HVAC&R Nation June and July 2020 by AIRAH

Chill quiz

Chill quiz Can you pick these famous Can you pick frigorific figures? these famous frigorific figures?

Skills Skills

WORKSHOP

HVAC hygiene – System cleaning WORKSHOP and verification HVAC hygiene – System cleaning and verification

A breath of

f res air A breath ofh fresh air The emerging market for indoor air quality

June–July 2020 / ISSUE 132

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June–July 2020 / ISSUE 132

A breath of fresh air 20

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

Fax: 03 9614 8949

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

People are becoming more aware of airborne contaminants and their adverse effects on our health and wellbeing. Sean McGowan investigates how AC manufacturers are responding.

Advertising sales

HVAC&R Nation regulars

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

HVAC hygiene – System cleaning and verification

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

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

The Toolshed

Skills Workshop

Global Update Industry news from around the world

ISSN 1834-9522

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

Disclaimer HVAC&R Nation is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R Nation do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members. No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R Nation’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. HVAC&R Nation is distributed without charge to all financial members of AIRAH. The publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the Publisher.

13,144 September 2019

Exclusive to this issue

NADCA Training A stamp of approval for professional HVAC cleaners

Green Tech The electric utes are coming!

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

Smoko with … Q&A with Megan Dinsdale-Jones

AIRAH News

The Chill Quiz

Join AIRAH’s first Virtual Industry Showcase

Think you know a lot about HVAC&R? Test your knowledge with this “who’s who” quiz.

Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation

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

June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

YOU ARE WHAT YOU … BREATHE? We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat”. And over the past couple of decades, we’ve definitely become more discerning about what we put in our mouths.

During the bushfires we learnt to talk comfortably about air quality in terms of PM2.5. And over the past couple of months there have been studies galore on whether COVID-19 can be transmitted via aerosols.

Products in our supermarkets are now legally required to display nutritional information. Energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate and sugar – per serve and as a percentage of recommended daily intake. Many foods also come with additional claims: gluten-free, low-fat, organic, vegan.

Australia is a country that is naturally interested in air quality. We’re proud of living in a land that is clean and healthy – and we want to keep it that way. At the same time, we’re hugely affected by medical conditions related to the air we breathe. I was amazed to learn, while we were putting together this issue, that one in nine Australians are affected by asthma.

You’d think all this would be too complicated for your average Jo(e). Sure, at times it can be a bit ridiculous (he says, sipping his double-shot, extrahot latte with almond milk). But far from confusing us, it seems to give us another thing to chat about, and make us relish our choices even more.

Then there’s hay fever, affecting around one in five Aussies – keep an eye on the pollen count. And we’re also becoming more aware of how dust and mould can affect our wellbeing in houses.

I wonder if, after the experiences of this year, people are going to start paying the same amount of attention to the air around us.

With all this going on, it’s no surprise that AC manufacturers are tailoring their products to address air quality issues. In our cover feature on page 20, we look at some of the innovations hitting the market;

and how air quality might become a bigger part of the conversation with customers. If you are what you eat, then surely you are what you breathe as well. Before I sign off for this month, I also wanted to give a shout out to a hugely respected member of our industry: Steve Smith. Steve recently announced he will be finishing up at TAFE, where he has worked for more than 35 years. I’ve only known him for a couple of those years, but in that time he has blown me away with his knowledge, passion and willingness to help. I’m sure I speak for many when I say thank you Steve. I hope that your next adventure, whatever it is, brings you great joy and satisfaction. ■ @AIRAHnews

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

Advertise in HVAC&R Nation HVAC&R Nation, has the highest distribution and readership of any HVAC&R publication in Australia. Targeted distribution Circulation 13,144

Readership 32,855

HVAC&R Nation is distributed free over the counter at more than 290 outlets Australia-wide including: Actrol, Kirby, Airefrig Australia, Beijer Ref, Cold Chain Group, Polyaire, Reece, Totaline, Tradeline Plumbing and TAFE colleges.

Contact: Glenn Douglas – glenn.douglas@airah.org.au or John McGrath – john.mcgrath@airah.org.au 03 8623 3000 4

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June–July 2020

– Make yourself at home. A smarter way to control your air conditioner ✓ Comfort at your fingertips with simple controls ✓ Save on energy by setting weekly schedules ✓ Control and monitor using voice commands ✓ Shared access for up to 10 users ✓ Compatible with select Hitachi systems

For more details, visit: hitachiaircon.com.au

Cloud Home NEW APP

• Control your AC from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet • Connects to smart speakers Amazon Echo & Google Home

June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Toolshed 1

Kit and caboodle

Daikin says its rooftop-packaged units are designed for flexible and easy installation into various commercial applications. The 150–300 class models now feature an optional Economiser Kit that can be integrated onto the system. The Kit is designed to simplify onsite ductwork modifications to suit economy cycle operations. It comprises four main components: a pre-assembled 50mm insulated return air box with opposed blade dampers including 24V Belimo actuators; outdoor air panel with hinged door, dampers and 24V Belimo actuators; a weather hood; and an electrical box.

To overcome this problem, Site Safety Alliance has developed monthly safety packs for the building and construction industry focused around Toolbox Talk meetings.

Go to: www.sitesafetyalliance.com.au ■

The Economiser Kit is only applicable when the rooftop unit operates in a side discharge configuration.

Life in the cloud

The “Smart Voice Control” feature – compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa – lets users control and monitor their Hitachi air conditioners using a range of voice commands.

Go to: www.daikin.com.au ■

Go to: www.hitachiaircon.com.au ■

Keeping it simple

Daikin has launched the Simplified Controller (BRC2E61) as a replacement for the BRC1C62-9 wired controller. Measuring 85x85x19mm, the new controller features pictogram-style buttons in a user-friendly interface, giving direct access to basic functions, including operation mode, temperature setting, fan speed, and airflow direction (up/down only). Other features include built-in temperature sensor and on/off timer. ■ |

HVAC&R Nation

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“With each type of system requiring a different recovery process, training new apprentices on all systems can be challenging, especially with budget constraints and rapidly evolving technology.” The digital resources include a training video series and an augmented reality (AR) refrigerant recovery training app specially developed by RRA and TAFE over the past 18 months.

Hitachi airCloud Home is available now from all authorised Hitachi distributors and installers.

AR you ready for this?

“The processes for recovering refrigerant, pressure testing, evacuating and re-charging systems are critical for both upholding industry best practice and reducing the emission of ozone-depleting and high-GWP refrigerant gases,” says RRA.

AirCloud Pro allows for possible connection of up to 80 indoor units and 16 outdoor units with optimised AC operations such as temperature adjustments, fan speed and louvre direction control, scheduling, user permissions and power monitoring capabilities.

Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has released a series of new digital training resources that provide an innovative and hands-on way for apprentices to understand the refrigerant recovery processes for various types of equipment.

Because airCloud Home operates in the cloud, new rollouts – including features, functions and models – may be added to the app via over the air [OTA] updates, reducing any downtime.

Daikin’s new SkyAir Mobile Controller lets users control their Daikin SkyAir systems via a smartphone or tablet.

Used in combination with the plug-and-play wi-fi module and an active internet connection, the app allows users to manage their Daikin air conditioning units from any location.

The app allows access for up to 10 people and control of up to 20 air conditioning units on a single app. Real-time updates and reporting is available to all connected users.

On the heels of the airCloud Home launch, Hitachi will soon be releasing airCloud Pro, which will allow for VRF systems to be remotely managed and controlled.

Air command

The Controller is an addition to the current range of WLAN adaptors with an app available for both Apple and Android devices. The app now supports up to 10 indoor units connected to the same network – each unit will require an adapter.

Hitachi airCloud Home is a cloud-based solution that enables users to remotely monitor and control their air conditioning system via the airCloud app – downloadable on any smart device operating on android or iOS systems. With the app, users can control the ideal climate throughout the home on their favourite mobile device. Controllable features include unit on/off, temperature control, adjustable airflow direction, fan speed adjustment and weekly programmable scheduling.

Each pack promotes a different onsite theme and is backed by social and digital media engagement throughout the month, keeping the topic top of mind and relevant onsite. Topics include falls from height, nutrition, housekeeping, electrical hazards, and other priority safety issues. The packs include brochures, posters, stickers and access to a closed Facebook group where workers can find more safety tips, giveaways and light-hearted content.

Daikin says a third-party PLC controller can be incorporated to enable operations of the economy cycle for improved indoor air quality and energy savings when conditions are right.

Let’s talk about safety

Although Toolbox Talks are a great idea, they don’t always connect with workers, especially when there are lots of rules and regulations messages coming from the top down.

The electrical box includes a terminal block, DIN rail and mounting for the Daikin supplied rooftop controller. Access to both the electrical box and filters are via the hinged door for convenient servicing.

