased to present a seminar series on the recently adopted and published refrigeration safety and environmental standards.

Free Classified Ads

WA – Refrigeration Standards Update

Tas – Refrigeration Standards Update

ACT – Refrigeration Standards Update

Date: Thursday, March 9 Time: 4.00pm–7.00pm Venue: Wrest Point Casino, 410 Sandy Bay Rd Cost: Free

Date: Wednesday, February 22 Time: 7.30am Venue: The Swanston Hotel – Grand Mercure, 265–281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Cost: $165 for members, $220 for non-members.

n vatio reno g or ildin ation 9. Bu ntamin 2.5. co

2.2. Ac cess for inspe ction

H YGI ENE

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

n Specifies minimum inspection frequencies for various HVAC systems and components for scheduled maintenance programs

Purchase online at www.airah.org.au/store February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 29

➲ The Lighter Side 2

1 WINNER

PROBLEMS APLENTY “I was asked, ‘please sir can you service these. Everyone else just shakes their head and walks away’,” says Kevin from Queensland. With so many horrors present on this job, we think the hot water service balancing on the prop was a definite standout. n

KNOT WORKING Andrew from Queensland climbed into cool-room roof space to find a seized compressor with this spaghetti-like wiring job. n

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN . . . The sign on the door says “Come on in! It’s warm”. And now that it’s summer, we’re sure this dodgy A/C is ensuring it stays warm. Spotted in South Australia, by Aaron. n

SILLY SEALANTS Tim found this interesting bit of improvisation while doing maintenance work in Victoria. Whoever previously removed the vent pipe from the roof must have ran out of time to patch it up. n

ADLIBBED ADHESIVE Sitting in the front of the unit, this supply plenum’s ducts are being held there by silver tape and a few tubes of silicone. Spotted by Nick and Pete from Queensland. n

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a bottle of Jim Beam bourbon 750ml will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. Send submissions to editor Boon Mark Souphanh at boon@airah.org.au. This month’s Lighter Side is brought to you by the Australian Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (ARAC) Manuals Volumes 1 and 2 – available now!

30 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | February 2017

REFRIGERATION

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February 2017 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 31

JOIN US IN MELBOURNE AT THE 2017 AIRAH REFRIGERATION CONFERENCE, 27-28TH MARCH

THE NEW EVOLUTION 7&8 SERIES: BIG BROTHER HAS LANDED

The latest addition to BITZER Australia’s EVOLUTION family: a condensing unit that incorporates the latest compressor developments including BITZER ECOLINE compressors, optional CRII capacity control or VARIPACK frequency inverters, in combination with outstanding BUFFALO TRIDENT heat exchange components and world class EC fan technology. With Basic, Advanced and Premium ranges, the EVOLUTION 7&8 Series is available in an extensive range of models to suit different requirements. For full specications go to www.bitzer.com.au and search ‘EVOLUTION’, or contact your local branch for a digital brochure.