HVACR Nation May 2020 by AIRAH

Learn while you earn Continuing professional development for fridgies

Skills

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A cooler future Eight potential game-changers for residential AC – and the planet

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May 2020 / ISSUE 131

A cooler future 20

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

Fax: 03 9614 8949

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

What kind of cooling system will people be installing in their homes in five years’ time? It could well be one of the eight finalists in the Global Cooling Prize, as Danny Chan reports.

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HVAC&R Nation regulars

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

Global Update Industry news from around the world

ISSN 1834-9522

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

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.

AIRAH News This year, AIRAH celebrates its 100th birthday

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

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.

Legal Speak We look at employers’ responsibilities for sites affected by bushfire smoke

No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R Nation’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. HVAC&R Nation is distributed without charge to all financial members of AIRAH.

Exclusive to this issue

Green Wedge One day you may be able to do a lap of the map in an electronic vehicle

Disclaimer HVAC&R Nation is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R Nation do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members.

Insulated enclosures in coldrooms

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

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

The Toolshed

Skills Workshop

Cool Tech Staying social during the lockdown

Learn while you earn

In our rapidly changing industry, HVAC&R technicians are constantly facing new technology and equipment. Sean McGowan looks at what ongoing training is available, and some of the challenges in accessing it.

Smoko with … Q&A with Michael Weinstock

13,144 September 2019

Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation

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

Cover photo: Sutad Watthanakul, istockphoto

May 2020

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Ed’s letter

UNCERTAIN MAGIC In his non-fiction book On Writing, Stephen King gives an example of the magic of words: “Look – here’s a table with a red cloth. On it is a cage the size of a small fish aquarium. In the cage is a white rabbit with a pink nose and pink-rimmed eyes. In its front paws is a carrot-stub upon which it is contentedly munching. On its back, clearly marked in blue ink, is the numeral 8.” As King points out, even though he’s writing the words in his study in 1997, we all see it, no matter where we are, or when we are. Especially that number eight on the rabbit’s back. It’s like a combination of telepathy and time travel. Magic.

One weekend, things were relatively normal; two days later, the AIRAH team was working from home. And although we were lucky enough to still be employed and busy, lots of friends and family suddenly weren’t. Now, a month later, I’m writing to you from my simple but cosy home office. The curve has flattened and the government is talking about easing restrictions. Maybe by the time you read this, it will already have happened. As we’ve seen, things can change quickly. So while we continue to cover all the latest coronavirus news at the AIRAH website and at HVAC&R News, here in the magazine we’re focusing on some longer-term stories.

The other edge of this sword, however, is context. That scene, when transported to 2027 – perhaps when rabbits become the source of a new coronavirus – might carry a completely new meaning for the reader. And that’s a wrinkle we’ve been dealing with a lot lately at HVAC&R Nation. The April issue came together just before that pre-lockdown whirlwind. As such, we didn’t go into great detail on COVID-19.

This month our cover feature looks at the Global Cooling Prize, an innovation competition aiming to inspire a radically more efficient and environmentally friendly room air conditioner. It began in 2018 and will crown the winner in 2021, hopefully transforming the market in the process. The eight finalists certainly have great promise and ingenuity.

In our other feature we look at continuing professional development for HVAC&R technicians. This is a topic we are especially interested in right now, with AIRAH focusing on trade licensing (see below) and asking whether CPD should be compulsory, given the rapid evolution of our industry. But is that realistic for your average fridgie? I hope you enjoy this issue, and that wherever and whenever you’re reading this, you are doing OK as we negotiate our way out of the pandemic. ■

@AIRAHnews

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

HVAC&R LICENSING IN AUSTRALIA — NOW AND TOWARDS 2050

Let’s make licensing better As part of its advocacy work, AIRAH has developed a position statement for HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The goal is to identify how Australia’s HVAC&R licensing regime can be improved, and to produce a compelling case for change. AIRAH is seeking input and feedback from all of industry to develop this position statement. The document is available online, along with a survey for people to provide feedback and comments. We encourage you to read the position statement and fill out the online survey by May 31, 2020.

Please visit: www.airah.org.au/licensing 4

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SELF-CLEANING TECHNOLOGY

ECO-MOTION SENSOR

ANTI-BACTERIAL ANTI-ALLERGEN

5 POWER USAGE TRACKING

PROGRAMMABLE WEEKLY TIMER

PARTS & SERVICE WARRANTY

Dec 2019

May 2020

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Toolshed 1

Less is more from Daikin

Daikin has released new18kW and 20kW inverter ducted systems that the company says are specifically designed and engineered to fit into the modern – and slightly more squeezy – Australian home.

The Gree D-Series chillers are suitable for new builds or retrofits to existing buildings. Kirby says they can be used in hotels, apartments, restaurants, office buildings, shopping malls, theatres, gyms, workshops and hospitals. The models range from 65kW–249kW and are reverse cycle. The modular design allows groupings of different units. Up to 16 of the 65kW and 80kW models, or eight of the 130kW, 160kW and 249kW models can be combined to achieve 1,990kW of cooling capacity.

Smart device control is also available with Daikin Airbase designed for iOS and Android devices (adapter required).

Kirby says the new Lennox eComfort chillers feature a compact, low profile and good architectural integration, and deliver some of the lowest sound levels on the market due to A3S Active Acoustic Attenuation.

“Homeowners can control their Daikin ducted system through their smart devices, anywhere, anytime,” says the company. Go to: commercial.daikin.com.au ■

Go configure with Condair

Condair Configure is a web-based humidifier selection tool that lets customers design a humidification system from within the company’s own in-house air handling unit (AHU) design software.

5 3

Features include humidity load calculations for humidifier sizing; product and accessory selection; pricing; detailed product data; drawings; wiring diagrams; and performance sheets.

Johnson Controls is introducing the AtmosAir solution to the Australian market in response to COVID-19. Johnson Controls says the air purifying system can actively and continuously disinfect and decontaminate indoor air in buildings and facilities.

Johnson Controls says the bipolar ions intercept infected particles, causing them to agglomerate and fall out of the air, actively reducing microorganisms that collect on surfaces (a common source of infection) including bacteria, fungi, mould, spores and airborne viruses such as coronavirus. This restores oxygen ion levels and treats germs before they infect people by continuously disinfecting the air. The company says the AtmosAir innovation has been tested extensively by specialists in virology, microbiology and pathology.

Go to: www.condair.com.au ■

Anti-virus atoms

According to the company, the partnered Johnson Controls AtmosAir solution works by producing bipolar ions that attach themselves to airborne viruses, odours and pollutants, rendering them inactive.

Condair Configure also provides advanced calculations, such as: pressure drops inherent with any given system design; calculation of steam absorption distances; pre-heating requirements for cold water humidifier projects; and any chosen system’s power consumption. Because the communication between the AHU company’s IT system and Condair Configure is one-way only, the company says no project information will be fed back to Condair until the AHU company chooses to do so, during an appropriate stage of the project.

The chillers come equipped with Lennox Aqualean watersource packaged units; Kirby glycol evaporators; refrigerant; as well as OEM and replacement coil products. A team of dedicated field engineers will also be available to assist with any selection enquiries. Go to: www.kirbyhvacr.com.au ■

The software allows manufacturers to design and quote AHUs with a humidification element without needing to liaise directly with a Condair sales engineer. The system is connected to Condair’s in-house product selection software, so it is constantly updated.

Kirby expands chiller range

Kirby has introduced the new Gree D-Series and Lennox eComfort chillers to its portfolio.

“The trend of maximising the home footprint on blocks has brought some challenges to the placement of air conditioning outdoor units,” says Daikin. “The new 18kW and 20kW inverter ducted systems have been redesigned with a 50 per cent reduction in the depth of the outdoor unit to 320mm, which enables easy installation into narrow side access areas.”

Go to: www.johnsoncontrols.com ■

Sensors with style

Belimo has released a range of passive and active room sensors and room operating units for measuring temperature, humidity and indoor air quality. The new range has been especially designed for visible areas of the room. According to Belimo, the units offer a timeless design for the architect; quick installation for the installer; easy commissioning via smartphone for the system integrator; and a comfortable room climate for the end-user. Belimo says the room sensors have the slimmest profile of any active sensor on the market – the multi-parameter temperature, humidity and CO2 sensor has a depth of just 22mm.

ICN, in partnership with Ionyx and QMI Solutions, has developed the ICN COVID-19 Response App. ICN says this new application is aimed at protecting workers from the threat of the virus using a simple questionnaire that screens anyone that interacts with your company for symptoms of coronavirus.

The company says the automated screening process allows for flags and alerts to be instantly sent back to a central web portal so management can isolate potentially infected individuals and minimise the risk of infection at job sites. “The ICN COVID-19 Response App is a valuable tool for any company that interacts with others as part of their workday,” says ICNL executive director Warren Jansen. “It ensures that employees and clients can interact safely knowing each participant has undergone and passed their symptom checks for the day onsite.”

Sensors feature removable spring-loaded terminal blocks and a housing that can be opened and closed without tools. To assist in commissioning and diagnostics, users can download the Belimo Assistant App, which uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to set parameters via a smartphone. The app provides wireless control and onsite operation of room sensors, even if the sensor is not connected to a power supply.

Contagion alert

The active and passive room units are suitable for demand‑controlled VAV, heated/chilled ceilings, and radiator or underfloor heating.

The app is available for free to all small businesses (with 50 employees or less), charity groups and not-forprofit organisations. ICN says the costs are scaled for large companies depending on the workforce size, and that the app is offered at a significantly discounted rate.

Go to: www.belimo.com.au ■

Go to: www.icn.org.au ■

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May 2020

Toolshed 7

Dwyer handles the pressure

At workplaces with considerable heat irradiation – in the glass industry, foundries, road construction or sports facilities – it’s important to ensure that the heat load does not exceed target values.

The Series DP3 wireless differential pressure module is a compact, auto-ranging differential pressure module for low flow applications. The Series DP3 is used in conjunction with the Dwyer Mobile Meter application software to view pressure drop across filters, static pressure in ducts, and velocity pressures from pitot tubes or air flow stations.

The WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) has been developed to determine the maximum permissible exposure time at such workplaces, and to set load limits for air conditioning engineers, facility managers and work safety officers.

