HVAC&R Nation October 2019 by AIRAH

Skills

WORKSHOP

Controls Fundamentals

After the storm How HVAC&R is helping Townsville get back on its feet

Fridgies in the forces Plying your trade in the Australian Defence Force October 2019 / ISSUE 125

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October 2019 / ISSUE 125

Fridgies in the forces 10

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

Fax: 03 9614 8949

www.airah.org.au/nation

Magazine team Communications Manager Matthew Dillon matt.dillon@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3000

Editor Mark Vender mark.vender@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3022

Contributing writer

Sean McGowan talks to HVAC&R technicians about their experiences in the Australian Defence Force.

Sean McGowan

Cover image and photo above courtesy of the Department of Defence.

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HVAC&R Nation regulars

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

Controls fundamentals

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.

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.

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

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Cool Tech If you like singing in the shower, here is your backing track

29 30

After the flood

At the beginning of this year, Australia watched on as Townsville was hit by one of the worst natural disasters ever to impact the region. We find out what has happened since – and how HVAC&R has played a vital role.

Smoko with . . . Q&A with Jennah Wone

13,314 PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.

AIRAH News Australia’s top apprentices vying for an AIRAH Award

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.

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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.

Exclusive to this issue

Green Wedge Mining and sustainability in the same project? Dig it!

Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation

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Ed’s letter

HIDDEN HEROES When you start working in the HVAC&R industry, you perceive the world in new ways, through all your senses. These days when I step into a shopping centre, I’m as likely to look up at the ceiling as I am to look at the shops themselves. When I sit down in a café, I’m conscious of drafts and noise from the HVAC system. And when I walk past the restaurant near our office that always has a horrible photo‑copier smell at the front door, I curse their defective ozone kitchen exhaust system. It’s not just me, either. I had to laugh when a reader sent in some happy snaps from his trip to France – condensing units spotted on the streets of Paris! You also realise how big a part HVAC&R plays in our world, despite remaining largely invisible. It’s an issue the industry knows only too well. That unfortunate conundrum: when you do your job best, nobody notices.

equipment to help with the remediation effort. We thought it might be interesting to highlight the work and equipment involved in restoring a building after it gets seriously wet. But the story ended up being a lot more than that. Most of us will remember the images on the news: Townsville’s flooded streets and the “Tinny Army” of residents who helped evacuate stranded householders. Some people drowned. Large numbers of animals were also lost. For me, here in Melbourne, that was the disaster. It turns out that there was worse to come. When the waters subsided, temperatures over 35°C, relative humidity of about 99 per cent, and the nearby tropical rainforest created the perfect conditions for mould growth. Many of the HVAC systems had failed too, either because of the challenging conditions or the power outages, so they couldn’t dry the air out.

This month we investigated the aftermath of the Townsville floods. The tip for the story came from Cool Breeze Rentals, who sent up a load of

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE The ARBS Industry Awards represent the highest honour in the HVAC&R and Building Services industry. Categories recognise excellence and achievements in individual performance, projects, products, services and education.

NOMINATE NOW arbs.com.au/awards Winners will be announced at the ARBS Industr y Awards Gala Dinner to be held on 20 May, 2020 in Melbourne.

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The mould was just as serious as the floods themselves. And incredibly, the work to eliminate it and get all of Townsville back online is still going. According to one of our interviewees, 1,500 homes have not yet been cleared for the residents to return. Among all of this, HVAC&R specialists – mycologists, remediation contractors and project managers – have been playing a vital role. It’s work that doesn’t earn any headlines, but it is truly keeping this country running. I hope you enjoy the feature, which starts on page 20, and the rest of this month’s magazine. To the people who are still working in the recovery effort, and the residents who have shown huge resourcefulness and spirit in the face of a long-running disaster, respect. ■ @AIRAHnews

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

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Toolshed 1

Damper development

Since the recent changes to AS/NZS 1668.1 and AS 1530.4, Kilargo has been working on an improved damper solution that complies with the new standards.

The WS Series will enable households to perform a range of operational tasks with their voice using the Google Assistant app, or a compatible smart speaker. “The ability to control your air conditioner through a simple voice command and monitor consumption from your smartphone offers a sense of convenience you need to experience to believe,” says LG Australia’s general manager of marketing Angus Jones.

According to Kilargo, the IFD-LL provides insulation and fire integrity up to 120 minutes. The company says that the improved, high-performance design reduces pressure and lowers noise when installed, thanks to the compact and lightweight – yet robust and durable – design.

“The new IFD-LL will be supported in the coming months by our add-on for Autodesk Revit and the popular Kilargo IFD Selector App for iOS and Android.”

“We are excited to bring this technology to consumers through our new air conditioning range.”

The models feature twin rotatory compressors and run on R32. They also have built-in technology that monitors refrigerant levels and shuts down to avoid damage to the compressor and help protect the unit if levels get too low.

Freddox on the box

Beijer Ref has introduced a new label to the HVAC&R market: Freddox. Freddox will be exclusively distributed throughout all Beijer Ref businesses, including both the Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia networks across Australia. The Freddox brand will mark a variety of HVAC&R installation and parts lines with the initial release in Australia to include fire‑rated pair coil and standard pair coil.

LG offers a 10-year parts warranty on the inverter compressor – five years parts and labour and five years limited parts warranty on the compressor.

The store is located above a railway station, meaning there is no drainage through the concrete slab underneath each refrigerated case. As a solution, condensate pumps have been installed under the refrigerated cases to discharge all condensate water into common tundishes in the ceiling space.

For those ‘oh bugger’ moments

Have you ever been onsite only to find that there are not enough wires for the job, or the wires you ran previously are damaged and running new wiring is impossible? Smart Temp Australia believes it has designed and built the solution: the SMT-2W5. It converts the function of up to seven wires into data at the thermostat, sends this data through two wires, and then converts the data back into seven-wire logic (two power and five relays) at the HVAC equipment. “The applications for the SMT-2W5 are endless, but include the ability to add zone control by sharing the existing thermostat wires,” says Smart Temp. “Use two wires to remove a dumb wall sensor and replace it with a standard 24V thermostat such as the Smart Temp SMT-400 or SMT-770 (or any brand of thermostat should you wish). Replace a standard battery thermostat with a wi-fi thermostat without adding a ‘C’ wire.

Sauer tablet

Kirby has completed a trial of the Sauermann Australasia Gel Clear tablet at a store in Sydney.

All products distributed under the Freddox brand across Australia and New Zealand are designed and manufactured to the relevant Australian and NZ Standards. Freddox fire‑rated pair coil is rated to AS/NZS 1530.3 for BCA Class 2–9 and is R410A and R32 compliant. Contact your Kirby or Beijer Ref Australia branch for more details. ■

Go to www.lg.com.au ■

Beijer Ref says it is committed to working with supply partners that bring operational excellence to the HVAC&R industry to provide unsurpassed value, convenience and confidence for its customers.

Users can access real-time and weekly/monthly energy usage through the LG Smart ThinQ mobile app, and can cap the energy consumption level. A Quiet Mode tilts the skew fan by 15 degrees to help reduce air surface pressure on the fan. LG says this results in reduced peak air mode, while the brushless DC fan motor allows for low noise levels.

Go to www.kilargo.com.au or call 1300 858 010. ■

Voice-activated ventilation

LG Electronics Australia is introducing its first voice‑activated air conditioning range to Australia.

The company has now released the IFD Low-Loss (IFD-LL), which has been tested to both Section 10 and Section 11 in AS 1530.4 2014.

“IFD-LL comes with the same high-quality support and service our customers have come to value,” says Kilargo, “with an additional bonus of Ezy-Fit Brackets as standard and our new installer’s label to assist installers to comply with AS 1682.2.

The condensate pumps at the store regularly formed biofilms that evolved into thick sludge if not cleaned proactively. This caused them to block and resulted in water leaks. In some instances, the pumps failed completely. Over time the discharge lines between the pumps and tundishes became blocked too. The tablets were installed to test how well they could mitigate these problems. The trial store had logged an average of 11 refrigeration service calls a month, costing an average $350 each, for the 24-month period between 2016 and 2018. During the six-month trial period, there was a 95 per cent reduction in water leaks as a result of the installation of Gel Clear tablets. Kirby estimates that the maintenance call costs could have been reduced by $40,000p/a had the tablets been applied to all cases in the store.