Go to: www.daikin.com.au ■

June–July 2020

The app works on smartphones and tablets that support augmented reality. RRA will also be launching a desktop version for PC and Mac. The app allows apprentices to fully understand the recovery process for split-system air conditioners, vehicle air conditioners and commercial refrigeration systems. Using the app, apprentices select a system and watch a detailed walkthrough before undertaking the process themselves through an interactive AR experience. “By training with this modern-day tool, apprentices have a realistic experience of the process in a setting without the confines of the classroom, access to tools and the freedom to make errors without compromising safety, all while reducing the likelihood of accidental emissions of refrigerant,” says RRA. Go to: www.refrigerantreclaim.com.au ■

Toolshed 7

Cool combo

The Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the HXV Hybrid Cooler, combining evaporative and dry cooling in one system.

“Coat a condenser coil with Thermal-XR and maintain efficiency of coils after coating. All other corrosion protection coatings result in thermal performance losses after coating.

“The HXV Hybrid Cooler delivers energy-efficient cooling while maximising water savings,” says BAC. “Thanks to the power of evaporative cooling, the HXV is up to 60 per cent more energy efficient than air-cooled systems. BAC’s innovative combined flow technology, which combines parallel air and water paths, ensures peak system energy efficiency.

“The HXV Hybrid Cooler also offers 25 per cent maintenance savings compared to traditional fluid coolers. Maintenance is easy, with immediate access to the cold water basin, prime surface coil, and the fan drive system. Operators can even inspect the spray distribution system while the unit is in operation. Maintenance costs are further reduced by virtue of 70 per cent chemical savings.”

Corrosion protection

“Building owners and contractors no longer need to replace ageing HVAC equipment,” says Promek. “Thermal-XR is a water-based high-quality acrylic specially designed for coating HVAC condenser coils.

BAC says the HXV is ideal for a variety of applications where water is scarce, water costs are high, uptime is critical, or plume is a concern. This includes data centres, industrial, manufacturing, and HVAC.

“The HXV also offers up to 70 per cent water savings compared to traditional fluid coolers with the ability to run with reduced water during the majority of the year. Even on a design day, 25 per cent water savings can be achieved.

“Thermal-XR is a proprietary aftermarket coating that can restore cooling and heating performance by up to 25 per cent. The coating gives equal or better corrosion protection than past technologies, and has the added benefit of being thermally conductive, safe to use and environmentally friendly.” Thermal-XR was developed by Australian company Ozkem over a five-year period.

“By using Thermal-XR, a customer will benefit from a reduced carbon footprint and extended life of their equipment,” says Promek Technologies Technical Director, Tony Power, M.AIRAH. “This will directly reduce HVAC budgets.” Go to: www.promektechnologies.com.au ■

Go to: www.baltimoreaircoil.com.au ■

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

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

• Local Manufacturing – All our Controls are designed & developed in-house with our R & D Department • We manufacture all our own Controls in-house with our State of the art surface mount production line • All Enclosures are Injection Moulded locally using our own tooling • Programming, assembly & testing all done locally in Sydney, Australia

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

June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

ASIA

SINGAPORE

ILLEGAL R22 STOPPED

HACK OF A CONTROLLER

China and Thailand have collaborated using the OzonAction iPIC system to prevent a huge illegal consignment of ozone-depleting and climate-damaging R22 from going ahead.

After receiving a Game Boy Color as a gift, Singapore-based developer JinGen Lim decided to turn the hand-held gaming device into a unique air conditioning controller.

Created and hosted by the United Nations, the informal Prior Informed Consent (iPIC) system enables countries to share details of eligible importers and exporters with other member countries through a secure online platform. iPIC is a global voluntary initiative used by more than 100 countries, including Australia.

Lim discovered that the GBC featured an infrared port – that was mostly used for sharing data, like game scores – and figured, along with its colour screen, the console would make a decent AC remote.

In this instance, the co-operation led to the prevention of an illegal shipment of 72 tonnes of damaging hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Primarily used as refrigerants for air conditioners and fridges, HCFCs are controlled under the Montreal Protocol, and are being phased out by all countries according to a specific timeline.

The theory proved workable when the hacker stumbled across a long‑forgotten Mission Impossible game that could record and replay infrared signals. By soldering a wire to the original remote’s IR emitter, and hooking it up to a computer to capture the outgoing electrical signals, he was able to decode the signals for various functions, like power, and temperature adjustments.

This collaborative operation prevented a potential illegal trade of 72 metric tonnes of ODS. This was about 130,320 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, or 3.96 ODP tonnes. ■

After much tinkering, he managed to assemble the AC controller, with parts including a bootleg cartridge and programming card. And yes, it works! ■

JAPAN

USA

DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL!

COOLEST STOCK ON THE MARKET?

At a time when automakers are moving to incorporate smartphone-inspired touchscreen controls on their dashboards, Honda is bucking the trend. Citing customer feedback as reason, the Japanese manufacturer will reintroduce heating and air conditioning controls via a dial on the new Honda Jazz. “The reason is quite simple – we wanted to minimise driver disruption for operation, in particular, for the heater and air conditioning,” says Jazz project leader Takeki Tanaka. “We changed it from touchscreen to dial operation, as we received customer feedback that it was difficult to operate intuitively. You had to look at the screen to change the heater setting, therefore, we changed it so one can operate it without looking, giving more confidence while driving.” The decision between touchscreen and analogue controls may be unnecessary in the future as the predicted move towards voice-activated functions in cars becomes a reality. ■ 8

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June–July 2020

Global air conditioning company Carrier has become an independent, publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, having completed its separation from United Technologies (UTC). The company was established in 1915 by Willis Carrier and is an international provider of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation technologies. It was purchased by UTC in 1979, and currently has around 53,000 employees in 170 countries. Carrier President and CEO Dave Gitlin says that despite the recent global uncertainty, Carrier and its employees remain focused and continue to solve critical challenges. “Today, as a standalone company, we have defined our own strategy, vision, culture and priorities,” he says. Gitlin also notes that, as an independent company, Carrier will have greater focus and enhanced agility based on its own distinct operating priorities and strategies for long-term growth and profitability. ■

DA12

KEEPING YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS COOL – FOR LESS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN COLD ROOMS

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••• 9

New for 2020, 0, DA12 D 2 iss the t de definite reference ref re ef eference e for fo or walk-in cold room energy en nergy efficiency e cy y in Australia Australia. ia a It is designed for engineers, refrigeration technicians and contractors, as well as equipment owners, operators and specifiers. Using DA12 will help all stakeholders overcome the barriers to improved energy efficiency in cold room operation. Anyone involved in the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance and documentation of energy-efficient walk-in cool rooms and freezers should keep a copy of this manual handy.

Access your electronic version or order your hard copy online at airah.org.au/DA_Manuals/DA12 June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature

CHILL

QUIZ 1 To celebrate World Refrigeration Day, we test your knowledge of the pioneers of the industry.

World Refrigeration Day is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat-pump sector. It focuses attention on the significant role that the HVAC&R industry and its technology play in our society, and draws attention to the engineering and science at the very heart of modern life. The inaugural World Refrigeration Day was held on June 26, 2019. While the day is bound to be recognised differently this year due to the worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, June 26 will still be a day to celebrate.

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While cleaning the moveable type on the Advertiser’s printing presses with sulfuric ether, I discovered that the chemical might have other uses. With a growing interest in refrigeration and ice-making, I began to experiment with the ether and a whorl coil sourced from a heating apparatus. My first ice-making machine followed in 1854, and I was granted a patent for an ether vapour compression refrigeration system the following year. The system used a compressor to force ether through a condenser where it cooled and liquefied. This gas was then circulated through refrigeration coils and vaporised again, cooling down the surrounding machine.

I established an ice works on the banks of the Barwon River with a local blacksmith before I founded the Victoria Ice Works in Melbourne in 1859. In 1860, I established the Sydney Ice Company with PN Russell before pursuing shipboard refrigeration systems to carry Australian meat to the UK.

From early scientists to champions of the modern day, we challenge you to this superquiz of the HVAC&R world. |

I moved to Melbourne two years later and established the Geelong Advertiser in 1840 before buying the paper outright in 1842. I became an inaugural member of the Geelong Council in 1850 and represented the area in both houses of the Victorian Parliament.

My second machine was the world’s first functioning refrigerator, and was used to chill beer.

So put down your tools, store your cylinders (in an upright position) and turn your attention to the pioneers of our industry – those men and women who have shaped the science, invention and importance of refrigeration and air conditioning for the benefit of society.

The son of a fisherman, I was born in Scotland in 1816. Following my education at Anderson’s University and the Glasgow Mechanics’ Institute, I trained as a printing apprentice before emigrating to Sydney in 1837 to set up a printing press for the English company Tegg & Co.