Features include: • Auto ranging technology maintains optimal performance down to 0.1” H20 • LED indicator displays module status, connection, charging and logging to the user • Over-the-air updates ensure the module has the latest firmware • Unit can be mounted on both the pitot and velocity grid • Rechargeable battery allows for a 10-hour battery life • One-button design allows for easy operation and simple logging • Rugged case allows for a 10’ drop without compromising functionality • Automatically corrects pressure reading depending on the inclination of the module.

According to manufacturer Testo, the WBGT kit provides a ISO 7243 / DIN 33403-3 compliant method for determining the WBGT index. The kit includes a globe thermometer, ambient temperature probe and wet bulb temperature probe. The WBGT is derived from three measurement values that can be calculated with a low level of effort in buildings as well as in outdoor areas, says Testo. The kit can be used in combination with the universal IAQ measuring instrument Testo 400. It is suited to measurements in the steel and building industries, sports events and other workplaces where people are exposed to high levels of heat radiation.

Product applications include: building commissioning; building HVAC test and balance; critical environment testing; industrial process verification; and instrumentation validation. Go to www.dwyer-inst.com.au ■

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HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

USA

FRANCE

AIR CON

COSY COMPUTING

Phone scammers in the US are exploiting pandemic fears with robocalls for different services, including HVAC cleaning.

French start-up Qarnot has raised a US$6.5m ($10.71m) funding round for its novel distributed computing network that also provides heating.

“The current robocalls we’ve identified are likely the first in what will likely be a quickly expanding set of robocalls leveraging the current COVID-19 pandemic,” says Alex Quilici, CEO of Youmail.

Instead of finding a way to cool down the high-performance computers in its data centre, the Paris-based firm is harnessing the heat by converting CPUs into specially designed radiators known as Q.Rads.

Masquerading as a promotion that offers duct and air filter sanitisation, the HVAC scam claims the cleaning service will protect people from the coronavirus.

Sold into homes and offices as heaters, the CPU-housing radiators are plugged into the internet and connected to Qarnot’s cloud-computing network. Residents can control the amount of heat the Q.Rad emits, like a normal heater.

An excerpted transcript of the message reads: “We recommend sanitising your ducts and air filters to protect your loved ones from the coronavirus. For only $159 our highly trained technicians will do a full air duct cleaning and sanitation to make sure the air you breathe is free of bacteria.” Not only are the calls made without consent, the message contradicts the general consensus that the virus is not transmitted by HVAC systems. ■

The innovation reduces energy wastage and greenhouse gas emissions, and has attracted both praise and investment dollars. Qarnot’s latest round of investment came from a French bank and state investors, and represents the most significant injection of funds for the company to date. French data centre firm, Data4 Group became Qarnot’s first private shareholder when it invested €2.5m ($4.47m) in 2016. ■

INDIA

FREEZY RIDER

COVID-19 INTEL FROM INDIA

A single invention that helps reduce pollution, energy demand and food scarcity may seem too good to be true. Yet that is exactly what Englishman Peter Dearman seems to have achieved with his engine that runs on liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen is kept in liquid state at -196°C, and at ambient temperature it boils into gas, expanding 710 times. This expansion is used to drive the pistons of an engine. The evaporation also gives off large amounts of cold, which can provide ‘free’ refrigeration, making it ideal for refrigerated transport. “Vehicle refrigeration today is overwhelmingly powered by diesel, often using a highly polluting secondary engine to drive the Transport Refrigeration Unit,” says the Dearman website. “The Dearman unit produces both cooling and shaft power from a single unit of ‘fuel’.” The units have been successfully trialled in the Netherlands by Unilever and UK grocery chain Sainsbury’s. ■

The Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers has released the ISHRAE COVID-19 Guidance Document. “India, with the rest of the world is facing the adverse effects of COVID-19,” says Vishal Kapur, Chair – COVID 19 Task Force and ISHRAE Technical Committee. “Concerns have been raised about the likelihood of the spread of the disease through (the) operation of air conditioning and ventilation systems. The questions being asked are whether the spread can be accelerated or controlled by HVAC systems, depending on how the system is designed and operated. “In preparing this document, the COVID-19 Task Force has extracted, examined, analysed and compiled information pertaining to the climatic regions of the Indian sub-continent,” Kapur says. “The team referred to publications in peer‑reviewed journals and reports from other relevant organisations around the world in arriving at this conclusive guideline.” Go to www.ishrae.in ■

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May 2020

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Australia’s definitive industry reference has been fully revised. The fourth edition of DA19 features important updates on: • Energy efficiency • System sustainability • Asset management • Smart maintenance The fourth edition is also complemented by a free user guide for facilities managers and building owners. DA19 is a complete guide to defining a performance-oriented, outcomes-based maintenance regime.

Access your electronic version or order your hard copy online at www.airah.org.au/DA_Manuals May 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature

LEARN

WHILE YOU EARN

Recent calls to introduce mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for licensed HVAC&R technicians have received a generally positive reception from industry members. Sean McGowan looks at what it means for those working on the tools. HVAC&R licensing has long been a source of concern and industry division across the country.

these outcomes the most have no obligation to improve their skills through additional training.

Much of this angst exists around the differences between the Certificate II and III qualifications and how these tie into Australia’s two licensing schemes. These are of course the national ARC-hosted environmental scheme, and the state-based occupational licences required in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

As an example, AIRAH’s Refrigeration Special Technical Group (STG) has pointed to changes in refrigerants as one area where ongoing training is lacking.

The two licensing schemes have something in common – neither requires technicians to undertake any ongoing or mandatory training following their qualification. So, despite our industry being one of consistent change as it transitions to a low-GWP and net zero emissions future, those who can influence

“Most of the refrigerant gas that licensed technicians have traditionally been trained on will be replaced soon, and the alternative refrigerants can create increased safety issues,” the STG says. With licensing reform firmly on the industry’s agenda, some members have called for the introduction of mandatory CPD for licensed HVAC&R technicians to bridge both the existing and emerging skills gaps.

WHAT IS CPD? Once qualified, it is the responsibility of most professionals – no matter the field – to keep themselves up to date with industry developments, changing technologies and safety requirements so as to meet the demands placed on their profession. CPD activities – whether formal or informal – help to extend and update your knowledge, skills and awareness to enable you to maintain technical competence, continue to deliver services as the market demands, and to progress your career. In some cases, CPD is delivered, facilitated and/ or funded by an employer, while for others including the self-employed, CPD needs to be carried out independently. Some professions, including health professionals, property and real estate practitioners, engineers, accountants, educators and many others, are required to complete mandatory, formal CPD to maintain their registration. To meet these obligations, professionals generally must demonstrate a minimum number of CPD hours per year, as well as a minimum number of CPD hours over a rolling three-year period.

Where possible, Kirby's CO2 training includes a site visit to see a transcritical system in operation.

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It is a common model that has also been adopted by AIRAH. |

May 2020

Feature Although CPD is not compulsory to retain AIRAH membership, AIRAH recommends its members undertake at least 50 hours of CPD every year. For those members seeking to hold the AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (APREng) accreditation, they must demonstrate 150 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period as well as maintain an online CPD diary. These hours could include the completion of training courses and online training, attendance at conferences, seminars, meetings and webinars or the taking up of leadership, speaker, presentation and lecturing opportunities. Self-study, including that of industry standards, codes and technical manuals, can also contribute to the total hours of one’s CPD. But while CPD is a well understood concept by the white-collar end of our industry, what does it mean for those working on the tools?

CPD FOR HVAC&R TECHNICIANS

To date, approximately 300 industry professionals have undertaken Kirby’s CO2 system training.

But with calls to introduce mandatory CPD for HVAC&R technicians, these activities alone are unlikely to satisfy the total hours required.

The good news is that many HVAC&R technicians probably undertake informal CPD without realising it. Whether you’re a regular reader of industry magazines such as HVAC&R Nation, attend AIRAH Industry Nights and exhibitions or seek out technical information online, all of these activities contribute to your informal CPD.

Since August 2018, Kirby and SCM Frigo have provided CO2 systems training to industry technicians.

It means post-Certificate training courses, whether offered by TAFEs or RTOs, as well as vendor training delivered by manufacturers, will be important avenues through which technicians can seek to improve their skills and fulfil their CPD obligations while also addressing skill gaps in the industry. One company offering such training is Kirby, a leading distributor and manufacturer to the HVAC&R industry.

Developed with the purpose of building technical expertise and confidence among HVAC&R technicians to drive acceptance of CO2 technology further, the training package is a finalist in the 2020 ARBS Industry Awards (to now be held at the rescheduled ARBS in February 2021). “The course is specifically targeted at industry technicians, contractors and consultants wanting to gain a greater understanding of CO2 refrigeration

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Feature system technology from a commercial and technical perspective,” says Kirby national sales and marketing manager Brett Hedge, M.AIRAH.

Brett Hedge, M.AIRAH

Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH

The course material was developed through a combination of in-house engineering documentation, online reference material, and original material gathered from practical design and field experience. It combines classroom-style theory with practical, hands-on training. This includes, where possible, a field-site tour of a recently installed CO2 transcritical system in operation. Like most vendor training, no formal certificate is provided but Kirby says it does refer to nationally recognised training as part of its training sessions. “Practical training examples are always desirable, and we have had a number of customers looking for the ability to have this training delivered by an RTO so that technicians can receive certification at the conclusion,” says Hedge. “These are the things that we are looking to build on as we deliver training going forward.”

This is easier if we are dealing with one client but if we are dealing with single subscribers [to courses] we have to have a good business case.” Boyle says as things stand, there isn’t sufficient demand to make CPD training for HVAC&R technicians a viable proposition.

CPD AT TAFE Australian TAFEs would seem the logical place for HVAC&R technicians to go to when looking for formal CPD training, but it’s not necessarily the case that they do.

“Refrigeration is a relatively small industry,” he says. “So, anything that’s developed lacks the volume to recover development costs.”

Although TAFEs perform an important role in delivering training for Certificate II, III and IV trade qualifications, they are more likely to offer courses aimed at HVAC&R professionals wishing to advance their career to the next level rather than narrow-subject short courses.

Where TAFEs have taken vendor-type short courses and adapted them for the national Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), problems around time-sensitivity have sometimes been encountered.

