Climate Control News June 2018

Refrigerant recovery services go national JUNE 2018 Engineering excellence BIM education strategy

Climate Control News

PRINT POST APPROVED 100005357

www.climatecontrolnews.com.au

Passive House construction Boilers & Heating feature

Efficiency in new dimensions.

Energy-saving RadiPacs – now available up to size 1,000

With these new centrifugal fans, there are no limits to AHU applications.

– Series extended by 630, 710, 800 and 1,000 models – Outstanding system efficiencies, based on actual measured values – Quiet and efficient, thanks to flow-optimized blade profiles – Perfect Plug & Play complete system available as a cube or with a support bracket More information relevant to your application: ebmpapst.com/radipac

Contents

Refrigerant Feature

26

10

Climate Control News June 2018

Dunnair sale

06

Testing facilities

06

Air Change has acquired Dunnair Australia.

ebm-papst has officially launched its engineering centre of excellence

New branch

Airefrig Australia has opened the biggest wholesale outlet in South Australia.

City Analytics Lab

08

08

The world’s first lab for planning smart cities is operational, providing a dedicated space for collaboration.

A-Gas acquisition

12

A-Gas has acquired European refrigerant business, Arthur Friedrichs Kaeltemittel GmbH.

This month

18 Refrigerant recovery services go national JUNE 2018 Engineering excellence

Trade skills

14

HFC phasedown

26

Clean energy

32

BIM education strategy

Climate Control News

Passive House construction Boilers & Heating feature

www.climatecontrolnews.com.au

The Federal Opposition has promised to scrap upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students.

Australian Refrigeration Association (ARA) president, Ian Tuena, explains how to future proof systems as part of the HFC phasedown.

Full-time employment in the renewable energy sector has increased 33 per cent in the 2016/17 financial year.

Plant problems

36

BIM strategy

42

As building space gets smaller, HVAC plant issues get bigger.

Deakin University lecturer, Dr M Reza Hosseini, explains why Australia needs a BIM strategy.

PRINT POST APPROVED 100005357

In the news

This month’s feature examines refrigerant availability since the HFC phasedown began on January 1, 2018. CCN attends the launch of Rapid Recovery, a new A-Gas service currently being rolled out across Australia.

cover.indd 1

Cover

7/05/18 3:28 PM

The new Single Fan Mini VRF and Super Slim Ducted products are small, smart and ideal for modern apartment developments.

The Toshiba Single Fan Mini VRF allows for both style and plenty of balcony room while the Super Slim Ducted provides helpful solutions to a variety of challenging applications such as bulkhead applications above wardrobes. toshiba-aircon.com.au CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JUNE 2018

3

Editorial

Technicians of the Future

Technicians of the Future ALMOST HALF OF EXISTING UNIVERSITY DEGREES COULD BE OBSOLETE WITHIN A DECADE IF AUSTRALIA'S UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ISN'T OVERHAULED. Sandra Van Dijk – Editor

THAT'S HOW FAST the job market is moving, according to a new report by professional services firm EY. I certainly don't envy the students who have just entered university. By the time they graduate their skills could be redundant.

Remember the Committee for Economic Development report I wrote about in this column in 2014? The one that predicted 40 per cent of Australian jobs that exist today are likely to disappear in the next 10 to 15 years? It's a scary report but we all know the rapid pace of today's changing job market means we are constantly updating our skills as our roles evolve.

The good news is that not all jobs disappear completely, some just get an upgrade. Secretaries are a good example, they've been upgraded to executive assistants – a title that is a bit more gender neutral.

Today's RAC technicians could be tomorrow's Comfort Architect or Indoor Climate Specialist. Or, how about Air Quality Integration Director? Now that sounds fancy. It's easy to imagine refrigeration engineers as Temperature Specialists. If you're wondering why the sudden urge to engage in a little crystal ball gazing, I was inspired by innovation expert, Nils Vesk, who delivered a presentation on

4

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

jobs of the future that are likely to be in high demand. One of those jobs was an Excess Capacity Broker. I was so sure this job title had something to do with the weight loss industry. But no, it's a person that is employed to re-allocate resources or people within an organisation.

Let me explain.

If 10 people in your company finished working on a project and half of them had a couple of weeks downtime until the next project then it is time to engage your friendly Excess Capacity Broker. This person will outsource excess brain power to another division for a couple of weeks to ensure resources are being used correctly.

But my favourite job of the future is the Human-Tech Integration Specialist. Now this person is what I would call "marriage material". I am serious. Anyone who works in the 21st century needs this person. Think about the number of apps, software and devices you use every single day. I know you have too many to count yet we really don't use them properly, we use about 10 per cent capacity (what a waste). But the Human Technology Integration Specialist is like a productivity optimisation expert, or in more simple terms, a bloody hero. They assess your daily routine and consolidate your apps and software down to three core critical programs to ensure you get more work done. But before we all become Architects, Specialists or Experts, let's stop and appreciate the good work we do now as fridgies, contractors and HVACR innovators by nominating for the 2018 HVACR Leadership Awards at www. climatecontrolnews.com.au/awards.

Almosthalfofexistinguniversitydegrees could be obsolete within a decade if Australia’s university system isn’t overhauled.

That’s how fast the job market is moving, accordingtoanewreportbyprofessional servicesfirmEY.Icertainlydon’tenvythe students who have just entered university.Bythetimetheygraduatetheir skills could be redundant.

RemembertheCommitteeforEconomic Development report I wrote about in this column in 2014? The one that predicted 40 per cent of Australian jobs that exist todayarelikelytodisappearinthenext10 to 15 years? It’s a scary report but we all know the rapid pace of today’s changing job market means we are constantly updating our skills as our roles evolve.

The good news is that not all jobs disappear completely, some just get an upgrade.Secretariesareagoodexample, they’ve been upgraded to executive assistants – a title that is a bit more gender neutral.

Today’s RAC technicians could be tomorrow’s Comfort Architect or Indoor Climate Specialist. Or, how about Air Quality Integration Director? Now that sounds fancy. It’s easy to imagine refrigeration engineers as Temperature Specialists. If you’re wondering why the sudden urge to engage in a little crystal ball gazing, I was inspired by innovation expert, Nils Vesk, who delivered a presentationonjobsofthefuturethatare likely to be in high demand. One of those jobswasanExcessCapacityBroker.Iwas so sure this job title had something to do withtheweightlossindustry.Butno,it’sa person that is employed to re-allocate resources or people within an organisation.

Let me explain. If 10 people in your company finished working on a project and half of them had a couple of weeks downtime until the next project then it is time to engage your friendly Excess Capacity Broker. This person will outsourceexcessbrainpowertoanother division for a couple of weeks to ensure resources are being used correctly. But my favourite job of the future is the Human-TechIntegrationSpecialist.Now thispersoniswhatIwouldcall“marriage material”.Iamserious.Anyonewhoworks in the 21st century needs this person.

Thinkaboutthenumberofapps,software and devices you use every single day. I know you have too many to count yet we really don’t use them properly, we use

The dawn of a new apac era.

apac High Efficiency Air Cooled Packaged and Split Ducted Units on R410A 012 to 230kW

For years, apac air conditioning has saved Australians from the melting heat of summer, not to mention all our other climate extremes.

developments, they’re also the perfect replacement for old apac units that are approaching the end of their operating life.

Now apac is back, bigger and better than ever. And with backing from Rinnai, Japan’s global leader in Hot Water, Heating and Cooling, you can rest assured apac will measure up when the heat is on.

So contact apac - before you start melting. Visit apacair.com.au.

Featuring next generation efficiency and super reliability, the latest Australian designed and built apac units are not only ready for new

News

Visitors to the engineering centre of excellence toured the ebm-papst warehouse.

ebm-papst engineers excellence for local customers EBM-PAPST OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ITS ENGINEERING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE LAST MONTH SHOWCASING ITS NEWLY BUILT R&D FACILITIES AND TESTING CAPABILITIES. WITH A FOCUS on continual improvement, ebm-papst has extended its product and design services and increased after-sales support for customers.

Ebm-papst A/NZ managing director, Simon Bradwell, said the focus is on providing better service to local customers.

"Customers want quality and reliable prod-

ucts which is why we are strengthening our core capabilities," he said.

"It has also allowed us to extend the warranty period for our EC fans from two to five years."

The centre has an ISO5801 accredited Test Rig allowing ebm-papst to deal with warranties locally instead of sending products to Germany.

The company's design manager, Alex Gray, said the centre can test vibration, noise and air f low.