“The SMT-2W5 is a tool that every tradie should have in their van for that ‘oh bugger’ moment just around the corner.”

According to Kirby, the tablets are just as effective in other applications such as air handling units, split systems and fan coil units.

Go to www.thermostat.com.au ■

Go to kirbyhvacr.com.au ■

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Toolshed 6

Magic scroll

Hey Google, make me cool

Bitzer’s Orbit (model range VL) and Orbit+ scroll compressors have been approved for serial production for use with refrigerants R454B, R452B and R32.

Panasonic has announced the introduction of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa compatibility to its entire range of reverse‑cycle and cooling-only air conditioning systems.

According to Bitzer, it is the first manufacturer in the world to supply scroll compressors with displacements of between 20 and 80m3/h (50Hz) for use with A2L refrigerants. The Orbit series in the VA model range will continue to be available for operation with A1 refrigerants.

To activate the feature, users pair Panasonic’s WLAN Smart Adaptor and Comfort Cloud App with any of the Panasonic air conditioners, then link their Google Home or Amazon Alexa using the app. Voice control can be used for turning the unit on and off, changing operating modes, adjusting temperature settings and checking operating status.

“The Orbit and Orbit+ compressor models are designed for air conditioning systems and heat pumps in particular,” says Bitzer. “Their strengths include a wide application range, their high energy efficiency and a low noise level.

A customised routine can also be created via settings in the Google Home app or Alexa Routines. Commands such as “Hey Google, good morning” can be programmed to set a desired temperature.

“All compressors in the series can also be operated at a fixed speed or using an external frequency inverter with variable speed (35–75Hz). Orbit and Orbit+ scroll compressors can be equipped with the Bitzer Advanced Header Technology (BAHT), providing customers with hundreds of potential tandem and trio assembly combinations.” Bitzer says the new compressors can help OEMs cut development and production costs significantly.

“The availability of voice control in our air conditioning range is another positive step for Panasonic’s innovative Smart Home system,” says Panasonic’s Joe De Bella.

“As the Orbit and Orbit+ series feature identical connection sizes, there is less design, production and logistics work involved in the development of a new generation of systems. This provides OEMs with maximum flexibility and efficiency.” For more information, check out the video at bit.ly/2w4hV1E ■

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

“People who are used to controlling their lighting and audio with their voice, can now also set preferences for their Panasonic air conditioning system to create the desired air conditioning environment.” Voice control is available in English now, with other languages to be rolled out soon. Go to aircon.panasonic.com.au ■ Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

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Global Update

SPAIN

THAILAND

Source: r744.com

DUMPING DESPERADO A Spanish man has learnt the hard way about the perils of posting on social media, after footage of him dumping a fridge into a ravine went viral and eventually fell into the hands of authorities. The man can be seen in the video mocking the concept of recycling as he tips the fridge off the cliff, then laughing as it tumbles down into the ravine. Unfortunately for him, the video also clearly shows the back of his van and the number plate. After the video triggered a storm of social media abuse, the man went back to the scene of the crime and posted footage of himself pulling the fridge back up the mountain by hand. But he was still sacked by his employer and faces a fine of up to €45,000 (Au$73,500). ■

EXTRACTION MISSION A Bangkok-based OEM has developed a transcritical CO2 extraction system aimed at the agriculture, food processing and healthcare sectors. According to r774.com, Project Blue Bird uses CO2 as a solvent in the extraction process – considered the ideal method for extracting medicinal compounds and consumable oils from raw materials. “It is a perfect solution for agricultural investors who would like to increase the value of their products,” says Project Blue Bird engineer Warot Lam (pictured). For the moment, testing is focused on the extraction process for rice bran and peanut oil. However, other applications also have commercial potential. “Since the government has just legalised cannabis cultivation for medicinal uses, it has become a huge trend in Thailand,” says Lam. “We have received many calls from researchers and hospitals to test our extraction system when it is finished.” ■

JAPAN

SWEET BREEZE

AC IN YOUR POCKET

In London, there are plans to house a ventilation system and electrical equipment for underground railway tunnels in a giant glazed box that will look like a sugar cube.

A Sony-affiliated startup has announced the Reon Pocket, a small Bluetooth device that can fit into a pocket and will cool and heat the wearer.

The cube will be covered with more than 13,000 glazed tiles, drawing inspiration from historic London Tube stations and reflecting light into the surrounding streets. The orientation of the tiles has also been designed to deter pigeons – a major issue in a city where the birds cover structures with their corrosive droppings.

Funds for the new product were raised through a crowdfunding campaign. It started with a goal of around Au$925,000, and exceeded the target in just one week.

The façade will be made of glazed and perforated terracotta tiles – known as faience tiles – that will allow air into the building and help ventilate the railway tunnels.

The Reon Pocket is designed to be worn with a silicon-material shirt that has a special back pocket to hold the device. It is controlled by an app on a mobile phone, and can cool down a wearer by 13°C or heat them up by 8°C. It uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat.

The sugar cube is part of the HS2 project – now under government review – to link London and Birmingham with a high-speed rail system. ■

The official launch of the Reon Pocket is scheduled for March 2020. At this stage it will only be available in Japan and is expected to cost around Au$200. ■

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Cover Feature

FRIDGIES IN THE FORCES

As we have seen in previous feature stories, there’s practically no part of our nation where you won’t find HVAC&R technicians working. This month, Sean McGowan looks at the careers of two fridgies working in the Australian Defence Force.

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Cover Feature Warrant Officer Class Two Michael Quirk attained his certified trade qualifications through the Australian Army and now works on aircraft including the ARH Tiger helicopter.

It may come as a surprise, but the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is an active employer of tradies, including fridgies and HVAC&R engineers.

His current role includes the maintenance of the aircraft systems and keeping the aircraft in a serviceable state, so they are deployable when required.

The ADF is made up of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). HVAC&R tradespeople in the ADF maintain systems on some of the most advanced equipment in the world, from sophisticated helicopters, to battle tanks, to a 30,000-tonne warship.

“The main responsibility when working on the air conditioning system is to comply with the environmental regulations and the workplace health and safety requirements by ensuring everyone working on the system is compliant.”

The job opportunities in the ADF are certainly attracting the attention of many, including trainees and fully qualified tradies. If you’re qualified, your civilian skills may transfer directly into the ADF with minimum on-the-job training required. If not, there are many traineeship positions available where the ADF provides all the relevant training to become fully qualified. These are the two distinct paths taken by Australian Army Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2), Michael Quirk and Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer, Shaun Ware.

BROTHERS IN ARMS After completing his Year 12 studies, Michael Quirk was unsure of the career he wanted to pursue. His father was a builder, so Quirk had grown up around the construction industry and was keen to learn a trade. But because he also had an interest in aircraft, his brother – himself in the Army – suggested Defence as an option to obtain a trade qualification. “I jumped at the chance and applied to join the Australian Army,” says Quirk. “My initial plan was to complete the required six years and take my trade qualification and return to civilian life.” Having recently reached 21 years in uniform, Quirk hasn’t looked back.

When not deployed or on exercise, Quirk says his working hours are equivalent to most civilian jobs. “The big difference is the variety of work that you do,” he says. “Being in the Army you are required to be a soldier first, which means you need to maintain skills such as weapon handling and fitness on top of your trade skills. “So one day you could be fixing aircraft and the next you may be at the (firearms) range or out in the field. This variety is what I enjoy most about the job.”

FROM REFRIGERANTS TO RATIONS Quirk says that although the variety of his job is enjoyable, training exercises and deployments can be challenging. “On exercise, you may be out in the field living in tents and eating ration packs whilst still being responsible for maintaining the aircraft,” he says. “And on deployments, it can be challenging to be away from family for extended periods of time.” Then, of course, there are the challenges and threats of working within a conflict zone. “However, deployments also provide the opportunity to make a real difference,” Quirk says.

ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN IN THE ARMY

TO THE CHOPPER To become a qualified aircraft tradesperson, Quirk completed a Certificate III in automotive air conditioning that combined a blend of Defence and TAFE-based study. “As a registered training organisation (RTO), Defence is able to provide the necessary training to receive the equivalent Certificate in line with civil industry,” he says. “Where Defence can’t provide the training, they use civil industry or TAFEs to meet the trade requirements.” Although his initial employment training introduced him to the basic theory of oxygen and air conditioning systems, it wasn’t until he moved from working on Blackhawk helicopters to the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH Tiger) aircraft that Quirk had an opportunity to put his trade qualifications into practice. It was then that he realised just how interesting the trade could be. “The ARH Tiger was the first Army helicopter to use an air conditioning system,” he says.

At the time of publication, the Australian Army was recruiting for full-time electrical technicians to serve in the Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). Posting to large Combat Service Support Battalions (CSSB) located in Brisbane, Darwin and/or Townsville, the role involves servicing and repairing a variety of equipment and appliances including refrigeration and air conditioning systems, vehicle electrics, generators and portable electronics. Entry to this trade is open to qualified, partially qualified and non-qualified applicants aged between 17 and 52. Upon entry to the Australian Army, all general entry recruits are required to complete military training. The 80-day Recruit Course requires you to take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. On‑the‑job trade training then follows.

HVAC&R tradespeople in the ADF maintain systems on some of the most advanced

For more information about similar roles, visit www.defencejobs.gov.au

equipment in the world October 2019

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Cover Feature

Petty Officer Shaun Ware is a maintenance fitter in the Royal Australian Navy and is posted to the Defence Force’s specialist recruiting team for trades, where he recruits the next generation of ADF tradespeople.

“I have had the opportunity to help with humanitarian assistance when natural disasters strike, such as flood relief efforts in Townsville or cyclone assistance in Vanuatu. This is what makes the job so rewarding.”

Strange operating parameters

IN THE NAVY

can make fault finding

Originally from Philip Island in Victoria, Petty Officer Shaun Ware joined the Navy as a marine technician at the age of 21.

an interesting exercise

“I had previously completed a trade in the construction industry and was looking to broaden my trade skills and gain new experiences,” says Ware. Although he had seen the HVAC&R trade while working in the construction industry, it wasn’t until he

TRADE IN YOUR CAREER The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has positions across Navy, Army and Air Force in over 33 trade roles including automotive, aviation, construction, mechanical, electrical, electronics and telecommunications.

“My advice to anyone interested in a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force is to come and have a look, and see what we have to offer,” says Australian Army Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Michael Quirk. “It may surprise you.”

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“My core training and role in the Navy is as a maintenance fitter in the marine environment,” he says. “However, over the course of my career I have built on my skillset and gained qualifications in HVAC&R and electrical that have allowed me to diversify my career and the equipment I am able to maintain.” Since joining the Navy in 2003, Ware has served on many different types of naval vessels and held many shore-based positions, both in and out of his core trade role. These positions have not only given him the opportunity to be deployed overseas, but also live in most states of Australia.

SEA IT TO BELIEVE IT

Committed to recruiting technologically minded individuals who can perform under pressure, the ADF displays all available jobs on its website, as well as detailed fact sheets explaining all aspects of the roles available.

joined the Navy and gained a Certificate III qualification that his interest in the trade was really sparked.

“Some of our HVAC&R systems use saltwater as a cooling medium and require particular diligence in surveying them for corrosion and possible failure points,” he says, “as well as keeping the sacrificial components changed on a regular basis.” Ware says equipment can also require re-engineering to operate on a moving platform. “This can cause sometimes strange operating parameters that can make fault finding an interesting exercise.” And although the ADF follows all Australian industry codes and standards, there are times – such as during operational and/or conflict situations – where improvisation is required.

SAGE ADVICE Ware says the ADF actively seeks to recruit from industry, and recognises the benefits that industry professionals can bring.

As a qualified maintenance fitter, Ware’s role when at sea can be incredibly diverse.

“The experience and insight into the industry greatly benefits both the ADF and the individual,” he says.

“The structure of a typical day at sea could consist of not only defect rectification and planned maintenance on the HVAC&R systems, but also maintenance of the mechanical and electrical systems,” he says. “You could also be required to undertake shift work as the on-watch engineer.”

“I would highly recommend anyone from the industry that is interested in a career in Defence to have a chat with their local recruitment officer. You don’t know what roles may be available until you ask.” ■

According to Ware, the maritime environment is unlike any other. “I have seen failures of components due to environmental considerations like vibration and salt degradation – things that don’t usually exist in the (civilian) industry.” |

Although most equipment is similar to that used in the broader HVAC&R industry – including the use of common refrigerants such as R134a, R404A and R507C – he says there are notable differences.

October 2019

AIRAH and HVAC&R Nation acknowledge and thank Australian Army Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Michael Quirk and Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Shaun Ware for their continued service to our nation. We also thank the Australian Defence Force for making them available.

CONTROL YOUR AIR IN MORE WAYS Introducing intuitive voice control with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa control compatibility*. Using your smart home devices, control your air conditioner with just your voice! Custom Routines: Example: “I’m home” Turn On/Off Adjust Temperature Change Mode Check Status

Now available with all Panasonic Air Conditioners*.

VOICE One Command

CONTROL Multiple Devices

Note: Panasonic WLAN adaptor and third party voice control devices are required to be purchased separately.

*CZ-TACG1 or CZ-CAPWFC1, Comfort Cloud App, and an existing Wi-Fi connection with voice control device is required. Additional accessories may be required. Functionality may vary by model. please refer to aircon.panasonic.com.au for further details. Google is a trademark of Google LLC. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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October 2019

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3/9/19 3:17 pm | 13

HVAC&R Nation

Green Wedge

THE GREEN AND GOLD Let’s face it: the resources industry has a terrible reputation when it comes to the ecology. But a new WA project may just change that. The mining industry is often depicted as the villain when it comes to environmental destruction – and rightly so. Its list of eco-crimes is long, extensive and shameful. But a Western Australian gold mine, now under construction, is set to challenge the stereotype. It will be the first Australian mine to be powered by a wind, solar, battery and gas microgrid.

“We’re excited to see more mining companies taking up renewable options, and Gold Fields’ project comprising solar, wind and battery is helping to position into a more reliable and sustainable energy supply to call upon for the life of the mine,” says ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $13.5 million in funding to Agnew Gold Mining Company, part of the Gold Fields Group (Gold Fields), for the development of a high‑penetration renewable microgrid at its Agnew Gold Mine in the northern goldfields, Western Australia.

“The project Gold Fields is undertaking will provide a blueprint for other companies to deploy similar off-grid energy solutions, and demonstrate a pathway for commercialisation, helping to decarbonise the mining and resources sector.”

GRIPPERFIX

The renewable hybrid microgrid will consist of five wind turbines delivering an 18MW wind farm, a 10,000 panel 4MW solar farm and a 13MW/4MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). It will have the security and reliability of a microgrid underpinned with a 16MW gas engine power station. This will be the first time wind generation forms part of a large hybrid microgrid in the mining sector in Australia. The renewable energy microgrid is expected to provide 55 to 60 per cent of the mine’s energy requirements, with the potential to meet almost all energy requirement at certain times. ■

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Controls are an increasingly important consideration in new building design and existing building renovation. They are directly linked to building performance and energy management, commissioning and retro-commissioning, operation and maintenance and broader links to building sustainability, building health and safety, and ultimately building satisfaction and productivity.

Skills summary ■ What?

The operation and control of environmental systems in buildings is a critical activity in terms of operating costs, environmental footprint, occupant comfort, and indoor environment quality. The operation of many building systems is sub-optimal and the performance of these systems can improve with better control strategies. Efficient buildings need efficient controls.

An overview of building controls and the terms commonly used when discussing them.

■ Who?