“Training is a business and it needs to be cost-effective,” says Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, portfolio manager at South Metropolitan TAFE in Western Australia.

“The need often moves on rather quickly and a lot of good work rests on the shelf unused and unwanted,” Boyle says. “In my opinion, A2L training will fall into this category.”

“While TAFE can develop specific training on demand if we have the skills, resources and time, like any other organisation we have to recover our costs.

But where TAFEs can and do play a role in professional development is in the delivery of Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses.

CPD FOR SPARKIES Electricians are already required to do CPD in some states. CPD is compulsory on licence renewal in Queensland and Tasmania, and Victoria and Western Australia are looking at introducing it.

“Some of our Diploma of Engineering technical participants are tradies looking to upskill,” Boyle says. “Or they’re consultants seeking specific HVAC skills, as well as immigrants with high-level engineering skills trying to get an Australian context to gain employment.”

Queensland requires all electrical licence holders to complete a skills maintenance program in the two years prior to their licence renewal. This focuses on electrical safety legislation, risk management, and testing. Workers can attend a course or complete an online self-paced skills maintenance assessment. They must also prove current rescue and resuscitation skills.

THE FRIDGIE PERSPECTIVE Surprisingly perhaps, many fridgies are showing their support for the introduction of mandatory CPD for licensed HVAC&R technicians.

Workers don’t have to submit evidence of completion of these requirements to the regulator on licence renewal, but certify they have met the requirements, and must provide evidence if audited.

In just his first year as a Certificate III qualified refrigeration technician, James Zalloua has already recognised the benefits that professional development offers. “If you are not motivated to continue to develop your skills and knowledge in your chosen field, it is your loss,” Zalloua says.

Licensed electrical workers in Tasmania are required to renew their licence every three years. They are required to keep a log of CPD activities undertaken, and on renewal they certify they have undertaken an average of at least 12 points of CPD per year.

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Boyle says such courses are generally supported by employers who value the skills gained by their employees. Often participation is encouraged by the employer paying course fees, and in some cases offering pay-rises upon course completion.

“Some people find themselves in a comfortable position and don’t want to change that, while others like myself prefer CPD in order to become the best at what we do.” |

May 2020

Zalloua is completing a Certificate IV in Refrigeration from TAFE NSW online. For others, the vendor training provided by major HVAC&R equipment suppliers offers opportunities to improve specific skills and knowledge. Dan Munteanu of Performance Heat Pumps based in Brisbane has been a regular attendee of vendor training in the past. He says the biggest obstacles to fulfilling CPD obligations – particularly for sole traders – relate to time and cost. “My challenges these days, as a sole trader, are a bit different, as my first priority is finding work,” Munteanu says. It’s a similar story for Corren Cox of Cortek Air in Tweed Heads. He says a lack of alternatives makes vendor‑delivered training even more important. “As refrigeration catches up with technology, the suppliers are going to have to provide extra training if they want contractors to have the confidence to buy their products,” he says. Cox is keen to pursue more post-Certificate training provided the price and scheduling of CPD courses are agreeable.

When I’m in training, I’m not making money, and as an owner-operator my time has become one of the rarest commodities “When I’m in training, I’m not making money, and as an owner-operator my time has become one of the rarest commodities,” he says. “But the return on investment would be worth it.” Among the subjects of most interest to those canvassed by HVAC&R Nation are technical topics such as water heating based on the refrigeration principle, the application of modern refrigerants including CO2 and hydrocarbons, and rack refrigeration. Service-related topics including new tools and methods of performing works, advanced fault finding, and equipment sizing and selection are also of interest. Also appealing are business-related topics including project management, staff management, workplace health and safety and small business management.

Feature “This would be helpful for everyone to know,” says Cox. “Then employees might understand why employers do what they do, and it may remove the ‘us versus them’ mentality.” Despite concerns around time management, in‑person training remains as appealing to many as the prospect of completing CPD courses online. “I guess online and remote training is trendy nowadays,” says Munteanu. “But I’m old-fashioned and prefer training to be in person.” But for those who operate in regional areas, like Jason McArthur of Coastal Climate Choice based in Esperance on the south coast of WA, there is often no alternative. “Our suppliers allow us the opportunity for training, and I’ve found it extremely useful,” says McArthur. “But we are very remote – seven hours’ drive to Perth – and that is our biggest difficulty with doing extra training.”

With 1,000 CO2 systems estimated to have already been installed in Australia, it's a prime topic for CPD.

MORE THAN A PIPE DREAM

effort from numerous stakeholders,” he says. “The issues around funding, development of programs, industry engagement and delivery all need to be accounted for.”

Among those supportive of the push for mandatory CPD for HVAC&R technicians is Kirby.

One path being considered by industry leaders is the inclusion of mandatory CPD in future licensing reform.

“And to be effective, the scheme needs to be supported by ongoing activities to ensure compliance – including education, monitoring and enforcement of regulations.”

Hedge says it will help bridge the skills gap and provide a structure for industry professionals to keep pace with the competency required for emerging technology. But he warns that any move will require the support of the wider industry.

“There are undoubtedly opportunities to enhance licensing for HVAC&R technicians,” says AIRAH CEO, Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH.

With the push for licensing reform gaining momentum, CPD is a topic we’ll be hearing more about in the months ahead.

“We support a nationally harmonised approach to licensing that covers all refrigerants, based on minimum standards of competency and sector

Until then, continuing professional development is what we should all be striving for, whether it’s mandatory or not. ■

“Delivering it to the industry will require a consolidated

of operation. It should also include a separate contractor or business licence if required.”

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| 13 HVAC&R Nation 11/02/2020 4:39 pm

Green Wedge

CHARGING TOWARDS NET ZERO

The new charging network could overcome a big obstacles for EV take‑up in Australia: vehicle range.

Uptake of EVs will get a boost from an ultra‑fast charging network. To achieve Australia’s net zero emissions goal by 2050, our car-crazed nation will have to change its ways. We rank eighth on the list of countries with the most vehicles per capita – 730 per 1,000 people. And only around 0.2 per cent of new cars currently sold in Australia run on electricity. Besides the hefty price tag on your latest Tesla model, one of the main obstacles to mass EV adoption in Australia is that of building enough EV battery charging stations. To help, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $15m in funding to build what is claimed to be the largest ultra-fast battery EV charging network along Australia’s highways. The funding has allowed Evie Networks to kickstart

the first phase of the $50.2m network. The first site was installed north of Brisbane, with 23 more stations due to be operational within 12 months. A total of 42 charging sites, featuring 350kW DC ultra-fast chargers, will be installed at roadside service centres located along the National Land Transport Network (NLTN) and beyond.

of battery power using Tritium chargers. The charging plugs used across the sites will be compatible with all available EV models, including Tesla via an adapter.

The charging installations will connect Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane, in addition to destination charging in Far North Queensland, Tasmania and Perth. They will be dotted along major highway routes, approximately 150km apart.

According to Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills, it will take around 350 sites to cover all NLTN highways.

Each site will be able to charge two cars concurrently – it takes around 15 minutes to provide 100km worth

“Reducing range anxiety will encourage EV uptake by giving motorists confidence they can get where they want to go,” says ARENA CEO Darren Miller, “even on long road trips.”

“While many consumers will charge at home, they will also need plenty of fast chargers in towns, suburbs and cities,” says Mills. “There are currently around 6,500 petrol stations. This is just the beginning of the infrastructure build out.” ■

Want to connect with AIRAH? There are lots of ways to stay up to date with what we’re doing.

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MODULE

131

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

DA12 – Energy Efficiency in Cold Rooms

I N S U L AT E D ENCLOSURES IN COLDROOMS

Skills summary ■ What?

A guide to the correct specification, design, installation and maintenance of the insulated enclosure in coldrooms.

■ Who?

Especially relevant for mechanical and refrigeration engineering designers and technicians.

This Skills Workshop is primarily concerned with correct specification, design, installation and maintenance of the insulated enclosure, also referred to as the structure. Here you will find the minimum requirements in order to ensure the overall thermal performances and integrity of the walk-in coldroom throughout its working life. The control of heat flow through insulated surfaces, efficient external vapour sealing and low air leakage is essential for maintaining the thermal performance and uniform controlled conditions. Conditions need to be consistent to ensure that operating standards are sustained and to prevent even the slightest variation in the quality of the stored product. Variations to conditions can result in costly produce spoilage or shortening of shelf life.

Key considerations for the design and construction of an efficient walk-in coldroom structure are the effective sealing of exterior joints and the use of hygienic finishes that resist moisture penetration (and any risk of toxic mould or bacterial growth). Components of the walk-in coldroom structure are as follows: • Wall and ceiling panels • Floor panels • Door(s) • Window(s) • Fixing systems and junctions • Supporting profiles. This Skills Workshop does not provide guidance on strategies to design or construct a more fire stable structure, or address the risk of fire, or consider risk management for structures. For further details regarding how to achieve a more fire stable structure and firefighter confidence in insulated sandwich panel (ISP) and expanded polystyrene fire retardant (EPS-FR) panel systems, refer to the Insulated Panel Council Australasia (IPCA) Code of Practice (IPCA 2014). The IPCA Code of Practice sets out the minimum principles and standards for the design specification, manufacture, construction, maintenance and risk management for structures built using EPS-FR panel systems and all IPS types.

Minimum specification There is an economic trade-off between the thermal performance and integrity of the walk-in coldroom and the operating cost of the refrigeration system. The minimum recommended specifications for walk-in coldroom structures are as follows: • Insulation panels for walls, ceilings and doors are to have an R-value of at least 4.5m²K/W, which equates to 100mm polyisocyanurate (PIR) or thicker than 140mm expanded polystyrene (EPS) on coolrooms, and 6.0m²K/W (thicker than 150mm PIR) on freezers • Minimum thermal insulation ratings on floors of at least 4.9m²K/W for all walk-in coldrooms • Transparent windows and doors to have double-glazed insulating glass units (IGUs) on coolrooms and triple-glazed on freezers;

all IGUs to have heat-reflective treatment and gas fill • Proper sealing of room, which prescribes the joins of insulation panels, types of doors and door gaskets • Mechanical door and strip curtain • Energy-efficient interior lighting to have an efficiency equal to or better than LED lights • Door alarm to minimise air infiltration when doors are opened for operational purposes • Comply with the NCC and meet the minimum standards of Section J.