"We currently undertake two to three tests per week and the local design team can adapt fans to suit the needs of customers utilising computer generated models," Gray said.

"We also have production facilities to create product and we can make continual improvements because product and design work together."

As well as increasing the size of its warehouse, ebm-papst has built a mezzanine which features a test bench for detailed warranty analysis.

A few years ago ebm-papst began supplying motors and fans and has been undertaking product assembly locally.

For example the evaporative cooler pump is assembled here and overall production has increased by one third.

With more than 40 per cent of a building's energy consumption directed to HVAC undertaking an upgrade is a no brainer, according to the company's sales and market manager for EC upgrades, Thomas Heine.

He said it costs $100,000 over 10 years to maintain a 70kW packaged air conditioning unit.

"An upgrade can reduce this cost to $40,000 that's huge energy savings," Heine said.

Air Change acquires Dunnair DUNNAC PTY LTD a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Change Pty Ltd has acquired the Dunnair air conditioning business from Mechanical Air Supplies Pty Ltd. Speaking exclusively to CCN, Air Change CEO, Shane Carmichael, confirmed the acquisition but did not disclose the value of the sale.

He said the acquisition officially became effective from April 9, 2018.

Air Change is well known as a local manufacturer of energy efficient indoor environment solutions by integrating its internationally patented heat exchanger with other energy efficient components and control technology.

This includes heat recovery ventilation

6

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

products and pool heat pumps.

Just last month Air Change won the Product Excellence Award for its Low Dewpoint Dehumidifier product, the ACDHUM-LD, at the 2018 ARBS Awards. The acquisition will broaden the Air Change product portfolio and distribution network as Dunnair is well known locally as a leading importer and supplier of air-conditioning brands for the Australian market.

Dunnac Pty Ltd will trade under the Dunnair banner and will continue to supply the full range of Dunnair air conditioning products to the HVAC industry nationally.

"Dunnair, with the extra engineering re-

sources of the Air Change Group, will be better able to support the HVAC industry with its increasingly complex needs," Carmichael said.

Air Change CEO, Shane Carmichael.

Compact packaged refrigeration condensing units.

The Compac is a new range of fully fitted packaged units with world leading Tecumseh hermetically sealed reciprocating compressors. Designed with space constraints in mind, the horizontal discharge condenser configuration suits unit placement in carparks, roofs, on the side of buildings and mounted above one another without restricting airflow.

Installation is quick and easy, as every Compac is optioned straight out of the box. Once installed, you can relax knowing the premium compressors and large condensers will deliver reliable refrigeration when you need it most.

Every Compac is built with high quality, corrosion resistant components, and extensive testing is completed on each unit, to ensure long life in the field.

Tecumseh hermetically sealed reciprocating compressors Horizontal discharge condenser con�figuration Can be installed on air conditioning wall brackets Small footprint with housing designed to optimise space

News

Biggest wholesale outlet in South Australia AIREFRIG AUSTRALIA HAS relocated its South Australian branch to Wingfield.

The new state-of-the-art warehouse and showroom facility covers 3000m² and represents the largest refrigeration and air conditioning wholesale outlet in the state.

Trading has already begun at the new address, 33-35 Johansson Road, Wingfield.

The new location replaces the previous branch at Regency Park.

The Wingfield branch boasts a huge 2000m² warehouse with an additional 600m² mezzanine and a further 350m² covered area at the rear of the building.

The expansive showroom covers 600m² and has been set up to showcase the latest in products from around the globe, sourced from Airefrig's large network of suppliers. Parking isn't a problem as the branch has 46 car parking bays.

The new branch also has a large meeting

Airefrig’s new Wingfield branch replaces the previous outlet at Regency Park.

room with plenty of space to offer customers to attend product training sessions and meetings when required.

Airefrig began trading in South Australia in 2003.

Over the last 15 years, the company's footprint has extended to also servicing the Northern Territory from their SA branch.

Airefrig general manager, Stephen Cross, said the relocation of the branch to Wingfield was about bringing its South Australian operations in line with the rest of Australia.

"Airefrig maintains large stock holdings as an integral part of our business model. The growth in our business in SA/NT over the last few years has increased dramatically and it was time to move to larger premises that could continue to service our customer base

Setting new standards for commercial buildings THE CITY OF Sydney has proposed stronger sustainability standards for new commercial buildings to reduce emissions and stop more waste from going to EEC CEO, landfill.

Luke Menzel, supports the Members of the public proposal. have been invited to have their say on the energy and waste amendment to the Sydney development control plan and Green Square town centre development control plan.

The amendment proposes a minimum 5.5 Star National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS) rating for common areas of new commercial office buildings or major commercial office refurbishments of 1,000 square metres or more.

It also proposes more space in bin rooms for waste separation and a requirement for designated food waste storage areas in the kitchens, tearooms and food preparation areas of new commercial buildings.

Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the long-term targets for net zero emissions by 2050 and zero waste to landfill can only be

8

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

achieved by changing the way buildings are designed, built and operated.

"The changes we're proposing would set a new standard for modern commercial buildings.

"By setting a new standard of a 5.5 Star NABERS rating, we'll see energy efficiency and renewable energy considered early in the design phase – rather than being treated as an afterthought – ensuring building owners and tenants save thousands on electricity bills."

Energy Efficiency Council, CEO Luke Menzel, said the quickest and cheapest way to re-

at the highest level possible," Cross said.

An official branch opening is planned and Cross said the focus of the event will be on Airefrig's loyal customers.

"We will host a Grand Opening with the support of our supply partners. It's important for us to spend the time with our customers and give them an opportunity to tour the full facility and meet our team," he said.

"The purpose of opening the Wingfield branch is about making sure that our philosophy of being a one-stop shop for our customers is achieved." duce emissions in cities is to make buildings more efficient.

"How we design, construct and operate our buildings drives the amount of energy needed to keep the lights on and the building comfortable," Menzel said.

"A poor performing building means higher energy bills for tenants and a big impact on the environment. City of Sydney is showing national leadership by setting a new minimum standard for new buildings. Over time that will cut emissions and lower energy bills for businesses across the CBD." The waste requirements vary depending on the size and use of each building.

To view the plan and find out more, visit sydneyyoursay.com.au.

Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the changes will set a new standard for modern commercial buildings.

At your service.

We all know that residential ducted systems can be challenging to service, with large parts of the system installed in places like the roof or outside the house.

Wouldn’t it be great if servicing residential air conditioners was made better?

We think so. That’s why our QUE product is the only control system on the market with a dedicated dashboard feature, which makes diagnosing potential problem areas a breeze.

Accessed via the QUE Touch master controller, the dashboard has an easy to read interface that allows you to view the status of the air conditioning system, providing easy access to information like fan speed, coil temperature, fan mode, superheat, gas pressures, compressor run/demand, and event history.

By having this information at your fingertips, QUE allows you to be more efficient with your time on-site.

And not only does it make your job easier, it makes it more comfortable too, with all of this information viewable from inside the house.

Just another way that our revolutionary QUE control platform delivers control without compromise.

Good Design Award Winner

News

World’s first lab for planning future cities THE WORLD’S FIRST lab for planning future cities officially opened at the University of NSW last month.

The City Analytics Lab supports collaborative decision-making across agencies in a dedicated space for smart city planning and design.

The goal is to improve information-sharing among agencies responsible for planning and designing smarter, more liveable future cities.

Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Paul Fletcher, opened the City Analytics Lab, which is housed within UNSW Built Environment.

Fletcher commended UNSW for its important work in making Australian cities smarter and more liveable through the City Analytics Lab. "This is an important focus for the Turnbull Government as we roll out our $50 million Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, through which we are working with UNSW and other organisations including local councils, to make our cities better places to live using data and technology," the Minister said.

Professor Christopher Pettit, chair of Urban Science in the Built Environment Faculty at UNSW, said the Lab uses interactive technology, big data, visualisation, virtual reality and planning models to support an interdisciplinary approach to decision-making for city planning and policy-making.

He said the lab is designed to help government and industry understand these technologies and new approaches to inform the planning of more liveable, productive, sustainable and resilient cities.

"The Lab brings down the barriers for information sharing, engaging with data, models and simulations. This is a room that supports the multidisciplinary approach that is required when you are looking at cities," Pettit said.

"Cities are not run by one department, one agency or one group. We are trying to get people working together on the same page."

Minister for Cities, Paul Fletcher, launching the City Analytics Lab.

10

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

The Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia.

