HVAC&R News June-July 2022 by AIRAH

NEWS Skills WORKSHOP

Refrigerant management

Countdown to ARBS Ready to go for the big show

HARD MARKET How Australia’s skills shortage is hitting HVAC&R June–July 2022 / ISSUE 146

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June–July 2022 / ISSUE 146

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HVAC&R News 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/hvacrnews

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

The skills shortage has been around for a long time, but shows no signs of getting better. Louise Belfield chats to industry experts about the problem – and possible solutions.

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

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

HVAC&R News regulars The Toolshed

Skills Workshop 15

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

Global Update Industry news from around the world

ISSN 1834-9522

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

HVAC&R News is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R News do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members. No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R News’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. 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.

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Exclusive to this issue

Worldskills Update Tom Clancy is set to represent Australia in Shanghai

Disclaimer

Refrigerant management

Classic cool We check out John Zammit’s compressor collection

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

Green wedge Jaguar pounces on new EV battery tech

Smoko with … Q&A with Craig Davis

Countdown to ARBS Excitement is building around the return of Australia’s biggest HVAC&R exhibition. We pick out the highlights of ARBS 2022.

Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation

September 2021

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

June–July 2022

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HVAC&R News

Ed’s letter

ON THE RACK At the start of the day, the trainer Ian Tuena, AM.AIRAH, wrote on the board: “Lose the fear. Never lose the respect.”

While we were putting this issue together, I was lucky enough to do some training.

I say “lucky” because training tends to get put on the backburner when things are busy. Which is all of the time, right? Even when your work supports continuing professional development, it’s hard to fit in.

Even then, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who leaned back a bit when we cracked open the bottle of R744 and started charging the system. But during the day you could see the confidence in the group grow as they learned more about the rack, and how the basic refrigeration principles held true, even if there were extra loops and components.

I also reckon the classroom is a fun place to be. Of course, you have to concentrate and do the work, but it’s different to the usual day-to-day routine. The trainer is running the show, so some of the pressure is off. And it’s OK to make mistakes – that’s how you learn, after all. This course was on CO2 transcritical refrigeration, and it was done using a rack specially built into a container to allow for mobile training. We’ve written quite a few stories about how this technology is transforming Australia’s supermarket sector, so it was great to see it in the flesh, even if other people were actually opening valves and checking pressures.

Special mention for Ian, who was a fantastic trainer and who developed the mobile refrigeration pod as a passion project. As often happens, it took someone in the industry to identify a need, and address it. Now the fridgies in the field are reaping the benefit.

That was another cool thing about the course – getting to see experienced fridgies working with the system. CO2 racks are becoming more common, but it’s still daunting when you are faced with something new, especially if a large supermarket is relying on you to fix it!

problem not just for HVAC&R but across the whole building and construction industry. We chat to some of the experts about what they are seeing – and the possible solutions. ■

Our cover story on page 20 is partly about how we build up skills in the industry, but also how we ensure And while CO2 itself is non-toxic and non-flammable, there are enough trained technicians, mechanics, the systems run at extremely high pressure – ABRS2022-Finalists_150x220_HVAC.pdf 1 6/5/2022 12:25 pm engineers and so on to do the work. It’s a growing around 80–100 bar.

@AIRAHnews

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

ARBS Industry Awards are proudly sponsored by:

AWARDS FINALISTS R ECOG N IS I N G E XC E L LEN C E

PRESENTING THE 2022 AWARDS FINALISTS IN ALL CATEGORIES:

ARBS YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD • • •

Grace Foo – DeltaQ Myles Bradley – Outback Tradies Richard Phillips – Exergenics

ARBS SOFTWARE/DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD • • •

Exergenics – Exergenics' Chilled Plant Optimisation Software Crowley Carbon – Clarity CopperTree Analytics – Kaizen

ARBS OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY EDUCATION/TRAINING AWARD • • •

HVAC&R News

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• •

ARBS PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD •

Glaciem Cooling – Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage AG Coombs & Aurecon – 25 King St Brisbane McClintock Engineering – UQ Gatton Microgrid District Cooling System

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Join us for a gala night to remember on Wednesday 17 August, 2022 at The Palladium at Crown with guest MC Andrew Daddo.

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AMCA Australia – Building Ventilation Summit Superior Training Centre – Flammable Refrigerants Training AMCA Australia – AMCA Australia

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ARBS PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AWARD

June–July 2022

Danfoss Turbocor & Smardt Chillers – High Lift Oil free Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller with Low-GWP Refrigerant EVO MEP – 21m vertical riser with Ducting & Refrigerant Gas Services Temperzone – Econex R32 Inverter Air Cooled Package Units

ARBS 2022 HALL OF FAME • • •

AIRAH – Gwen Gray AMCA – Chris Wright CIBSE – Ian Small

• AREMA – Ken Ball • RACCA – Noel Munkman • AIRAH – Simon Hill

When: Wednesday 17 August, 7:00pm Where: The Palladium at Crown, Southbank Book online at: arbs.com.au/awards-dinner

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June–July 2022

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Toolshed 1

Way to go, Belimo

Belimo has released a new range of energy valves and thermal energy meters that integrate energy metering, energy control, and IoT-enabled billing in one device.

Go to www.testo.com/en-AU/■

The new thermal energy meters are certified according to EN 1434/MID and are equipped for direct, or remote IoT‑based billing. They are approved according to MID for heat metering in pure water systems and incorporate permanent glycol monitoring.

The energy valve, meanwhile, is designed to instantly control flow (pressure independent) and optimise energy supply to the consumer.

“With the unity of the certified Thermal Energy Meter and the enhanced Belimo Energy Valve, Belimo is stepping into integrated thermal energy management,” says the company.

Dwyer raises status

Dwyer Instruments has released the Series RSME room status monitor.

The RSME room status monitor comes standard with BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU communications. It also includes a factory calibration certificate.

Testo scales up

“Different target parameters can be specified: superheating, subcooling or weight of the refrigerant. Simply enter the target value, and the scale with valve will do the rest fully automatically.” Testo says that the 560i saves time by ensuring error-free, precise charging of systems. It can also be used in confined environments thanks to the compact dimensions, weight, and the carrying handle. www.airah.org.au/hvacrnews

Additionally, the maximum guaranteed operating temperature range has been increased from 46°C to 50°C in cooling mode. The units are demand-response enabled and Zone System compatible.

“The new Testo 560i refrigerant scale with intelligent valve and patented algorithm makes charging refrigeration systems and heat pumps easier and more precise than ever before,” says the company.

Fujitsu General has launched new Mid Static Slimline R32 and Mid Static Slimline R32 high-performance (HP) models, specially designed with a narrow 240mm high chassis and built‑in drain pump for tighter bulkhead or ceiling applications.

Go to www.fujitsugeneral.com.au

Testo is claiming a world first with the release of its 560i digital refrigerant scale.

HVAC&R News

Fujitsu’s fine fit

Fujitsu has made cleaning and maintenance easier by providing better access to the heat exchanger, and allowing the drain pump to be detached with the entire hose still attached. The printed circuit board (PCB) has also been designed for simple removal and replacement.

Suitable applications include hospital isolation rooms, clean rooms, laboratories, vivariums, pharmaceutical facilities, dental offices, and school nurse offices.

■

To enable flexible installation on rooftops and plant rooms in high-rise residential and light commercial projects, the new Mid Static Slimline R32 (HP) models have a maximum pipe length of 75m. The standard Mid Static Slimline R32 models offer a maximum pipe length of 30–50m.

“The graphical display colour changes allow a clear determination of when the parameters are operating within the acceptable range (green), caution range (yellow), or have gone outside the acceptable operating range (red).”

According to BuildTuff, the black matte finish removes the need for additional dyes, chemicals, powders, and washing. Additional features include low visibility, added fastening points, sloped water run-off channels, and ventilation points. Go to buildtuff.com.au

“The RSME is a complete system with a touchscreen graphical user interface that enables access to pressure, humidity, temperature, air change, security, door status, calibration, and alarm set-up,” says Dwyer.

“Other polymer bases are either imported, made from virgin material or not made in consultation with the OEMs and tradespeople to make it as efficient, durable and environmentally friendly as possible,” says BuildTuff General Manager Alan Brady.

The company has also launched TuffMount Eco+ for smaller units..

Designed for low-differential-pressure applications that require stringent pressure monitoring and alarming, the RSME room status monitor can be configured to monitor positive or negative pressure.

BuildTuff has long produced polymer products for the construction trade. Now the company has developed a new take on an accepted method of AC mini-split installations.

The TuffSlab Eco + is manufactured solely from post-industrial waste pipes, recycled in Australia at BuildTuff’s sister company Resitech – now Australias largest polymer recycling plant.

■

Go to www.dwyer-inst.com.au

Tuff enuff

“We have spent 12 months designing, testing and working with OEMs to develop the best product possible. All feedback from the trade and OEMs was built into the final design.”

“Measuring and controlling the temperature spread between flow and return at each heat exchanger is key to ensuring lowest possible pumping costs. Our integrated logic prevents the occurrence of low Delta T at the heat exchanger, while retaining comfort.” Go to belimo.com/au

Other features include 3D corners to help position heavy refrigerant cylinders, and a textured rubber surface to hold the cylinder securely. The scale and valve have been made with long battery life and designed for outdoor use, with robust construction and splash water and dust protection.