Insulated sandwich panel Insulated sandwich panels are prefabricated building components comprising thermal insulation, clad on both sides with facing materials and a jointing arrangement to connect the panels. The panel core is typically made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polystyrene fire retardant (EPS‑FR) or polyisocyanurate (PIR); or, less common, extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane (PUR), mineral fibre (MRF) or EPS phenolic hybrid, syntactic (SPS). Where blown foam insulation is used, the blowing agent shall not be CFC- or HCFC-based. The insulation core material used is usually covered on either side by hot‑dipped zinc-coated steel sheeting, usually 0.55mm thick (older panels used 0.70mm) with a food-safe plastic coating on the outside face of the steel. The rate of heat ingress is determined by the thickness and type of insulation. Refer to Figure 1 for a typical insulation panel cross-section. FACING FINISH GALVANISED STEEL PANEL SHEETING

CORE INSULATION

ADHESIVES GALVANISED STEEL PANEL SHEETING

FACING FINISH

Figure 1: Typical insulated sandwich panel cross-section May 2020

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop Insulated sandwich panel selection shall take account the following criteria:

freezer doors shall be:

• Thickness of panel to provide an economical solution while minimising heat loss

• Triple-pane insulating glass units with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill to AS/NZS 4666

• The climate in the installed location, if the WIC is exposed to the weather

• All accessible panes to be toughened safety glass in accordance with AS/NZS 2208

• Panel thickness to cover spans required, particularly for ceiling panels • To keep panels joints to a minimum, panels are often the full height of the cold store, between 1.0 and 1.5m wide (typically 1.2m wide) • Insulation panel surfaces to meet hygiene requirements

• Glass pack U-value to be no greater than 1.85W/m²k • Outer glass pane shall remain free of condensation (and fog) at all times. Transparent reach-in doors for walk-in coolrooms and windows in walk‑in coolroom doors shall be:

• Resistance to ambient weather conditions (where applicable) • Fire regulation and insurance requirements (out of scope here). (Source: IOR 2017) Typical R-value properties of insulated sandwich panels are listed in Table 1 in order of thermal performance from best to worst for an equivalent panel thickness.

• Double-pane insulating glass units with heat-reflective treated glass and gas fill, or triple-pane insulating glass units with either heat‑reflective treated glass or gas fill to AS/NZS 4666 • All accessible panes to be toughened safety glass in accordance with AS/NZS 2208 • Glass pack U-value to be no greater than 2.01W/m²k

Doors and windows

• Outer glass pane shall remain free of condensation (and fog) at all times.

There are two types of doors discussed in this manual: the main walk-in door used to access the coldroom; and transparent reach-in doors used in retail applications where the consumer reaches into the refrigerated space to access foodstuffs or liquor.

Walk-in doors

If the walk-in coolroom or freezer has an anti-sweat heater without anti‑sweat heat controls, the walk-in coolroom or walk-in freezer shall have a total door rail, glass and frame heater power draw of not more than 76 watts per square metre of door opening (for freezers) and 32 watts per square metre of door opening (for coolrooms). If the walk-in coolroom or freezer has an anti-sweat heater with anti-sweat heat controls, and the total door rail, glass and frame heater power draw is more than 76 watts per square metre of door opening (for freezers) and 32 watts per square metre of door opening (for coolrooms), the anti‑sweat heat controls shall reduce the energy use of the anti-sweat heater in a quantity corresponding to the relative humidity in the air outside the door or to the condensation on the inner glass pane.

The walk-in door can comprise the following types: • Hinged door • Sliding door • Swing door (door leaf can rotate in both directions) • Roll shutter. Doors can be fitted with mechanical closing devices that assist self-closing, preventing the door remaining ajar, reducing energy losses and helping to maintain the internal temperature of the coldroom.

Any condensation or fog on the inner pane of glass has very little to do with the anti-sweat heaters; the inner pane will normally only fog during or after a door opening.

A door switch device can be used to control evaporator fan motors, internal lighting, alarm and other devices when the door is open, improving energy saving.

Vapour seal

The NCC has requirements on doors (refer Section D).

Reach-in doors and windows The minimum requirement for reach-in doors and windows in coolrooms and freezers shall meet the following specification. Transparent reach-in doors for walk-in freezers and windows in walk-in

General properties Core

Thermal conductivity (W m-1K-1)

One of the most important considerations in the construction of temperature‑controlled environments is the integrity of the vapour barrier/seal and its effectiveness in preventing moisture ingress into the panels or insulation structure, which in time will cause deterioration of the insulation properties, increasing the load on the refrigeration system and therefore reducing the efficiency of the coldroom as a whole. The insulation envelope shall be effectively vapour-sealed on its outside surfaces so that water vapour in the atmosphere is not drawn into the panels.

PIR

PUR

XPS

EPS (including EPS-FR)

MRF

Polyurethane modified isocyanurate foam

Rigid Polyurethane foam

Rigid board of extruded polystyrene

Moulded block formed from beads of polystyrene

Structural grade mineral rock fibre

0.020

0.022

0.028

0.038

0.043

Panel thickness

R-value (m2K/W)

50mm

2.5

2.27

1.79

1.32

1.16

75mm

3.75

3.41

2.68

1.97

1.74

100mm

5.00

4.55

3.57

2.63

2.33

125mm

6.25

5.68

4.46

3.29

2.91

150mm

7.50

6.82

5.36

3.95

3.79

Panel thickness Coolroom R (4.5m K/W)

100mm

150mm

200mm

Freezer R (6.0m K/W)

125mm

150mm

200mm

—

Table 1: Typical R-value properties of insulated sandwich panels at 23°C Notes: 1. Typical facing is 0.5mm hot-dipped galvanised steel such as zinc-coated steel to AS 1397. 2. Typical coatings 40 to 120µ food-safe laminate or 15 to 25µ polyester. 3. For density, typical panel weight and structural details, refer to manufacturer’s specifications. 4. Aged closed cell foam material includes a derating value of 0.0015Wm-1K-1. 16

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop

Minimum 25mm oversized hole to allow for in-situ foaming

ROOF VOID

Pipe to be fully insulated and vapour sealed with thermal break (if applicable) prior to insulation contractor sealing the penetration Area to be liberally coated in water based bitumen, two layers of scrim cloth to be embedded followed by two further coats of sealant to achieve a perfect vapour seal

ROOF VOID

3 core flex cable (armoured) Threaded PVC stuffing gland to create a vapour seal on the internal bore PVC box lid fixed to insulation panel Vapour seal gasket and coating of mastic to underside of box lid to create a full vapour seal. Sealant to protrude from box lid 20mm bush coupler

REFRIGERATED AREA

Galvanised (white coated) split cover plate cut neatly to fit around finished pipework insulation. White food safe silicon to be coated on all surfaces prior to fitting and wiped smooth once plate is fitted. Plate to be rivetted neatly so that it does not bow or warp

TYPICAL PIPE WORK PENETRATION

25mm diameter hole through insulation panel to accept 20mm PVC conduit (HIP/2WHI). Intumescent sealant to be injected around flex within conduit

REFRIGERATED AREA

White food safe silicon around internal base Coupler 20mm flex gland

TYPICAL MINOR PENETRATION DETAIL

Figure 3: Penetrations VAPOUR SEAL WARM FACE

COLD FACE

ADDITIONAL SEALANT IF REQUIRED

DETAIL A

be compatible with the materials used in the interlock or joint system, and have sufficient elasticity to tolerate any joint movement without breakdown. The sealant shall not taint food;

OPTIONAL SELF ADHESIVE VAPOUR SEAL TAPE

SILICONE POINT IF REQUIRED

DETAIL A

ADDITIONAL VAPOUR SEALANT IF REQUIRED

Figure 2: Typical panel-to-panel joints

If moisture penetrates the vapour barrier it will then freeze in sub‐zero rooms or cause streams of condensation in higher-temperature rooms. Both effects will shorten the life of the structure and be very expensive to repair. The joints between the panels making up the insulated envelope come in various forms, dependent on the manufacturer and the type of panel produced. Figure 2 shows a typical joint arrangement. An additional vapour barrier may be applied to the outer face of the joint in order to vapour-seal the insulated envelope (Source: IOR 2017). A continuous barrier impervious to water vapour shall therefore be provided around the whole of the outside of the cold-store envelope. Panels constructed with a sheetmetal facing will be impervious to water vapour transmission. Wherever panels are joined to other walls or ceiling panels or to the floor, generous amounts of sealant shall be used to provide a continuous vapour seal between panels. A very high standard of sealing between panels is required. The inside of the insulated envelope wherever possible shall not be sealed. By leaving the internal surface of the envelope unsealed, any vapour that does infiltrate the external barrier will be drawn from the core insulation into the coldroom. Depending on the application of the coldroom, there may be a hygiene requirement to have smooth waterproof surfaces within the interior. Ceiling panels would normally be exempt from such requirements. Vapour-sealing of all penetrations through insulation panels such as refrigeration pipe work, cooler supports, electrical cables, light fitting supports and sprinkler pipes is equally important and requires particular attention to detail. This shall include any holes drilled for fixing of surface‑mounted equipment such as conduit, small cable trays or other minor supports. These penetrations are often carried out by other trades. Demarcation of responsibility regarding cutting of holes, continuity of insulation, making good and re-vapour sealing shall be finalised before any work is commenced. Penetrations through the insulation panels shall not pass through any of the joints or supporting structure of the panels or cover strips. The vapour-tight joint shall have a permeance sufficient to prevent a build‑up of water or ice within the insulation under working conditions. The whole joint including the vapour seal shall be: • Capable of accommodating the movement of the structure to which the panels are fixed, and designed so that the panels are free to move. The movement of the panels and the structure shall not affect the integrity of the joint; • Provided with a sealant that has good adhesive qualities and good ageing characteristics. The sealant shall be suitable for storage, application and use within the relevant temperature bands,

• Repairable without dismantling the panels.