First hospital in Australia to achieve 4 Star rating for healthcare ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL has become the first large-scale hospital complex in Australia to achieve a 4 Star Green Star – Healthcare As Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

GBCA CEO, Romilly Madew, said nationwide, the number of healthcare facilities pursuing Green Star certification is now well into double digits, reflecting the growing recognition that sustainable design can boost efficiencies in hospitals while also actively contributing to better patient outcomes.

"Research from the World Green Building Council has shown that incorporating green design in hospital infrastructure can deliver an 8.5 per cent reduction in hospital stays, 15 per cent faster recovery rates, a 22 per cent reduction in the need for pain medication and an 11 per cent reduction in secondary infections," she said.

High efficiency water fittings have been incorporated and water is captured and recycled throughout the facility while an onsite cogeneration system provides heating to the building.

Aurecon strengthens data centre capability GLOBAL ENGINEERING AND infrastructure advisory company, Aurecon, has strengthened its data centre capability with the appointment of James Miles as an associate to the data and telecommunications team.

Aurecon's client director for data and telecommunications, Travis Strong, said the data centre industry is expanding rapidly with increasing demand for efficient data storage, requiring innovative approaches to energy and water usage, location and digital engineering solutions.

"Aurecon is partnering with cli-

ents to transform their businesses, assisting them to become more competitive through innovation," Strong said.

"By strengthening our team, we can position ourselves and our clients to be ready to face an increasingly digitised future."

Miles has had a long career in data centres, leading design concepts through to managing installations and commissioning.

James Miles (pictured) has joined Aurecon.

Limitless Design Enjoy creative freedom with our most flexible VRF heat pumps yet

OPERATION RANGE

20 ~ 52 PIPING RUNS UPTO

ยบC

110 M COMPACT

44

%

Smaller footprint

Hitachi VRF SET FREE Try our new VRF systems for your next project.

Save space and enjoy greater flexibility with improved temperature range and piping limits.

Hitachi Air Conditioning Solutions

Feel the future

Distributor of Hitachi Air Conditioning

www.temperzone.biz

World News

JOHNSON CONTROLS HAS OPENED A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX. The centre includes a testing lab that rises to 60 feet in some areas to accommodate YORK chillers.

Johnson Controls launches advanced engineering centre LOCATED IN CENTRAL Pennsylvania, United States, the testing lab is the world's newest and most advanced engineering and testing facility for chillers.

The company's president for global products, Bill Jackson, said the lab allows Johnson Controls to deliver the most innovative and highest-quality products to the HVACR industry.

The complex includes a 250,000 square-foot testing lab and support facility, which consolidates testing facilities from Johnson Controls' existing Pennsylvania campus. In addition, the complex features a 107,000 square-foot engineering office building.

The new facility complements the R&D facility in Wuxi, China, and its newly opened worldclass Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai, China, featuring industry-leading green and smart buildings.

"Our customers expect the best, and we will continue to deliver the best – industry-leading HVACR equipment, such as our new YORK YZ chiller," Jackson said.

"This world-class facility enables us to advance performance levels for customers, thanks to more than 400 dedicated and driven employees, as well as business partners in the York County community."

Other features of the new facility include: • A testing lab that rises to 60 feet in some areas to accommodate YORK chillers, • including the new YZ chiller, and YORK air handling units (AHU).

• More than 20 labs, including air-cooled and water-cooled, acoustic, power electronics, • compressor, AHUs and various other labs to spur innovation.

• And a training centre for variable refrigerant flow, chiller and other products and technologies.

A-Gas buys European refrigerant business A-GAS HAS ACQUIRED the European refrigerant business, Arthur Friedrichs Kaeltemittel GmbH. The company has supplied refrigerants for more than 60 years and the acquisition gives AGas a foothold in the European automotive market, where Friedrichs Kaeltemittel is a key player.

A-Gas cylinders.

12

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

A-Gas plans to further invest in the company, based near Hamburg, by building a refrigerant reclamation facility – a growing sector of the refrigerant market.

Announcing the acquisition last month, AGas managing director, John Ormerod, said this investment is a good fit.

"We've worked with Friedrichs Kaeltemittel in the past and much admired the way in which they operate," Ormerod said.

"We are pleased that the highly-experienced management team is staying on to help us grow the business. This acquisition will allow us to further strengthen our global Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) automotive pres-

ence, where Friedrichs Kaeltemittel has made a considerable impact."

Ormerod said plans are underway to also introduce reclamation to the business.

"This is an area where A-Gas can make a real difference. We will invest in a reclamation plant and create new jobs by doing so," he said.

"Reclamation will expand as the pressure on supplies of key gases continues and the need to reclaim grows ever more important."

Friedrichs Kaeltemittel has been supplying refrigerants to the European market since 1955.

The company also provides products to the OEM market, services equipment and offers expertise on new installations. The A-Gas acquisition is subject to clearance from competition authorities in Germany and Austria.

This is the second A-Gas acquisition on the European mainland in less than a year.

In August, A-Gas acquired the Netherlandsbased reclamation business, BTC.

Eco Ultra from temperzone a revolutionary climate control solution.

Eco Ultra’s incorporated Humidity Intelligence – Adaptive software considers indoor and outdoor levels and makes its own decision about how to operate.

Temperature

TY

I NTE LL

HUM

IT

I

D

E

HUM

Humidity Occupation

Time

NC

Time

Temperature

Outdoor

CE

InDoor

IG EN

I

DI

Y INTELLIG

Humidity

E

ULTRA COMFORT

ULTRA EFFICIENCY

BALANCED EFFICIENCY

Latent mode

Sensible mode

Standard mode

0

0 1

2

3

4

5

Moisture removal Sensible Power usage

6

7

AM

8

9

10

11

12

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

PM

Giving you complete control Visit temperzone.biz for more information.

9

10

11

12

In Focus

Opposition scraps TAFE fees to end skills shortage

THE FEDERAL OPPOSITION HAS PROMISED TO SCRAP UPFRONT FEES FOR 100,000 TAFE STUDENTS AS PART OF A $473 MILLION PACKAGE TO BOOST APPRENTICESHIPS AND SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

DETAILS OF THE package were revealed by Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, in his Budget Reply speech last month.

The package includes $100 million to upgrade TAFEs around the country, and 10,000 pre-apprentice programs for those who want to learn a trade.

"There is no excuse for a skills vacancy to last one day longer than the time it takes to train an Australian," he said.

"Many trades face skills shortages. But despite high unemployment in some areas, workers can't learn the skills that industries are crying out for.

Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, has promised an extra $708 million over 10 years.

14

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

“In the last five years, more than $3 billion has been cut from TAFE and training, and Australia has 140,000 fewer apprentices today than we did when the Liberals were first elected.

"TAFE courses have been cut, campuses have closed and TAFE teachers have lost their jobs."

Shorten has promised an extra $708 million over 10 years, a move welcomed by Master Builders Australia (MBA).

The CEO of MBA, Denita Wawn, said Labor's plan to scrap upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students is a very positive step as industry strives to attract more apprentices.

Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, is offering free TAFE training.

Wawn said the MBA will engage with Labor on the need to support an open and contestable national training system that provides students and employers with choices to access the most relevant training to secure a job.

"Master Builders has called for innovation in VET and welcomes Labor's support for 10,000 pre-apprenticeship programs that promote the advantages of a trade qualification.

We believe this is an important pathway to promoting a career in the building and construction industry," she said.

TAFE was also the focus of the Victorian state budget with the Treasurer, Tim Pallas, announcing that thousands of Victorians would be trained for free in a bid to fill widening skills shortages.

Pallas said 30 TAFE and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses will be free from January next year.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, pledged to give every Victorian the opportunity to get new skills and secure a good job.

The Federal Government is currently undertaking a national training review to update HVACR skills and address critical gaps across the industry to ensure the trade continues to meet industry needs.

Acknowledging current certifications and training for refrigeration and air conditioning are out of date, the government announced a review of the Electrotechnology Training Package which covers certifications for HVACR. A discussion paper was released earlier this year seeking industry feedback, however, industry groups have been unable to reach consensus on a number of critical issues.

As a result the review has effectively stalled.

Attempts are being made to undertake further consultation in coming months.

The future of Australia's HVACR industry depends on a well-trained workforce but businesses are struggling to meet staffing demands and are continuously trying to upskill, retrain and recruit from a workforce that is seriously lacking. ✺

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, has pledged to give every Victorian the opportunity to get new job skills.

Master Builders Australia CEO, Denita Wawn, welcomed the TAFE package.