June–July 2022

■

Smart thinking

TA-Smart is the latest control valve from IMI Hydronic Engineering, and according to Australian distributor Hydroflow, its most intelligent to date. “The new valve offers a unique combination of functions and communication possibilities,” says Hydroflow. “Everything starts with the in-house-developed precise power measurement capabilities, addressing water and water-glycol applications from -10°C to 120°C. Based on the measured data, the globe valve will ensure excellent flow, power, or fine position control down to low loads, ensuring energy‑efficient comfort during the whole season.”

Toolshed According to Hydroflow, the valve is no longer a standalone component but part of a global ecosystem. It communicates via usual bus protocols (Modbus RTU-TCP and BACnet MS/TP-IP) with the BMS, via IMI Hydronic’s mobile application (HyTune) or a web app with the user, and via the cloud to anyone permitted to access the data.

An optional domestic hot water tank can also be integrated into the system to satisfy the home’s hot water needs.

Go to www.daikin.com.au

Go to www.hydroflowaus.com.au

Optergy has launched a new wireless wall sensor range: Optergy Air. The first product available in the range is the Optergy Air Wireless Temperature and Humidity (BW-TH) wall sensor.

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Consistent, controllable comfort

The Optergy Air product range is designed to detect and read an array of environmental metrics, and is suitable for offices, schools and other commercial applications.

Daikin Australia has launched its new R32 Altherma Mono-Bloc system, which it describes as “a highly flexible, energy-efficient home heating and cooling system that creates consistent, controllable comfort for homes”.

“Long gone are the days of dealing with wires and countless hours of training to set up a wall sensor,” says Optergy. “With these battery-powered wireless sensors, it is easy to install without compromising on look, performance and reliability.”

Daikin’s Altherma range of hydronic heating and cooling systems are designed to provide energy-efficient, even, radiant and draught-free heat. As well as using a lower-GWP refrigerant than previous models, the new R32 Altherma Mono‑Bloc system offers a number of attractive features. The new Mono-Bloc design requires no indoor hydrobox, and a wiring centre is no longer required when connecting to a domestic hot water system. And importantly, according to Daikin, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) has increased by up to 36 per cent and the coefficient of performance (COP) by up to 13 per cent.

Wonder on a wall

“TA-Smart is the device that helps you solve your problems along the building life-cycle,” says Hydroflow.

■

Optergy says accuracy and precision are guaranteed through the pairing of the Optergy Air with the Optergy P864 edge controller. “This provides users with control over their whole building to fully optimise building or facility performance,” says the company.

Because of its wireless nature, the sensor can also be easily moved when building occupants change their office spaces. Go to optergy.com/

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.

NEW

Innovation

Master your job effortlessly. The digital refrigerant scale testo 560i - world’s first automatic wireless refrigerant scale that charges to three different target values: weight, superheat and subcool. Perfectly connected with Testo’s popular refrigeration & A/C tools.

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With local service and calibration.

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June–July 2022

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HVAC&R News

Global Update

REFRIGERANT CRIME TRACKER

BEHIND THE SCREEN DOOR

Refrigerant gases have now been added to the Global Environmental Crime Tracker, and initiative of the UK-headquartered Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). “We are now seeing a surge of illicit trade in climate-wrecking hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),” the EIA says. “HFCs were introduced as replacements to their ozone‑destroying predecessors but are now being phased down in efforts to combat climate change, with the European Union’s F-Gas Regulation an example of early action.” Developed with the EIA’s Intelligence Team, the global refrigerant seizure tracker contains information dating back to 2001. “Seizure data is collated from news reports, data submitted to the Montreal Protocol and direct communications with governments and enforcement authorities,” the EIA says. “The interactive dashboard and live mapping allow users to zero in on precisely the information they want, such as refrigerant type, exporting country and smuggling method.

In shades of dystopian science fiction films such Blade Runner and Minority Report, thousands of US supermarkets have replaced their clear fridge and freezer doors with opaque doors featuring iPad-like screens showing what’s inside. Developed by the startup Cooler Screens, the doors use a system of motion sensors and cameras to display the fridge and freezer contents. They also show product information, prices, deals, and advertisements. The tech provides shops with an additional revenue stream and a way to modernise the shopping experience. Using facial recognition and other smarts, the screens can serve ads to consumers based on variables such as the approximate age the technology believes they are, their gender, and the weather. But the new fridge technology has received a frosty reception. “Why would [they] do this?” one shopper posted on social media. “Who on God’s green Earth thought this was a good idea?”

“And because we believe in sharing information to bolster awareness and enforcement efforts around the world, we’ve made the tracker free to use and accessible for everyone, from fellow environmental campaigners to journalists and the public.” ■

“The digital cooler screens … made me watch an ad,” tweeted another irate shopper, “before it allowed me to know which door held the frozen pizzas.” ■

SWITZERLAND

WORLD

HYDROCARBONS AT HOME?

COOLING ON THE MENU

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has revised its safety standard to allow larger charges of flammable refrigerants in household appliances such as air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The move could open the way for greater use of low-GWP flammable refrigerants such as hydrocarbons in residential air conditioning. The standard in question is Standard IEC 60335-2-40, which deals with the safety of electric heat pumps. “The new edition of IEC 60335-2-40 will enable R290 to be used in many AC and heat-pump systems which were previously blocked from using this refrigerant by the outdated version,” says Asbjørn Vonsild, the convenor of the IEC working group. “This will enable a thousand-fold reduction in direct climate emissions compared with systems using R410A.” The new edition of the standard allows the use of larger charges if additional mitigation measures, such as refrigerant sensors and circulation fans, are in place. It also introduces a new method for calculating maximum charge by taking into consideration design features that will prevent the escape of refrigerant. ■ 8

HVAC&R News

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June–July 2022

World Refrigeration Day is coming up on June 26! To celebrate, a new initiative has been launched to explain cooling’s essential role in protecting human health and the planet. The Cooling Keeps Food Fresh campaign will describe why cooling is necessary for food safety and how it supports nutritious diets that sustain our health, help reduce food loss and waste, and protect the environment. Central to the campaign is the support of Chefs4thePlanet – an international community of chefs from around the world who are concerned about the impact of food on our planet and our health. Leading chefs from around the world – including Chefs4thePlanet co‑founders Anne Le More and Sebastien Ripari – have signed on to the campaign. They will describe how cooling is necessary for their locally inspired cuisine. The chefs’ recipes will be accompanied by tips educating consumers on the cooling choices they can make in their home to save money, prolong the life of products, and understand how food waste and loss contribute to climate change. ■

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ARBS preview

COUNTDOWN TO ARBS Returning to Melbourne in August is ARBS 2022, Australia’s only international air conditioning, refrigeration and building services trade exhibition.

HVAC&R News

www.airah.org.au/hvacrnews

June–July 2022

ARBS preview ARBS 2022 YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD ■ Grace Foo, M.AIRAH – DeltaQ ■ Myles Bradley – Outback Tradies ■ Richard Phillips – Exergenics ARBS 2022 PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AWARD ■ Danfoss Turbocor and Smardt Chillers – High Lift Oil Free Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller ■ EVO MEP – 21m Vertical Riser with Ducting and Refrigerant Gas Services ■ Temperzone – Econex The ARBS Seminar Program always serves up excellent information.

One of the most influential events in the HVAC&R and building services calendar, ARBS 2022 is a welcome return for the industry. It is set to host over 200 exhibitors, a renowned industry awards program and a comprehensive seminar presentation series. With a focus on emerging trends and technologies – including smart IoT solutions, automation and control, refrigerants, energy efficiency and sustainability – ARBS 2022 will reconnect global exhibitors and leading industry experts with contractors, consultants, engineers, technicians, and trades. The goal is to showcase the most extensive range of HVAC&R and building services solutions in the southern hemisphere.

BOOK IT IN! Registration is now open, is free, and grants entry into the exhibition across all three days. The organisers say that registering in advance is the smart way to avoid the queues as the ticket is sent directly to your mobile phone or email. For more information and to register visit www.arbs.com.au.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Running in conjunction with the exhibition is the ARBS Seminar Program. These sessions explore the latest advances and best practice methodologies within the HVAC&R industry. Highlights include: Ashak Nathwani AM, ARBS Education & Research Foundation, University of Sydney: Role of HVAC in detecting and eliminating COVID-19 infections in indoor settings. With COVID-19 dominating our industry for the past two years, this insightful presentation will outline the tests carried out at the Australian National Maritime

ARBS 2022 PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD ■ Glaciem Cooling – Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage

Museum by ventilation professionals from ARBS Education & Research Foundation, in association with researchers from University of Sydney. The tests simulated airborne aerosol (SARS-CoV-2) dispersion from an infectious person, namely Laura - the breathing thermal manikin (one of a kind in Australia), who exhaled the tracer gas: nitrous oxide.