Pressure relief valves Variations in internal temperature will be accompanied by changes in internal pressure. Changes of internal pressure are generally dependent on the size of the walk-in coldroom structure, the rate of temperature change, the use to which it is put, and the type of defrost system. The forces created are such that it is impractical to include them within the normal design parameters of either the insulation or the structural framework. The resulting pressures shall be safely relieved using purpose‑designed pressure relief valves and/or door gaskets. For low-temperature applications, pressure relief valves may require heaters to prevent freezing. The insulation envelope shall be designed to ensure that air pressure created by fans does not affect the integrity of the cold-store structure, panel joints or vapour sealing. Doors should not be located adjacent to fans in order to minimise ingress or egress of air, as significant changes in store pressure can occur when such doors are opened. Every sub-zero temperature room shall have a specific pressure relief valve. There are various suppliers of such devices and these are usually supplied through the project insulation panel contractor. The device is fitted in a specific wall panel hole, and the number of such devices per room must be determined according to flow cross-sectional area of the valve. The following equation determines the area of the venting needed:

A= 0.063Q √(T+273)∆P Where: A = Required vent area (m2) Q = Rate of heat production or extraction in the chamber (kW) T = Temperature in chamber (°C) ΔP = Allowable design pressure difference between interior and ambient A typical value of ΔP is 125 N m-2. For small stores, those in humid or tropical climates and blast freezers, it may be appropriate to increase the vent area by as much as a factor of 2 to account for the greater cooling/heating rate relative to the room volume, the reduced air seepage due to the shorter length of seams, and the likely lower number of doors and other openings. (Source: IOR 2017).

Installation In accordance with EN 16855-1, Annex D, the main installation issues to be considered to enhance the overall thermal performances and ensure the integrity of the structure are: • Suitability of the location • Positioning of the floor, wall and ceiling panels • Positioning and adjustment of doors and windows

This month’s Skills Workshop has been taken from AIRAH’s newly released design application manual DA12 – Energy Efficiency in Cold Rooms.

• Positioning of pressure relief valves • Sealing and finishing. ■

Next month: System cleaning and verification May 2020

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DA12

KEEPING YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS COOL – FOR LESS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN COLD ROOMS

DA12

OF ITUTE Manual AN INST Application E AUSTRALI TH

Y EFFICIENC ENERGY ROOMS IN COLD COMPRESSOR

N, AIR ERATIO REFRIG

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VAPOUR

VAPOUR HP/LP PRESSURE SWITCH

AIR OR WATER COOLED R CONDENSE

EVAPORATOR

WARM AIR

FAN

COLD AIR

SIGHT GLASS

TX VALVE

LIQUID + VAPO

FILTER DRIER

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LIQUID LINE

compression

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Typical sing

equipment and end of equipment) gy consumption igerant and ener g leakage (refr ect emissions from spor t, manufacturin H life, and indir ical production, tranof life. Refer to the AIRA l chem end Tota ng and ng y duri /assembl s of Calculati components Guideline Method I) for further details. Best Practice ming Impact (TEW War nt vale Equi

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gulat slation, re 1.5 Legi standards and

••• 8

Y ICIENC F F E Y MS ENERG D ROO IN COL

ENERGY EF IN COLD FICIENCY ROOMS

Refrigeration refrigeration equipment is typi cally refrigeration technicians who have installed by Refrigeration and air conditioning a Certificate III in is considere Council (ARC) refri and hold an Australia gera to design, d the minimum requ nt handling licen n insta ce. on refrigera ll, commission andired skills and certifica This technical tion equipment in walkundertake maintena tion or design walk engineering compete -in coldrooms. Add nce -in coldroom ition ncie s and cold s may be required al The National room syst to ems. performance Construction Cod e (NCC) requirements plumbing for building covers the minimum acro construction building regu ss Australia. The indiv and can be foun lations can vary the idual state and terri d in the app code, and tory thes endices to the digital e variations NCC.

15mm

20mm 22mm 25mm

28mm 32mm

ric

Imperial (inches)

5/8” 7/8”

m insulatio

n thickne

<2°C 25mm 25mm

2°C to 20°C 25mm 25mm

1-1/8”

35mm 40mm

42mm 50mm

ss using stan dard-rate <2°C and d insulatio (2°C to 20°C n ) <2°C 2°C to 20°C <2°C 2°C to 20°C

32mm 32mm 32mm 32mm 32mm 32mm

25mm 25mm 25mm 25mm 25mm 25m

m Note: The minimum insulation rated insul thick ated prod 50mm ucts that coul ness is based on stand d achieve 38mm the R-values ard-rated insulation 50mm with smal level of close ler thickness 38mm d cell (blac es. k) PVC insul ation. Ther e are high er-

DESIG

LICATIO N APP

N MAN

DA12

temperature more than ranges: refrigerant pipin 2°C; and refri than 20°C gerant mor g with refrigerant not . e than 2°C but not mor Piping with e refrigerant have a min temperature imum mat erial R-value s not more than 2°C • R1.3 on refri of: gerant pipin 15mm to 40m g with a nom m inal pipe size • R1.7 on refri of gera 41mm to 80m nt piping with a nom m. inal pipe size of These pub licly available standards minimum are 1.5.1 Natio energy perf There may also appropriate for ormance nal Construc be applicat WIC refrig erati ions where (i.e., heat reco tion Code The NCC inclu the perform on systems. (NCC) pipe insulatio very) outweigh the ance benefits with the walk des performance ener requirements based solu n. The NCC allows docu gy saving benefits requirements -in coldroom encl associated tion from osure and that outl satisfy requ s in place of complian mented performance ener standards irements. In for refrigera ine minimum material gy efficiency would be practice, thesce with deemed-to- nt piping appl (in air cond R-value The walk-in suction lines icable to liquid lines e minimum standard itioning). of of refrigerated coldroom enclosur temperature all types of refrigerati cascade systems ands e sufficient or cooling chamber requirements state is on typic syste ally size for a pers ms, any less than 2°C. or as the Piping with on to ente the like that is of 1. Have adeq refrigerant r shall: more than temperature uate means 20°C have of other occu a minimum s more than 2°C but pants in the communicating with • R1.0 on refri material R-va not building in or alerting gera 2. Have a lue of: the case of 15mm to 40m nt piping with a door that an emergen nominal pipe is: m cy; size of • R1.5 on refri a) Of adeq gera uate 41mm to 80m nt piping with a nom readily esca dimensions to allow m. inal pipe size occupants pe; of to Liquid lines b) Openabl on refrig e from insid eration syste or systems Insulating e without ms with high refrig a key at all sub-cooling with floating head these stan energy wast erant pipes is a cost times. dard and/ may fall with or sub-cool s for 2°C to 20°C if cooling fluid age because it prev -effective way to redu the saturatio in the scope of ed liquid tem ents heat ce n peratures tran suction tem s, and insulation on Liquid lines are within temperatures the suction sfer into the perature, whic on this range. line reduces h improve capability with refrigeration systems NCC Section the s compres with temp out float J sor eratures less efficiency. includes min (Refer Table J5.8a than 20°C wou ing head Table 1.2 prov , NCC 2019 imum deem ld , Volu ides be ed-to-satisfy applicable. me guidance required to on the pipe requirements1) achieve the insulatio standards for two for a range minimum energy effic n thickness Table 1.2: of refrigera Typical insu nt pipe sizes iency lation thic . kness requ Nominal ired to achi pipe size eve NCC Sect ion J stan dard Minimu Met

2 1 A D

IVER LIQUID RECE system llations, trical Insta ZS 3000, Elec and Wiring Rules, ents of AS/N New Zeal irements The requiremn as the Australian out the requ ding the set know and better installations and verification, incluent forming apply to all ipm tion l equ construc of electrica for design, installation selection and n. ZS 3100 9 and AS/N the installatio ZS 60335.2.8 60335.1, AS/N The AS/NZS also applicable. use c greenho are standards and syntheti Ozone es tanc ting subs ralia by the ent Ozone-deple rolled across Aust use Gas Managem cont Greenho gases are e are updated and Synthetic regulations. Thes y and n polic ectio ent Prot ed Acts and n Governm Act and relatimplement Australia ations. d in regularly to international oblig and maintaine tice lled with prac insta align of to shall be codes coldroom lations and ralian state or The walk-in with the laws, regu Aust relevant accordance that activity in the to applicable dards and codes, stan territory. guidelines, usly being reviewed It s. regulations, Laws and schemes are continuoated at various time any WHS ACT WHS ACT certification efore revised and upd ual keep abreast of 2011 s22 have. 2011 s22 and are ther that users of this mant effect they might nt wha orta OH&S ACT cts and r imp is may occu certain aspe 1984 S23 may cover changes that n each latio s legis WHS ACT , in other case monwealth WHS ACT 2011 s22 While Com adopted as state lawslates its own laws. 2011 s22 k and may be territory regu Act) and Wor state and 2011 (WHS Australian lations) Safety Act (WHS Regu Health and with WHS ACT The Work Safety Regulations 2011 s and territories still LTH h state 2004 s28 WEA MON Health and n adopted by all tern Australia, whic ty COM bee have now n of Victoria and Wes nal health and safe WHS ACT patio ptio occu WHS ACT the exce 2011 S22 n their own 2011 s22 currently retai(see Figure 1.2). lated safety, is regue (OH&S) laws equipment ugh ther ty, including adopted tory, altho ty of all that have Electrical saferalian state and terri safe ions the dict ring juris by each Aust requirements cove sold or used in Australian ty Figure 1.2: Act 2011 are common d electrical products 3820, Essential Safe the S ZS model WH is used as mains-powere pliance with AS/N New Zealand Australia. Com for Australia and ents trical safety. Requirem rmining elec basis for dete

Figure 1.1:

our ation vap age refriger

Application Manual

UAL

••• 9

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

Access your electronic version or order your hard copy online at airah.org.au/DA_Manuals/DA12 18

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Legal Speak

CAN YOU BREATHE EASILY? Following on from last month’s special on HVAC and bushfire smoke, resident legal expert Frank Gambera looks at employers’ OH&S responsibilities in the context of Australian bushfires. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) (‘the Act’) and all other uniform legislation in other states, employers have a responsibly to provide their employees with a safe work environment that is free of risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. So, what exactly does that mean?