In Focus

HVAC scholarships to support innovation and sustainability SEELEY INTERNATIONAL HAS ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SCHOLARSHIP. THE PURPOSE OF The Seeley International Scholarship is to encourage students and researchers with an interest in the field of commercial innovation and sustainability, specifically within the HVAC industry, to pursue industry relevant research with regards to reducing energy costs and creating healthy indoor environments using highly innovative commercial solutions.

Seeley International founder, Frank Seeley, said the value of each annual scholarship will be $5,000.

There will be one recipient awarded each year, with applications for Expressions of Interest being submitted in July each year, and then the successful recipient selected by the appropriate school within Flinders University.

Seeley announced the scholarships after being honoured with the distinguished award of the Degree of Doctor of the University at a graduatCLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Flinders University Chancellor Stephen Gerlach.

Seeley International founder, Frank Seeley, at the company’s manufacturing headquarters in Lonsdale, South Australia.

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling.

16

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

ing function for 220 Science and Engineering graduates at Flinders University.

"Having the opportunity to support and encourage our brightest and most innovative students studying for a career in the HVAC industry is a perfect fit for Seeley International. I'm delighted to support this worthwhile initiative," Seeley said.

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Stirling, said Seeley is not just a generous community champion, but a stalwart of Australian manufacturing and steadfast supporter of research and innovation.

"The Seeley International HVAC Scholarship is further evidence of his commitment to fostering knowledge and supporting students to make a difference through their research in the HVAC field," Professor Stirling said.

Flinders University Chancellor, Stephen Gerlach AM, presented the doctorate to Seeley, describing him as a home-grown success story coming from humble beginnings to becoming a giant within the Australian manufacturing industry.

"I had plenty of doubters when I first founded Seeley International in my garage back in 1972, but patience, persistence and an unwavering belief in achieving the impossible has seen an idea grow over time to become Australia's largest

manufacturer of heating and cooling systems that proudly exports locally designed and manufactured products to more than 100 countries around the world," Seeley said.

Seeley was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001, won South Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 and was awarded HVACR Leader of the Year by CCN in 2013.

Meanwhile, TAFE NSW is set to embark on an unprecedented recruitment drive for teachers, primarily to train students in construction industry trades.

TAFE teachers will be employed across the state, with 40 per cent of new teachers to be based in Western Sydney.

The Minister responsible for TAFE NSW, Adam Marshall, said the NSW Government's planned infrastructure projects are creating careers in trades, including plumbing, electrical and construction.

The construction boom across NSW will require 21,600 additional skilled construction workers over the next three years to 2021, with 10,400 new workers needed in Western Sydney alone.

A new Teacher Recruitment Taskforce will oversee the recruitment across the state.

Government-funded trade enrolments at TAFE NSW have increased 19 per cent in the past year. ✺

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS For the second year in a row, the ARBS Education and Research Foundation has awarded scholarships to two engineering students to participate in the annual design summit hosted by Engineers Without Borders.

ARBS Foundation executive officer, David Eynon, said the scholarships were awarded to RMIT University student Rohan Walsh and University of Sydney student Stephen Au. He said Walsh travelled to Nepal while Au went to Cambodia.

“These scholarships are a great way for engineering students to see their skills as a means of providing practical support to people in remote communities or countries that lack many of the facilities we take for granted in Australia,” Eynon said.

Both students described their time overseas working in these communities as a life changing experience.

Drama-free workdays

Choose the reliable and reputable Haier air conditioning range for greater peace of mind in Australia’s climate. They’re quick and easy to install and offer 24/7 customer support, meaning happier customers and a faster turnaround for you.

Haier is the world’s #1 for connected air conditioners.

24/7 Customer Care: 1300 729 948 * Haier is the number one brand of connected air conditioners (including smart air conditioners) in the world, with a market share of 30.5% by retail volume sales in 2017.

Source: Euromonitor International Limited: Date Issued: 24th February 2018.

In Focus

Monash University and Aurecon jointly hosted the “Under Construction” Workshop.

Passive House standard improves thermal comfort IMPROVED BUILDING OUTCOMES, SUCH AS GREATER LEVELS OF THERMAL COMFORT, A HEALTHIER WORK ENVIRONMENT, LOWER ENERGY COSTS AND INCREASED BUILDING STRUCTURE LONGEVITY CAN ALL BE ACHIEVED USING THE PASSIVE HOUSE BUILDING STANDARD. SPEAKING AT A workshop hosted by engineering and infrastructure advisory company, Aurecon and Monash University, industry experts said there is still a knowledge gap to overcome before the standard is normalised.

Until then the Passive House Building Standard will incur greater costs, according to Aurecon's ESD consultant, Johanna Trickett.

"However, the passive house benefits of user comfort and energy efficiency outweigh the costs," she said.

"The Passive House Building Standard is applicable to any construction and provides a quality benchmark for health, comfort and performance."

The building science manager at Pro Clima Australia, Jesse Clarke, said lack of compliance creates a range of building problems from moisture and mould in cooler climate locations, and exacerbated summer cooling issues in warmer climate locations.

18

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

to provide the thermal comfort and low operating costs expected.

She said the key areas to consider with a passive house design is the building envelope and building services.

"Both the envelope and services must be carefully considered at the same time during the design process," Hundert said.

"The responsibility of delivering a successful passive house sits with every project team member involved.

"It is crucial for everyone involved to be open and transparent to effectively work as a team."

Fantech's intelligent ventilation solutions engineer, Joel Seagren, said a number of factors can contribute to improved health, enhanced IAQ and low contaminant levels and a significantly reduced need for supplementary heating and cooling.

"This reduces the risk of allergy and dehumidification effects that can be associated with HVAC air delivery systems," he said.

"While ventilation requirements are well prescribed for some building classes, the importance of correct ventilation is increased as there can be no reliance on fresh air infiltration via the building fabric.

"While this is not explicitly included in the design, it can have a meaningful impact in terms of indoor air quality, condensation removal, and mould growth."

Seagren said direct ventilation, mechanical or natural, increases the required capacity of heating and cooling equipment when outdoor air temperatures, or humidity levels, are outside comfort bands, which is typically most of summer and winter depending on the climate zone.

"With efficiencies in the 80-90 per cent range for high quality heat recovery units, this could allow for a significant reduction in heating and cooling plant capacity, energy consumption, and therefore, operational costs," he said.

An overview of the Passive House Building Standard, high performance building envelopes, airtightness, mechanical ventilation, and construction sequencing were among some of the topics discussed at the workshop. ✺

"The Passive House Building Standard has solved both of these issues by delivering comfort through control over thermal fluxes over the building envelope, combined with adequate thermal bridging. This provides stability of indoor conditions," Clarke said.

"Through air tightness considerations and implementation of the building standard, we see a balance in the moisture flows with the heat within the building envelope which results in a healthy, dry, high performing building."

Aurecon associate, Susanne Hundert, said passive house construction required high Aurecon ESD Fantech’s intelligent Building science levels of building consultant, ventilation solutions manager at Pro Clima fabric air tightness Johanna Trickett. engineer, Joel Seagren. Australia, Jesse Clarke.

why are you still using split systems?

Australian Innovation

Hide-away ducted 10.5kW - No outdoor unit The Polaris range of Monobloc air conditioning units are designed in Australia and built to the highest standard with no outdoor unit required.

These units are self-contained ducted air cooled machines. Which make them the perfect solution for above ceiling installation with no condensing unit required.

d

r Polaris Ducte

10.5kW Inverte

- MEPS Approved - High static supply air - No outdoor unit required - Condenser duct up to 6M - Suitable for heritage, apartments & aged care

Available mid 2018

Forget About Outdoor Units

Plug + Play HVAC No Outdoor Unit Required

2.35kw wall mount inverter heat pump Installing the unit is as easy as 1,2,3 ...

1. Mark template on wall 2. Drill two holes 3. Hang unit

Innova 2.0 wall mount inverter 2.35kW

At Last Real Innovation in Australia

Harbour City Air |1300 782 761| sales@harbourcityair.com.au |www.harbourcityair.com.au

Refrigerant Feature

A-Gas begins national rollout of r A-GAS AUSTRALIA IS CURRENTLY ROLLING OUT INNOVATIVE REFRIGERANT RECOVERY SERVICES WITH PLANS TO HAVE A NATIONAL PRESENCE BY 2019.

The rapid recovery services will support Australia's transition to low GWP fluids under the HFC phasedown which officially began on January 1 this year.

The phasedown represents a lot of system upgrades for Australian customers keen to recover refrigerant as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

In 2016, the Montreal Protocol was updated to include the HFC phasedown under the Kigali Amendment.

