Around the Nation 1
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Photo courtesy of Superior Training Centre.
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1 A DRINK TO JAMES HARRISON
tradesperson and review the related units of competency in a holistic fashion.
A Geelong brewery has launched a new craft beer to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s refrigeration pioneer James Harrison. Harrison’s Rocky Point Dark Lager is a special release from the Southern Bay Brewery. According to general manager Michael Connell, the brew was suggested by the Geelong and Region Branch of the National Trust, which recently held a James Harrison exhibition as part of Geelong Design Week. The brewery is also located within sight of Point Henry, where Harrison lived out his final days, making it particularly appropriate.
Reliable Controls has announced a new initiative that it says will help customers minimise waste in the field: eCycle.
After making the trek from his native Scotland to the Australian colonies, Harrison charted a life of extraordinary achievement. Among his many accomplishments were the founding of The Geelong Advertiser – now Australia’s second‑longest continuously running newspaper – and the creation of ice via mechanical means.
The eCycle service allows authorised dealers to send non-repairable Reliable Controls and peripheral partner devices to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
The Harrison-inspired beer arrived on shelves just in time for celebrations of James Harrison’s birthday on April 17. ■
When electrical and electronic equipment, including building controllers, is disposed of properly, electronic materials are recovered and can be used in new products. But Reliable Controls says programs for proper collection and disposal of e-waste vary widely by region.
2 UPGRADE AHEAD FOR CERT III? Australian Industry Standards (AIS) has been seeking feedback on cases for change for various training packages and qualifications – including the Certificate III refrigeration and air conditioning qualification. Last year, the new Certificate III qualification for refrigeration and air conditioning, UEE32220, was finalised and will come online with registered training organisations by October 2022. Although the new course incorporates important updates, stakeholders flagged early on that it mostly consisted of transitioning to a new format, rather than the much‑needed overhaul of the qualification. The new project would determine the essential performance capabilities (EPCs) of an RAC |
HVAC&R Nation
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www.airah.org.au/nation
The proposal to update the RAC qualification is just one of many published by AIS in its cases for change, across a wide range of industries, though it is thought to have a good chance of going ahead. ■
3 RELIABLE RECYCLING
The label notes that the beer’s flavours “are inspired by the rich malty ales and smoky peated whisky of Scotland, where James was born”.
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In addition, a new unit of competency and skill set would be developed to enable RAC technicians to competently assess and report on a building’s smoke control features of mechanical services systems. This work relates to essential services fire measures legislation.
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“With the new eCycle service, it doesn’t matter where in the world customers are,” says the company. “We will arrange for its authorised dealers to ship non-repairable controllers to a responsible recycling partner for disposal.”
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4 PARKS AND PRIZES FOR MHIAA Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has announced the launch of its Virtual Showroom Innovation Park. Users guide themselves around the virtual showroom, and can access information on the latest product offerings, from small residential through to large commercial solutions. “Through this tool, customers can not only explore our product range, but they will also be provided with up-to-date product images and key features and functions on each product,” says MHIAA Managing Director Yuji Ito. If you do visit the park, you’ll notice some new awards stamps on the company’s split systems. MHIAA has been named by Finder as the Best Rated Split System Air Conditioner Brand in the latest 2021 retail awards. The 2020/21 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards recognises Australia’s best brands and are voted on by Australians. Within the split system category, consumers rated air conditioners in terms of quietness, performance, features and functions and value for money. MHI air conditioners achieved the highest rating in every single category, taking out the 2020/21 Retail Award. Go to virtualinnovationpark.com.au ■
5 COMMERCIAL AC DREAM TEAM
The products Reliable Controls manufactures follow the WEEE, RoHS 2, and R2 directives, which set collection, recycling, and recovery targets for electrical goods and restrict the use of certain hazardous substances.
Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Systemair Group, have announced they will work together to market a large-scale commercial air conditioning and ventilation solution.
“With the introduction of eCycle, authorised dealers can assure their customers that the Reliable Controls long-term, better-by-design approach not only provides them with excellent ROI, but also mitigates the negative impact of waste management; our products are recycled responsibly and built to last,” says Reliable Controls. ■
Locally, the first stage of the collaboration will see Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation work together to market Pacific Ventilation’s indoor DX air handling units and Panasonic’s variable refrigerant flow (FSV) outdoor units. Panasonic says this is in line with its strategic partnership with Systemair AB Group, which
June 2021