LETTER OF THE LAW According to Section 21 of the Act, employers must: • Provide and maintain safe machinery and equipment • Provide and maintain safe systems of work • Ensure the safe use, handling, storage or transport of equipment and substances • Keep workplaces in a safe condition • Provide suitable facilities for welfare at the workplace

RISKS FOR WORKERS Dust and smoke from bushfires can reduce air quality, impact visibility, settle onto equipment and impact its functioning and irritate the airway, nose and eyes. Exposure to airborne particles in smoke may cause coughing, shortness of breath and respiratory irritation, as some particles are small enough to get into the throat and lungs. Workplaces should review their first aid arrangements to determine if a suitable response is available for employees impacted by bushfire smoke. Exposure to bushfire smoke can also worsen existing conditions such as asthma and other respiratory, heart or lung problems. In these circumstances, if an employee has a pre-existing condition that is known to be exacerbated by bushfire smoke, an employer should not ask them to continue work without implementing precautions to minimise the risk of harm to that employee. Employers must ensure their workplaces have measures in place to manage the risks to health and safety when air quality is reduced, including:

Ultimately, the most effective way to control the risk of exposure to smoke is to avoid outdoor work on days where the air quality rating is poor, very poor or hazardous.

AN EYE ON THE SEASONS Bushfires within Australia are seasonal and therefore create a transitory risk. For this reason, it is reasonably practicable for employers to make these short-term adjustments to manage the associated risks to employees during the bushfire season. To determine what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances, an employer must consider: • The likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring • The harm that would result from the hazard or risk • What a person knows or should know about the hazard or risk

• Give employees the necessary information, training or supervision to enable them to do their work in a safe way and without risks to health.

• Where possible, working indoors

• Availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or reduce the hazard or risk

• Rescheduling outdoor work until visibility and air quality conditions improve

• The costs of eliminating or reducing the hazard or risk.

Section 26 of the Act explains that any person who (whether as an owner or otherwise) has, to any extent, the management or control of a workplace, must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the workplace and the means of entering and leaving it are safe and without risks to health.

• Ensuring equipment and machinery is functioning correctly and has not been affected by dust or debris

In the wake of the Australian bushfires, it is as important as ever for employers and managers to maintain safe working environments that take into consideration air pollution due to smoke.

• Once conditions improve, cleaning any dust and debris off outdoor surfaces.

Any breach of an employer’s duties under section 21, 22 or 23 of the Act may be prosecuted by Work Safe Victoria and can result in fines of up to $297,396.00 for a natural person and $1,486,980.00 for a company. Breaches of employer duties under the Act are indictable offences, which are trialable summarily. This means they will be heard before a magistrate but can result in a custodial sentence. ■

They must identify the hazard of air pollution and then consider the level of risk it might pose to their employees. Air pollution can be identified by monitoring the relevant air quality index, considering guidance from public health officials and talking to workers.

• Providing personal protective equipment such as eye protection and correctly fitted, P2 rated face masks

Frank Gambera is a director for McMahon Fearnley Lawyers Pty Ltd. Contact him on 03 9670 0966 or through www.mcmahonfearnley.com.au

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Cover Feature

It is estimated that 4.8 billion new units of cooling equipment will be sold globally between 2019 and 2030.

COOL CHANGE COMING The heat is on for finalists of the Global Cooling Prize (GCP) to deliver a new, greener residential cooling technology. Danny Chan checks out the contenders and findsÂ outÂ how the prize can help avert an environmental crisis.

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Cover Feature Sometimes the easiest way to fix a problem is to put up a big reward for the solution. That in essence, is what the Global Cooling Prize (GCP) is about – though it barely scratches the surface of what it intends to do. Offering up to US$3 million in total prize money, of which at least US$1 million is committed to the ultimate winner, the GCP was launched in November 2018 to incentivise the development of a radically energy-efficient cooling technology. Behind this innovation agenda is a mission of global proportions: to meet the cooling needs of the world’s population while significantly reducing the impact of air conditioning on our precious energy resources and the environment. In addition to putting up the prize money – thanks to a growing coalition of partners and sponsors – the GCP creates a timely platform for government, non-profit organisations, industry and commercial stakeholders to ponder the effects of global warming and discuss how revolutionising AC technology can alleviate them.

INTERCONNECTED PROBLEM As our planet gets increasingly hotter, access to affordable cooling is no longer a luxury but a basic human right. Thirty per cent of the world’s population are currently at risk to potentially deadly heat waves for 20 days per year or more. According to an international group of researchers, that number could rise to 75 per cent unless carbon emissions are greatly reduced.

The increased demand for residential cooling units – most of which are inefficient – will place a significant burden on electricity grids already pushed to their limit.

Under such extreme conditions, it is estimated that the number of cooling units will jump from 1.2bn to at least 4.5bn by 2050. This could add, cumulatively, anywhere between 132 to 167 gigatons of CO2‑equivalent emissions.

INDIA’S COOLING CHALLENGES

The increased demand for residential cooling units – most of which are inefficient – will place a significant burden on electricity grids already pushed to their limit. In developing countries such as India (see breakout), thousands of new power plants are needed just to cope with the massive AC uptake.

Holding the competition in India has special significance, not just because of the country’s exponentially growing AC market, but also the profound cooling challenges it faces.

Add to that the atmospheric impact of refrigerants utilised by air conditioners – estimated to contribute to an increase of over 0.5˚C by 2100 – and it is clear how cooling can pose a significant risk both to our environment and energy systems.

Rapid urbanisation and increasing heat stress are expected to drive up India’s household ownership of ACs by 40 times between 2016 and 2050. At this rate, India will see over one billion air conditioning units deployed during this period. Operating this projected stock of room ACs would require approximately 600 gigawatts of new power generation capacity. That’s equivalent to installing 1,200 coal power plants of 500 megawatts each.

COOL CALLING The GCP invited global talent across sectors to design a residential cooling solution for an existing apartment home in a mid- or high-rise apartment building in a dense urban environment. The prize‑winning innovation must have at least five times less climate impact than standard residential/room air conditioners in the market today. The solution must operate within limits on refrigerants, water, full-load power consumption, emissions, volumetric size, materials, and operational requirements. And perhaps most importantly, it must also be affordable to typical consumers, costing no more than twice the retail price of today’s standard units at assessed industrial scale.

India currently contributes five per cent of the global annual emissions from room ACs. Based on current cooling technology, its share of global emissions could soar to over 25 per cent by 2050 due to the unprecedented demand, especially from the residential sector.

Eight finalists were announced at an award ceremony held in New Delhi last November. Each received US$200,000 (Au$291,000) to develop and ship their prototypes to India for testing by August 22, 2020.

By adopting a super-efficient and climatefriendly AC solution, India could end up saving nearly US$380bn, or 15 per cent of India’s 2017 GDP. If the GCP’s target solution is met, India could potentially cut up to a whopping 16 gigatons of cumulative CO2e emissions by 2050 – by switching its current and future room AC stock to a better solution. This emissions reduction could constitute nearly 40 per cent of India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target

The grand finalist will be announced in March 2021 and awarded more than US$1 million (Au$1,454,000) in prize money, as well as commercial opportunities to scale the technology and take it to market. Whittled down from 139 applicants, the finalists represent renowned universities, new start‑ups, cooling specialists, and some of the world’s largest AC manufacturers: Daikin, Gree, Haier,

The eight finalists were announced at a ceremony in New Delhi, India, in November last year.

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Cover Feature To achieve five times lower climate impact, an overall 80 per cent reduction of a combination of electricity (kWh) and refrigerant (GWP) as compared to the baseline will be required.

THE FINALISTS

A workable energy efficient solution must also consider the diverse and changing humidity levels presented in real-world situations, Campbell says.

Barocal Ltd, a new spin-out from a University of Cambridge lab A solid-state cooling technology developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy in the UK.

Iain Campbell attended AIRAH's Refrigeration 2019 conference, to promote the Global Cooling Prize.

Daikin AirConditioning India Private Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd., and Nikken Sekkei Ltd.

and Godrej and Boyce. Two of the entries are single entitles; the other six bring together experts and technologies from different sectors.

Multi-split method connecting three indoor units with one outdoor unit, plus evaporative cooling to improve system efficiency.

Iain Campbell, senior fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) – one of the organisers of the prize – finds the strong representation from the manufacturing sector particularly encouraging.

Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. and A.T.E. Enterprises Private Limited

“There are many prizes where the only people who respond are universities and start-ups, and somehow industry doesn’t get engaged,” he says. “That was always one of the concerns we had, because the start-ups and universities are great, and they may be approaching things from a different angle. But there are companies that have been at this for close to 100 years, and it would be nice to have some of them involved to bring in their experience and capability and capital.”

Advanced hybrid cooling technology, leveraging the refrigerant-based technology used in its present domestic air conditioners.

Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai and Tsinghua University Hybrid solution with an automatic, climate-smart operation in three modes: vapour compression refrigeration, direct evaporative cooling, and ventilation.

Kraton Corporation, IIT Bombay, Porus Laboratories, and Infosys A hybrid cooling solution, NexarCool Technology, using a membrane dehumidification system based on Nexar polymer.

M2 Thermal Solutions A combination of evaporative cooler and membrane technologies that independently cool and remove moisture from room air, and requiring no compressor or refrigerant.

SELECTION CRITERIA Participating technologies need to demonstrate that they meet or exceed the primary and supplementary prize criteria of the competition. The primary criteria set broad benchmarks on climate impact and affordability. The supplementary criteria focus on component-level requirements such as refrigerant, water, power demand, scalability, emissions, materials and operational aspects. All performance metrics will be compared with a baseline AC unit: a Voltas 1.5TR (5.3kW) fixed-speed, mini-split type RAC unit with an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 3.5W/W and using R22 refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,760. The baseline unit was selected to be reflective and representative of the most commonly sold room air conditioner by the industry leader with the highest market share in India.

S&S Design Startup Solution Private Limited Hybrid residential cooling solution maximising heat utilisation combined with primary evaporative cooling, secondary liquid cooling and tertiary refrigerant cooling.

Transaera Inc. and Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp. Ltd Hybrid cooling solution with desiccant dehumidification technology based on novel materials discovered at MIT.