Maintenance service providers, controls vendors and integrators, designers and contractors, construction and project managers, facility managers, building owners and developers, tenants and occupants.

This Skills Workshop provides a broad overview of control system fundamentals and explains some of the common terms used when discussing control systems.

At its most fundamental, a control system comprises a sensor, a controller, a controlled device, a process, and a feedback to the system. Closed loop systems have a direct feedback via the sensor; open loop systems have no direct feedback. The set‑point is the desired or pre-set value of the variable for the feedback loop to compare against, e.g., the temperature of a space or the pressure of a fluid.

A sensor, controller and controlled device can all live in the same box or they can be in three separate places. They need to be connected to communicate, connections can be wired or wireless. Sensor output becomes controller input and controller output becomes device input. A thermostat is both a sensor and a controller; a thermostatic valve is a sensor, a controller and a controlled device. The load or process typically includes building ventilation, cooling, heating, lighting, transport, and security access.

Controller

Into DDC

C CD

Controlled Device

Normally Open

S Sensor Controlled Medium (Air temperature)

Chilled Water Supply

Out of DDC

Sensor

C Controller

Cooling Coil Chilled Water Return

Figure A1: Basic control loop

A sensor detects and measures a variable and sends this information to the controller. Sensors typically measure temperature, pressure, humidity, velocity, flow, illuminance, movement, substance concentration, electrical resistance, or electronic voltage. Sensor output becomes controller input. The controller receives the information from the sensor and uses a pre‑set logic or control algorithm to compute an output signal which it sends to the controlled device. Controller output becomes controlled device input. The controlled device receives the information from the controller and acts on it to make the required change to the system. Examples of controlled devices are modulating valves and dampers, lighting dimmers, variable speed motors (that drive fans, pumps and compressors), electrical or electronic switches and capacitors.

INPUT

LOGIC

Controlled Device

OUTPUT

Figure A2: DDC inputs and outputs

A direct acting control action means the output increases with increases in the measured variable. A reverse acting control action means the output decreases as the measured variable increases. Examples of controllers are thermostats, programmable timers, microprocessor controls, direct digital control systems (DDC), and building management and control systems (BMCS). How the controller functions, its internal logic, determines the relationship between the controller’s input and output. This is called the control response.

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop used to dampen the system and prevent it returning to set‑point so quickly that it will overshoot the mark. The derivative component is based on the rate of change of the input. PID is a precision (process) control response and is not always required for HVAC applications. The routine application of PID control to every control loop is labour intensive and its application should be selective.

Typical control responses employed in building HVAC are: • Two position – This is essentially an on/ off control based on the specified set‑point and differential. The output is off when the set‑point is reached, and on when the difference between the set‑point and the measured variable (the differential) reaches the specified value. • Floating – This control response involves an upper and lower limit based on the specified set‑point and deadband. The set‑point sets a midpoint and the deadband sets the difference between the upper and lower limit. The output is triggered when the upper or lower limits are reached.

• There are many other control responses: enhanced PID, trim and respond, adaptive, predictive, fuzzy logic, among others. Control strategies are system cycles or modes specific to individual systems. Economisers, optimised start, optimised stop, pressure reset, temperature reset (chilled water, condenser water), compensated temperature, temperature lockouts (chiller, boiler, reheat), pre-cooling, pre-heating, night purge, demand controlled ventilation, sequencing and scheduling, optimising, duty cycling, demand limiting, are all examples of control strategies in HVAC. A control strategy is the underlying design logic on which the control system is based. There are often multiple control strategies employed in control systems.

• P – Stands for proportional control and refers to a variable output from the controller in response to a variable input from the sensor. The set‑point, throttling range, and action define the relationship between input and output. The output signal is proportional to the error of the input from its set‑point, less the deadband. This form of control is relatively easy to set up and stable but suffers from offset.

The control routine is the control philosophy utilised to implement the control strategy.

• PI – Stands for proportional plus integral control and involves the additional measurement of the offset or error over time. The error value is integrated and the resulting value is used to adjust the output from the proportional control. This form of control reduces offset but can introduce overshoot.

The control logic is the software programming or code used in the controller to implement the control routine. Some of the other terms we use when discussing control responses and control routines include: Set‑point is the target value that the automatic control system will aim to reach.

• PID – Stands for proportional plus integral plus derivative control. A predictive element is added, where the derivative of the control response is

Swing

Off

Deadband is an area of signal range or band where no action occurs.

Hysteresis allowance is the lag between making a change, such as increasing or decreasing power, and the response or effect of that change. The control zone is the zone that is being used to control the system. Control systems can be electronic, electric, pneumatic, and mechanical. In reality, most control systems are hybrid control systems that may incorporate electric, hydraulic or pneumatic components as well as relying heavily on microprocessor and electronic technology. A point refers to an individual connection between the control system and the world. There are four point types: inputs and outputs, digital and analogue. Digital inputs and outputs can have only two states (i.e., binary 1/0) which can relate to on/off, open/closed, higher/lower, start/stop. Analogue inputs and outputs can have a range of numeric values, which can relate to temperature, humidity, speed, pressure, flow rate, and percentage open. Points can be further classified as external points, which are data received from or sent to an external device, and internal points (or virtual points), which are data created by the internal logic of the control system. Global points describe data that are transmitted on a network for use by other controllers. A points list is a list of all the places within the structure that the system needs to know something about and where the system wants to make something happen.

Overshoot Controlled variable Set point

Offset

Off

Differential

Proportional band is the percentage change in the input which would result in a 100% change in the output. It is the reciprocal of the gain of the controller expressed as a percentage of the measuring span.

Off

Undershoot

Set point

Cooling Control On

Time

Control Output

Time

Heating Control

Two position (On/Off) control Proportional integral control Dead Band Throttling range temperature

Thermostat (with dead band)

Upper limit

Controlled variable

Controlled variable Offset

Controlled variable

Neutral zone

Offset Set point

Set point Time

Time

Lower limit

Floating control Proportional control Figure A3: Typical control responses 16

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Proportional integral derivative control

HVAC&R Skills Workshop A gateway translates communication protocol between the two systems. A router is a device that provides connectivity between two or more networks.

Peer-to-Peer LAN

Polling LAN

S S C I S O

= = = =

Modem based communication is a specialised communication interface to allow internet/ intranet access to the network to provide remote monitoring and access.

O C

Controller Interface Sensor Outputs

A communication protocol is a formal description of electronic message formats and the rules for exchanging those messages between devices.

O S

Communication between two devices requires a common communication protocol, speed and formatting. Devices or networks using different or proprietary communication protocols need a gateway or interface to communicate.

Figure A4: Peer-to-peer and Polling LAN

For example, when someone enters level 6 (door opens = point) we wish to turn on lights (light switch = point) if there is not enough natural light (light sensor = point) and so on. The points list is a fundamentally important control system document. DDC systems are microprocessor‑based electronic computerised control systems. Simple systems may use only one DDC controller, or for more complex systems, individual DDC systems can be networked together into a BMCS. A BMCS is a networked control system integrating some or all of the building’s systems. Individual DDC systems and system controls are networked together to provide an integrated control and monitoring function. Integrated systems refers to combining two or more control systems such as access, security, lighting, HVAC, energy management, and maintenance into a single control system at the field, system or management level. For example, access systems are used to count building occupants for ventilation control purposes, energy metering systems enable HVAC systems to shed electrical loads for demand management, motion detectors for the lighting systems also activate ventilation systems and inform security staff during out‑of‑hours working. Warning! Fire and smoke detection and control systems are standalone systems that may tell the building control system its status, but should never be integrated as a functional component of the overall system. System architecture describes the overall network structure for the interconnection of intelligent devices.

Ethernet is a widely used local area network (LAN) technology. Specified in standard, IEEE 802.3, an Ethernet LAN is a network standard for data transmission that typically uses coaxial cable or special grades of twisted pair wires.

Communication protocols can be closed (a proprietary product), open (non-standard but available to anyone) or standard (standardised protocol available to anyone). There are many communication protocols in existence, but the two best known standard protocols are BACnet and LonWorks.