The son of a mathematics and engineering teacher at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, I became a renowned physicist and engineer and the first British scientist to be elevated to the House of Lords. At the University of Glasgow, I completed important mathematical analysis of electricity with some of my early work based on the concept of an ice engine. This led me to consider the link between pressure and temperature. I predicted that the melting point of ice must fall with pressure, from which I discovered absolute zero – the temperature at which no more heat can be lost. My discovery started a race to achieve this incredible cold with the promise of revealing insights into the nature of matter including liquefied gases, magnetic oxygen, uphill flowing liquids and levitating superconductors. I collaborated by letter with James Prescott Joule in the mid-1850s. Together we discovered the Joule-Thomson effect of expansion – the concept behind modern refrigerators. In 1892, I was ennobled in recognition of my achievements in thermodynamics and bestowed the title of Baron – the title referring to the river that flows near my former university laboratory. And despite offers from several world-renowned universities, I remained in Glasgow where I published over 650 scientific papers and applied for 70 patents before my retirement.

Sadly, my obsession with refrigeration would not translate to sustained financial success but despite this, I am regarded as Australia’s father of refrigeration.

Today, my legacy lives on through thermodynamics. The base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI) is named in my honour, while World Refrigeration Day is held on my birth date.

I am James

I am Lord

June–July 2020

. (5 points)

. (10 points)

Feature so fast and at such low temperatures that only tiny ice crystals formed. These ice crystals were so small that they didn’t cause the damage to cellular structures that a slow drop in freezing did.

I was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1886. A college dropout who moved to New Mexico to work for the US Department of Agriculture, I trapped and preserved small mammals as part of a research project into malaria‑carrying mosquitoes. In 1912, I moved to Newfoundland as a fur trapper before being introduced to ice fishing by local Inuits. Here, I witnessed how caught fish instantly froze in the sub-Arctic conditions. When thawed, they looked and tasted fresh. The freezing occurred

By 1922, I began developing flash-freezing of fish on an industrial scale. It took three years – and left me on the brink of bankruptcy – but eventually my multi-plate freezer worked. The fresh fish was packed flat to maximum surface area, and placed in cartons that were fed onto a steel conveyer belt. The metal surface was chilled to -43°C using refrigerated brine circulating underneath. A similar system cooled the roof above the conveyor, which was pushed down onto the cartons as they passed through.

While many technological advances have occurred since, the principles of my first flash‑freezing system remain today. In 1924, I established General Seaford Corporation in Massachusetts. Despite selling my company and patents in 1929, my surname became a household brand and I was even given the moniker of “Captain” despite no naval experience.

I am Clarence

. (15 points)

Born in 1963, I grew up on an orchard farm outside of New York City before attending Cornell University where I studied physics, biology, chemistry, computer sciences and mathematics. After graduating in 1976 with a degree in physics, I knocked back opportunities for post-graduate education to join Sea-Land, a shipping company founded by the inventor of shipping containers, Malcolm McLean. It led to me to work in a Mobile Research Laboratory – a modified 40‑foot shipping container that was part science lab, part mobile home.

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Feature I spent much of my twenties living inside the refrigerated shipping container, travelling the world with my colleagues and studying the impact of transportation on fresh and frozen products. These findings led to all sorts of innovations – from reefer container design through to packing methods and customisation to achieve the particular ventilation, airflows and temperatures required to sustain the effective transportation of fresh produce. The results of my research helped to revolutionise the reefer business and led to many advances in both the technologies and methods used to transport refrigerated goods around the world. Today, I am the director of refrigerated services for Maersk Line in North America and am commonly referred to as the Queen of Cool.

I am Barbara

. (20 points)

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1820, I was a founding contributor to the science of thermodynamics alongside Rudolf Clausius and Sir William Thomson. As a Glasgow University engineer and physicist, I succeeded in finding the relationship between saturated vapour pressure and temperature in 1849. The following year, I used my theory to establish relationships between the temperature, pressure and density of gases, and expressions for the latent heat of evaporation of a liquid – accurately predicting that the apparent specific heat of saturated steam would be negative. In 1851, I set out to calculate the efficiency of heat engines and used my theory to deduce that the maximum efficiency possible for any heat engine is a function only of the two temperatures between which it operates.

Born in 1701, I was a Swedish astronomer, physicist and mathematician. In 1736, while in Lapland to measure the shape of the Earth, I found that Fahrenheit-built thermometers did not extend the range of cold far enough to measure the true depths of the cold air and ice I experienced. Upon my return to Sweden, I created a new scale that set the freezing point of water at 100 and the boiling point at 0. In 1741 I proposed a new temperature scale in a paper to the Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala, the oldest Swedish scientific society. In 1745, a year after my death, the scale was reversed by Carl Linnaeus to facilitate more practical measurement.

I developed a complete theory of the steam engine, with my manuals continuing to be in use for decades after their publication in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1859, I proposed an absolute scale of thermodynamic temperature to be used in engineering systems where heat computations were done using degrees of Fahrenheit. Similar to the Kelvin scale, the zero on my scale is absolute zero but each temperature difference is defined as one Fahrenheit degree rather than Celsius degree. The model used to predict the performance of steam turbine systems is named in my honour.

I am William

But it would be over 200 years before the scale of temperature formerly known as centigrade had its name changed in my honour.

I am Anders

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When working as a young engineer on a hot summer’s evening in 1902, I was called to solve a problem at a Brooklyn print works – it was too humid for the ink to dry fast enough. My solution would become recognised as the world’s first modern air conditioning system. After several years of field testing and refinement, I was granted US Patent 808,897 in January 1906 for an Apparatus for Treating Air. The same year, I discovered that constant dew-point depression provided practically constant relative humidity, which would later become known by air conditioning engineers as the “law of constant dew-point compression”. I based the design of an automatic control system on this discovery, and was granted US Patent 1,085,971 in February 1914. In 1911, I presented one of the most significant documents ever prepared for air conditioning – Rational Psychrometric Formulae – to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It tied together the concepts of relative humidity, absolute humidity and dew-point temperature. Following the start of World War I, I joined with six other young engineers to form a company bearing my name. Enduring the financial and social challenges of the Great Depression, the company emerged as one of the largest employers in central New York. After World War II, the popularity of mechanical air conditioning grew across America and globally. The company remained at the forefront of air conditioning technology design and manufacture, and became a household name.

I am Willis

. (5 points) |

. (10 points)

I was born in Angola, New York in 1876 and studied at Cornell University before graduating in 1901 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

June–July 2020

. (10 points)

Feature

25–50 points You’ve got reading to do, and we’re not talking about the back page of the mag!

50–75 points Good work. You’re more than just a technical whiz.

75–100 points We think Eddie has a hot seat with your name on it!

By 2005, I had distributed nearly 100,000 Pot-in-Pot systems across Nigeria as well as parts of Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Niger and Sudan. In 2008, an adaption of the concept was used in Guinea by humanitarian medical non‑governmental organisation Doctors Without Borders to store antimalarial drugs for children.

Q4 – Barbara Pratt (20 points) Q3 – Clarence Birdseye (15 points) Q2 – Lord Kelvin (10 points) Q1 – James Harrison (5 points)

ANSWERS

I am Mohammed Bah

Q5 – Anders Celsius (5 points)

My invention was inspired by the ancient Arabian zeer and uses earthenware pots and evaporative cooling. Fresh food is placed inside a watertight ceramic pot, which is housed within a larger

And you call yourself a HVAC&R professional?

Q6 – William Rankine (10 points)

Born in Nigeria, I was a teacher who hailed from a family of pot makers. I found worldwide fame in 2001 through the creation of my Pot‑in‑Pot cooling system. This simple refrigerator keeps food cool in the desert, where it usually perishes quickly, depriving farmers of much needed income.

In 2001, I received the Rolex Award for Enterprise and used the $75,000 award to make the invention available across Nigeria where I established numerous pot factories using traditional pottery techniques. The same year, my invention was named as one of the Inventions of the Year by Time magazine.

0–25 points

Q7 – Willis Carrier (10 points)

In one of the first trials, eggplants were found to stay fresh for 27 days compared to the usual three days. This discovery meant farmers could sell their produce on demand rather than rush sell because of spoilage, effectively boosting their income.

HOW DID YOU SCORE?

Q8 – Mohammed Bah Abba (25 points)

unglazed pot. The space between the two pots is then filled with damp river sand and the pots covered. As the water in the sand evaporates in the desert air, heat from the contents of the inner pot is drawn away to keep the contents cool.

. (25 points)

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MODULE

132

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

HVAC HYGIENE – SYSTEM CLEANING AND VERIFICATION This Skills Workshop is taken from the AIRAH Best Practice Guideline for HVAC Hygiene.