That very same year A-Gas acquired US-company Rapid Recovery which provides a full suite of on-site recovery and cylinder ser-

20

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

vices through its 40 branch network across the United States.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Rapid Recovery began in 2002.

The expertise that Rapid Recovery developed during this time has now been transferred to A-Gas which is extending this offering to the Australian market providing an end-to-end supply and reclamation service to its customers.

Back in 2002 customers relied on handheld pumps to pump gas from its systems whenever repairs, upA-Gas Australia general manager, Graeme Dewerson.

grades or retrofits were undertaken.

Rapid Recovery designed compact, high powered pumps that were 10 times faster than normal removal procedures.

The pumps were placed on a fleet of vehicles allowing the company to go on-site to remove gas for customers.

Today, Rapid Recovery has 110 vehicles.

A-Gas Australia is utilising much larger machines weighing 275kg which have been fitted to its own trucks along with a 75 metre hose and cylinders.

A more portable unit weighing 40kg is also available and is suitable for all equipment.

A-Gas general manager, Graeme Dewerson, said the plan is to have a fleet of vehicles working 24x7 around Australia.

Dewerson said the Melbourne service launched in April with the Sydney launch taking place at the ARBS Exhibition last month.

"The Brisbane launch will take place later this month with Perth and Adelaide set to follow in September," he said.

Refrigerant Feature

LEFT TO RIGHT: A-Gas plans to carry out 500 separate recovery jobs in 2018.

One of a fleet of rapid recovery trucks being used to recover gas from systems.

GLOBAL EXPANSION In recent years A-Gas has invested heavily in the reclamation and recovery side of its operations with a number of significant acquisitions across the globe.

A-Gas International completed its acquisition of US-based Rapid Recovery in June 2016.

The transaction marked the fourth acqusition for A-Gas in the US and its sixth worldwide since 2012.

More recently A-Gas acquired BTC, a Dutch reclamation service.

The BTC purchase highlights the company’s commitment to providing industry with the capacity and infrastructure required to support the HFC phasedown.

Demand for these services is growing as refrigerant mixtures become more complicated and more mixed gases enter the market.

apid recovery services "We want each site in each capital city to be self-sufficient with its own trucks and fully trained technicians."

The Rapid Recovery service isn't just about the El Machino Pumps, it requires trained technicians which is why A-Gas sent its staff to the US to complete a two-week course.

"We did this to ensure we had qualified technicians ready to hit the ground running," Dewerson said.

"Customers want refrigerant recovered quickly so there is less chance of refrigerated goods being spoiled and they want it done efficiently to save time and money.

"Recovering gas from systems is a job that normally takes a long time but we can complete a six hour job in one hour.

"Customers don't have to pull kit down because we do everything which means we are giving contracting companies the ability to do more jobs in a single day.

"We have our own cylinders and with a 75 metre hose there is less manual handling and re-

“WE WANT EACH SITE IN EACH CAPITAL CITY TO BE SELFSUFFICIENT.” - A-GAS GM, GREAME DEWERSON

duced refrigerant loss as well." Dewerson said the company's aim is to carry out 500 separate recovery jobs in 2018.

He said in the first two years, A-Gas plans to complete its national rollout.

"To support this A-Gas is bringing a technician from the US to work here," Dewerson said.

"Then in 2019 we will rollout the service in New Zealand and regional Australia."

A-Gas will begin its regional coverage with Newcastle, the Gold Coast and Canberra.

"Our five-year goal is to have 30 operational trucks across Australia and New Zealand," Dewerson said. A-Gas launched its Rapid Recovery business in the UK last year. ✺ CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JUNE 2018

21

...and the 2018 ARBS Awards winners are… Congratulations to the ARBS Industry Award Winners for 2018

A RB S IN DUSTRY AWAR D S AR E P R OU D LY S P ONS OR ED BY

arbs.com.au

Jason Harrison - Airmaster Australia

PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AWARD ACDHUM-LD - Air Change

WINNERS

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD

SOFTWARE/DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD

Clarity - HydroChem

F Mayer Refrigerated cold storage/distribution centre - Strathbrook Industrial Services & Danfoss Australia

OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY EDUCATION/ TRAINING AWARD

OUTSTANDING SERVICE & MAINTENANCE AWARD

Mobile CO2 Training Unit - Danfoss (Australia) Pty Ltd

A.G. Coombs Group Pty Ltd

ARBS HALL OF FAME 2018 Pictured left to right: Stephen Gilchrist - CIBSE ANZ, John Bosci - AIRAH, Mark Padwick - AREMA, David Seedsman - AMCA and Warren Cole - RACCA

Refrigerant Feature

Is the European experience a harbinger for Australia?

REFRIGERANTS AUSTRALIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREG PICKER, EXPLAINS WHY THE HFC PHASEDOWN IN EUROPE IS VERY DIFFERENT TO WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN AUSTRALIA. DURING ARBS AND around the traps I heard some in our industry wonder whether the current mess in Europe regarding refrigerants is migrating here. No. Europe's present is not Australia's future.

The European refrigerant market is undergoing difficult times with massive disruptions.

Prices have sky-rocketed and refrigerant shortages of gases like R404a and R410a are reportedly common. Contractors and equipment owners are wondering how they will get through the coming northern hemisphere summer.

The Kigali Amendment, which set internationally agreed reduction targets, does not have the same impacts everywhere – the approach taken by national governments matter greatly.

So even though Australia, like Europe, is phasing down HFC refrigerants, the view and outcome is very different from down here.

The reason Australian industry can be confident that we will have a different story is that the timing, slope and approach taken to the phase down of HFCs in Australia is far different than in Europe.

Review the chart (pictured) and consider that:

Australia's phase down started three years after Europe. As a result, Australia's industry already started phasing down high GWP HFCs. This year, for example, it is projected that more split system air conditioners will be sold with R32 than R410a. Each piece of R32 equipment – due to its lower GWP and smaller charge size – represents only about 25 per cent of potency of R410 equipment. As a result of this, and other factors, Australia's use is already about 25 per cent less than the baseline we were allowed under Kigali. Europe did not have this advantage.

The European schedule includes massive reductions early on. From 2016 to 2018, European allowances for HFCs dropped 40 per cent! Industry in Europe was deliberately shocked. The Australian approach is smooth and steady. Every two years the tap gets turned, just a bit, and industry adjusts and prepares.

Europe's phasedown included - from 2018 pre-charged equipment imports. This component represented 11 per cent of imported refrigerants and was not included in the baseline.

What that means is that the reductions in Europe for 2018 were actually 51 per cent, not 40 per cent. Anytime you reduce a market by half you should expect it to struggle greatly.

In Australia, pre-charged equipment is not included. This is entirely consistent with the Montreal Protocol's approach.

The HFC phasedown will impact Australian industry. Prices and availability of gases will change over time, and new technologies will be introduced. The European experience is, however, not likely to arise here. ✺

Refrigerant Australia executive director, Greg Picker.

REFRIGERANT SUPPLY SHORTAGES UNLIKELY Australia will avoid the refrigerant supply shortages and spiralling cost issues seen in Europe as a result of the HFC phasedown, according to Refrigerants Australia executive director, Greg Picker.

This is because Australia has taken a gradual approach to its HFC phasedown timetable.

“With our phasedown we turn the tap every two years to ensure it is gradual unlike Europe which has just experienced a 37 per cent cut in its quota on top of another 11 per cent cut in one big swoop,” Picker said.

“This is why availability problems emerged in Europe but that isn’t likely to happen here.”

There have been plenty of headlines in Europe about R410A supply problems to meet F-Gas quotas.

Toshiba UK commercial manager, David Dunn, said users need to move to R32 to avoid major price increases and supply problems with both R410A as well as R404A. While severe restrictions on the high GWP refrigerant R404A were predicted last year, air conditioning contractors in Europe are finding that sales of R410A are also being restricted.

Locally the HFC phasedown seems to be working but the Australian Refrigeration Association (ARA) is advising its members to choose replacement refrigerants wisely and to remember that R32 is also a HFC. ARA president, Ian Tuena, said stakeholders need to realise that most of the replacement refrigerants on offer are only short term solutions.

ARA president, Ian Tuena

24

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

Y R E V O C E R T N A R E G I R F E R D E E P S H INESS IG

H

R BUS

FIT OF YOU O R P E H T G IN V O R P TION TO IM

YOUR SOLU

TIME IS MONEY

What difference would it make to your business if you could do an extra job every day/week, without taking on extra staff?