Operator interfaces allow the operator to interact with the system. Interfaces allow operators to program the system, override the system, display and review system data and manipulate data for trending or billing purposes. Operator interfaces can include desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, handheld consoles, smartphones and proprietary service tools.

An open system is defined as a system that allows components from different manufacturers to co-exist on the same network. Adopting an open communication protocol does not guarantee an open system. For network communication to be truly open it must use an open or standard communication protocol but also a common communication speed and common data formatting.

A communication interface is a device that provides communication between devices that do not use the same communications protocol. They translate, provide a buffer and a temporary memory storage for the information being passed and are often built in to other components.

There are many other terms used in controls terminology such as control authority (for valves, dampers), index run, face and bypass control and the like. Refer to other publications listed in Appendix I of DA28 for detailed explanations of these and other terms. ■

Site PC

Site LAN/WAN

C CI Subnet PC

C = Controller

I C

CI C

CI = Communications Interface

Subnet PC

I C

I = Interface

Figure A5: LAN and WAN networks

A local area network (LAN) allows these devices to communicate, to share and store data. Communications between devices can be characterised as peer-to-peer or polling. In a peer-to-peer arrangement each device can share information with any other device. In a polling arrangement, devices can only share data through an interface device. A wide area network (WAN) allows multiple sub‑networks or LANs to be connected together and facilitates information sharing between devices on different sub‑networks.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

This month’s Skills Workshop has been taken from AIRAH’s DA28 – Building Management and Control Systems (BMCS)

AIRAH

Next month: Refrigerant designations and classifications October 2019

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October 2019

Business Tips

YES COACH! Can a business coach or another outsider can help your business? We ask trade business expert Hugh Bowman. How can a business coach help my business? After all, I have lots of experience and have been in business for 10 years. We are also busy, and I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do ... Clearly this thinking is from someone with a closed-minded mentality. Think of large businesses or even professional sporting clubs. Would they have outsiders to help with direction, planning, marketing, business improvement? Absolutely. So when we get down to smaller businesses with less than 15 employees, can the boss manage everything and do an awesome job of it? Unlikely. The issues I see other than boss burnout are one or all of:

It’s not easy, but one

We all know how hard it is to get good workers. We had to become very clear on the type of person we needed to attract and work out what we needed to do to attract them and then retain them. The retention part is probably the most challenging for people, because this is about the art of leadership and systems to remain an effective leader.

thing is for sure: without significant effort nothing will change There could be many other issues, of course. And how do you learn how to fix these issues and implement the solutions, as well as get jobs done and get paid? It’s not easy, but one thing is for sure: without significant effort nothing will change.

• Variable margins • High staff turnover combined with suspect recruiting

A 10-man domestic HVAC business I worked with had all of these issues.

• Productivity issues and lack of training

To start with we drove a truck through the financials. We looked at the pricing, quoting, and worked out which jobs made money and which didn’t.

• Lots of firefighting with poor quality and additional callouts.

So we refocussed on the type of work we were doing and spent a lot of effort on systems to make the business run more efficiently and improve job productivity. One of the systems was an online job management tool to schedule work more easily. Another handled labour and materials usage. The final big issue was to do with staff.

AN HVAC CASE STUDY

• Roller-coaster cash flows

We then looked more strategically at the business: what the internal skills were, and where it sat in the marketplace. We already suspected there were productivity issues, but when we looked more closely, they aligned with particular guys who could only do a certain type of work that was very competitive, more challenging to manage, and didn’t make much money.

To implement these improvements may be a challenge, especially if you are already busy. But the impact lays down the foundations to build a seriously good business and gives you the option of doing whatever you want in it. ■

October 2019

Hugh Bowman is a former fridgie who now offers coaching programs, business workshops and business plans through his own company, ActionCoach. You can contact him on 0409 402 474 or visit actioncoachgeelong.com.au

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Feature February 1, 2019: Rising floodwaters threaten homes in the Townsville suburb of Annandale. Image: Robert Hiette.

AFTER THE STORM At the start of this year a disaster was declared when Townsville was inundated by record rainfall. But an even bigger emergency came when the waters subsided. We talk to the HVAC&R experts who are still helping get the town back on its feet. In late January 2019, an intense and slow-moving monsoon brought one-in-200-year rains to northern Queensland. The heaviest falls centred in and around Townsville.

Numerous locations reported

The accumulated totals from consecutive days of rainfall were the city’s highest since records began in 1888. Numerous locations reported more than 2m of rain over 12 days.

more than two metres of rain over 12 days

By the afternoon of Sunday, February 3, the Ross River Dam – about 19km from Townsville – had reached more than 200 per cent of its capacity. Authorities opened the spillway gates to avoid a greater disaster, releasing almost 1,900m³/s of water and inundating several Townsville suburbs. Rosslea, Hermit Park, Idalia, Fairfield Waters and Bluewater experienced the worst flooding. The Queensland premier declared a disaster. The State Emergency Service (SES), Queensland Rural Fire Service and the Australian Defence Force rushed in to help. They were joined by locals who helped evacuate trapped residents by 20

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she and her consultancy laboratory Mycotec had been called in at the end of January because it was already clear that there would be problems with damp. After the deluge, Townsville became a paradise for mould. “As soon as the rain stopped we had a heatwave,” Neumeister-Kemp remembers. “We had 35°–38°C and 98–99 per cent relative humidity every day. It was a steam pot.”

boat – and were later dubbed “the tinny army” by local media.

On top of this, power outages left many buildings without working HVAC systems.

But when the floodwaters had receded and the big news crews had left, another emergency began that didn’t make the headlines.

A PARADISE FOR PATHOGENS

“So you had perfect environmental conditions and no means of ventilating or drying out buildings, either mechanically or with drying equipment because there was no power. And many buildings sat like that for at least two or three days – long enough to get them completely mouldy due to condensation.”

Even before the floods, mycologist Heiki NeumeisterKemp, M.AIRAH, had been in Townsville. A specialist in indoor air quality with 30 years’ industry experience,

The mould was just as big a health risk as the floodwaters. People soon began to fall ill from exposure (see breakout).

October 2019

Feature In the beginning the situation was even more frantic because floodwaters closed roads into Townsville and stopped outside help arriving. Neumeister-Kemp and her colleagues pulled 20-hour shifts and focused on checking whether critical buildings such as nursing homes and hospitals were safe. “We just ran from building to building doing the risk assessments, pointing out where the contamination was,” she says. “It was very challenging but also really rewarding because the community spirit up here in Townsville is amazing. The people who lived here did anything they could to help, from sharing one car between 20 people to cooking and feeding everyone in public places.”

THE BIG CLEAN Aeris Environmental has a local presence in Townsville, and was heavily involved in the recovery work. The company engaged contractors, wrote scopes of work and managed sites to the point where the QAs were signed off. The team worked closely with mycologists such as Neumeister-Kemp, who checked contamination levels.

“A lot of that aspect is now gone but there are still a lot of people who aren’t back at home. There are still 1,500 homes that are uninhabitable and haven’t been cleared.” Another company of flood remediation experts that came in to help was New Life Restorations – a family‑owned business based in Brisbane that specialises in flood, mould, fire and biohazard damage.

Melioidosis often presents as pneumonia and most likely occurs when non-intact skin has direct contact with contaminated soil or surface water. According to the ABC, the Townsville Public Health Unit is compiling an assessment on the health impacts of the floods. The service has reported 21 cases of melioidosis following the floods, six cases of leptospirosis infection and an increase in gastroenteritis and cryptosporidium attributable to the event.

It was very challenging but

“You would leave your car and come back in the morning and mould had grown over the steering wheel and the seat cover overnight.”

the community spirit up here

Across swathes of suburbs, almost every home and business had a large, muddy pile of possessions stacked by the roadside awaiting council collection. In the immediate aftermath, more than 18,000 tonnes of waste was disposed.

Two additional deaths were reported on February 12 and February 26 due to melioidosis.