Skills summary ■ What? A guide to cleaning different types of HVAC systems and verifying their level of hygiene.

■ Who? Building owners and managers, maintenance specifiers and providers, regulatory authorities, system designers, installers and commissioners, consumers, tenants, occupants and HVAC hygiene and indoor air quality industry professionals.

The Guideline establishes the criteria for evaluating the internal cleanliness of HVAC system components and clearly determines when cleaning is required, according to the building use. It describes the components of HVAC systems to be evaluated, the types of contamination likely to be encountered and includes post-fire and flood-damage assessments. Minimum inspection frequencies for various HVAC systems and components are specified for scheduled maintenance programs. The Guideline also provides test methods that can be used to verify that a clean system hygiene level has been achieved following a system cleaning or restoration project. The section presented here looks specifically at system cleaning and verification.

Organising a contract Once unacceptable HVAC contamination has been identified, systems or system components need to be cleaned or restored. This is normally undertaken by a specialist service provider. The following information is provided to assist HVAC system managers organise and manage a HVAC system cleaning contract. Note: Additional notes on system cleaning procedures are provided on page 17.

The cleaning contract Any contract relating to a HVAC system cleaning project should include: • A description of the HVAC systems and components to be cleaned. • The scope of work (see below). • The extent of any contractor guarantees. • Dates, time periods and terms of payment. • The responsibilities and limits of responsibilities of all parties. • Insurance requirements. • Details of any sub-contracts. • Reporting and verification arrangements. • Photos of specific areas to be treated. • Site availability for cleaning (days and work hours).

The scope of work The scope of work should unambiguously define the services to be provided. The scope of work should make it clear whether any or all of the following services are required:

• Remove/clean/replace – filters, registers, grilles. • Clean – plenums, heat exchangers, coils. • Clean systems – non-ducted air-conditioners, evaporative air cooler. • Visual verification inspections. • Verification testing. • Restoration, repair or replacement of HVAC components. • Recomissioning of cleaned systems, airflows, air balance, pressure drops, pressure differentials, air change rates and the like.

Additional documentation The contractor should provide documented information on: • Site specific project management plan including containment strategies. • Cleaning methods – ductwork, coils, fans, pans and drains. • MSDS of any chemicals to be used. • Disposal and handling strategies for removed contaminants. • Odour management. • Noise control. • Verification (of cleaning operations) protocol.

Selection of service providers The selection of the service provider is key to a satisfactory HVAC cleaning operation. A potential service provider should have the following attributes: • Compliance with the recommendations of this Guideline. • Appropriate level of resources. • Evidence of experience and training and a record of previous work.

• Installation of new access openings, doors and panels.

• Appropriate insurances and licences.

• Clean air handling units.

• Informative reporting system.

• Clean ductwork systems – supply, return, exhaust, outdoor air.

• Quality, environmental and safety management systems. June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop Health and safety Contractors should comply with all applicable legislated (commonwealth, state and local) requirements for protecting the health and safety of their employees, building occupants, the general public and the environment. The contractor should comply with all applicable regulations including but not limited to the following:

• Wash down protocols and facilities.

• Working at heights. • Respiratory protection and personal protective equipment (PPE). • Lock out / Tag out isolations. • Fall protection. • Environmental controls (hazardous substances). Maintenance personnel should be appropriately trained in first aid and any applicable emergency procedures. Workplace hazards are not always obvious, they may be concealed or be not readily visible, they may develop over time and some hazards may be temporary or intermittent. Service personnel may not be familiar with the site or workplace which can present a further hazard. To properly identify and manage exposure to risk associated with hazards in the workplace the five step risk management process should be followed: 1. Identify hazards. 3. Decide on control measures. 4. Put control measures in place. 5. Review the control measures. Control measures should be implemented in the following hierarchy: 1. Remove the hazard. 2. Reduce the hazard. 3. Separate the hazard from people. 4. Engineering measures. 6. Personal protective equipment.

Verification of a HVAC system cleaning process should be performed directly after the system or component has been cleaned and prior to the component being put back in to operation. All verification tests should be conducted prior to the application of any surface treatments of the component’s surface. This post cleaning verification process applies to all porous and non-porous components within the HVAC system. Several methods of hygiene verification are described in this Guideline. Visual and analytical verification methods are provided. Not all methods can be applied to non-porous surfaces.

Method 1 – Visual inspection A visual inspection of porous and non-porous HVAC system components should be used to assess that the HVAC system is visibly clean. An interior surface is considered visibly clean when it is free from non‑adhered substances and debris. If a component is visibly clean then no further hygiene verification methods are required.

Method 2 – Surface comparison testing

Owner/manager responsibilities It is useful to define a list of system manager’s responsibilities in addition to the provisions for payment and accepting reports. Manager responsibilities during the delivery of a HVAC cleaning project can include: • Provision of appropriate access to the site. • Provision of accurate system operation and maintenance information. • Provision of “as installed” system construction drawings. • Provision of power, water and drainage facilities for cleaning processes. • Provision of supplemental heating, cooling or ventilation if required when systems are off line. • Participation in cleaning verification protocols. • Inform occupants and emphasise benefits of investment. • Communicate between parties.

Containment strategies Some form of containment strategy is required for every cleaning project. Containment strategies to be applied should be detailed in the service providers’ project management plan. The level and extent of containment strategies applied in any project will depend on:

The surface comparison test can be used to determine cleanliness of both porous and non-porous HVAC component surfaces. The component’s surface conditions are evaluated by comparing visible characteristics of the test surface before and after implementing a specific procedure of contact vacuuming. The testing contact vacuum should be HEPA‑filtered and capable of achieving a minimum of 10kPa (40" water gauge). The contact vacuum should be fitted with a 60mm (2.5") round nylon brush attached to a 37.5mm (1.5") diameter vacuum hose. The vacuum brush is attached to the contact vacuum and the device should be running. The brush should be passed over the surface test area four (4) times, with the brush depressed against the surface being tested using light to moderate pressure (as used in routine cleaning). When this procedure has been completed, a comparison should be made to determine if the visible characteristics of the surface have changed significantly. The HVAC component surface is considered to be clean when there is no significant visible difference in the surface characteristics. If surface comparison testing is inconclusive, then the vacuum test procedure may be used to make a final cleanliness determination. The vacuum test can be used for non-porous system components surfaces only and does not apply to porous system component surfaces.

Method 3 – Vacuum test The vacuum test is used for scientifically evaluating remaining particulate levels of cleaned, nonporous HVAC component surfaces.

• The type, use and layout of the building. • The size and complexity of the HVAC system.

Using this procedure a template is applied to the airside surface of the component to be tested. A vacuum cassette with filter media is attached to a calibrated air pump and the open face of the filter cassette is passed over two 2cm x 25cm openings within the template. At no time can any portion

• The type of contaminant involved. • The use of the enclosure. • The (likely) type of occupants. www.airah.org.au/nation

Application

If the visual inspection is inconclusive regarding acceptable particulate reduction, then surface comparison testing should be performed.

5. Administrative measures.

System hygiene verification

All methods are intended to assist in the verification that system surfaces are clean. The verification methods do not determine light or moderate hygiene levels. HVAC system hygiene verification is not designed to determine if an HVAC system needs to be cleaned.

2. Assess the risk.

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• Collection and treatment of any drainage. All vacuum and extraction units and exhaust fans used to create negative pressures should be equipped with HEPA filtration systems to prevent contaminant escape and recontamination occurring through secondary dispersal.

• Hazard communication.

A containment strategy would usually include the establishment of containment areas within the work area. Other issues that may need to be considered in the containment strategy are: • Contaminant collection and handling.

• Working in confined spaces.

Containment strategies can range from administrative measures to environmental engineering control measures and can include the use of signage, physical barriers, air pressure differentials and air filtration or cleaning devices.

June–July 2020

HVAC&R Skills Workshop of the vacuum cassette directly contact the component surface being tested. The template is specifically designed to allow the cassette to ride above the surface being tested. Airflow is accelerated through a narrow opening between the template and the test surface of the component, allowing any latent remaining particulates from the component’s surface to be dislodged through increased air velocity and impinged onto the filter media within the vacuum cassette.

Notes on system cleaning

After the sampling procedure the filters are weighed to determine the amount of total particulates and debris collected on the filter media. To be considered clean by the vacuum test, the net weight of the debris collected on the filter media should not exceed 0.75mg/100cm².

Contaminant removal The encapsulation of HVAC contaminants (within the system) is not recommended and all duct and HVAC component cleaning should be carried out using source removal methods.

Coil verification test

Source removal methods include, but are not limited to, manual vacuuming or mechanical agitation (rotating brushes, air whips or air blasting balls) using high volume dust extraction. Where mechanical agitation equipment is used to clean air ducts, the duct should be placed under adequate negative pressure to ensure that all dislodged contamination is removed from the duct and contained in a controlled manner. Maintaining the duct at a lower pressure than the work area will assist in preventing any contaminants from leaving the duct in an uncontrolled manner.