ARCTICK COMPLIANCE

A-Gas Rapid Recovery provides all necessary documenta�on electronically to all clients. Arc�ck cer�fied: AU11734

TIME DUPLICATOR

Recovery is performed while the technician is duplica�ng his �me using his specialised skills diagnosing and repairing equipment.

COST EFFECTIVE

The �me saved allows for both profit to the client and savings to the End User. A-Gas Rapid Recovery is a pass-through cost for the contractor.

LIABILITY REDUCER

Every job performed by A-Gas Rapid Recovery relieves the client from poten�al liability. We are responsible for every unit recovered and every kilogram of refrigerant removed.

TIME SAVER

Our custom made petrol powered machines are typically 10 �mes faster than conven�onal equipment.

A-Gas Rapid Recovery brings you time saving refrigerant recovery straight to your jobsite. We’ll work on your schedule, day or night you can count on us.

CALL FOR SERVICE 1800 002 427 www.agasrapidrecovery.com

Refrigerant Feature

It is time to future-proof systems and to consider both the short and long term options.

ARA warns choose refrigerants wisely during HFC phasedown THE HFC PHASEDOWN BEGAN ON JANUARY 1, 2018 MARKING THE BIGGEST MILESTONE FOR INDUSTRY SINCE 1935, ACCORDING TO AUSTRALIAN REFRIGERATION ASSOCIATION (ARA) PRESIDENT, IAN TUENA. IN THIS ARTICLE, TUENA EXPLAINS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHASEDOWN AND HOW END USERS CAN FUTURE-PROOF THEIR SYSTEMS IN THE FACE OF REFRIGERANT SHORTAGES. IT WAS BACK in 1935 that we saw the introduction of synthetic refrigerants. Back then the development of these refrigerants was hailed as a breakthrough. Their introduction allowed the refrigeration industry to flourish and grow exponentially creating a strong and vibrant industry.

Unfortunately, we were later to discover the new wonder refrigerants were actually "boiling us slowly". So began the slow, but inevitable phase out, beginning with CFCs and followed by HFCs. With this in mind it's worth questioning the long-term viability of the replacement HFO range of refrigerants.

26

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

A recent study from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology tested over 100 million chemical compounds and found only 27 with low GWP and "suitable" performance characteristics.

Clearly, we are coming to the end of the synthetic solution and the industry needs to realise there is no silver bullet. From here on, it will be back to basics and where it all began (i.e., ammonia, CO2 and hydrocarbons). Sure, there has been another round of supposedly low GWP replacement refrigerants introduced to the market and there is no doubt opportunities to use such replacements, but we should do so with our eyes wide open.

The first thing we notice is that for the bulk of the replacement refrigerants, there is some HFC component in the mix. As the phase-down takes effect, the HFC component will become more difficult to obtain and will become more expensive. We are seeing this in Europe already with significant price rises. For example, the cost of HFC 404A has increased 11 times since 2015.

Expect to see a similar scenario here in Australia.

I was at a regional wholesaler and was informed that they (along with most other wholesalers) did not have any supply of R32 – the new wonder replacement refrigerant now in millions of split air conditioners here in Australia.

The reason given was that not all the components of the refrigerant were available. Surprise!

Only recently the Department of Environment assured us there would be no such shortage of refrigerant. We are only four months into the HFC phase-down with the first big kicker not scheduled to be phased in until 2023 and already we have a shortage. Stand-by for more

Refrigerant Feature

"unable to supply" days ahead and prepare to pay a premium for refrigerant in short supply.

Choose your refrigerant wisely and remember that R32 is also a HFC. The advice from ARA and the Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) is for all stakeholders to realise that most replacement refrigerants on offer are only short-term solutions.

They may or they may not endure with the life span of the equipment you are

“MOST REPLACEMENT REFRIGERANTS ON OFFER ARE ONLY SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS.” - ARA PRESIDENT AND CA SERVICES DIRECTOR, IAN TUENA Back in 1935, synthetic refrigerants were hailed as a significant breakthrough as they allowed the refrigeration industry to flourish and grow.

putting them into. Have a close look at the components in the mix and ask yourself how long will this be available? In the case of R404 it's a no brainer, not long.

How can you future-proof yourself? Clearly natural solutions have an advantage but all options including HFOs have engineering issues whether its toxicity, flammability or pressure. A new skill set is required and Education, Education, Education is the key.

The industry needs to realise very quickly that the days of doing an apprenticeship and learning the rest on the job are long gone.

Technicians today need to upskill, retrain

and understand the systems in operation now. How many people in our industry understand the diesel effect? How many understand the toxicity of HFOs and R32 in the event of it being inhaled through a cigarette?

How many firefighters are aware of the HF and COF2 combustion products of HFO1234yf, which is used in millions of vehicle air conditioning systems? How many mechanics understand that A2L refrigerants belong to class 2.1 dangerous goods, and this requires dangerous goods signage on your vehicle and workshop?

Education and training allow us to lose the

Engas M10 Suitable for replacement of all R600a refrigerators and freezers.

Engas M40

Hydrocarbon Refrigerants Technical support and application engineering advice available for the safe use and correct application of all Engas products.

Pure hydrocarbon refrigerant replacement R290 and R22.

fear of change, but ensure we never lose the respect. In this brave new world, education and training are key. Unfortunately, government has failed to recognise this and effectively prepare industry for this transition.

The train left the station on January 1 and not enough has been done.

The industry must stand united and demand funding and training to allow us to meet the deadlines introduced by government.

We must demand that the licence fees collected from industry are returned to us in the form of education and training to prevent injuries and deaths in our industry. ✺

Engas M20

Engas M30

Special purpose hydrocarbon refrigerant specifically designed to replace R32.

Engas M50 Suitable replacement for R22, R502, R404a, R407c and R507c.

Designed as a direct replacement for R12 and R134a.

Engas M60 Special purpose hydrocarbon refrigerant specifically designed to replace 410a.

1300 463 642

www.engas.com.au CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JUNE 2018

27

Refrigerants Feature

Real alternatives for low GWP refrigerants THE EU PROJECT, REAL ALTERNATIVES 4 LIFE, WILL ORGANISE A PROGRAM OF STUDY DAYS AND TRAIN THE TRAINER EVENTS DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 2018 AND INTO 2019 TO REINFORCE THE PRACTICAL TRAINING ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF LOW GWP ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS.

CO-FINANCED BY THE EU's funding instrument for the environment and climate action, the REAL Alternatives 4 LIFE project will organise four study day events in several countries in Europe aimed at standardising and ensuring a high level of training on low GWP alternative refrigerants.

To be held in the project partners countries – Germany (IKKE), Italy (ATF), Poland (Prozon) and Belgium (UCLL) – the topics will focus on flammables and carbon dioxide with training providers from Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Spain and Turkey.

At the Study Days, knowledge and expertise will be shared on how low GWP alternative refrigerants training courses are carried out. This will aim to prepare the trainers for the new training courses that will be offered in their national markets based on the REAL Alternatives materials.

The events will be organised as a half-day of theoretical training and a half-day of practical demonstration on test equipment. The day will be conclude by a written assessment to validate the training and for which participants will receive a certificate.

So what is REAL Alternative for LIFE? It promotes best practice in training for low GWP alternative HFOs, R32, hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide and ammonia across Europe – ensuring they are used safely, efficiently, reliably and cost-effectively. It addresses critical barriers currently preventing more widespread uptake in the industry by increasing awareness, experience and knowledge levels. ✺

New guidelines for low charge ammonia refrigeration THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) is set to release guidelines designed to help users safely install, operate and maintain ammonia refrigeration systems that use a charge of 500lbs or less (and under 100lbs in the next step).

The guidelines, known as Ammonia Resource Management - Low Charge (ARM-LC), are a scaled-down version of the IIAR's ARM guidelines for ammonia systems using charges of between 500 and 10,000lbs.

The aim is to help end-users comply with the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires that a place of employment be "free from recognised hazards".

Gidelines are currently being reviewed before final publication at the end of the year.

The good news for operators seeking to convert

28

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

to low-charge ammonia refrigeration is that under ARM-LC equipment manufacturers and contractors will likely shoulder most of the work involved in the safe operation and maintenance of these systems, which have ammonia charge to capacity ratios of 0.5lb/TR to 7lbs/TR (compared to 20-30 lbs/TR or more in conventional systems).

Author of the ARM-LC guidelines, Peter Thomas, told Ammonia21 that the good news for operators seeking to convert to low-charge ammonia refrigeration is that under ARM-LC equipment manufacturers and contractors will shoulder most of the work involved in the safe operation and maintenance of these systems.

"For the owners, probably the most important thing they can do, outside of selecting the system that they're going to install, is selecting a good, qualified contractor," he said.