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We often look at efficiency in relation to being able to meet sensible load, and we somehow forget the latent loads. “We often look at efficiency in relation to being able to meet sensible load, and we somehow forget the latent loads. Measuring the energy consumption to get down to a sensible temperature is not a good proxy for what really happens. Because if you’re at 27°C and you’re at 80 per cent relative humidity, not only is that uncomfortable, you’re probably going to grow mould. And people will overcool, because you have to get the moisture out of the air.”

DIVERSE INNOVATIONS The competition has garnered a range of ingenious solutions including smart hybrid designs of vapour‑compression and evaporative cooling systems, as well as solid-state technologies. Researchers from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy presented a solid-state innovation known as Barocaloric cooling technology. Instead of using refrigerants, the technology takes advantage of the properties of solid organic “plastic crystal” materials to provide cooling. “We believe that it is more efficient and potentially multiple times more efficient,” says Campbell, “but we have to take into the testing phase.” The team from Gree and Tsinghua University took a different route for their entry, showing instead how existing technologies can be integrated in smart, affordable ways. The project features split evaporative coils to separate dehumidification and cooling needs. It also has evaporative cooling – which can be used both for direct evaporative cooling and for cooling the condensing unit – and ventilation.

Cover Feature The hybrid solution is designed for automatic, climate‑smart operation in three modes: vapour‑compression refrigeration, direct evaporative cooling, and ventilation. It will switch between these or operate them in parallel depending on outside weather conditions.

By integrating the electro-osmotic membrane dehumidifier with a water-based direct evaporative cooling system, the team aims to achieve air conditioning without using any refrigerant – which can dramatically lower climate impact.

The overall timeline of the GCP has been extended by three months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

EXCITEMENT AND EXPECTATION

“Not only is it absolutely ingenious, you’d have a more comfortable environment than we have today where sometimes it’s humid and sometimes, because you’re too lazy to open windows, you’re air conditioning when the outdoor temperature’s low enough that you could do a simple air exchange,” says Campbell. “Having a control that can take care of all of that is amazing. And that’s typical of many of the entries, not just of the Gree application.”

The deadline for the delivery of working prototypes to India has been moved to August 22, 2020, from the previous deadline of May 22, 2020. The new date, the GCP team says, will allow field testing to take place in the month of September when the monsoon season is almost over.

To get their prototypes ready for shipping to India, the teams are doubling down on building, testing and refining their cooling solutions. Campbell and his team at Rocky Mountain Institute have been helping the finalists stay on track throughout the stages of the competition. “In some ways this is the most exciting time for the prize,” says Campbell. “It’s kind of an anticlimax of selecting down to one or two winners.”

Kraton Corporation, a global specialty chemical company, has teamed up with Infosys, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and Porus Laboratories to develop a hybrid cooling solution called NexarCool.

“Although it is no longer peak summer, it will still be sufficiently hot and humid to create the necessary loads to operate and test the finalists’ cooling solutions,” the team says.

Despite how the competition has been set up, he believes the process isn’t going to be a straight line from crowning the winning solution to mass adoption of the resulting product.

The Kraton team created a polymer that is adept at transmitting moisture and can be activated with a small electric charge. The polymer was originally developed as a coating on sports gear to remove moisture from athletes working out or competing in very hot conditions. “Manufacturers might ask why they are using their compressors to remove moisture from the air, when they can simply do it with a small electric charge and this polymer,” HVAC Hygiene ad - October says Campbell. “And it’s something that 2019.pdf would be a very simple add.”

COVID-19 UPDATE: GCP DEADLINE EXTENDED

The laboratory testing will take place from September 2020 to January 2021, with final adjudication and award events postponed to February and March 2021, respectively. Given the dynamic circumstances surrounding the pandemic, the team acknowledges the extension may not be final.

“I can see some of these innovations being incorporated in today’s products,” he says. “They won’t be five times lower climate impact, but they could be three, and to see that step-change with big industry players behind it, that would be huge.”

“We will continue to monitor the situation and respond in accordance to the above priorities and goals on a timely basis,” says the team. “At this time though, our expectation and hope is that this will be the final amendment to the prize timeline.”

The challenge ahead is to keep the momentum going, long after the winner has been announced – and the prize money given out. 1

19/9/19 pm AIRAH2:44 is proud

to be an official outreach partner of the Global Cooling Prize. ■

CMY

May 2020

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AIRAH Centenary

100 YEARS YOUNG

As AIRAH celebrates its Centenary year in 2020, it’s a time to reflect on the past – and peer into future.

Now and then – a meeting from 1938 in Albury, and one of the panel sessions at the Future of HVAC Conference in 2019.

100 YEARS

Way back in 1920 the Victorian Institute of Refrigeration was incorporated in Melbourne. Over the next 100 years the institute grew in terms of its members and its reach, and eventually changed its name to the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating – AIRAH – in 1959.

This is divided into two sections. The first looks back on AIRAH’s 100-year timeline, distilling the highlights, milestones and significant events. There’s no quicker way to learn about the organisation’s history than scrolling through, in chronological order, all the pivotal moments from 1919 to the present day.

Now, well into the 21st century, AIRAH is the peak industry body for HVAC&R professionals in Australia and is celebrating its Centenary.

The second part turns the clock forward, looking at emerging trends, exciting innovations and

As per usual, AIRAH has lined up a host of forward‑looking activities this year. But we are also taking time to reflect on the past.

challenges ahead. You can also make predictions about the future of our industry. Who knows, you may be hailed as the Nostradamus of HVAC&R if your prediction comes true 50 years from now.

CENTENARY SCHOLARSHIPS Through the student education scholarship program, AIRAH is awarding $2,000 to affray the costs of educational expenses, travel and accommodation in order to progress a student's line of study. The scholarships are awarded to engineering and TAFE students who are enrolled full-time in a post‑secondary educational institution and pursuing a recognised qualification in a course of study that traditionally led to a role in the HVAC&R profession.

To this end, the Institute has launched a special Centenary website, AIRAH 100. It looks back on the history of an institution that has been providing technical leadership in Australia’s HVAC&R sector for 100 years.

You can find more details of the selection process and application requirements on the Centenary website.

More importantly, AIRAH 100 is about the people, events and companies that have made lasting contributions to the HVAC&R industry over the last century. The website tells their stories, and is divided into a number of sections.

TIME CAPSULE As part of AIRAH’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1995, we buried a 75th anniversary time capsule – the contents of which remain unknown. For those curious as to what’s inside, this is the space to watch.

100 FACES Although this section of the site honours past and present industry stalwarts, it’s not only about human faces. Breakthrough inventions, landmark projects and major events are also listed among the 100 most significant contributions to both AIRAH and the HVAC&R industry at large.

JAMES HARRISON

The entries are chosen based on an open nomination as well as internal selection process. With 50 more to go, you can nominate a person, place or thing that you believe has made an impact on AIRAH and the industry. Nominate via the form on the website.

Learn more about his life and his achievements, not just as an engineer, but also as a journalist and politician. ■

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This page pays homage to the grandfather of refrigeration, and arguably one of the greatest Aussie inventors of all time. In AIRAH’s book, this is the person that started it all.

Check out the Centenary website at airah100.org.au |

May 2020

AIRAH is the publisher of HVAC&R Nation.

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Around the Nation 1

5 2

1 NEW DATES FOR ARBS

“In the COVID-19 situation many buildings are experiencing significantly reduced occupancy and in some instances being vacated,” says A.G. Coombs. “Building owners are questioning: can the HVAC systems run at reduced levels or be shut down for an extended period to save running costs? Can mechanical, fire services and electrical maintenance be reduced or stopped? How to keep buildings compliant? What are the important issues to consider and what should be done?”

ARBS has been rescheduled to be held from February 15–17, 2021. The event was originally planned for May 19-21, 2020, but was postponed due to the coronavirus. The exhibition will remain in the same venue at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. According to ARBS Exhibition Organiser Sue Falcke, it will occupy the same space and use the same floor plan and itinerary as previously proposed for ARBS 2020. The only difference, she says, is that the tenancy has been brought forward by one day – with open days from Monday to Wednesday. Exhibitor information and manuals will be updated to reflect the change.

Other notes look at cooling towers, NABERS and COVID-19, and using humidity control to reduce infection spread. Go to www.agcoombs.com.au/news-andpublications/advisory-notes ■

3 LOG YOURSELF A LOBSTER

“ARBS Exhibitions has been working with both the Melbourne and Sydney venues in order to obtain the best available options for our exhibition moving forward,” Falcke says.

Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is seeking help from fridgies to better understand what happens to refrigerant from split system air conditioners when they are replaced. And it is paying for the data.

“Given that current predictions determine the virus situation could continue for up to six months and maybe even longer, we have focused our efforts on moving the exhibition into 2021 when we feel it will be most appropriate and safest to reschedule.”

RRA has developed an app to collect data on the brand, age, refrigerant type, installed charge and amount of gas recovered from split system air conditioners.

Go to arbs.com.au ■

2 COVID-19 ADVICE FROM A.G. COOMBS A.G. Coombs has issued a series of advisory notes related to building services and coronavirus.

“There is considerable interest in the role that HVAC may play in the transmission of COVID-19,” says A.G. Coombs. “This advisory note provides an overview on viral transmission, how HVAC systems work, and the practical HVAC operational measures that can be considered along with possible design changes to reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading.”

While the RRA says it has a fair idea of the number of systems and amount of refrigerant installed in Australia, it aims to find out how long the systems last, how much they leak, and how much refrigerant is left when they get replaced. “With your help we can better understand what happens to refrigerant from split system air conditioners when they are replaced,” says RRA. “And each time you help RRA will pay you $20!”

Building Services Operation and Maintenance in COVID-19, meanwhile, looks at what to do when buildings are not fully occupied. |

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The app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Currently, about half the refrigerant installed in Australia is in split air conditioning systems.

The first of these is titled HVAC and COVID-19.

“Whenever you decommission or replace a split system just fill in the details on the App on your phone and RRA will send you $20,” says RRA.