Cleaned coils should be visually clean when inspected in accordance with Method 1 and the coil resistance (air pressure drop) should be measured. The pressure drop across the cleaned coil should be measured at normal operating conditions. Care should be taken to ensure all measurements are undertaken at 100% of supply air capacity. Variable speed drives may require manual override to establish full flow conditions. The measured pressure drop across the coil should be as close as possible to the original design specification for the coil and never more than 20% greater than the original design specification.

Fungal decontamination verification Decontaminated systems and components should be visually clean when inspected in accordance with Method 1. If required, verification tests for fungal decontamination should be performed as outlined in the guidelines for fungal contamination assessment. Verification test acceptance levels should be determined by agreement between the system owner or manager and service provider. Fungal species identification may be helpful to determine whether there is a shift from the indoor to the outdoor concentration. Clear communication between the building owner and the HVAC system cleaner should be established in order to determine an acceptable fungal level following cleaning or decontamination of the HVAC system.

Verification reporting Any verification of an HVAC cleaning process should be detailed in a hygiene verification report. The Post Clean Hygiene Verification Report should include the following: • Name of client and contact details. • Site address. • Date of inspection. • Name/qualification of inspector. • Identification of system inspected. • System components inspected. • Identify which hygiene verification method was used. • Details of findings for each inspected component. • Supporting digital images verifying written findings. • Any recommendations. • Reference to this Guideline.

HVAC restoration management When system cleaning or decontamination is inappropriate or unsuccessful then systems will need to be restored. Restoration includes repair and replacement and may be carried out in conjunction with, after or instead of system cleaning. All new construction and installation work should comply with the relevant Australian Standards and the requirements of the Building Code of Australia. Systems or components that are restored should be recommissioned so that the original system design requirements are achieved.

Site preparation/protection Prior to any cleaning work commencing, the work area should be protected from any dust and debris that may be inadvertently disturbed or created during the HVAC cleaning process. This includes considering any potential dust disturbance from the air outlets or discharges of high velocity/volume extraction units or air purifiers and scrubbers.

All dust extraction equipment should be fitted with final HEPA filters to prevent the secondary dispersion of duct contaminants. Engineering controls Disturbed HVAC system contaminants should never be released into occupied areas. Adequate engineering controls should be implemented to establish a containment area to ensure the control of particulates and odours during any HVAC cleaning, remediation or restoration project. This may include but not be limited to the use of establishing temporary hoardings, negative air pressure zones, and the use of air purifiers and scrubbers, dust collectors and negative air machines to control air pressure differentials between the containment area and other areas. Maintaining the work area at a lower air pressure relative to surrounding areas will assist in the containment of work generated particulates and prevent any contamination from inadvertently leaving the work area. It should be possible to document and demonstrate the pressure differentials between areas. People working within containment areas may require personal protective equipment. HVAC air balance There is a potential for the air balance of the HVAC system to be disturbed during cleaning procedures. All volume control dampers and air balancing devices should be reset to their pre-cleaning position after the system has been cleaned. Sensors and monitoring devices that may be impacted should also be checked after cleaning. Given the potential for system cleaning to improve the performance of HVAC systems (airflows, pressure drops and the like) consideration should be given to the full recomissioning of air systems after the cleaning process so that the full benefits of the cleaning investment can be realised. Damage to system components All cleaning procedures should ensure that they do not damage the HVAC system components. This includes but is not limited to the damage of: • Internal insulation by crawling over, crushing or abrading it. • Cooling or heating coils (and fins) with high pressure water washing or mechanical cleaning. • Flexible ductwork by crushing or abrading it. Disinfectants If disinfectants are used in a cleaning process, they should be specifically manufactured for use in HVAC systems, used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and be approved for use by the system owner or operator. Coatings Any coatings to be used during a HVAC restoration project should be specifically designed for the intended purpose, used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and be approved for use by the system owner or operator. Encapsulation coatings for the purposes of avoiding source removal cleaning processes are not recommended.

P RO U D LY S P O N S O R ED BY

Next month: Air conditioning: heating

This month’s Skills Workshop has been taken from AIRAH’s HVAC Hygiene Best Practice Guidelines. June–July 2020

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AIRAH update

SETTING THE BAR FOR HYGIENE HIRES

AIRAH is partnering with NADCA to deliver HVAC cleaning certification in Australia.

There is a pressing need to clarify the acceptable standards in HVAC cleaning and maintenance. Among the many good reasons, we really only need two to drive it home. First, poor HVAC hygiene and maintenance poses a public health risk. Second, inadequate cleaning can dramatically reduce equipment lifespan. There are several guidelines on HVAC hygiene and cleanliness currently available. These include the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3666 Parts 1, 2 and 4; and AIRAH’s HVAC Hygiene Best Practice Guidelines. But what about the type of qualifications required for a specialist HVAC cleaner – the person with the know‑how to meet and maintain those standards? The US-based National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) offers one route to certification, and Australians keen on pursuing the NADCA option can now do so locally. AIRAH has teamed up with NADCA to deliver the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certification training program in Australia and New Zealand. NADCA is an international provider of training and education for HVAC inspection, cleaning and restoration professionals.

WHO IS IT FOR?

• Performing the cleaning

The ASCS certification caters to both individuals and businesses. “The course would benefit anyone who is interested, is currently providing HVAC hygiene services, or wants to have their staff formally trained and certified,” says NADCA-certified training specialist and principal consultant at Eronmor, Jeremy Stamkos, M.AIRAH. “It would also suit anyone who has an interest in starting a HVAC cleaning business.” Since many projects require a certified ASCS on board, it makes sense for businesses to train their staff to meet bid specifications while expanding their skills. The ASCS course is also suitable for those looking to improve career options, increase chances for better pay, and raise their vocational recognition. The in-person course takes place over one and a half days, and covers five modules: • Overview of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems cleaning • HVAC systems overview • Protecting the health and safety of occupants and building

• HVAC cleaning and mould remediation. Following a full day of training on day one, course attendees complete an exam on day two – the formal assessment portion of the training.

INTERNATIONALLY APPLICABLE TRAINING By the end of the course, attendees will be able to identify HVAC contamination and evaluate when cleaning is required. They will also learn how to clean HVAC systems properly in accordance with a recognised standard. And they will find out how to protect the building and occupants from airborne dust and other contaminant exposure during and after the cleaning process. According to Stamkos, the trademark of a NADCA ASCS qualified contractor is the responsibility and expectation to ensure their work complies with the NADCA ACR (assessment, cleaning and restoration) standard. Untrained or non-qualified contractors, on the other hand, would not be expected to be held accountable for any subpar workmanship. This also applies to the methods and equipment used by an ASCS-qualified contractor. Although the course is built around the US HVAC framework, Stamkos says the majority of the content is internationally applicable. “Some of the American references are easily identified and worked around,” he says. “Instead of applying, for example, the US Safety and Fire standards, we refer to our own applicable standards here.” The importance of having an established organisation like NADCA administer the certification process – including the marking of all course exams and the issuing of certifications – boils down to maintaining proven, applicable standards. ■

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Cover Feature

A BREATH OF

FRESH AIR Home dwellers have become increasingly conscious of the impacts mould, microbial bacteria and other irritants can have on indoor environment quality, and our health. Sean McGowan investigates how these concerns are being addressed by residential air conditioning systems. The average adult takes more than 20,000 breaths a day, and most of them are taken indoors. In fact, it is generally agreed that Australians spend 90 per cent of their day indoors. While our homes provide us shelter, security and warmth, they can also be havens for contaminants that have an adverse effect on our health and wellbeing.

“I don’t believe we know the extent of mould in homes and workplaces, and how it might affect the occupants,” said Jesse Clarke, M.AIRAH, building science manager at Pro Clima Australia at the time. |

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And there is evidence that public interest and knowledge of IAQ is impacting purchase decisions.

“People today have greater access to health information,” says Opira managing director and principal air quality scientist Scott Summerville, M.AIRAH. “Most people are aware that mould and other indoor pollutants can impact the health and wellbeing of their family.”

In fact, HVAC&R Nation delved into the issues of mould in the home and its impact on human health including toxic mould syndrome in the August 2018 issue.

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Our efforts to improve the energy efficiency of residential dwellings and HVAC systems can also impact residential IAQ if not done properly.

But the good news is that Australian householders are becoming increasingly aware of the impact poor IAQ can have on their health. Many are taking proactive steps to improve their living environment.

Common health problems resulting from exposure to poor IAQ include sensor and skin irritation, neurotoxic symptoms, hypersensitivity and even odour and taste symptoms.

indoor air quality is something homeowners are clearly concerned about.”