Under the guidelines, contractors that install low-charge ammonia systems will still be responsible for training their onsite employees.

The guidelines cover safety hazard training, monitoring of the system, and steps to take in an emergency.

Award winning Thomas said the ARM- energy efficiency LC guidelines recommend expert, an audit of the system eve- Stefan Jensen. ry five years, which he described as a fairly straightforward process. The document also includes templates that operators can use to create their own maintenance and operational procedures. ✺

The only daily news site in Australia for the HVACR industry.

Explore the website + eNewsletter Any time, any device

YAFFA 07810

climatecontrolnews.com.au

Solar and Renewables

Solar finally cracks commercial market

SOLAR IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO AUSTRALIA'S COMMERCIAL MARKET WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE NATION'S MAJOR COMPANIES MAKING THE SWITCH TO CLEAN ENERGY.

A

NEW REPORT FROM the Climate Council shows the number of Australian businesses installing solar power increased by 60 per cent over 2016 and 2017, while total business solar capacity has more than doubled since 2016.

Climate Councillor and energy expert, Greg Bourne, said electricity prices for small business owners had skyrocketed by almost 90 per cent in less than 10 years, while gas prices had tripled in half that time.

"This report shows that the rising cost of energy is the number one concern for Australian businesses over the next decade, so it's no surprise that a variety of businesses from bakeries to breweries, and tech agencies are all turning to affordable renewable energy and storage solutions," he said.

"These businesses are actively investing in renewable energy in a bid to cut costs and take control of their power bills, while also playing

30

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

a crucial role in transitioning the nation away from ageing fossil fuels."

"This is a worldwide transition, with businesses around the globe taking advantage of the investment opportunities associated with renewable energy, with 131 of the world's largest companies on their way to being powered by 100 per cent renewables."

The report found that Australia is experiencing a boom in renewable energy with over 5,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects under construction in 2018.

Climate Council energy and climate solutions analyst, Petra Stock, said businesses were naturally transitioning to renewable energy and battery storage, with wind and solar now the cheapest forms of new-build energy generation, far cheaper than a new coal power station.

"This transition is good for the pockets of business owners and good for our climate, it really is a win-win," she said.

"Despite the renewables rush, the Federal Government is still lagging behind.

The proposed National Energy Guarantee (NEG), in its current form, is woefully inadequate when it comes to tackling climate change, and also places Australia's busiClimate ness and renewables boom at Councillor, risk of grinding to a halt." ✺ Greg Bourne.

2018 BUDGET DISAPPOINTMENT Climate Council acting CEO, Dr Martin Rice, said it was disappointing the Federal Government’s 2018 Budget had appeared to ignore climate change, despite the nation’s greenhouse gas pollution levels continuing to rise for more than three consecutive years.

“The Federal Government’s continuous failure to seriously tackle climate change is an embarrassment,” he said.

“Australia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the developed world, with worsening extreme weather events including severe heatwaves, supercharged storms, heavy rainfall, flooding, droughts and bushfires.”

Budget 2018 has proposed $37.6 million over five years towards implementing the recommendations of the Finkel Review, the Energy Security Board’s planned National Energy Guarantee (NEG) and improving the functioning of the gas market but fell short on new funding to embrace the rollout of clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy and storage technology.

“Australia is at risk of further cementing its reputation as a global laggard when it comes to slashing growing greenhouse gas pollution levels and tackling climate change. We cannot continue to sit on our hands, while nations like New Zealand and France show real climate leadership.”

Solar and Renewables

Pioneering a world-first in energy efficiency PIONEER INTERNATIONAL IS relying on solar energy to take the energy efficiency of split system air conditioning units to a whole new level.

The company has successfully combined hydrocarbon refrigerants and solar power to deliver a standard of energy efficiency in air conditioning never seen before.

Pioneer International has partnered with Superior Air Conditioning and KDV Homes to rollout the new technology to a residential development in Sydney's west.

They had been trying to successfully use solar as the main power source for air conditioning units for the past five years.

Superior Air Conditioning director, Richard Bencic, said they tried using solar with Japanese branded units and ended up damaging the inverter.

He said it only worked using a Pioneer hydrocarbon 16kW ducted unit.

“What is so fascinating about this project is that every other brand that we tried used more than 5kW of power,” Bencic said.

“Yet here we were on a hot 41 degree Celsius summer day when we commissioned the Pioneer unit and it only used 2.4kW of power plus the lights were on in the house.

“Despite the heat outside, the temperature inside maintained a perfect 22 degrees Celsius; the results were truly astounding.”

Bencic said the good news is that Pioneer is an

Australian company and it has the worldwide patent on the solution.

Pioneer International managing director, George Haydock, said he is excited about the results as it is the way forward for a net zero energy future.

“HVAC is central to the pursuit of lower energy footprints especially if Australian buildings and residential housing developments are going to reach a net zero energy target,” Haydock said.

“EVERY OTHER BRAND WE TRIED USED MORE THAN 5KW OF POWER.” - RICHARD BENCIC, SUPERIOR AIR CONDITIONING.

“Combining natural refrigerants and renewable power generation is the only way forward if Australia is serious about reducing emissions.”

Diversified Property Group sales and marketing director, Abdul Khan, said the unit is currently being used in a 262 square metre home.

“I am still trying to get my head around the fact that the unit's power source is completely solar, and the results are amazing,” Khan said.

“We switched on heating for the first time re-

RIGHT: Pioneer International is using solar energy to power its air conditioning units.

cently and the entire house was warm in 30 minutes, we had to switch it off.”

The national technical manager of refrigeration & product solutions at Totaline Australia, Gajanan Bhalerao, said the wholesaler is taking a proactive approach to supporting energy efficient products and low GWP refrigerants.

“We are committed to supporting the environment and taking the initiative by supplying equipment that increases energy efficiency, reduces emissions and provides financial relief to Australian households; imagine saving hundreds of dollars on your electricity bills,” he said.

Describing it as a marketplace revolution, Bhalerao said Totaline is introducing R290 package rooftop units, R290 package refrigeration units and solar powered Pioneer air conditioning units and backing it up with training programs on safety and how to use natural refrigerants.

“We are taking a step in the right direction which is going to help set a footprint for the future of this industry and generations to come,” he said.

Just last year Haydock undertook a rooftop chiller retrofit at Market Fair Shopping Centre in Campbelltown which is delivering capital cost savings of $1 million and 50 per cent energy savings using HC refrigerants. ✺ CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JUNE 2018

31

Solar and Renewables

Innovation Fund invests in Zen Ecosystems ZEN ECOSYSTEMS – which has developed intelligent energy management solutions that could save Australian businesses up to 25 per cent on their energy consumption – will soon get a boost from the Clean Energy Innovation Fund.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), through the Innovation Fund, has made a $5 million equity investment in Zen Ecosystems' series B capital raising for the further development and deployment of its Zen HQ and Zen Thermostat products. The Clean Energy Innovation Fund draws on the combined skills and experience of the CEFC and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and invests using CEFC finance.

Innovation Fund executive director, Ben Gust, said the technology innovations and behind-themetre management solutions offered by Zen Ecosystems could unlock major opportunities for reducing energy consumption for retailers, hotels and motels, schools, universities, car dealerships

and fast food outlets. "Traditionally, energy usage has been controlled by building management systems, which are usually only cost effective for large or industrial-use buildings," Gust said.

"Zen HQ is designed for smaller footprint businesses as a low cost, easy-to-use cloud platform for managing energy-intensive assets across single and multiple sites.

"Demand management is a critical part of the clean energy transition. We are pleased to support Zen Ecosystems in the expansion of this innovative homegrown technology," Gust said.

CEFC transaction lead, Kristin Vaughan, said heating and cooling are typically responsible for around 40 per cent of total building energy consumption. "We see there is enormous scope for innovative clean energy technologies such as these, which can help businesses achieve significant energy savings by managing their own consumption as well as lowering their carbon footprint,” Vaughan said. "This technology also opens the

way for individual users to participate in demand response initiatives, contributing to the continued stability and reliability of our energy system." The core products of Zen Ecosystems are the Zen Thermostat and Zen HQ. The Zen Thermostat is a smart thermostat that allows homes to remotely control and reduce energy consumption.

Zen HQ is designed for smaller footprint businesses as a low cost, easy-to-use cloud platform for managing energy-intensive assets across single and multiple sites.

