Around the Nation

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Peter Wesener, Shawnee Zinga, Pedro Kunzel, Jessica Lane, Gregory Wetherall, Jeremy Jouen, Troy Connors, Jarrad Mappas (L-R)

PENALTY FOR DISPOSABLE CYLINDERS

A Victorian auto mechanic has been fined after it was discovered he possessed 26 illegal disposable cylinders of the synthetic greenhouse gas R134a.

According to the Department of the Environment and Energy, inspectors executed a search warrant on the mechanic’s business in April last year. During the search, they identified and seized approximately $2,500 of R134a. This was forfeited to the Commonwealth for destruction.

The mechanic was issued with two infringement notices for possessing refrigerant without a permit and storing refrigerant in disposable cylinders. These are offences under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 . Disposable cylinders containing scheduled substances such as R134a are banned in Australia.

“The cylinders were originally designed to be used for servicing and commissioning of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment,” says the Department. “However, they cannot be refilled, which means a residual ‘heel’ of gas can remain in the containers. This remaining gas can enter the atmosphere once disposal of the cylinder occurs.”

The mechanic has paid the infringement notices and has now obtained the appropriate permits to possess scheduled substances for use in refrigeration equipment. ■

RIDGY-DIDGE FRIDGIES

Late last year TAFE Queensland Skillstech held its annual student awards night at the Bracken Ridge campus. The awards were well supported by industry, including AIRAH, which donated a set of ARAC manuals for one of the winners and goodie bags for everyone who received an award.

The awards recognise not only academic achievement, but also how students cooperate and get involved. As refrigeration and air conditioning teacher Neal Kidman, M.AIRAH, says, a big part of the criteria is, “Would you employ this person in your business?” Female fridgies were well represented. Of the nine awards, three were won by women. Stage 1 block: Shawnee Zinga Stage 1 flexi: Kyle Sikacek Stage 2 block: Pedro Kunzel

Stage 2 flexi: Rhiannon Barr

Stage 3 block: Troy Connors

Stage 3 flexi: Jeremy Jouen

Split system installer: Bart Pini Capstone: Gregory Wetherall Refrigeration Achievement Award: Jessica Lane ■

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BRAND-NEW HQ

Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia have committed to a 10-year lease on a new $48 million purpose-built industrial property at Altitude, Bankstown Airport, NSW. Bankstown Airport is a prime location for the business, due to its close proximity to the M5 and M7 motorways and local amenities.

The new 22,000m² manufacturing and distribution centre, on Tower Rd, Bankstown Airport, will be situated on a 40,000m² site. It will include 1,400m² of office space for both businesses’ Australian headquarters.

“This new facility will help us to deliver our business strategies and objectives in Australia, acting as our main manufacturing facility, distribution centre and corporate headquarters,” says Paul Campbell, Director of Operations at Kirby.

The new development is intended to enhance the service offer to customers and allow for greater operational efficiencies by consolidating the workplace into a single building with sustainable practices.

Key features of the new distribution centre include a 5 star Green Star design, which will incorporate a 250kW solar panel installation and a 50,000L rainwater harvesting system.

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CAPITAL COMPETITION

Ryan Hanns has won the regional WorldSkills competition for ACT’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning apprentices.

“It is incredibly humbling to win this award and compete against the very best in the state,” says Hanns. “I love my apprenticeship and take great pride in it. To be recognised at a state level is a significant achievement. I’m looking forward to competing on the national stage in 2020.”

Adrian Anderson from Grosvenor Engineering Group was one of the judges, and says the contestants displayed exception talent.

“It was clear that they had a strong sense of their work which enabled them to visualise tasks, structure and thoughts with the working knowledge they have gained from their apprenticeship,” he says. “The apprentices of today hold the future wellbeing of our industry for tomorrow.”

According to Lesa Cockburn, teacher at the Canberra Institute of Technology, the competition is useful for both students and future employers. It gives competitors the opportunity to showcase their skills, while employers can witness first-hand the skill level of future tradespeople.

Winners of the WorldSkills regional competitions will compete at the national competition at ARBS in May 2020.

Go to www.worldskills.org.au ■

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ADVICE ON AUTO AIRCON

Ground-breaking Australian research has led to a free guide to help automotive technicians work safely with flammable refrigerants.

Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA), automotive thermal and electrical trade association VASA and GHD Engineering worked together to study the management of health and safety risks associated with the use of flammable gases, including refrigerants, in an automotive workshop environment.

but also because automotive systems are often incorrectly “topped up” with A3 (high flammability) refrigerants. Annual testing carried out by RRA has found that around 5 per cent of cars in Australia are contaminated with hydrocarbon.

The guide covers legal matters related to refrigerant classifications, dangerous goods, work health and safety, hazardous areas and working with flammable refrigerants, including what to do if a system contains a flammable A3 or A2L refrigerant.

The guide also contains information on handling mixtures of non-flammable and flammable refrigerants, as well as a workshop safety checklist and risk assessment worksheet.

Go to www.vasa.org.au ■

OOMIAK EXPANSION

An Australian industrial refrigeration company is expanding into the Asian market.

Adelaide-based Oomiak, which specialises in the design and installation of industrial refrigeration, has opened a Malaysian office in Kuala Lumpur in response to growing demand from South East Asia.

“We’ve experienced a significant increase in demand from the Asian market for high quality industrial refrigeration systems, so opening an office in the region is a logical step forward,” says CEO Cate McGuire, Affil.AIRAH.

“The Asian market has a rapidly growing appetite for fresh fruit and vegetables, and with that comes the need to adequately cool and store produce to ensure it maintains maximum freshness for customers.

“Our leading-edge industrial refrigeration equipment and fresh produce ripening systems, as well as the expert advice we give to clients, has been extremely well received in Asia.

“We see enormous growth in the region over the next decade, so this is a really exciting move for us that is testament to the high-quality benchmarks we’ve put in place.”

Adam Nobbs

Jason Lucas

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NEW ENERGY LABELS

Last year the government ran information training sessions on the new energy labels that will soon start appearing on air conditioners. It has now placed a suite of information related to the content of the information sessions on the Energy Rating website.

The new requirements for air conditioners take effect from April 1, 2020. The information is aimed at helping technicians and other people in the industry better understand the new Zoned Energy Rating Label as it becomes more visible in the Australian market over the coming years. It may also be a useful guide to assist customers in purchasing a more efficient air conditioner for their climate.

The website contains slides from last year’s information sessions, a fact sheet on how to read the new energy rating label, a booklet on the new labels, a video explaining the labels, a recording of last year’s presentation, and frequently asked questions.

All of the information is available at energyrating.gov.au/ACInfoSessions

If you would like hard copies of the fact sheet or booklet or have further questions, email energyrating@environment.gov.au ■

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FRIGORIFIC FRIGATES

Australian refrigeration specialist Cold Logic has signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding with UK naval refrigeration supplier Ernest West & Beynon.

Ernest West & Beynon is currently supplying the provision cooling systems for BAE Systems UK Type 26 class, which is the baseline design for Australia’s Hunter class.

Cold Logic is delivering state-of-the-art upgrades to cooling equipment for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines as part of the federal government’s ongoing sustainment and capability upgrade programs, carried out by prime contractor ASC.

“We understand that the supply and install of the new systems on the Hunter class frigates are only the first step,” says Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, head of Cold Logic Defence Division, “but this will then be followed by decades of operation and maintenance and we want to ensure that this is cost effective as possible. We believe our partnership with Ernest West & Beynon will be the right step in that direction and we look forward to working with our partners and BAE Systems Australian on this project.”

Go to www.coldlogic.com.au ■

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NEW FACES AT MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

Following a fourth consecutive record-breaking financial year, Mitsubishi Electric Australia has announced two new appointments.

Adam Nobbs has been appointed to HVAC Sales Manager for NSW Central. He brings with him over 19 years’ experience in the air conditioning industry. In the new role, Nobbs will share his knowledge with his Sydney-based team of 12 while he focuses on growing sales across the Sydney metropolitan and Central West regions.

“Thanks to our team and the great foundations that they’ve already established, we have a great customer base in the region,” says Nobbs. “I look forward to continuing to build on their great work with our premium products.”

Also joining the team is Jason Lucas, who has been appointed to the position of HVAC Sales Manager for the northern region of NSW. Lucas will be based in Newcastle, with his team covering the region from the Hawkesbury Bridge to Evans Head and inland to Moree.

“My short-term goal is to focus on supporting our existing customer base,” he says. “We now have an additional staff member to assist in completing quotations in a timely manner and supporting our customers’ needs.

“The northern region is currently experiencing a rapid growth phase for Mitsubishi Electric Australia and we will be continuing to offer support to our customers to keep the momentum through the summer and beyond.”