■ A.G. Coombs and Aurecon – 25 King St, Brisbane ■ McClintock Engineering – Gatton Central Energy Plant ARBS 2022 OUTSTANDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARD ■ AMCA Australia – Building Ventilation Summit

Seagren, M.AIRAH, Fantech: The application of HVAC equipment in commercial Passive House projects.

■ Superior Training Centre – Flammable Refrigerants Training

This presentation will provide attendees with a simple understanding of Passive House design and construction and examine how this impacts HVAC equipment selection. It will discuss the importance of equipment test data for acceptance and outline some typical examples. It will also provide valuable installation considerations for contractors.

■ AMCA Australia – AMCA Australia ARBS 2022 SOFTWARE/DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD ■ Exergenics – exOptima ■ Crowley Carbon – Clarity

Noel Munkman, M.AIRAH, the Australian Refrigeration Council: What’s happening to refrigeration and air conditioning trade training?

■ CopperTree Analytics – Kaizen ARBS 2022 HALL OF FAME

Participants in this session will better understand the national training system and where the refrigeration and air conditioning Industry fits into it. Munkman will cover the main changes in the recently revised RAC qualifications, skills sets and competencies contained in the national UEE Electrotechnology Training Package, including the latest refrigerants, standards and technologies.

■ AIRAH – Gwen Gray, L.AIRAH ■ AMCA – Chris Wright, M.AIRAH ■ CIBSE – Ian Small ■ AREMA – Ken Ball ■ RACCA – Noel Munkman, M.AIRAH ■ AIRAH – Simon Hill, L.AIRAH

ARBS 2022 AWARDS

NEED TO KNOW

For more than 12 years, ARBS has recognised and celebrated talent from within the HVAC&R and building services industry with its Industry Awards program. A panel of industry experts evaluate and select the finalists based on various criteria such as leadership, sustainability, performance, and origination. The winners will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner on August 17 at the Crown Palladium.

ARBS 2022 notes that it takes the health and safety of its exhibitors, attendees, and staff seriously and will operate with a valid Victorian Government COVIDSafe Plan. Where Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

In 2018, water treatment experts Hydrochem won the ARBS Software/Digital Excellence Award.

Exhibition dates August 16–18, 2022 Register www.arbs.com.au Cost Exhibition Free of charge, trade visitors only Seminars Costs to be advised with final program Awards Presentation Dinner Costs to be advised.

June–July 2022

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HVAC&R News

Worldskills Update After this story went to print, WorldSkills International announced the cancellation of the competition in Shanghai. Other options for holding an international event are now being investigated. For the latest updates, go to www.worldskills.org.au

Clancy competing at the “skill off”.

DESTINATION: SHANGHAI

We caught up with Perth-based fridgie Tom Clancy, who will represent Australia at the 46th Worldskills International Competition in China. Western Australian Tom Clancy is about to enter the elite club of people who have represented their country at an international competition. Some compete in the pool, others on a running track. Tom will fly the flag by working on air conditioning and refrigeration equipment at the 46th Worldskills International Competition in Shanghai in October 2022.

more than 250,000 people to watch more than 1,300 competitors from 63 countries competing across 56 different skills. And even more fanfare and fireworks are expected in China.

It might not get the same coverage as the Olympics, but the WorldSkills International Competition is huge. The previous event, held in Russia in 2019, brought together crowds of

It’s something Clancy couldn’t have dreamed of when, one day at South Metropolitan TAFE, lecturer Keith Glenn, M.AIRAH, came into the class and asked who wanted to compete in WorldSkills.

HVAC&R News

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HANDS UP FOR WORLDSKILLS

June–July 2022

“No one else put their hand up,” remembers Clancy. He admits that back then he didn’t even know what WorldSkills was. “But me being young, I thought, ‘I like my chances here. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll have a right good crack!’ ” Clancy made it through the regional competition, and went on to compete at the nationals. Although he didn’t make the top step that time, gold medallist Cameron Harrison finally could not commit to the training and travel demands of the international competition. WorldSkills looked to the runners-up: Ryan Hanns from the ACT, and Tom, from WA.

Worldskills Update Both went to Brisbane for a two-day, head-to-head “skill off”. Co-ordinating the event was WorldSkills international training manager and expert Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH, who has been involved with WorldSkills for almost 20 years, and trained Patrick Brennan to a bronze medal in 2019. Balke admits that after the two days it was still almost impossible to declare a winner. “It was close, like splitting hairs close,” he says. “We looked at the marks and we looked at their personalities – their traits and their weaknesses. In six months we’ve got so much work to do, so many pressures, so many challenges. Are they going to be able to do it? Have they got the skillsets to improve again? “In the end, Tom showed the best attributes to go forwards.”

SHANGHAI SURPRISE When he got word that he was heading for Shanghai, Clancy says his first reaction was surprise, followed by: “Righto, let’s go!” Back at home in Perth, where Clancy works in the family business – Central West Refrigeration – the reaction was not just one of surprise, but incredulity. “They didn’t believe me,” says Clancy, laughing. “Gotta be honest. Then I sent them the email from WorldSkills, and they retracted that statement and said ‘good job’.” Despite the whirlwind couple of months, Clancy says he is keeping his feet on the ground.

“The mentality really hasn’t changed that much,” he says. “It’s still get in, get it done, do it as neat as you can, get it cold. That’s the bare basics of it. Training has changed – it’s now bigger projects and all the finer details, which you’ve got to focus on. It’s repetition in the smaller things: get the TX valve bulbs real tight; make sure the solders are real smooth; pipework straight and parallel – keep it neat, keep it saddled, don’t mess it up!”

TAKING A STAND Earlier this year, WorldSkills International took the decision to ban Russia and Belarus from participating in WorldSkills Shanghai 2022. “WorldSkills is politically and denominationally neutral,” read a statement issued by WorldSkills. “The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a clear and enormous breach of our Code of Ethics and Conduct. Belarus, by its active support of Russia’s invasion, has also breached our Code of Ethics and Conduct.”

That may sound obvious, but WorldSkills takes these tasks to another level. “It’s a lot higher standard than what is out in the field,” Clancy says. “Something you might do out in the field and think is schmicko is worth one point, but the top mark is three points. It’s a step up – a new game.”

The decision came partly from the origins of the WorldSkills. It rose out of the ruins of World War II, which devastated economies and created a huge skills shortage that threatened a new economic depression.

Balke offers the example of a three-point solder. “Obviously a zero is solder down the side and leaks and wrong alloy and all the rest of it,” he says. “But to get that 2mm ring of solder perfectly, without any runs, any dags, is very hard to do under pressure repetitively. It’s robotic, almost manufacturing-like. There’s not many threes given out by the judges.”

“WorldSkills is steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine, WorldSkills Ukraine, and using skills to build respect, dignity, peace, and prosperity around the world,” said the organisation. ■

STAYING COOL UNDER PRESSURE

Fortunately, Balke says that Australia has the edge in other areas.

A big part of Clancy’s training will be to do these tasks over and over until they are committed to muscle memory. This will be absolutely necessary if he’s to compete with some of the other teams, who train full-time for WorldSkills, six days a week, living in their colleges.

June–July 2022

“We can adapt to changes,” he says. “If the unexpected turns up, we can work our way around that. So, to be in the hunt for it, that repetitive work has to be perfect – not nine out of 10 times but every time. That way

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The WorldSkills 2019 International Tournament in Kazan, Russia, brought together crowds of more than 250,000 people.

As part of the preparation for the big event, the Skilleroos attended a team-building weekend in Melbourne in April. There, Clancy started to show some of the qualities that will hold him in good stead over the coming months – in particular a competitive streak.

when something does go wrong you can adapt to it, and then when you get into the fault-finding modules, you nail them to get in front of the game.” The right attitude, Balke says, is also critical. “It’s a four-day competition,” he says, “not just an hour. And you’re going to get a kick in the guts – you’re going to make a mistake. You’ve got to be able to go to your Plan B and still make it work and get maximum marks. And when you have a shit day of training and you want to throw the tools, you come back and do it again. Maybe tools do get thrown, but it’s that coming back that we’re looking for, and that resilience to do it again.”

“There’s a competitive nature in there,” says Balke. “He’s surprised quite a few people and that’s because of the quiet Tom we thought we were seeing. But we’ve got a dingo here that’s about ready to pounce.” ■ WorldSkills acknowledges its major sponsors: Kirby and Refrigerant Reclaim Australia.

THE LONG GAME In October, all eyes will be on the medal-winners. But WorldSkills has a purpose much greater than the event itself: to build a “skills culture” and promote vocational education and training, trades and apprenticeships. The importance of this mission is reflected in Tom Clancy’s own experience at high school. “I was doing well in school,” he says. “I was good at maths, I was good at physics, but I just wasn’t focusing. Dad is a refrigeration mechanic, so he said, ‘Why don’t you do some work experience while you’re still in Year 10?’ I organised with the school to do that. But at the end of Year 10, they wouldn’t allow refrigeration as a school-based apprenticeship because they had never done it before.” Both Clancy and his trainer Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH, acknowledge the difficulties schools face in offering refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeships: licences for refrigerant handling, for example, and the liability issues of students working in the field, rather than in a workshop. But they also say the problem is deeper than that. “Schools are making you choose [a vocational pathway] from Year 9,” Clancy says, “and in Year 9 I didn’t have any idea what I was going to be doing. It was a very tough call to make.” Balke points to an even bigger issue – the perceived superiority of university education over VET. “Trades shouldn’t be your Plan B,” he says. “They should be a strong up-front option.”