“We have been involved in many catastrophe events, but this was the largest we have been part of. Entire suburbs had completely flooded houses. The contents of homes were piled up on front lawns down both sides of the street. It gave flashbacks of the Brisbane floods in 2011.”

also really rewarding because

“There was a period when you couldn’t hire a car, you couldn’t find a hotel room. The whole place was just full up with people who had been displaced or contractors coming to help rebuild the town.”

Four fatalities were reported after bodies were found in Townsville floodwaters – including those of brothers Barak and Jhulio Eatts, aged five and three, respectively.

“After seeing the catastrophe unfold, we mobilised on February 7,” says New Life Restorations client relationship manager Tim Weber. He agrees that the scene was harrowing.

Aeris’ national sales manager Blair Milnes says the level of mould growth was incredible.

He says the town itself had an air of disaster.

THE HUMAN COST

In addition to this, many people have suffered immune-suppression problems as a result of mould exposure.

in Townsville is amazing Most affected properties had about 300mm of inundation, with water lines clearly visible along the external walls. “Floodwater affected properties are not safe to inhabit,” says Weber. “Floodwater can damage structures, contents, spread contamination and generate microbial growth such as mould. Once mould begins to grow, a lot of contents – particularly porous items – may not be salvageable and require disposal.”

“You’d drive around and there were loads of furniture piled on the side of the street,” says Milnes, “block after block. Hundreds of homes just throwing everything out.

With high levels of pre-existing mould and high humidity present in the days and weeks after the flood, the threat of mould growth and contamination – even in unflooded homes – was significant. It was vital to start remediation work quickly.

“And our people who were working had to have non‑breathable coveralls, double-elasticised rubber gloves on, and full-face breathing apparatus. So you’ve got these people walking around like it’s the Chernobyl meltdown.

Different remediation companies had different methods – in fact one of the issues in this industry is that there is no Australian certified training for mould remediation. New Life Restorations followed the S500 Standard and Reference Guide

for Professional Water Damage Restoration, published by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) in the US, stripping houses back to their subfloor and stripping internal walls to approximately 1,200mm high. “Our team would then commence detailed cleaning, structural drying and post-remediation testing,” says Weber.

BRING IN THE BLOWERS Such was the scale of the Townsville flood clean‑up that companies across Australia were called on to provide equipment for property remediation. Cool Breeze Rentals – one of Australia’s largest providers of temporary and portable air conditioning, heaters, dehumidifiers and fans – spent weeks preparing, packing and shipping equipment to Townsville via road in the aftermath of the floods. According to Cool Breeze Rentals Queensland state manager Heath Taylor, the company moved approximately 420 pieces of equipment by road to the Townsville region. This included regular and low-grain refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifiers, turbo floor dryers, HEPA filter air scrubbers and commercial blower fans. “We have a lot of experience in urgent, high‑demand scenarios,” says Taylor. “Every summer we are faced with urgent requests for large amounts of portable air conditioners to be delivered throughout Australia and New Zealand, and we have also been involved in previous disasters such as the 2011 Brisbane floods in which we supplied bulk amounts of flood restoration equipment.” These experiences led the company to invest in products designed to be stackable, lighter and more compact.

Flooded commercial premises in Townsville. Image courtesy of New Life Restorations.

“This means we can fit around three times more product on every pallet,” says Taylor.

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Feature New Life Restorations were involved in the remediation works of approximately 120 properties, including residential homes, commercial business premises and a shopping centre. Its work included pressure cleaning, the removal of porous materials, anti-microbial treatment, contents management and drying. After cleaning the biological contaminants, air movers were deployed in properties to move the air while dehumidifiers were used to remove the moisture from the air. According to Weber, this process effectively and safely dries the property before it can be rebuilt.

The water line was left visible on many properties. Image courtesy of New Life Restorations.

In the weeks and months following the February floods, remediation companies and specialists set about returning homes to residents, properties to businesses, and public facilities back to the town itself. Those properties where the water line was relatively low were able to be restored more quickly. “Structurally, they often remain sound,” says Weber. “However, it’s the non-structural components that require replacement such as gyprock sheeting, carpets and tiles.”

With many properties in and around Townsville experiencing some degree of mould contamination – and the presence of airborne pathogens possible – attention to air quality was also paramount during remediation works. “HEPA air filtration devices were installed in affected properties during the structural drying phase of works,” explains Weber. Aeris Environmental dealt with sensitive sites such as aged-care facilities, hospitals, birthing suites and universities, as well as entertainment centres and civic areas. Milnes says that although each site required a unique strategy, a priority was to inspect and clean the air handling system, including ducting. Then it was

DESICCANT DEHUMIDIFIERS Portable dehumidifiers vary in size, from units capable of removing 20 litres of water (moisture) per day to units able to remove 120 litres.

Desiccants are materials that have a high attraction to moisture. A typical example of desiccant is the bag of silica gel that comes in the box when you purchase new electronic equipment.

Weighing up to 2 tonnes, desiccant dehumidifiers are ideal for reducing humidity and drying large areas quickly. They are considered to be significantly cheaper than using multiple small refrigerant dehumidifiers. The equipment is placed outside the commercial building needing remediation, with ducting run into the building interior.

Desiccant dehumidifiers in comparison to refrigerant dehumidifiers can create a lower vapour pressure and therefore the highest evaporative force. There is a saying in the industry that “wet goes to dry”. Because the air exerted from the desiccant is very dry, it will attract the moisture out of other materials at a faster rate.

“We used one of our desiccant dehumidifiers to assist in drying out an 8,000m² commercial building,” says Weber. “For this particular environment, one might normally install 30–40 LGR (low-grain refrigerant) dehumidifiers which would likely take double the time to achieve the drying goal.”

The concept of the desiccant dehumidifier is very simple compared to a refrigerant dehumidifier.

The desiccant is housed in the round rotating wheel and is divided into sections, like a pie. The wet air passes through a section of the Source: New Life Restorations wheel and the moisture in Reactivation heater Pre-filter the air is deposited onto the Reactivation zone desiccant. The wheel rotates Reactivation fan and the wet section of the desiccant is heated in order to remove the moisture from that slice. The process repeats itself over and over. “Refrigerant dehumidifiers were typically used for residential homes, whereas desiccant dehumidifiers were used for larger commercial buildings,” says Tim Weber from New Life Restorations.

HVAC&R Nation

Over 18,000 tonnes of waste was thrown out after the flood. Image courtesy of New Life Restorations.

The contents of homes were piled up on front lawns down both sides of the street. It gave flashbacks of the Brisbane floods in 2011 a matter of working from the ceiling down to find and eliminate sources of moisture. Personal effects also had to be removed, tested and treated. On some sites, microbial treatments were used on air handling units to stop mould growing, and hydrogen peroxide machines were brought in to suppress airborne mould spores.

NINE MONTHS ON It is not surprising, given the scale of devastation across Townsville, that remediation and rebuilding works are continuing. “There is still remediation work going on, simply because of the sheer volume of houses and the ensuing backlog of work,” says Weber. Reports suggest thousands of Townsville residents remain displaced as the rebuilding of flood‑damaged homes continues and trade shortages in the region create delays. The Insurance Council of Australia’s head of risk and operations Karl Sullivan says insurers have received 29,935 claims since the catastrophe was declared on February 2, with estimated insurance losses of $1.243 billion. Neumeister-Kemp confirms that the clean-up will not be over any time soon. Mycotec has work booked right through until March. She hopes that lessons can be learnt from this year’s floods.

Dry air

Desiccant rotor Process fan

Wet air

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Pre-filter

October 2019

Geared motor Process zone

“Most of the buildings don’t have disaster management plans,” she says. “I think it should be mandatory, especially in flood-prone areas, that you have one. Then there should other things like fact sheets available for the general public – OK, we got flooded, what should we do? And there should be enough equipment in the town to do it. “There’s a lot of positive things that happened, but a lot of things could have been done differently.” ■

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AIRAH News

IN IT TO WIN IT! The AIRAH Awards are a chance to celebrate Australia’s standout projects, products and people. We give three cheers to the three finalists for the Student of the Year – Trade award. On November 14 in Sydney, AIRAH will hold its annual awards ceremony. For an industry that so often goes unnoticed, it’s a chance to shine the spotlight on the hard word, dedication and innovation in Australia’s HVAC&R sector.