As the airtightness of our homes improves, unless good ventilation systems are in place, natural airflow becomes limited, which in turn allows pollutants produced indoors to build up.

According to the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, indoor air quality (IAQ) in the home can be affected by pollutants being released from indoor sources such as gas cookers and unflued gas heaters. Other pollutants such as fungi, microbial contamination, dust mites, particulates and air toxins such as formaldehyde can also have an impact.

TAKING CONTROL

Specialising in environmental risk management services, Opira provides indoor air testing and workplace hygiene testing. Summerville says IAQ is a topic that is top of mind at the moment. “Nobody knew what PM2.5 and PM10 were a year ago,” he says. “But with the recent bushfires across Australia,

June–July 2020

“Indoor air quality has always been a concern for a segment of the market, such as asthma sufferers,” says Daikin Australia national product manager Raj Singh, M.AIRAH. “However, the recent bushfires have increased awareness of the effects of poor air quality on health and thus a growing interest for effective air purification and filtration solutions.” Singh says along with energy efficiency, noise levels, dimensions, aesthetics and ease of operations and controls, there has been an increase in the number of customers asking about air-filtration or airpurification technologies inherent in the company’s air conditioning solutions. “Daikin has always considered indoor air quality a key component of the overall comfort proposition,” he says.

KEEPING IT CLEAN According to Temperzone/Hitachi product specialist Deepika Naicker, today’s homeowners are digitally connected and socially networked. These days customers prefer to gather all the required information about a potential product purchase before going anywhere near a salesperson.

Cover Feature This includes being across the health factors in a new air conditioning system. He says that customers are now considering a technology’s capacity for bacteria removal, odour removal and other allergens. “Today’s air conditioners provide a lot more than just heating and cooling,” Naicker says. “Modern air conditioners are designed to improve air quality, and are equipped with sophisticated filters that aid in the removal of dust, odours and other allergens.” As well as catering for these needs, Temperzone/Hitachi identified a unit’s cleanliness as being an appealing feature for potential customers, and introduced a new technology in its high wall split systems. Naiker says the technology addresses an issue that had long stumped the air conditioning industry: how to effectively and efficiently clean the inside of room air conditioning units. “Air is always travelling across the surface of the heat exchanger where dust, mould and bacteria can accumulate, leading to reduced performance and perceivable odours,” he says. “Keeping the heat exchanger clean is the key to better quality air.” The self-cleaning technology works by freezing moisture on the surface of the indoor unit heat exchanger to capture and remove impurities that can build up over time.

Our lungs can be affected by many allergens and other contaminants in the home, such as dust mites, damp, mould, nitrogen dioxide from gas cooking and heating, and organic solvents such as those found in cleaning fluids, paints and other products.

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02 4272 2055 dwyer-inst.com.au

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HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature FILTRATION FOCUS Effective cooling of an indoor space has always been a key consideration for those purchasing and installing an air conditioner. That’s a no-brainer. But today consumers place just as much importance on value for money, energy efficiency, comfort, reliability, operability and after-sale support. And knowledge about system components is far more extensive than, say, five or 10 years ago. This awareness covers the various types of filtration offered by major brands. Although a standard split system air conditioner might feature a filter with a low-to-medium efficiency reporting value (MERV), most manufacturers offer units with considerably more effective and advanced filtration systems. “Australians are always looking to improve their home and how they look after their family,” says Samsung Australia head of consumer electronics Jeremy Senior. He says health concerns play an increasing role in consumers’ decision making, leading Samsung to introduce an advanced filtration system in its recently launched solution.

Image source: US EPA.

Samsung says this built-in standard feature introduces genuine air purification to the market for the first time. Its three layers include a high-density filter designed to help extract large duct particles, fibres and animal hairs.

“Our products have allergy filters fitted as standard, which are permanently electrically charged during manufacturing,” he says. “And then they use artificial enzymes to decompose the dust particles.”

Mitsubishi Electric technical manager Ari Grimekis says IAQ is an important consideration in the manufacture of the company’s wall-hung units, which address allergies as standard.

Grimekis says test data has shown that dust collection is three times more effective with these filters fitted. But an increasing number of consumers are seeking

CONTAMINATION HAPPENS As someone who specialises in HVAC hygiene management and indoor environmental quality testing, Opira’s Scott Summerville, M.AIRAH, says that unprotected air conditioning systems that are not cleaned or serviced regularly will become contaminated with microbial growth. It is inevitable. But he says technology such as ultraviolet light sterilisation can dramatically reduce this microbial growth. “In systems where cleaning access is terribly restricted and difficult, it surprises me that more manufacturers are not utilising this technology,” Summerville says. As well as creating performance issues such as an inability to maintain airflows, heating and cooling, contaminated systems have the potential to impact the air quality and subsequently the health of occupants. “We often see systems that contribute to poor indoor air quality because they are very difficult to clean, or have no access for cleaning – particularly on both sides of the coil and the fan scroll,” he says. For more information about HVAC hygiene, grab a copy of AIRAH’s HVAC Hygiene Best Practice Guidelines, available at www.airah.org.au/store

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It's not just about cooling and heating anymore – customers are taking more of an interest in the IAQ features of their air conditioners.

June–July 2020

even better filtration, leading Mitsubishi Electric to offer an advanced filter in its premium indoor unit range. “This filter works in two stages, where it makes plasma that inhibits the airborne mould, allergens and viruses,” he says. “At this stage it positively charges dust particles. In the second stage, the filter makes a strong, negatively charged electric field that attracts the positively charged dust particles.”

Cover Feature Independent test data has shown this filter system removes airborne viruses by 99 per cent while reducing allergens, airborne bacteria and airborne mould spores. Daikin’s US7 unit has also sought to improve the IAQ of homes by earning approval from the National Asthma Council of Australia. Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, with one in nine people suffering from the life-threatening condition. In this case the solution features two-stage filtration – with carbon monoxide removed from the outdoor unit via a thermal catalyst. Meanwhile, the indoor unit’s flash streamer technology removes formaldehyde and allergens from the air by ionisation with an advanced plasma electric charge.

if installers don’t ask the homeowner if indoor air

In the past we’ve seen construction companies take inspiration from the natural world in the design of their products.

quality is important to them “As part of the overall unit design and selection process, an installer will generally take into consideration indoor air quality factors in conjunction with a heat load calculation to select the best unit for a customer’s needs.”

An automatic self-cleaning filter collects and deposits dust into an internal dust box for easy removal.

This includes considerations around capacity of the unit, airflow, moisture removal and filtration to ensure an optimal indoor environment.

START THE CONVERSATION

While some installers – and indeed consumers – will remain focussed on price alone, others are beginning to proactively discuss issues of IAQ with their customers.

With growing consumer interest in IAQ, installers have an important role to play in understanding their customers’ specific needs when designing, selecting and installing residential air conditioning solutions. “It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure the correct design, selection, installation, commissioning and maintenance of a residential air conditioning system has taken place before handing over to a customer,” says Fujitsu General Australia national product manager Kyle Rafter.

NATURE NURTURED

It may be a missed opportunity

One company studied grasshopper eyes to determine nature’s darkest black, and used this intel in the construction of solar panels. Another based a fan design on an owl feather in order to make the fan as quiet as possible. And now, another company has turned to the humble apple to help reduce the growth of invisible mould spores in its split system air conditioners. The filter employed in Fujitsu’s wall-mounted split system range uses static electricity to capture and absorb fine dust, invisible mould spores and harmful microorganisms.

“Price and energy consumption will still rule the initial purchase decision in most residential applications,” says Summerville. “But it may be a missed opportunity if installers don’t ask the homeowner if indoor air quality is important to them.

Further growth is inhibited and deactivated by the polyphenol ingredient extracted from apples. Polyphenols are natural compounds found present in plants.

“The homeowner may have a pre-existing health condition and it might provide an opportunity for the installer to upsell the benefits of cleaner air and make suggestions to provide it, along with heating and cooling.” ■

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Green Tech

UTE BE SURPRISED Electric vehicles aren’t just for eco‑warriors and high‑performance car lovers. Your next work ute could be an EV. If you have ever scoffed at the idea of an electric ute over its perceived lack of horsepower, towing capabilities or affordability, it’s not too late to start retracting statements.

You can choose between single, dual or tri-motor configuration. While the single-motor version has rear‑wheel drive, all-wheel drive is standard for the other two variants.

For starters, some automakers are keeping their electric ute models in the $50,000–$70,000 range, still within Joe Public territory. The comparatively lower running costs of electric vehicles (EVs) will only make them more enticing.

Even the single-motor base model is no slouch. Boasting a 400km range, it can carry 1,500kg in the tray and tow 3,400kg. Tesla claims the cheapest model ($59,000) can go from zero to 97km/h in 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 177km/h. The top‑of-range model can sprint to 97km/h in 2.9 seconds, topping out at 209kmh.