Trainer Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH (left), with Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Skilleroo Tom Clancy. 14

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■

MODULE

146

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT

– LEAK DETECTION, REPAIRS AND REFRIGERANT HANDLING Skills summary ■ What?

Leak detection, repairs and refrigerant handling.

■ Who?

Relevant for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.

Most of today’s air conditioning and refrigeration systems use a vapour compression refrigeration cycle that relies on a working fluid, or refrigerant, to transfer heat from one part of the system to another. This Skills Workshop looks at detecting leaks, repairing systems and handling these refrigerants.

OPSGG legislation The legislation supporting the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (OPSGG) Program implements Australia’s obligations under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and related Acts (the Ozone Acts) protect the environment by reducing emissions of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases. The Ozone Acts control the manufacture, import, export, use and disposal of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases and products containing these gases. These gases are commonly used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and so refrigerants need to be managed appropriately. Leak detection, repair and refrigerant monitoring are all important elements of a refrigerant management system. Common causes of poor operation in a refrigeration system are overcharging, undercharging, blocked tubes and capillaries, non-condensable gases, low compressor efficiency and poor heat exchanger surfaces. Of all of these issues, undercharged systems due to refrigerant leakage and blocked or restricted heat exchangers (evaporators and condensers) through lack of maintenance are the most common.

Leak detection methods

Note: AS/NZS 5149.2 and .3 have requirements for leak detection in manufacture and installation/commissioning and the use of permanent detection in a variety of circumstances of space occupancy and refrigerant type. Refrigeration plant will work at its optimum performance only if it contains the optimum refrigerant charge. Refrigerant leaks are bad for system performance, bad for the environment, bad for work health and safety and are often illegal if known. Prior to replacing leaked refrigerant, the leak must be located and repaired as soon as practicable. There are two categories of system leak detection methods: global detection methods determine if the system is leaking, and local detection methods are used to locate the leak area. Some methods can be carried out on a charged system and others require an empty system. Some methods are suitable for use in a manufacturing environment while others are more suited to site or field use. The following are the most common methods used for refrigerant leak detection:

Visual inspection Generally suitable for site testing components and systems. Large leaks may be evidenced by visually inspecting for traces of oil staining at the joints. This method is suitable for detecting a leak location.

Soap bubble tests Generally suitable for site testing connections and pipework. Leaks from a pressurised system can be identified by applying a soapy bubble solution to the suspect area. Bubbles form when a leak is encountered. This method is suitable for detecting the leak location.

Pressure testing Generally suitable for site testing components and systems. The system (or portion of system) is sealed off and pressurised. The internal pressure is monitored by gauges or similar and any decrease in pressure (after accounting for temperature changes) indicates the presence of a leak. Oxygen free dry nitrogen (OFDN) is often used as the pressure test medium. Adding 5% hydrogen can assist with leak detection. When a pressure test is to be carried out it is important to ensure that the compressor is isolated to avoid any damage to the compressor valves and prevent rupture of any crankshaft seals. All pressure controls must be disconnected or by-passed. June–July 2022

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop If the expansion valve is not capable of withstanding the test pressure then it too must be removed or by-passed. The OFDN cylinder must be fitted with an approved pressure regulator to control the test pressure. For safety reasons a pressure relief valve pre-set to the test pressure is recommended. Alternatively the system can be subjected to a vacuum pressure test. The required pressure difference is created by creating a vacuum within the system. A disadvantage of the vacuum method is the potential ingress of air or water into the system through the leak site. A second limitation is the difficulty of achieving the required test pressures in the field. Pressure testing will not identify the location of a leak. The system must be observed over a period of time, relative to the size of the system, to ensure that no pressure drop occurs, having due regard to temperature variation throughout the system.

Electronic leak testing Generally suitable for site testing components and pipework. Electronic leak detectors come in a variety of technologies including heated diodes, infrared sensors, and electrochemical sensors. Some devices detect actual refrigerant concentrations, some detect variations in concentration, some detect a substance “other than air” while the more complex or capable versions will indicate the refrigerant being detected. Some systems are more sensitive to particular refrigerants and sensitivities can be adjusted. Proximity and concentration programming can assist the device in leading the operator (closer) to a leak. Manufacturers’ application and operating instructions should be followed.

Ultrasonic leak testing Generally suitable for site testing components and pipework. Ultrasonic leak detectors detect the ultrasonic noise created by the leak of any gas, from pressure or to vacuum, to help find a leak. An electronic conversion process translates this ultrasound into true audible sound that helps the user identify and find leaks through headphones. These detectors may be affected by other sources of ultrasonic noise but these can be tuned out by the detector.

Fluorescent leak detection Generally suitable for site testing components and systems. The charged system is infused with a small quantity of fluorescent additive. Leaks are identified by the use of a UV light which causes the fluorescent additive in the refrigerant to visibly fluoresce, showing the leak. In the case of slow leaks it may take days or even weeks for the dye to reach the hole and leak out. A larger leak will be detected in only a few hours after injection. Electronic detection can be combined with fluorescent dye detection to counter situations such as intermittent leakage or wind in outside locations. Intermittent leaking can occur when oil or particulate matter temporarily plugs a hole. The dye will confirm the leak visually at a specific location. Note: Great care needs to be taken with the handling of the fluorescent additive, careless handling can lead to liberal coverage all over the plant which means that it becomes difficult to detect the actual leak. If the additive is not compatible with all of the components and materials in the refrigeration system a thorough clean up is required after this process to ensure that the refrigerant and oil do not contain any residual traces. Some additives are designed to be left in the system. Manufacturers’ instructions should be followed. Note that some manufacturers may void any warranty if a substance other than the original refrigerant or oil is added to the system.

Mass spectrometer Generally suitable for factory testing of components. The unit to be tested is evacuated and held in an environment surrounded by a helium/air mixture. The vacuum is sampled through a mass spectrometer to detect any trace of helium internally. This is a highly sensitive leak detection method. This method will not locate a leak. Alternatively, the system can be pressurised with helium, placed in an evacuated chamber and the chamber monitored for leaks with a mass spectrometer.

Submersion testing Generally suitable for factory QC testing of components. The test article is sealed, pressurised and fully submersed in a water bath. Leaks are identified by a line of small bubbles. Effectiveness depends on examination methods. This method will locate a leak. 16

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Halide Lamps Use a naked flame passing over a length of copper wire. The flame will change colour when a leak is detected. They are only suitable for use on refrigerants containing chlorine (CFCs and HCFCs). They will not detect leaks on any of the current HFCs (R134a or R404A etc). They must not be used on HC (hydrocarbon) systems due to the high flammability of these refrigerants (apart from the fact that they will not work anyway). Warning: Halide lamp leak detection methods which use a naked flame in the detecting apparatus are not recommended due to the potential for flammable refrigerant to be present in a system.

Testing for leaks When testing for leaks, ensure that there is a positive pressure in the system and always ensure that the area is well ventilated. Fans or windy spots are not needed; still air is best for leak detection and as refrigerants are generally heavier than air, leaked refrigerant may be detected well away from the actual leakage point. Always stand to one side of the detector in case there is a sudden violent discharge from the suspected pipework. The most likely points for refrigerant leaks are at the flared, flanged, brazed or soldered joints in refrigerant lines and any changes in cross section or direction of these lines. Joints can be damaged by system vibration when incorrect isolation methods are used. The shaft seal on open drive compressors and the service valves are another common leakage source, as are the pipe bends and connections associated with entry to evaporators and condensers. Areas of corrosion on pipes or system components are another common leak source.

The dirty dozen 12 common causes of leaks in refrigeration systems 1. Flared connections commonly used on components such as filter driers, TX valves, solenoid valves, sight glasses, check valves and pressure regulator controls (crankcase and evaporator). 2. Lack of regular service, maintenance and leak testing. 3. Failure of condenser and evaporators, particularly on return bends. 4. Poor installation (i.e., vibration elimination and pipe support). 5. Schräder valves (i.e., uncapped and overused by industry). 6. Poor installation (i.e., brazing). 7. Old equipment overdue for replacement, particularly open drive equipment with leaky shaft seals. 8. Service valves (i.e., uncapped, plastic caps, wear of gland/spindle/ overheated during installation). 9. Pressure switch connections (i.e., PVC flexible lines and capillary lines). 10. Corrosion, particularly on condensate tray pipe work, evaporators and outdoor condensers. 11. Mechanical joints and flanges. 12. Inferior quality equipment, particularly cheap imports. Source: ARBS 2012 presentation ‘Working Bank’ What are the options? Presented by Peter Brodribb, M.AIRAH, Expert Group

Repairing systems Technicians, engineers, plant operators, managers and owners have a moral and legal obligation to eliminate all leaks of refrigerant into the environment. Continually filling a system that is leaking is unlawful according to Australian regulations; and is also harmful to a system over its life‑cycle. Once a leak has been located it must be repaired. When repairing leaks, welding, brazing and soldering cannot be carried out on systems that contain refrigerant. The refrigerant must be removed from the area around the leakage point by pumping down the system (suitable for low‑side leaks), or recovering the refrigerant from the system (suitable for highside leaks or entire system), and the system vented, prior to these repair works being completed. Using dry nitrogen in the system, while welding, brazing and soldering the leak area, is essential in preventing oxides from forming inside the piping/components and later dislodging into thermostatic expansion valves, driers or other system components. Also, some synthetic refrigerants can decompose into poisonous compounds called (e.g., phosgene, hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride) due to heat from welding, brazing and soldering. Preparing a system for repair requires refrigerant reclamation and system cleaning. On large systems, the leak area can be isolated, e.g., preparing to fix a leaking evaporator would follow system pump-down into the condenser. Medium and small sized systems may need total refrigerant reclamation. The evacuation method and depth of vacuum required for the various system types is specified in the refrigerant handling Code of Practice.