“Matt is often paired with other apprentices (under the supervision of qualified staff ) and is able motivate them, resulting in often accelerated learning outcomes for the junior apprentice.”

MICHAEL PEER NEW SOUTH WALES

Last month, AIRAH announced the finalists across 11 different award categories, including the Student of the Year – Trade award.

MATT PATRICK SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Michael Peer, Stud. AIRAH, is a mature-aged apprentice who has been doing his Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at Ultimo, but it’s far from his first time in the TAFE classroom.

Matt Patrick, Stud. AIRAH, is a third-year apprentice studying a Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at TAFE SA and working at Cold Logic, a specialist in ammonia-based refrigeration systems.

He has completed a Cert IV in Fluid Power, a Cert III in Metals and Engineering and a Cert III in Mechanical Engineering. After completing two years in the facilities maintenance sector, Peer developed a keen interest in HVAC and took a pay cut to complete an apprenticeship in air conditioning and refrigeration.

“Matt has shown a great interest in his trade ever since he started his apprenticeship with Cold Logic,” says the company’s business development manager, Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH.

“Michael has been a high-achieving and dedicated student throughout his time with us,” says head teacher Sydney region TAFE NSW, Grant Swanson, M.AIRAH. “His high standards and maturity have been a positive influence on the other students and Michael has regularly given his time to assist students with their study and practical tasks.

“His skill and knowledge base are well above expectations for a third-year apprentice. While he still has to be suitably supervised to comply with legislative requirements, Matt often works independently and on projects with significant complexity, generally only assigned to fully qualified refrigeration mechanics. He has shown significant skills and aptitude in fault finding and rectification, and great acumen in understanding the fundamentals and underlying control systems, as well as the manual aspects of the trade.

“For the second year of Michael’s apprenticeship he was part of the Veolia Facilities Team looking after Sydney TAFE, so I have had the pleasure of not only dealing with him as student but also as a client. His professional approach has been evident throughout this time.” Earlier this year Peer received the ARBS/AMCA industry scholarship.

AIRAH AWARDS 2019 SPONSORS

Award Night event sponsor

Daikin

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

Standards Australia

Excellence in Innovation

Mitsubishi Electric

Future Leader

A.G. Coombs

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Australia

Student of the Year – Trade

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TORAN CHANDRA GAUTAM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Toran Chandra Gautam, Stud. AIRAH, is also a mature-age apprentice, who started his HVAC&R apprenticeship after immigrating to Australia from Nepal later in life. He is studying a Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) at South Metropolitan TAFE in Perth, and works for Hirotec Engineering. When Gautam first immigrated he worked as a chef, but wanted to explore other opportunities. Hirotek Engineering general manager Bernadette Slater notes that navigating a second language made this especially challenging. “Toran had to work harder than most to be accepted into a pre-apprenticeship program and for a placement as a HVAC&R apprentice. This encouraged him to push himself harder and he never looked back. It was a significant commitment, as Toran has invested in a career change while supporting his family. “Toran is a ‘team player’, always willing to lend a hand and determined to help others. His journey has given him unique insight into different cultures, and as a result he is able to engage with a diverse selection of stakeholders.” In 2017, Gautam was awarded the Alan Robert Memorial Fund Award from South Metropolitan TAFE for Best Performing Student (First Year). ■

AIRAH AWARDS PRESENTATION DINNER 2019 Thursday, November 14 Doltone House, Pyrmont Point, Sydney www.airah.org.au/awards

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HVAC&R Nation

Around the Nation 1

Trainer Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH, Patrick Brennan, and WorldSkills Skill Competition Manager Noel Munkman, M.AIRAH (L-R).

1 FARE THEE WELL, PHIL W

from 66 counties compete for gold, silver and bronze medals and the title of world champion in their skill.

After almost 18 years with AIRAH, Phil Wilkinson, F.AIRAH, has resigned his position with the Institute to seek new opportunities.

As a country, Australia placed an incredible eighth in the world overall. As well as Brennan, three of his fellow Skillaroos also came away with medals. Clinton Larkings won silver in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category; Patrick Keating won bronze in Plumbing and Heating; and Maxine Colligan won bronze as well as the Best in Nation award (for Australia’s highest competition score) in the Car Painting skill.

During his tenure Wilkinson has held several key positions including CEO, technical manager, business development manager, and most recently as the executive general manager – technical services and government relations. “Throughout his time with the Institute, Phil has been a credit to AIRAH, its members and to our industry,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “He has worked energetically to promote an industry and issues he’s passionate about, making many friends along the way.”

Go to worldskills.org.au ■

Wilkinson says the memories that stand out for him over the close to two decades he’s spent with AIRAH are those involving people. “It’s always humbled me that I have been here to serve a broad and deep membership and fascinating industry of people that provide services to make places and spaces to play, live and work for the community at large,” he says. “It’s also been a constant challenge to ‘tell the story’ of the industry because it means different things to different people without them realising it.” ■

2 BRONZE AUSSIE

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A New South Wales-based refrigeration mechanic has been fined $2,520 for discharging R410A while installing an air conditioning system.

“The ARC engages widely with businesses and technicians to help them to understand and comply with their obligations. This includes the obligation not to discharge scheduled substances.”

Brennan, along with 14 other young Australian apprentices and tradespeople known as the Skillaroos, travelled to Russia to compete in the tournament. Crowds of more than 250,000 watched talented young people HVAC&R Nation

The Department of the Environment and Energy has issued a number of fines for offences under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.

“The Department and ARC work together to promote voluntary compliance with the Act and its regulations,” says Monica Collins, Head of the Department’s Office of Compliance.

Russian champion Akeksandr Leushin shared the gold with Korea’s JuHwan, the pair scoring 747 and 745 respectively, ahead of Brennan on 739. In total there were 28 competitors in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning category.

3 FINES FOR HFC OFFENCES

According to the Department, the offender holds a permit issued by the ARC under the regulations to the Act and was aware of his obligations when the discharge occurred.

Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Patrick Brennan has claimed a bronze medal at the 45th WorldSkills International Championships in Kazan, Russia.

“We are all very impressed with the performance of the team,” says WorldSkills Australia General Manager Brigitte Collins. “They showcased the power of excellence and demonstrated the strength of vocational education and training in Australia.”

licence. And a Victorian‑based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a pool heat pump containing R410A without an appropriate licence. ■

4 GIVE LANDFILL THE BOOT The Totally Workwear Boot Recycling Program recently passed the 50,000 mark – that’s how many boots have been kept out of landfill thanks to the program. With tradesmen and women changing their boots as regularly as every six months on the job for safety purposes, the recycling initiative has given them an option for reducing their carbon footprint and making sure the materials in the boots get re-used. The program is run in conjunction with recycling company Save Our Soles. “Over 100 million pairs of shoes are brought into Australia each year, most of which we can predict end up as landfill,” says Save Our Soles director John Elliot. “The Totally Workwear Recycling Program is a great step for tradies to dispose of their old workboots while helping reduce landfill and creating children’s playground matting for schools and childcare centres, store and gym matting, as well as tyres.” Boot recycling bins can be found in all participating Totally Workwear stores. Go to www.totallyworkwear.com.au ■

5 SHOWTIME FOR STIEBEL ELTRON German building services and renewables manufacturer Stiebel Eltron recently celebrated the launch of two new “Home of the Future” showrooms in Perth and Melbourne.

The Department has also fined two companies.

Melbourne is headquarters to the Australian team and home to 16 employees. Their new office is just upstairs from the showroom, which features interactive displays of products from the company’s hot water, heating, and ventilation ranges.