In terms of driving performance, EVs enjoy a clear advantage. Due to fewer moving parts, instant torque and a simplified powertrain, EVs use their horsepower more ably and efficiently, even when compared to a petrol car with the same horsepower rating.

With an adjustable air suspension that provides up to 40cm of ground clearance, a 35-degree approach and 28-degree departure angles, the Tesla ute could well be the off-roading beast that its aggressive looks suggest. The Cybertruck is slated to go into production in 2021.

Illuminating these points, a number of myth-busting electric utes are making their way Down Under.

RIVIAN R1T

TESLA CYBERTRUCK More resembling a futuristic armoured tank with its angular stainless steel cladding and minimalistic exterior, the Cybertruck represents an integration of several of Tesla’s technologies in the form of a pick-up truck.

This dual-cab pick-up from new American EV start‑up Rivian has gone from obscurity to mainstream almost overnight, partly thanks to breathtaking videos of its quad motor-powered, 360-degree manoeuvre known as the Tank Turn.

The truck is built with the same stainless steel alloy being used at Tesla Founder Elon Musk’s rocket‑launching company SpaceX. Featuring a solar roof option, lithium ion batteries, software and hardware for autonomous driving, the Cybertruck is unlike any ute you’ve ever driven.

The truck was claimed in early testing to be able to reach 97km/h in under 3 seconds, wade through 1.1m of water and climb a 45-degree incline. The high-end models feature an 800-horsepower (around 600kW) electric motor that Engadget claims would beat Italian supercars.

According to thedriven.io Australia is a hotspot for Tesla Cybertruck reservations – only behind the US and Canada.

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Size-wise, the dual-cab is 5.5m long and 2m wide. That’s bigger than the new Ford Ranger but not quite as gigantic as the RAM Dual Cabs. The RT1 features a four-wheel drive system delivering an impressive 560kW of power and 1120Nm of torque. The premium model’s 180kWh battery pack boasts a range of about 645km. The slick all-electric truck is set to launch late this year in the US, followed by other countries, including Australia, from 2021. The Rivian has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at US$69,000 ($108,000), although no Australian pricing has been set.

Green Tech The Rivian R1T is set to launch in the US later this year.

ON THE ELECTRIC BANDWAGON It took a Silicon Valley start-up by the name of Tesla to rev up public interest in the dormant EV segment, and get other automakers to take notice. Zooming to the present, the current trajectory of EV uptake suggests a battery-powered motoring future is almost upon us. Based on figures compiled late 2019 by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in the US, EV sales have jumped by 236.4 per cent year-on-year. Globally, the number of EVs on the road has increased from 5.6 million to 7.9 million in 2019 from the previous year, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, Baden-Württemberg (ZSW). China leads the tally with 3.8 million EVs, followed by the US with nearly 1.5 million. In terms of cumulative new registrations in the automaker category, Tesla is in the lead with over 875,000 e-cars. Chinese automakers BYD and BAIC follow in second and third place with around 737,000 and 480,000 respectively.

GREAT WALL MODEL P

replacement, priced from the low $30,000 mark as a single-cab.

The EV version of the new Model P is touted as the first affordable, battery-electric dual-cab EV ute on the Aussie market.

Apart from the display model unveiled during the show, which featured rear wheel-drive and a 500km range, details of the EV version are scant.

Unveiled at last year’s Shanghai show, Model P was marketed as a turbo-diesel Great Wall Steed

Scheduled for a 2023 release, pricing for the EV model is expected to be in the $50K range. ■

Despite being on the market for less than three years, Tesla’s Model 3 took the top position in cumulative new registrations with 445,000 vehicles, followed by the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S, with 434,000 and 281,000, respectively. Of special mention is the fact that seven of the top 10 newlyregistered vehicles are purely battery-operated. The report encompasses only those passenger cars and light commercial vehicles with batterypowered electric drives, range extenders and plug-in hybrids.

Great Wall is aiming to take market share away from the likes of Ford and Toyota.

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Around the Nation 1

Rob Seeley

Geoff Watson

1 QUEENSLAND TO REVISE LICENCE RULES

Legionella pneumophila. Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person.”

The Queensland government has confirmed it will work to address a loophole in its new licensing framework for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. At the beginning of 2020, a new HVAC&R licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes air conditioning and refrigeration, as well as plumbing and medical gases. Over the past months, various industry groups – including the ARC, ARMA, AMCA and RACCA – have raised concerns about one of the technical qualifications accepted for the air conditioning and refrigeration licence. The Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (MEM30219) covers a wide range of mechanical trade work, including fitting and machining, but not necessarily air conditioning and refrigeration. This effectively creates a loophole in the regulations, whereby a worker can obtain a licence without the skills needed to work on refrigeration and air conditioning systems. In a move that has been applauded by industry, the Department of Housing and Public Works will be reviewing the prescribed technical qualifications for the licence. ■

2 LEGIONELLA ON THE RISE IN SYDNEY As governments begin easing COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Ministry of Health (NSW Health) has issued a reminder that building owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to ensure air conditioning cooling towers are properly maintained, to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. “There has been an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease across the Sydney metropolitan area this autumn,” says NSW Health, “and cooling towers are a known source of the bacteria that causes the disease, 26

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In 2018, NSW Health strengthened the Public Health Regulation to reduce the community’s risk of Legionnaires’ disease, requiring building owners to comply with Australian Standard 3666, conduct monthly tests on cooling towers and to notify high levels of Legionella and other bacteria to local councils. In NSW, more information about water cooling systems management is available through each Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055, at the NSW Health website, or through local councils. AIRAH also has a suite of technical materials covering water cooling systems management at www.airah.org. au/legionella. ■

3 THE HEAT IS ON! As winter sets in and people start heating homes and other buildings, Standards Australia has sent out a message to raise awareness about safety and energy efficiency. Standards Australia notes that standards set out requirements for the safe design, use and energy consumption of heaters and similar electrical appliances heavily used in winter.

4 TIME TO TALK MENTAL HEALTH Field service management software provider simPRO is teaming up with social enterprise TradeMutt to shine a light on mental health. “This partnership is a call to action for everyone in the trade industries,” says simPRO CEO Sean Diljore. “Even under normal circumstances, mental health carries a stigma for tradies and as we deal with the current health crisis, it will only get worse. We hope that through this partnership with TradeMutt we can start as many conversations as possible to raise mental health awareness across the entire industry.” As part of the arrangement, simPRO is sponsoring TradeMutt’s 120 Grit podcast. The podcast is hosted by former carpenters turned mental-health advocates Daniel Allen and Ed Ross. Each fortnight the TradeMutt team invites an interesting guest to talk about all things mental health. From everyday trade industry workers to sports stars and mental health experts, the podcast interviews a wide variety of guests who share their own mental health challenges and the lessons they have learned. Go to trademutt.com/pages/120-grit-podcast ■

It also points out that by making use of energyefficient products and decreasing temperatures by 1°C, households can save on electricity bills, which tend to rise in the colder months.

5 STAFF MOVES AT MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

“COVID-19 for the majority of Australians meant remaining indoors,” says Standards Australia’s Daniel Chidgey. “Now that the winter months are here, that will likely not change as people choose to stay indoors and enjoy the warmth and comfort of their home.

Rob Seeley is leaving Mitsubishi Electric Australia after nearly a decade, and wrapping up his career in the HVAC&R industry after more than 30 years.

“It’s important Australian households making use of heaters to stay cosy can feel confident in the safety of their appliances. “The cooler months see a 10 per cent increase in the number of house fires, with many of these caused by heaters and electric blankets. Standards aim to build confidence and assist in the safety and integrity of heating systems.” ■ June–July 2020

Seeley was the HVAC state manager for Victoria and Tasmania at Mitsubishi Electric. His role developed over the course of his career, from direct engagement with consulting engineers to leading the entire states of both Victoria and Tasmania. Mitsubishi Electric General Manager of National Sales, Zane Barron, wished Rob all the best for his future.