HVAC&R Skills Workshop Using an in-line acid removal drier while reclaiming the refrigerant guarantees the refrigerant is clean once it is put back into the system. All driers on the system should be changed as well. Cleanliness within the system is essential, especially if the leak cannot be found or is inaccessible and a sealant is to be used.

Refrigerant gas monitoring technology Continuous monitoring for refrigerant in plant rooms using fixed electronic leak detectors may be effective if they are sensitive enough to detect the diluted refrigerant and if the air circulation in the room is adequate. These systems can stand-alone or be integrated into existing BMCS sensor networks. Generally fixed refrigerant leak detection systems (RLDS) are available in aspirated and non-aspirated formats, based on semi-conductor, electro‑chemical, catalytic and infrared technologies. Infrared technology is based on the scientific principle that specific gases absorb infrared light at specific wavelengths. Specific gases can be selectively targeted by narrowly filtering the wavelength of the infrared light introduced. While all infrared technology utilises this principle, not all infrared systems measure gas concentration in the same way.

Refrigerants may be heavier or lighter than air; therefore the molecular mass of the refrigerant should be compared with air when assessing the optimum locations for sensors and sampling points.

Airflow patterns If there is continuous air movement in the plant room a sensor/sampling point should be located downstream from the last potential leak source. Airflow patterns can cause areas of the room to become stagnant, and potentially allow refrigerant vapours to accumulate, and sensing at these locations should be considered. The sensor/sampling point location should be between the refrigerant leak source and the ventilation exhaust point.

Plant room characteristics The equipment arrangement in the plant room can affect the proper place to sample or locate a sensor. The expected activity in the room should also be taken into account when choosing sampling locations.

Maintenance Detectors and controllers should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice.

• NDIR (Non-Dispersive) or Absorptive IR systems determine gas concentration by comparing an air sample to a sample of inert gas (usually nitrogen) stored in the monitor.

Automated performance monitoring systems

• Photoacoustic IR (PIR) systems directly measure the changes in pressure that occur when infrared light is absorbed by the refrigerant present in the sample. The greater the pressure, the greater the concentration.

Automatically monitoring the key performance indicators (pressures/ temperatures/load percentages/power) of an operating refrigeration system can help to identify any changes in the plant and provide useful data for system diagnostics, including a drop in refrigerant charge.

• CMOS (ceramic metal oxide semiconductor) technology is based on the change in conductivity of sensitised metal oxides upon exposure to refrigerant gases. Sensitivity of a refrigerant monitor is quantified in ppm, parts per million by volume. Selectivity is the ability of the instrument to differentiate between refrigerants.

A low charge will give a high superheat, decreasing sub-cooling value and reducing compressor power. Discharge and suction pressures increase (increased pressure ratio), which reduces refrigeration effect and COP. Return air minus supply air split temperature trends down and suction temperature trends up. Significant deterioration of performance occurs when systems operate below their optimal charge.

Refrigerant monitoring system design considerations

System pressure testing

Detectors are only a means of providing a signal to alert occupants, isolate equipment or a means of detecting a dangerous atmosphere. They do not prevent the formation of flammable or toxic concentrations of refrigerants. Due to the wide variation in plant room layouts, each application must be considered individually. Requirements for refrigerant gas detection in refrigeration plant rooms are contained in AS/NZS 5149 and the refrigerant handling Codes of Practice. The following information is provided as a general guide.

Alarms Audible and visual alarms should be provided inside the plant room as well as outside each entrance. Display panels should provide refrigerant concentration and system diagnostic information, visual and audible alarms and also communicate to building management and control systems if applicable.

Number of sensors/sample points A good rule of thumb is that there should be one sensor or sample point for each 35m2 of room area, or no less than one sensor/sampling point fewer than the total number of chillers/compressors/refrigerant circuits, whichever is less; provided that there is one sensor for each refrigerant safety group used.

Location of controllers/sensors/sample points The ability of a system to measure the refrigerant concentration is dependent on the location of the sensing point. The controller and sensing point should be rigidly mounted indoors. The controller should be located in an area where the display can be viewed from most parts of the room and where it can be easily accessed for periodic calibration and service. The sensing point may be remotely located from the controller.

This skills workshop is taken from the sixth edition of the AIRAH Technical Handbook, published in 2021. For more information go to www.airah.org.au/Technical_Handbook/

Monitoring and control systems can be used to raise an alarm when KPIs indicate that a change in refrigerant charge is detected.

Refrigerant systems should be pressure tested to the requirements of AS/NZS 5149, i.e., the PS and PSS of the system. AS/NZS 5149.2 details the acceptable testing methods, pressures, and sensitivities (tightness). Systems should be shown to be free from leaks by using a compatible test method suitable for the refrigerant used in the system. Lines should be completely cleared of test gas on satisfactory completion of pressure tests by blowing through with a suitable inert gas. On completion of the pressure tests and before the lines are connected to system components such as evaporator(s), compressor(s) or condenser(s), they should be evacuated using dry nitrogen as a moisture absorber (connected to the high and low pressure side of the refrigeration system with all valves fully open and all controls connected) employing one of the following methods:

a) Deep vacuum method: Pull a deep vacuum to an absolute pressure of 0.13mm Hg (130 microns) or lower. This vacuum should be held for a period of 24 hours, without operation of the vacuum pump and without a significant rise in pressure (0.16mm Hg or 160 microns maximum).

b) Triple evacuation method: Pull a vacuum to an absolute pressure of 0.3mm Hg (300 microns) or lower. Break the vacuum with dry (moisture free) nitrogen and allow the system to stand for 6 hours. Re-evacuate the system and repeat the procedure, breaking the vacuum each time with dry nitrogen. Should air be found in the system, find and repair leak(s), then pressure test in accordance with the above procedure and repeat the evacuation process. Refrigerant evacuation pumps should be capable of extracting all moisture and lowering the system vacuum to the pressures indicated above within a 48‑hour period. All pumps and vacuum gauges used should be calibrated and certified prior to de-hydration of the system(s). ■

Next issue: Filter performance parameters June–July 2022

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DID YOU KNOW RRA WILL PAY YOU FOR YOUR USED AND UNWANTED REFRIGERANT?

To recover refrigerant:

+61 02 6230 5244 www.refrigerantreclaim.com.au

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STEP

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STEP

Fill it with used, contaminated and unwanted refrigerant from systems you service, repair, or decommission.

STEP

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Classic cool

A COMPRESSED HISTORY Some people collect cars, others collect coins. John Zammit collects refrigeration compressors. Walk into John Zammit’s wholesale store in Ballarat and you will be greeted by an unusual sight: a collection of old refrigeration compressors that have all been restored lovingly to their original condition.

still gassed up, many couldn’t be restored to working condition. Nevertheless, Zammit stripped them, sanded them, cleaned them, repainted them in the original colours, and polished up the brass and copper.

“It’s colourful,” says Zammit. “Greens, blues and reds. It just brightens up the whole showroom.”

“It takes a bit of work but it’s fun doing it,” he says. “It brings back a lot of memories. All the old fridgies come in and love it. The young blokes go what’s all this shit – they haven’t got a clue!”

COLD CALLING It started when Zammit’s son bought a business in Harrow, Victoria, and found an old Coldstream compressor on the premises. John did it up. “One of my other customers was telling me it should be grey, not blue,” he remembers. “There was a debate, and someone said that Larry Ford at RMIT would know. So I rang Larry and he said that originally they were grey and then they turned it blue to compete with the Kelvinator.” Case closed. But then Ford came back with a request of his own. He had been in touch with June Salter, whose late father Colin Glover was a refrigeration engineer. Glover’s workshop of old equipment was in danger of heading for the scrap heap if she couldn’t find it a home. “We ended up getting three ute-loads,” says Zammit. “They were in pretty good condition. Of course, they had to be sprayed and whatever. But he had an extraordinary collection. It would have been a shame to chuck it out.” The compressors date back to the 1940s, some belt‑driven, others sealed. Although most were

PAY RATES IN 1950 Although a lot of the brand names have changed, Zammit says the technology is fundamentally the same. Interestingly, he’s also been able to compare fridgies’ earnings. As well as equipment, Zammit recovered old manuals and documents from Colin Glover’s workshop. Some of these show that the rate charged in the ’60s and ’70s was two pounds an hour. In today’s money, that equates to $108 an hour. Zammit hopes that one day the compressors might be donated to a museum – ideally one in Geelong to commemorate Australia’s godfather of refrigeration, James Harrison. “It’s got to be done in Geelong, because that’s where everything originated from,” he says. “If they do open it, I’d gladly give all this stuff.” In the meantime, if you are passing by JZ’s Wholesalers in Ballarat, take a moment to stop and get a very cool history lesson. ■ June–July 2022

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Cover Feature

HARD MARKET With Australia’s decades-long skills shortage exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, the HVAC&R industry is feeling the squeeze, as Louise Belfield reports.