All feedback will be kept confidential. ■ |

May 2020

4 HIP-HIP-HOORAY FOR HARRISON AIRAH celebrated the birthday of James Harrison on April 17 by sharing stories and videos about the Australian refrigeration pioneer, including a digital version of his biography. Harrison emigrated to Australia from Scotland in 1837 and later developed the first successful large-scale ice making machinery sold to industry. He was also behind the first attempt to ship frozen meat from Australia to Britain. Harrison combined his inventive career with that of a journalist and politician. He founded the Geelong Advertiser and was a member for the Town of Geelong in the Victorian Legislative Council for several years. For James Harrison Day this year, and coinciding with its Centenary, AIRAH has provided free digital access to the book James Harrison – Pioneering Genius by WR (Roy) Lang. AIRAH’s tribute to Harrison also features videos about his refrigeration breakthrough, and a list of winners of AIRAH’s James Harrison Medal – AIRAH’s highest honour – from 1972 until the present. “We encourage you to take some time to recognise the many individuals and organisations who contribute their time, energy, creativity and innovation to delivering and advancing HVAC&R,” says AIRAH. Go to www.airah.org.au ■

5 BUILD TIGHT AND VENTILATE RIGHT A new series of videos has been released to help builders and homeowners get a handle on how to make more airtight buildings for better health, comfort, durability, and energy efficiency. “Two topics that often get overlooked in Australian construction are air tightness and insulation completeness,” says John Konstantakopoulos, Affil.AIRAH, from Effiency Matrix. Konstantopoulos says Australian standards on air tightness have lagged behind many parts of the developed world, but that is changing.

Around the Nation 6

Ari Grimekis

Arnav Maini

“More emphasis is coming on build quality, not so much what you build with, but how well you put everything together,” he says. “It just makes sense. Why pay to heat or cool your home and then let the air leak out?” Airtightness requirements for residential buildings are already included in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019, and these will be lifted in the future. “Both the Australian Building Codes Board and Australian governments are committed to the COAG trajectory for low-energy buildings and this will affect building regulations, including the NCC.” Go to aivaa.asn.au/basics-of-sealing/ ■

6 LEGIONELLA OUTBREAK The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has identified four confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving individuals who have spent time in the Brunswick area in Melbourne, including Sydney Road. All cases have required treatment in hospital. All had symptoms commencing in February and March 2020. Particularly because of the current focus on COVID-19, health professionals have been alerted to consider Legionnaires’ disease as an alternative diagnosis for patients who have been around the Brunswick area since February 2020. This applies to patients who have influenza-like symptoms, particularly those with severe pneumonia. The DHHS is continuing to investigate notified cases of Legionella infection to identify the possible source of their illness. Identified cooling towers in Brunswick have already been sampled and disinfected. Further investigations will continue. Cooling towers are ideal environments for Legionella because of stagnant water, nutrient growth, poor water quality and deficiencies of cooling tower systems. AIRAH has created a new section of its website with links to design application (DA) manuals and other technical resources that address cooling tower maintenance and prevention of Legionella. Go to www.airah.org.au/legionella ■

7 LICENSING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The $20m Business Improvement Grant allows eligible businesses to receive up to $20,000 to purchase goods and services to make permanent physical improvements to their premises (land and/or building).

At the beginning of this year, a new licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers will now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes not just air conditioning and refrigeration but also plumbing and medical gases.

And the $5m Immediate Work Grant allows not‑for‑profit and community organisations that engage local businesses to do repairs, renovations and upgrades to their property and facilities can apply for grants of up to $100,000.

To help industry understand and transition to the new framework, the QBCC organised webinars earlier this year. These are now available online.

The Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan is the second stimulus package provided by the NT government. It comes on the heels of a $2m Tourism Reliance Package to protect tourism businesses and jobs.

The webinar on air conditioning and refrigeration covers:

Go to coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/ business ■

• Why is a new framework being introduced?

9 TECH TALENT TIME

• What is mechanical services work? • What is excluded? • Timelines for changes • The three different licence streams • What is mechanical services – air conditioning and refrigeration? • The QBCC licence types • How the QBCC is helping people to transition • How to apply for a licence. To access the webinar, go to www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CMEjHByOnYI ■

Mitsubishi Electric Australia has announced two new appointments within the company across the technology and product departments. Ari Grimekis has been promoted to technical manager. With over 15 years of experience in the HVAC industry, he is highly skilled in HVAC engineering, business development, project engineering, and electrical engineering. Grimekis will be based at the company’s Sydney HQ and will manage technology training across the country and some international factories to teach internal staff about new and existing units. He will also continue to provide his high-level expertise on how products should be designed, working closely with both factories on product development for the Australian market as well as customers to discuss their specific needs.

8 TOP IDEA FROM THE TOP END NT-based tradies and contractors can now register with the Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan to provide work through the Home Improvement Scheme, Business Improvement Grants and Immediate Work Grants. The $65m plan is aimed at protecting Territorians from the deep economic impacts of the coronavirus by creating new work opportunities, saving jobs, and helping businesses remain viable. The $30m Home Improvement Scheme allows homeowners who spend $2,000 of their own money on renovations to receive up to $6,000 from the government. A $1,000 homeowner contribution is eligible for a $4,000 grant.

Arnav Maini has also returned to Mitsubishi Electric’s Australian team as senior product engineer, after gaining two years’ experience with Mitsubishi Electric UK. In his new role, Maini will provide product support for air conditioning products. Drawing on his experience overseas, Maini says that there are some things happening in the UK that he wants to bring here, such as investing in resources to take training online. Go to www.mitsubishielectric.com.au ■

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Cool Tech

PARTY IN A PANDEMIC? Don’t let the lockdown get you down – you can still chinwag over a cold one, watch movies or play games in the virtual universe with these apps.

Self-isolation rules during the lockdown mean no more house parties or even small group gatherings in most parts of Australia. Thankfully, there are virtual ways of satisfying our primal urges for social interaction. Here are a few virtual hangouts to help you overcome the loneliness and boredom.

HOUSEPARTY This 2016-launched social network allows you to connect with up to eight buddies in a virtual chat‑room, where you can play games within the app while regaling each other with isolation humour. Game choices include “trivia”, “heads up!”, “chips and guac” and “quick draw” – all of which serve as a grand excuse for quaffing together. The free-to-download Houseparty app works on phone or computer, and you can choose how much personal data and contact information you share.

MARCO POLO Unlike live video apps such as Skype or Zoom, Marco Polo is a free video-messaging app that lets you go back and forth in real-time via video texting. To connect, simply shoot and send a “Marco” video message to a friend, who can then reply with a “Polo” response video. You don’t have to connect live at the same time – just respond when you have free time. The app, which has over 10 million downloads, has seen a whopping post‑coronavirus increase of 1,147 per cent in new signups and a 145 per cent increase in activity.

BIGSCREEN

If you've been missing those trips to the movies, Bigscreen is for you.

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If you are lucky enough to own a virtual reality headset, Bigscreen is a VR cinema that lets you connect with movie fans around the world or enjoy a private screening with friends. Your avatar gets to interact with other digital incarnations in the VR space, where you can watch 2D/3D movies, play games, take selfies – and yes, even eat digital popcorn – together. ■

Smoko with . . .

Name: Michael Weinstock Company:

rigeration AERO Airconditioning & Ref tor

Occupation: Owner-opera sinceJanuary 1, 2020

ut working What’s the best thing abo n boss. in HVAC&R? Being my ow d in the industry? How long have you worke Eight years. R flaring tool. Favourite tool: BBK 800-FN es every time. Makes effortless, perfect flar ever received: Best on-the-job advice you . res “Stop thinking about pressu It’s all about temperatures.” y clear. With that, it all became ver HVAC&R industry, If you didn’t work in the uld be doing? what do you think you wo d problemaile det lves Something that invo rs before starting yea 18 for solving. I worked in IT ity is the problem in HVAC&R. The commonal t. solving. It is what I do bes

nt has been What’s the happiest a clie with your work? an upstairs I fixed a no cooling call for office the office. As I came back into ce offi to check the controller, the se. burst into a round of applau Dream car: Tesla Model S Performance Dream holiday: A couple-of-months‑long, all‑expenses-paid European vacation. Favourite smoko snack: A good latte with a pastry. What did you listen to on the way to work today? Talkback radio, 3AW. … When I’m not working I’m uff g st fixin Playing piano, or catching Pokémon.

May 2020

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HVAC&R Nation

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

Ahead of the pack APAC Commercial HVAC AC

1 WINNER

Visit apacair.com.au for more information 2

1 BEWARE THE “TEMPORARY” SOLUTION John sent us this cautionary tale from a Queensland supermarket where he was working on the refrigeration plant. “When I questioned it, I was told it was temporary,” he says. “But it has been this way, hard-wired direct from MSSBs to power outlets in the deli, for more than 12 months.” ■

2 EXHAUSTED PASSENGERS

Thanks to Warren for his patience – this entry came in more than a year ago, but has been waiting in line. Speaking of waiting, it’s not very comfortable for passengers at this Brisbane station on hot and cold days. “But the station master is looked after,” Warren notes. ■

3 FEELING A DRAUGHT

Rick from Geelong topped last month’s milk crate tower with this set-up at his local country pub. ■

4 DIRTY DEEDS

“Got a call out as this coldroom wasn’t keeping the beer cold,” says Paul from Brisbane. “Nothing a good clean couldn’t fix!” ■

5 ICE ICE BABY

Oscar didn’t have too much trouble figuring out why the AC wasn’t working at this Brisbane site. ■

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

HVAC&R Nation

www.airah.org.au/nation

May 2020

Ahead of the pack

APAC Commercial HVAC

• Tailored flexibility for all commercial & industrial projects • Energy efficient operation • Low installation cost • Low noise As populations increase and become more urbanised, the demand for trusted, innovative HVAC cooling and heating solutions are greater than ever. Engineered and built in Australia, the industry-leading apac units are ready for new developments and are perfectly suited to replace existing apac units nearing the end of their life cycle. The new apac ranges are manufactured to superior standards, using the highest quality materials and components. Fully MEPS compliant and Quality ISO 9001 certified, apac is truly ahead of the pack.

Visit apacair.com.au for more information

May 2020

www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation

VRV AHU ENGINEERED TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPLYING VRV INTO COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS SUCH AS RETAIL, HOTELS AND FUNCTION CENTRES WITH LARGE OPEN SPACES. Wide range of options to meet design requirements

Cover large area with flexible ducting configuration

Ideal alternative solution to central plant

commercial.daikin.com.au