Around the Nation 6

“Under his stewardship, the Victorian market has grown substantially,” he says. “As a result, the leadership team have been able to invest in new staff and upgraded offices. Rob has been a great fit for the business.” Geoff Watson steps in as the new HVAC state manager for Victoria and Tasmania. Prior to the promotion, Watson was the company’s Victoria/Tasmania HVAC sales manager. He has over 21 years of experience in the HVAC industry, including two years at Mitsubishi Electric Australia. Watson’s key roles include overseeing the sales department and focusing on business development and strategy. ■

6 SOFTWARE SUPPORT Building services software provider ACADS-BSG has implemented a new online support desk facility in a move to provide greater value to its users. The long-term plan for the support desk is to solve technical software issues more efficiently and address trends as they arise in real time. ACADS-BSG GM Byron Ruiz has been driving the project since his appointment in 2020. “To be able to quickly resolve technical support issues burdening the world’s best engineers is incredibly important to us and essential for our users,” he says. “The support desk will assist in the modernisation of applications for ACADSBSG, and as the data is collected over time, it will create an extensive knowledge base for users and real-time feedback for our developers to address common issues.” Ruiz has also been driving software upgrades of CAMEL and HYENA in close consultation with ACADS‑BSG users. “The new versions of CAMEL and HYENA will be progressive and tailored to our users,” he says. “We have spent a lot of time researching what our members want to see, and cannot wait to lift the curtain on the new releases.” Go to www.acadsbsg.com.au ■

7 REECE CELEBRATES WRD For the second year running, Actrol along with Reece HVAC and Metalflex are celebrating World Refrigeration Day, on June 26. With social distancing measures still firmly in place in branches, celebrations will take on a digital spin this year, with a social media competition and customer giveaways throughout the day. “For those in the industry who want a chance to win, it’s as simple as posting a HVAC&Rrelated picture on Instagram or Facebook showing what they have been doing to help the world keep its cool,” says Reece. “This could be anything from an installation they are proud of or even an awesome worksite shot.” All entries should tag @actrol or @metalflexaustralia or @reecehvac and include #keepingitcool between June 15 and June 25. The winner must be following Actrol or Metalflex Australia or Reece HVAC respectively on Facebook and Instagram to win. Winners will be announced on June 26. For more information on how you can join the group, visit the Reece Facebook and Instagram pages. ■

8 CODE DELAY IN WA

Research by ASBEC and ClimateWorks in 2018 shows strong energy standards for new buildings in Western Australia could, between now and 2050, reduce energy costs by up to $4 billion, deliver at least 10 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings, and save households up to $1,000 per year in energy bills. ■

9 NEW SOLUTIONS FOR CONTAINMENT Opira Pty Ltd has been appointed as the authorised distributor of the AAF Flanders CSC containment products for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. The deal was signed by Scott Summerville, M.AIRAH, the managing director of Opira, and Bruce Landford, the general manager of AAF Australia and New Zealand. AAF Flanders is a primary manufacturer of HEPA and HEGA containment systems for advanced nuclear, pharmaceutical, research laboratories, hospital and quarantine facilities globally. The company says that developments have led to dramatic improvements in bag-in/bagout housings, remote in-place filter testing capabilities, remotely operated “hot cell” housings, low-leak and bubble-tight isolation damper systems, seismic qualification, and the use of fluid seal and gasket seal techniques. “Opira can assist mechanical engineers and architects with our in-house product configurator software that has the ability to select products based on your project requirements,” says Opira.

In a move criticised by industry bodies, the Western Australia government has changed its building regulations and extended the provisional use of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2016 until May 2021. AIRAH is one of the bodies that has questioned the strategy behind the decision. It says the move could create a divide between Western Australia and the rest of the country – in terms of standards, occupant safety and sustainability in the built environment, and in terms of the skills and knowledge of its workers. “AIRAH questions the value of this plan,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “The WA state government says this is designed to help Western Australia respond during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe it could weaken it.”

“We also have the facilities to custom-engineer solutions to meet specific project requirements. Having an in-house NATA accredited laboratory for testing and certifications of AAF Flanders installations ensures Opira retains the capability for ongoing maintenance and NATA certifications of very complex and critical installations, giving the end user peace of mind. Our technicians have been involved in commissioning Flanders containment solutions at some of Australia’s most notable projects.” Contact Opira on 1300 157 969 for your nearest AAF Flanders product specialist. ■

June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Smoko with . . .

Name: Megan Dinsdale-Jone Company: Patton NZ

er, also a qualified fridgie. Occupation: Sales engine ut working in HVAC&R? What’s the best thing abo get to know. get to do, and the people you The wide variety of work you . new ing eth don’t learn som There’s not one day that you years. d in the industry? Over 12 How long have you worke supermarkets ges. Makes commissioning Favourite tool: Digital gau so much faster! the basics.” ever received: “Go back to Best on-the-job advice you , start with ible oss imp ething out or it seems When you can’t figure som . ked rloo ove ’ve you erally something the basics again, as it’s gen my of ing inn beg the me this at My first boss and mentor told me a hundred times. ped hel has it and , apprenticeship rk? nt has been with your wo What’s the happiest a clie arket erm sup a d a major gas leak in I think probably when I stoppe it and d ppe sna and stepped on a pipe plant room after a contractor py hap tty pre re we y ermarket. The they had to evacuate the sup m the store, and I presented the pen re-o ld cou y when I said the in. aga pen hap didn’t with a simple solution so it GT500 Daytona Coupe. Dream car: Shelby Cobra cathedrals und Europe to see all the old Dream holiday: A trip aro and architecture.

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

Get a taste of AIRAH’s official journal at www.airah.org.au/ecolibrium 28

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June–July 2020

AIRAH News

COME ONE, COME ALL! You are invited to join AIRAH’s first Virtual Industry Showcase on World Refrigeration Day!

Each year, AIRAH’s Industry Nights are highly valued events for people in Australia’s HVAC&R industry. They are run all around the country, giving businesses, contractors, technicians and engineers an opportunity to learn about the latest products and services, and network with other professionals. Of course, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large face-to-face events are off the agenda, and that includes the Industry Nights. But in order to keep serving the HVAC&R sector, AIRAH has converted several of its physical events into webinars and online forums. This includes one very special new event. On June 26, AIRAH will be celebrating World Refrigeration Day by staging its first ever Virtual Industry Showcase. Forming part of AIRAH’s Centenary celebrations, this is an exhibitor showcase and networking event open to organisations, professionals and practitioners working in HVAC&R. “AIRAH has been working hard at making our program of events, training and professional development more accessible to members during these challenging times,” says AIRAH’s CEO, Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH.

AT A GLANCE AIRAH Virtual Industry Showcase

“The Virtual Industry Showcase reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver new platforms and opportunities for the HVAC&R community to connect and share ideas.” The full-day virtual event will run from 9am–5pm (AEST) and is free to attend. It comprises an exhibitor showcase in the morning and Q&A sessions in the afternoon. On the day itself, you will be sent links giving you access to exhibitor videos across five streams: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Controls/Analytics. Throughout the day, you can watch the pre-recorded exhibitor videos – showcasing the latest products and exclusive offers for this event – and submit questions online. These questions will then be put to exhibitors for their responses during the live‑stream Q&A sessions later in the day. After the Q&A segment, the event will turn into a virtual networking session where attendees and exhibitors can chat online. Best of all, it doesn’t matter where in the country you are. Whether you’re in Adelaide or Alice Springs, Albany or Adaminaby, you can get involved. ■

EVENT SCHEDULE Exhibitor Showcase

AEST

ACST

AWST

9am–2pm

8.30am–1.30pm

7am–12 midday

Friday, June 26 (World Refrigeration Day)

Q&A session – Stream 1

2pm

1.30pm

12 midday

Q&A session – Stream 2

2.30pm

2pm

12.30pm

9am–5pm (AEST) | 8.30am–4.30pm (ACST) | 7am–3pm (AWST)

Q&A session – Stream 3

3pm

2.30pm

1pm

Q&A session – Stream 4

3.30pm

3pm

1.30pm

To register as an exhibitor or attendee visit airah.org.au/showcase

Q&A session – Stream 5

4pm

3.30pm

2pm

4.30pm

4pm

2.30pm

Exhibitor and attendee networking

June–July 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

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

Ahead of the pack APAC Commercial HVAC AC

1 WINNER

Visit apacair.com.au for more information 2

3 THE DEVIL’S IN THE DUCTWORK “Look at this shocker of a split ducted supply air duct in a ceiling space,” says Lloyd from Queensland. “I think the photo speaks for itself!” ■

AC IN THE WC 1

Rob in NSW sent us a pic of these steelworks toilets where RACs replaced an old ducted package unit. The workers get a chance to cool down from red-hot steel production while relieving themselves.

4 NOT WHILE WE’RE EATING, PLEASE

“Hopefully the fresh air damper works,” says Rob, “not that it’d do much!” ■

“Nothing too unusual,” he says, “except it was the main air intake for a day surgery.” ■

2 LIMITED ACCESS

5 WHO’S THE BRIGHT SPARK?

Phil from Hobart sent us this beauty. We love the effort that was put into levelling out the unit – too bad about the stairs! ■

Some “switched-on” tradie has used this as an isolation switch for the main power. Thanks to Toby for the photo. ■

Paul in WA sent us a photo of some very dirty filters.

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

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June–July 2020

Ahead of the pack

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Visit apacair.com.au for more information

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HVAC&R Nation

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