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Cover Feature The latest report on skills and labour shortages to come out of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) – Overcoming Australia’s Labour and Skills Shortages, March 2022 – confirms what we have known for some time: trade shortages exist right across the economy. In the HVAC&R industry alone, the shortages are dire. A large number of fridgies do not have the ability expected, completion rates for apprentices is low, and when businesses do find suitable technicians and mechanics, they are often head‑hunted. So, why is this happening and what can be done about it? There are multiple reasons for the widespread shortages, according to Jenny Lambert, Director of Economics, Employment and Skills at ACCI. But she says they essentially boil down to migration, skills, and apprenticeship support.

THE COVID FACTOR “Skills and labour shortages happen often anyway during times of economic boom, but the COVID crisis has generated a range of unusual circumstances that have severely exacerbated it, so in general you could say things are as bad as anyone can remember,” Lambert says And what COVID has done to undermine an already stressed system is significant. With the closing of borders preventing the inflow of skilled and unskilled migrants, and the stop‑start, lock-down/open up/lock-down nature of the

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Another issue is that many fridgies who’ve completed their training still do not have the skills expected for the industry, for example, crucial fault-finding or diagnostics skills.

the way the equipment is designed – often for replacement rather than repair; many have self‑diagnostic systems embedded in the equipment or devices resulting in a remove-replace action to fix a problem; and consequently many tradies are in the installation game and few in the servicing game where fault-finding is a key activity.

ITAB Executive Officer Tony Palladino says fault‑finding is the highest skill level in a tradie’s toolbox, and must be practised often for someone to become proficient.

“It takes time and experience to become proficient in such skills, and not all are capable of rising to the occasion because of the quality of career aspirants that look to join the industry,” Palladino says.

“It is analysis which needs deep understanding of the underlying theory and practice, and must be practised often, but few develop it because of a range of factors,” he says.

“This is one of the reasons we are strong on requiring good maths to join the industry, because we deal in mathematical and scientific concepts and use a multitude of Australian Standards that require attention to detail, complexity and in some cases calculations or use of complex measuring instruments for assuring compliance of equipment installs or operational servicing.” ■

For starters, he notes, modern equipment is highly reliable and less prone to failure, providing fewer opportunities for apprentices and tradies to practice diagnostics skills on a regular basis. Much of the modern equipment is also sealed and a system approach to fault-finding is needed because of

“No one has been migrating to Australia during COVID – it’s been a really big thing,” he says.

crisis creating a disconnect with staff, the COVID factor is “making a severe difference to business and supply chains”, she says.

“I think that the aircon technicians could come across on a skilled migrants visa, but that stopped for a while and has only been reinstated recently … and the amount of red tape for qualified people from overseas to get the proper accreditation doesn’t help. In Victoria for example there are three

Thomas Ross, Affil.AIRAH, of Bradmac Heating and Cooling agrees that the pandemic and subsequent closing of international borders has had a severe impact on the numbers of skilled workers available in Australia.

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Cover Feature Commencement numbers are up thanks to government initiatives, but experts say more work is needed to lift completion rates.

different licences that an aircon technician will need to hold and a lot of these licences overlap and, in some instances, seem to contradict each other.”

and state governments have a role in its funding. It’s very inconsistent and this leads to a whole range of inconsistent outcomes. Sometimes there’s more money in the kitty, sometimes there’s less, and the numbers of funded places goes all over the place.”

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For instance, Ross says, in Victoria, refrigerated air conditioning work is regulated plumbing work, and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) who regulates plumbing practitioners has a mechanism for registration of people not from a “standard” background i.e., who have not completed an apprenticeship.

Ross has had first-hand experience of trying to recruit skilled workers in a diminishing pool of talent. “We used recruiters in the past but have stopped doing that because a lot of them have the same 20 people in their recruitment pool, so while they were getting some people to come in for interview, they were at a skill level that 10 years ago wouldn’t have made it to an interview anywhere. And apart from lack of skills, they’re just not well presented, a sure sign that they’re just not getting it,” he says.

“If you haven’t completed an apprenticeship but you’ve got the experience and pass their test, they will issue you with a registration to do refrigerated aircon work in Victoria. However, the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) who issues licences to handle refrigerant gas don’t have a similar mechanism (experience and test). So the VBA says we count you as competent to do refrigerated aircon work in Victoria, but ARC says you can’t handle the refrigerant gas to actually do this work.

“One guy even came in for his interview with a hamburger because he was hungry … and that’s from recruiters specialising in it. So, we took out our own ad on SEEK and were offering well above the industry wage, with benefits, and did not get one single applicant.”

“The licensing bodies just don’t seem to want to work together; they’re all overlapping and we need to simplify it.

This is in comparison with electricians, he says, “where we had an ad up and offered the standard rates and benefits and had lots of applicants”.

“I think there are a lot of skilled people out there we can use, but we need a federal body where they can go and sit exams and have one licencing authority. There are just too many hurdles and too many barriers for people who’ve come from a ‘non‑standard’ background.”

One guy even came in for his

Lambert says getting the agreement right between the Commonwealth and states and territories is something ACCI has in its sights. “It’s a very complicated policy world in vocational training, because both the federal 22

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interview with a hamburger because he was hungry |

June–July 2022

Tony Palladino is Executive Officer of the NSW Utilities and Electrotechnology (U&E) Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB). He says recruitment of an apprentice is not just about whether a career aspirant is going to be any good, but more about what additional aptitude the person brings to the table for the longer term. “If I were an employer of 100 prospective career aspirants, then I would select them with these issues in mind; that not all 100 will graduate as a tradie and remain so for the rest of their lives. I would value each one as to how they will help my business in the longer term, such as who might be good first level supervisors, or forepersons, or area technicians, managers, project managers, technical officers, or take over my business when I retire and so on.” Palladino says the reasons behind skill shortages in HVAC&R “are perennial”. He has been involved in trade-related competencybased national qualification issues for more than 30 years. In his experience, he says, few people in policy decision-making roles seeming to want to listen. “It is always the same questions, but with few solutions,” he says. “And when solutions are provided, few are implemented. Workforce understanding and development are complex issues not solved only by training solutions. “As CEO of the Utilities and Electrotechnology Industry Skills Council some 25 years ago and for more than a decade, we predicted and advised governments of these emerging scenarios, as did the associations in our industry sector. No advanced policies were set in motion by government bureaucrats that were strategic, long-term and measurable in nature. There was no accountability for introducing

Cover Feature “If you put on an apprentice now, the business gets a sign-on and well as a completion bonus from the government and also gets wage subsidies across the apprenticeship,” he says. “That’s been a great initiative for businesses to put on apprentices.”

QUICK FIXES, LONG‑TERM SOLUTIONS

Jenny Lambert believes we must continue to subsidise apprenticeship wages in the early stages of their apprenticeships.

But he is also aware that headhunting is rife, and that as soon as some finish their apprenticeship they demand the higher wages of a senior tradesperson and move around and shop around. He deals with it by being big on training.

Ross says that in order to circumvent the complexities of licensing and red tape, he’s found that a lot of the skill set of electricians and plumbers can be used in air conditioning, and A-grade electricians in particular.

“This has made a big difference to bringing back the numbers of apprentices [which had been] flatlining for many years and nowhere near keeping up with the growth of the economy and the growth of the population.

“We invest in training and don’t treat apprentices as cheap labour; we also do a lot of things after work, pay a bit above the standard apprentice wage and show a commitment to them. In return they’re quite loyal so they’re not inclined to leave.”

“Trade apprentice numbers were pretty well flat because the cost of taking on an apprentice was just too high compared to the benefit, particularly in the first couple of years, when an apprentice is not terribly productive. It costs employers to train and supervise them and of course they don’t know very much initially so they can’t do jobs on their own, and those issues were creating problems for trade apprenticeships.

However, Tony Palladino says these policy initiatives only address some of the issues, and will not solve the long-term underlying problems of not enough people entering and staying in the HVAC&R labour market to meet demand.

new government initiatives every couple of years. No one saw fit to check if they were ultimately successful or not in the longer term.”

INCENTIVES – GOOD OR BAD?

“The recent wage subsidies we’ve had arising through policies that the government put in place for COVID have been outstandingly successful, but there’s a major concern that the incentives that they’ve announced after July 1 are nowhere near going to be enough. Labor has not committed either.” Thomas Ross is also a fan of the incentives. He sees the only way to get more people into the industry is to put on more apprentices and skill them up.