A New South Wales-based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a bus with an air conditioning system containing R134a without an appropriate

The Subiaco showroom in Western Australia has heat pumps, electric instantaneous water heaters, storage heaters, room heaters and ventilation

October 2019

Around the Nation 5

Mark Rickard and Gavin Dunn with the Queensland Fantech Capital HVAC team

appliances. Four employees are located in Perth, taking care of customers in Western Australia. Both showrooms feature hydronic heating and hot water, powered by Stiebel Eltron air-sourced heat pumps. These, in turn, are connected to solar PV and energy management systems. “We are genuinely enthused by the passion and thirst for knowledge shown by so many of our customers, who strive for low‑energy, environmentally friendly solutions to the way they achieve comfort in their homes and businesses,” says Andrew Whitney, managing director of Stiebel Eltron Australia. “We would like to invite everyone to visit us at our new showrooms to experience the Stiebel Eltron way of thinking.” Go to stiebel.com.au ■

6 FANTECH GATHERS FORCE Fantech has announced the launch of Fantech Capital HVAC as a new business under its overall structure. The move will see the air movement and ventilation specialist offering a new portfolio of products such as chillers, cooling towers, AHUs and FCUs. Brands will include Clint, Mesan USA, Euroclima, Komfovent, SmartAir, Smartech, Airatherm, Liberty, Barcol-Air and VTS. The Air Design range of AHUs will sit within this new banner and will now be offered as part of a complete HVAC solution. An in-house service and commissioning division will also form part of the new business and be offered on all products and applications. “We are excited to bring this new and exciting HVAC portfolio to Fantech,” says group CEO Mark Rickard. “Under the leadership of Gavin Dunn, who has been appointed national manager, and his team of experienced HVAC professionals, we look forward to offering the market this leading range of products together with unmatched customer service.” Fantech has been accredited under ISO 9001 since 1992 and more recently ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System. For more information contact capitalhvac@fantech.com.au ■

7 BRAVE AT HEART

renewable energy technologies such as geothermal and solar. As a bonus, these systems function as onsite displays for the students to learn.

There’s been welcome attention lately on the importance of mental health, especially for workers in the construction industry. Research published by Australian charity Mates in Construction indicates that male construction workers are twice as likely to take their own lives than males in other jobs, and are six times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident.

“Incorporating absolute cutting-edge research and development into this construction meant that we were adding some additional costs to the project,” says PICAC CEO Shayne La Combre. “But that was an investment we were more than happy to make given the real boost we thought that would make to members of our industry in equipping them to install and maintain these sorts of facilities in the longer term.”

Another organisation doing work in this space is Braveheart Freedom Fighters, the brainchild of former construction supervisor and superintendent David Broadhurst. Bravehearts is a non-profit movement to provide communities and workplaces with meaningful events, psychosocial programs and resources that empower and equip people, while they are well, to stay well.

The Narre Warren campus includes a 120-seat general auditorium, 12 training rooms, areas for confined spaces and roof access training, state‑of‑the art facilities in welding and gas fitting, as well as offices for administration. ■

Braveheart Freedom Fighters has its final event for the year coming up in Melbourne on October 18.

9 HEAVY AWARD HAUL

“The intent of the events is to assist equip men of all ages (based on research) around the four key secondary issues which affect a man’s state of mind and ultimately his quality of life and those around him,” says Broadhurst.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has added another accolade to the company trophy cabinet by taking out the 2019 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customer Award. Receiving five stars for overall satisfaction, functionality, reliability, quietness and four stars for ease of use and value for money, MHIAA was the only brand in the air conditioners category to receive five stars for four out of the six categories. Scoring was based on wall-mounted split system AC units as well as ducted AC units.

The four issues are financial literacy, exercise and nutrition, purpose and communication. “As they say, prevention is better than cure, so together let’s learn or be reminded of some of these very important skills to keep our bodies and minds healthy.” For details, check out Braveheart Freedom Fighters on Facebook. ■

8 HOUSEWARMING PARTY FOR PICAC On September 10, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) officially inaugurated its new facility in Narre Warren, Melbourne. The campus is the first net-zero-energy education and research facility in Victoria. It will generate all energy required to support the operation of the building onsite through the incorporation of

“As a customer-centric organisation, we are honoured to have received this Canstar Blue award,” says MHIAA managing director Yuji Ito. “We’d like to thank Canstar Blue and Australian consumers for their recognition and belief in our brand as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering the best products to the Australian market.” Canstar Blue is a comparison website focused on consumer goods across 150-plus categories. Canstar bases its findings on independent, professional customer satisfaction research and ratings as well as in-house expert research and ratings. ■

October 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Cool Tech

SHOWER POWER Looking to pump out the tunes while the shower pumps out the water? The Gideon Aqua Audio Cube is your ablution solution. The soundtrack to your life need not stop just because it’s time to wash. The Gideon Aqua Audio Cube is a Bluetooth shower speaker that has

powerful suction cups capable of sticking to the slippery surfaces in your bathroom. “The Aqua Audio is not just waterproof, however,” says Gearhungry.com. “It’s got great sound quality, too, transforming your bathroom into a mini concert hall.” “Auto Pairing” connects any Bluetooth device such as smartphones and tablets automatically to the speaker from up to 15m away.

It’s got great sound quality, too, transforming your

The speaker doubles as a hands-free speakerphone; simply click the “Answer call” button on the speaker and chat directly through the built-in microphone.

bathroom into a mini concert hall

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

October 2019

An installed rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers up to 10 hours of playing time on a single charge. The speaker charges fully in 2.5 hours. “I love this little Bluetooth speaker,” says one online reviewer. “It pairs easily and has great sound quality. I vouch for the 10-hour play time; your phone will need to be charged before the speaker dies. I like that is has a suction cup – it sticks securely on the tile in my shower, and I also take it outside for music in the backyard and it sticks to the windows with no problem. For the price and the quality of the product, it’s a steal.” Prices range from about $50–$100. ■

Smoko with . . .

Name: Jennah Wone Company: Recharged Air and

Electrical

and Occupation: Refrigeration tice ren app ng oni diti con air ut working What’s the best thing abo erent, diff is job ry Eve ? in HVAC&R s. nge alle t ch ren with diffe

d in the industry?

How long have you worke Two years. Favourite tool: Gauges.

Best on-the-job advice you Listen, look and feel.

ever received:

HVAC&R industry, If you didn’t work in the uld be doing? wo what do you think you y! ida hol r Haha. Having a summe /project/job Most challenging install New ducted unit in you’ve ever worked on: a sloped ceiling. in the middle of a heatwave x. Dream car: I own it! My Hilu

ly Dream holiday: The Kimber in my ute. Drink of choice: Rum and

coke.

What did you listen to on the way to work today? “Talk” by Khalid. nt … For my next birthday I wa . sion pen sus New : Favourite quote or saying ” “You got this! Favourite smoko snack: Anything the boss shouts. Sporting hero: Johnathan Thurston. When I’m not working I’m … Working on my car or camping (and sleeping!)

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October 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

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

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1 CRIMES IN THE COOLROOM

4 OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

“Never thought I’d see this stuff in the flesh,” says Blake, who was called out for a service because a compressor wasn’t working. He found an RAC unit running a coolroom.

If you’re wondering why so many people are covering up their condensers, it might have something to do with hardware stores selling the boxes.

“It had a cheap refrigeration controller, with temp and defrost probe and a 20Amp relay for switching compressor. Apparently, the shop owner got it as a flat pack and built it himself too!”

Martin spotted this one in a catalogue in Perth.

5 WHODUNNIT?

“The customer was sold systems of a bigger size,” says Matthew, who sent us the photos.

2 A JOB FOR ELASTOMAN

Maybe whoever installed this VRV system was built like a slide rule. Or maybe they just didn’t think about maintenance. Or airflow.

“The systems don’t cool as too small. The installer has left a lot of old duct on roof in a bit of a wind tunnel. And the work quality is poor.”

Thanks to Glen, who took the photo – but thankfully didn’t have to service the unit.

So whodunnit? Hard to know when the installer used another person’s VBA number.

NO, THAT’S NOT A DISHWASHER 3

Mark snapped this outdoor kitchen built on top of an outdoor unit. Keeps your legs warm while you are doing the dishes!

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

HVAC&R Nation

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October 2019

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October 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

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