“Because it’s been so difficult to get capable qualified aircon technicians, as a long-term solution we’ve gone out to knowledgeable, qualified plumbers and electricians and put them on as apprentices. We find that after a short period they are at a higher skill level than some technicians who are five years out of their apprenticeship. Of course, we’re paying them a fair bit more than you would normally pay an apprentice, but we’ve found it very successful and worth investing the time and money into.” Palladino says a more permanent fix is needed.

“We have a historical gap that has been growing year on year, and the government is only recovering apprentice numbers that were achieved in 2013. It is not ahead of the game.”

“We no longer have an apprenticeship institutional system in place that promotes or creates a perception of quality and highly prized occupational status of a trade achieved via an apprenticeship. School careers officers are overwhelmed with work, and naïve of any trade occupation. They’re most likely to encourage school students to go on to university as the trendy and right thing to do.

The recent wage subsidies … put in place for COVID have

“It is a systemic issue within the education system that biases student pathways to universities. When a student can go to school and choose

been outstandingly successful

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Cover Feature not to study maths as a subject in Year 11 and 12, we have failed the students, the citizenry, and potential economy that needs residents to have at least some cognisance of how maths is used in society.”

The Labor government has committed to the establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia, described as “a national partnership to drive VET education and strengthen workforce planning by working together with employers, unions and the training and education sector.” Watch this space.

Palladino suggests the solution is an Apprenticeship Commission solely dedicated to overseeing and promoting apprenticeship training, responsible for funding, monitoring and addressing workforce numbers and demand, and setting incentives. “We are not going to address a long-standing skill shortage overnight,” he says. “It won’t matter if we bring in gender or ethnicity quotas, the fact is there is not enough stock of available people in the workforce that can provide the scope or time for training the numbers we need without some leadership infrastructure that is primed to produce more graduates than the market needs. “This is what the great electricity, railways, public works and other large governmental institutions did in the past. This arrangement produced quality workers and more than the market needed. With attrition rates and retirees that balanced the pipeline of workers needed for the market. “This lack of infrastructure has led to the situation we are in, and no one wants to acknowledge it or solve the issue by building something in similar vein. There was an expectation that Group Training Organisations (GTOs) could do this, but many GTOs are fragmented, or became diversified and were not strictly able to service the particular traditional trade apprenticeship market. “Given the labour market has seen a continued explosion in smaller service contractors in our industry versus some 30 to 40 years ago and that no governmental institutions exist as mentioned above, and that GTOs do not have the gravitas, power base or same capability to employ as the past governmental intuitions, then the recipe for a problem is staring one in the face.” In Palladino’s view, we need to do so much more to change the status quo, such as allowing students to leave school at Year 10 to take on an apprenticeship under the auspices and guardianship of an Apprenticeship Commission, provide support services for apprentices and employers, and “promote, promote, promote”. ■

MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE Kevin O’Shea is President of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (RACCA). He says he’s been aware of a shortage of tradespeople from the day he started in this industry 55 years ago.

“At Careers Days for school leavers, it is evident that a lot of resources are pumped into the displays of universities, military, and construction and we are the poor relation in this area,” he says.

“Our market keeps growing year on year,” says O’Shea, “but we just can’t attract enough entrants into the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.”

“Our market is still growing and each year there are more pieces of equipment that need servicing and installation, and that is not reflected in the increase of new entrants.

A major factor behind this crisis, he says, is that parents want their children to go to university and feel that a trade would be a sign of the child’s failing.

“We also have many people retiring or leaving our industry, and some leave for sales or management roles.

Another is that the industry is competing with so many other industries for new entrants each year, “and these other industries have a lot deeper pockets”, he says.

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“Our trade is invisible to the public and school leavers don’t know that our industry is a career choice open to them.”

June–July 2022

With so many industries in opposition to HVAC&R, such as solar, IT, renewable energy, electric cars, and now hydrogen, O’Shea says RACCA has its work cut out for it in trying to get the message out there by attending Careers Days. “We are a very small player against the might of other industries,” he says. “As an industry we have to start working together to look at the way we can generate funds and use these funds to have staff dedicated to lifting the profile of our industry and work at attracting the most capable school leavers to join our great trade.” ■

June–July 2022

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Around the Nation 1

DUCTWORK DOCTORS

product development and commercialisation capabilities for our major retail partners.” The federal government has a focus on recycling, and has indicated that it will be investing in this area.

Clean-Air Aust has completed a project to seal leaks in the air conditioning ductwork at a Queensland Health Hospital.

“It’s an initiative we couldn’t be more excited about as we continue to work towards a circular economy by 2025,” says Brady.

The hospital system consisted of four AHUs supplying air (11,700L/s) to ground and first floor areas including oral health, cancer care, procedure rooms, administration and critical storage.

Go to buildtuff.com.au

“Our aim was to circumvent any disruption to critical services being provided to patients by using Aeroseal technology to seal the ductwork from the inside,” says Project Manager Muni Kumar, “with a target to achieve a 40 per cent reduction of air loss in the system.”

The project took less than three weeks to complete, and avoided a teardown of the whole HVAC system. According to the project team, before using Aeroseal, leakage rates were 4,091L/s. Afterwards they were just 263L/s, meaning that overall duct leakage had been reduced by 90 per cent. They say that the facility can now run its HVAC system at a fraction of the power that was previously needed, saving substantially on its energy costs.

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“Since many of our customers don’t have dedicated strategic advisors focused on the full life-cycle of their business and marketing plans, they are unsure if what they are doing is actually working. We are excited to award this prize package to help them figure that out and give them a customised plan designed to help their businesses grow and thrive.” Go to www.simprogroup.com/business-toolkit

Resitech specialises in providing recycling solutions to the plastics industry via waste collection. In partnership with Buildtuff, it is aiming to create a safe and reliable supply partner to wholesalers and tradespeople. It also hopes to address some of the current supply chain issues.

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VALE WARWICK STANNUS

Long-time industry stalwart Warwick Stannus, M.AIRAH, passed away on Sunday, April 24.

“I believe this creates supply sovereignty via our vertically integrated closed-loop recycling program, safeguarding Australian jobs and re‑shoring manufacturing from China,” says BuildTuff General Manager Alan Brady. “This enables us to further strengthen our

Boasting a strong background in both consulting and contracting in the HVAC&R industry, Stannus is recognised for his work in developing industry standards and his 19-year career at A.G. Coombs. |

June–July 2022

He started working at A.G. Coombs in 2003 in the newly created role of Group Engineering Manager, and was instrumental in the development of Independent Commissioning Agent services in many early Green Star projects in Australia. He was a driving force behind A.G. Coombs’ work in large-scale offsite prefabrication of building services. Stannus was also a primary instigator of the world‑leading BIM-MEPAUS initiative, which has digitised the design and delivery of building services in Australia. He has been recognised for his work over many years in developing innovative industry practices, and was a frequent contributor to industry journals and magazines. In 2021, Stannus was awarded the Air conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association’s (AMCA) Distinguished Service Award. As a committed individual who shared ideas and drove industry development, he will be sorely missed within the industry. ■

LOOKING TO THE STARS

There is still no word on whether the National Construction Code 2022 will raise the minimum energy efficiency standard for new homes from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars. An NCC 2022 preview was released in May, but it did not include energy efficiency and condensation management provisions. These are expected to be previewed in August, before the NCC 2022 comes into effect in September.

“At simPRO, we are committed to helping our customers and potential customers to build and scale their businesses.” says Marketing Manager for Australia Paul Buckwell.

BuildTuff, a new market supplier for equipment bases, and Polybender pair coil copper bender have become sister companies to Resitech, the country’s largest recycler of post-industrial waste.

GROWTH PACKAGES UP FOR GRABS

To enter, business owners must fill out an entry form and include a narrative of 50 words or less about their biggest business pain points. They must also sign up for a simPRO demo and receive a customised quote.

BUILDTUFF CLOSING THE LOOP

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Field service software specialist simPRO has launched a competition with two $20,000 business growth packages up for grabs. Along with PROTRADE and Your Marketing Machines, simPRO will reward two winners with an “Ultimate Growth Toolkit” which includes a leadership mastery course, a customised marketing plan, a digital advertising package and free simPRO software and training valued at $20,000. The promotion is open to Australian business owners in the trade services industry and runs until June 30.

Before that work could start, however, Aeroseal needed Australian-recognised fire safety certification. Clean-Air duly carried out testing of the product and passed certification for smoke generation in accordance with AS/NZS 1530.3:1999.

Go to aerosealductsealing.com.au

State, territory and federal building ministers are due to meet in July to discuss the changes. And industry bodies are calling for a commitment to higher standards. “Australian home energy efficiency currently lags behind international best practice, and it rates among the world’s worst performing developed countries,” says Climateworks. “This means Australians are missing out on safer, more comfortable homes made possible through better insulation and more efficient heating and cooling.” The potential savings of more efficient homes have also been highlighted in a Climate Council report. It found that living in a 7 star, all-electric house in any capital city in Australia would save occupants on average $450 per year on heating and cooling costs compared to the current building standard of 6 stars. Go to: bit.ly/3LvsSuO

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Around the Nation 6

FUJITSU FLYING HIGH

Fujitsu General Australia has come on board as the inaugural co-major partner of the Essendon AFLW team.

“TACA’s vision is to be able to work with [industry] to provide a quality accreditation model and associated training for those involved in engineering, installation and commissioning of HVAC&R systems.”

Essendon Football Club CEO Xavier Campbell says the club is delighted with the new deal.

TACA is working with allied industry bodies, including AIRAH and AMCA Australia, to grow its membership and become the foremost local standard for the building commissioning industry. With a heavy emphasis on providing consistent up‑to-date benchmarking and training, TACA also sees a future in building pressure testing, clean room and fume hood accreditation.

“We are incredibly proud of the strong partnership between the Essendon Football Club and Fujitsu General Australia, and our further strengthening of ties to extend to our incoming AFLW program is another example of that,” Campbell says.

“I urge everyone in the HVAC&R space to get on board and support a quality accreditation scheme that meets the needs of consulting engineers, facility managers, building owners and tenants,” Wright says. ■

This extends the company’s partnership with Essendon Football Club. Last year, Fujitsu General Australia renewed its agreement as co-major partner of the AFL program for an additional four years, which will take the partnership to 12 years.

“Signing Fujitsu General Australia is a wonderful progression for our club’s women’s program and to partner with an organisation that shares our vision to support and promote grassroots, community and female football programs is significant. “There is no doubt we are entering a momentous period as our club becomes truly whole with the upcoming inception of our national women’s team, and we thank managing director Philip Perham and his team at Fujitsu General Australia for their continued support of the Essendon Football Club.” Go to www.fujitsugeneral.com.au

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FOCUS ON COMMISSIONING

There’s a new industry association in town, and its focus is commissioning. The Testing and Commissioning Association (TACA) began when a group of building commissioning organisations saw a lack of ongoing professional development and local support for the Australian and Asia-Pacific commissioning industry. TACA President Chris Wright, M.AIRAH, says it’s been an extremely hectic start since launching in November 2021. “It’s taken a lot of volunteer hours to establish a suitable model for trainees, technicians, supervisors, companies and affiliates,” he says.

Automatic fresh air ventilation systems will be rolled out to more than 10,000 public school classrooms in New South Wales to bolster protection against COVID-19. With winter approaching, caseloads are expected to increase. Considering that in Australia, 2022 has already seen more than double the number of COVID‑related deaths in 2020 and 2021 combined – and that airborne transmission is now recognised as the most common pathway for COVID-19 – improving ventilation is high on the agenda. The 10,000 classrooms newly identified to receive automatic fresh air ventilation build on the 2,000 classrooms announced last year. The program is supporting permanent upgrades to windows, ceiling and exhaust fans, additional servicing of ventilation systems, procurement of 19,000 air purifiers, and the ongoing installation of automatic fresh air ventilation systems.

AUNTY CELEBRATES GODFATHER OF REFRIGERATION

In addition to the Air Quality Assurance Program, permanent fresh air ventilation systems are also being progressively installed in thousands of classrooms as part of the NSW government’s $500 million Cooler Classrooms program. ■

Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison has featured in an episode of ABC rural affairs program Landline. Ahead of the Scotland-born innovator’s birthday on April 17, the program charted Harrison’s exploits in creating an ice machine in his adopted Victorian home of Geelong in the mid-1800s.

Landline also explored reasons for Harrison’s lack of renown given the enormity of his achievements, and efforts by science, history and refrigeration buffs to establish a museum in his honour.

FITTINGS FIRST WITH CONEX BÄNNINGER

Conex Bänninger has launched a new website to share its expertise in HVAC&R and plumbing fittings. “Conex Bänninger has a 110-year history of delivering innovative and highly versatile fittings for the plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration sectors globally,” says the company. “The new digital hub has utilised this knowledge and expertise to give customers access to resources that support them through every stage of their work.”

“There’s not much to see – a tangle of scrub at the base of a rock-strewn slope – but Rocky Point in Geelong is a site of world significance,” said Landline journalist Tim Lee. “There was once a cave here, filled in long ago by authorities who deemed it unsafe, and a large shed that drew in water from the Barwon River and converted it into ice. A modest plaque on a boulder scarcely does justice to its importance. It was here in 1854 that inventor, journalist, and newspaper proprietor James Harrison had his eureka moment — successfully trapping escaping gas and using it as a refrigerant.” Go to: ab.co/3Mwl9Oh

VENTILATION UPGRADES FOR SCHOOLS

Conex Bänninger specification and technical manager Steven Lowry says: “We’re excited to launch a website that was designed in consultation with a broad crosssection of customers, with purpose-built features that will support them to get the job done quicker.” The new website includes a product selector, FAQs, and a central hub to download certificates, RFAs, specification sheets, technical guides, and case studies.

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Go to conexbanninger.com.au June–July 2022

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HVAC&R News

Green Wedge

JAGUAR LEAPS INTO BATTERY BUSINESS

The UK marque has developed a portable zero‑emission energy storage unit. Given luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover is committed to be all-electric by 2025, and to produce the first all-electric Land Rover by 2024, big things are afoot. Truly innovative companies are these days striving for a virtuous circle, which involves reuse of the materials used to construct products. To this end, Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with energy sector leader Pramac to develop a portable zero-emission energy storage unit powered by second-life batteries. Called the Off Grid Battery Energy Storage System (ESS), it features lithium-ion cells from Jaguar I-PACE batteries taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles. It can supply zero-emission power where access to the mains supply is limited or unavailable.

The initiative forms part of the company’s goal to achieve net zero status by 2039. Because the company’s batteries are engineered to lofty standards, they can be deployed in multiple low‑energy situations once battery health falls below the stringent requirements of an electric vehicle. The flagship system from Pramac has a capacity of up to 125kWh – enough to fully charge Jaguar’s all-electric I-PACE performance SUV, or to power a regular family home for a week. Pramac directly reuses up to 85 per cent of the vehicle battery supplied by Jaguar Land Rover within the storage unit, including modules and wiring. The remaining materials are recycled back into the supply chain. The self-contained unit is charged from solar panels.

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

Get a taste of AIRAH’s official journal at www.airah.org.au/ecolibrium To advertise in ECOLIBRIUM contact — Glenn Douglas 0411 839 667 or John McGrath 0419 556 108 28

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June–July 2022

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Smoko with . . .

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Dream car: Chevrolet Silv Dream holiday: Road trip across the USA.

Favourite smoko snack: A good meat pie. What did you listen to on the way to work today? Country music. Sporting hero: Baseballer Aaron Judge – New York Yankees. … When I’m not working I’m . den gar the in or ily With my fam

16-18 August 2022 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Source new products and services Share expertise and solutions Connect with your industry Australia’s only international HVAC+R & building services trade exhibition, with the largest range of suppliers, products and solutions, all under one roof. Don’t miss the highly regarded Seminar Series now expanded to include the new Intelligent Buildings Technology (IBTech) seminars. Held over three massive days, the event also incorporates the celebrated ARBS Industry Awards program and gala dinner.

June–July 2022

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

VOTE FOR THE WINNER! Choose your favourite entry at www.hvacrnews.com.au/the-lighter-side And check out last issue’s winner: Advanced cooling from Brendon in Queensland.

IF DR FRANKENSTEIN BUILT AN AC … 1

“The longer you look at this,” says Callan from WA, “the worse it gets! Condensing unit facing backwards, ducted system with 100 per cent outside air, the drip tray is the roof of the unit, no filter, and a piece of wood balancing the indoor unit.”

Graham says: We would hope this is an illegal installation and that no selfrespecting tradesperson would do this.

Daniel shared this photo taken in Cairns. “When in doubt,” says Daniel, “bang another AC out!” Graham says: The trouble with replacing room air conditioners with splits is that you are left with a large hole in the wall to repair and RACs to dispose of. All adds to the cost of the job.

SHORT SIGHTED

ROOM FOR ONE MORE?

Ray found this on a 20kW domestic air conditioner at Glenhaven in Sydney. “The customer said it had been working like this for the last 10 years when the circuit had tripped,” he says. “Fortunately, the compressor was OK.”

LYING DOWN ON THE JOB

Mounting issues, or a very strong wind? Thanks to Phoenix for sending this one in.

Graham says: Assuming this is a three-phase system, they are lucky as the breaker would only drop out two phases. Hard to tell without further investigation.

Graham says: Sometimes people think that the unit is so heavy it won’t move. A big underestimation.

LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT 5

On a yearly maintenance, Tommy from Balhannah, SA, found this discharge vibration eliminator had totally come apart. “Hadn’t lost any gas and was still running,” he says. “Never seen one do this before. Amazing the strength on the discharge pipe.” Graham says: Vibration eliminators need to be bracketed and the direction of the vibration needs to be ascertained prior to fitting. Read the instructions first! Unless of course this is factory fitted – then you would hope the factory would know what they are doing.

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

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the 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 30

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HVAC&R News June-July 2022

Articles inside

Classic cool

Worldskills Update

Global Update

Lighter Side

Around the Nation

Smoko with

Green wedge