Zen Ecosystems CEO, James McPhail, said Zen HQ is already being used by commercial customers such as the RACV, while the Zen Thermostat is part of the Telstra Smart Home range. "Further development is underway to enhance compatibility across heating and cooling systems used in the Australian market," McPhail said. The Clean Energy Innovation Fund has now made nine investments, committing up to $55 million across a range of innovative technologies. ✺

Renewable energy jobs jump 33 per cent Solar is the biggest employer in the renewable energy sector.

32

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

FIGURES RELEASED BY the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show a significant increase in jobs across the renewable energy sector.

Full-time employment increased 33 per cent in the 2016/17 financial year compared to the previous year.

There are now 15,000 jobs covering large-scale solar energy installations, rooftop solar and wind farms.

The ABS data covers estimates of full-time equivalent (FTE) employment in the renewable energy sector from 2009-10 to 2016-17.

It includes solar rooftop, hot water and largescale solar projects, as well as wind, biomass, geothermal and wave energy.

Almost three-quarters of the increase in FTE was due to large-scale solar and wind projects, according to the data.

Increases in rooftop solar installations led to 860 additional jobs during the period. In fact, rooftop solar remains the largest renewable energy sector, accounting for 43 per cent of FTE jobs.

Nationally, the eastern states accounted for 78 per cent of FTE employment in the sector.

Queensland is still leading the way when it comes to rooftop solar penetration with 32 per cent, followed by South Australia at 31 per cent and Western Australia at 26 per cent. The remaining states and territories are all under 20 per cent. ✺

Suppliers to the air-conditioning, heating and refrigeration trade.

www.totaline.com.au

POWERED BY

11 OCTOBER 2018

T H E H VAC & R L E A D E R S H I P AWA R D S , P O W E R E D

BY CCN L!VE , WILL R ECOGNI S E THE PIONE E R S , I N N OVAT O R S A N D E N T R E P R E N E U R S I N T H E H VAC & R C O M M U N I T Y W H O A R E R A I S I N G T H E B A R .

NEW MELBOURNE EVENT

These categories are open for entry:

Leader in Energy Saving & Sustainability Woman of the Year in HVAC&R Innovator of the Year Male Rising Star | Female Rising Star Fridgie of the Year Contractor of the Year HVAC&R Leader of the Year

N O M I N AT E YO U R S E L F O R A C O L L E AG U E For more information about each category and entry criteria, visit:

www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/awards ENTRIES CLOSE: 31 July 2018

Universal HVAC/R Parts and Supplies

YAFFA 08714

POWERED BY

Boilers and Heating

Engineering support for HVAC plant issues NOISE AND VIBRATION EMANATING FROM COMPRESSORS, PUMPS AND ROTATING EQUIPMENT IN THE REFRIGERATION AND HVAC SYSTEMS OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CAN BE A SOURCE OF DISTURBANCE TO NEIGHBOURS, WORKERS AND DELICATE ELECTRONIC AND DATA EQUIPMENT.

In this chiller application, 21-2 model double-convoluted Airmounts were used.

W

HILE MODERN HEATING, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plant is generally well engineered to eliminate Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) issues, poorly sited or inadequately damped plant can create OH&S issues and disruptions that spread through walls and floors.

In its most disruptive form, this can interfere with automation and processing equipment.

And as building space becomes more precious and specifiers are asked to deliver greater functionality within tighter areas and closer neighbour boundaries, refrigeration and HVAC sys-

36

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

tems can face greater demands to reduce NVH levels to avoid conflict with workplace NVH requirements on the one hand, and increasingly automated production and building control systems on the other.

"Even common screw compressors, for example, can be an issue, and typically operate in noise ranges of 40-90dB," according to James Maslin, technical product manager for pneumatic isolation specialists Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd. "Where noise levels reach or exceed the upper level in this instance, being exposed for longer periods of time can be considered dangerous for hearing."

Two solutions to such NVH issues are offered

by Air Springs Supply, which is national distributor for Firestone isolation technologies used globally in commercial and industrial applications by architects, engineers, specifiers and building managers.

The first is Airmount air springs in capacities from a few dozen kilograms to more than 40,000kg each.

These hugely robust products from Firestone provide isolation efficiencies often exceeding 99 per cent – so good in fact they can be used beneath giant film projectors or hospital operating beds.

The second solution is Marsh Mellow solid rubber-and-fabric isolators so tough that they are used beneath vibrating screens in stone quarries and mining facilities, as well as agricultural product materials handling facilities where they tame the shaking otherwise entering surrounding areas, while simultaneously eliminating the noise that previously dominated the workplace.

Airmount isolators have been called into service as passive or semi-passive isolators to provide isolation efficiencies of up to 99 per cent for applications such as HVAC and chiller equipment, emergency generators and rotating plant in buildings (so the building doesn't shake when they start up, particularly alarming in high-rise) and beneath laboratory, educational and testing equipment.

"A great virtue of our single, double and tripleconvoluted Airmount isolators is low-or nomaintenance simplicity," Maslin said.

"They are highly engineered balloons, carefully constructed to deliver a range of outstandingly sensitive NVH performance across a very broad spectrum of needs."

Capable of virtually indefinitely supporting weights from a few kilograms to 40,000kg each, they are manufactured by Firestone to the same standards as the Air Springs used as OEM equipment in the suspensions of trains, buses and heavy trucks used to carry coal, rock and precious cargoes over outback roads.

Marsh Mellow isolators, meanwhile, have also demonstrated they also can easily carry the weight of the compressors, pumps, chillers and HVAC systems typically installed in applications such as food and beverage plants and primary processing facilities including meat, poultry and fish processing plants.

Boilers and Heating

All such places encounter the issue of vibration that occurs in all rotating or reciprocating machinery because of forces generated within it.

Marsh Mellows give consistent performance regardless of changing loads, while offering high lateral stability and compact size. Marsh Mellow springs are constructed of a solid rubber core with a hollow centre and several plies of fabric-reinforced rubber as an outer cover.

The plies provide the springs with stability as well as a consistent cylindrical shape.

Marsh Mellow springs are quiet in operation, unlike steel springs which readily transmit high frequency structural noise and often suffer from

coil chatter. A failing coil spring may crack, causing fragments of the coil to damage equipment, resulting in expensive downtime.

"This problem is eliminated with Marsh Mellow springs, which are tolerant of overload and, if they ever do fail, do not fail catastrophically," Maslin said.

"The quiet performance of Marsh Mellows – and the fact that they resist water and grit – means they are ideal for applications where high levels of workplace safety and hygiene are essential."

Certified to ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems – Requiraements, Air Springs Supply has more than 30 years' experience in pneumatic engineering, with a longestablished national sales, service and technical support network to help provide solutions for industry.

Contact sales@airsprings.com.au for more information. ✺

Modupak represents a new level of versatility WHEN FLEXIBILITY AND versatility count, the Ambassador Condensing Boiler Modupak Assembly is the perfect choice for new and replacement boiler installations.

Incorporating high efficiency Ambassador Condensing Boiler Modules, Airatherm has created the Modupak concept to ring a new level of versatility to the boiler market with factory preassembled Modular boiler packages from 200kW to 2000kW outputs for indoor plant room or outdoor applications.

The highest quality Ambassador Condensing Boilers have been made in Europe for over 20 years and are now available in Australia to suit Australian conditions. They are locally assembled into the Modupak Modular Assembly concept to suit any boiler application with high efficiency, long life corrosion resistant stainless steel heat exchangers, high turn down electronic modulation and ignition control, inbuilt pumps and inbuilt cascade remote tempera-

ture set point adjustment with staging optimisation for balanced durability over the entire modular package.

Maximum load turndown and builtin redundancy are key features of the Modupak concept. For example, each independent boiler module can be totally isolated for service, repair or even replacement without the need to shutdown the entire boiler system.

Plant room installation time and cost savings are also significant features of the Ambassador Modupak as each system is supplied factory-assembled and fully completed on a heavy duty floor mountable stand which has an integrated builtin flanged hydrolic separator to suit all system requirements.

This is in addition to flow and return headers with flexible pipe connections for each boiler module.

The Ambassador’s modular assembly concept makes it suitable for any boiler application.

LEFT TO RIGHT: No-maintenance Marsh Mellow isolators.

Airmount air springs

Cost effective installation is easy as the Modupak systems are supplied with single pipe connection for flow and return, gas, pressure relief and drain, along with a plastic condensate pipe outlet ready for direct connection to an optional condensate neutraliser unit piped to a suitable sewer drainage point.

Flue systems can be very economical with simple 100mm single flue outlets per module or they can be more complex with multiple boiler module flue outlets into one single larger flue outlet configuration.

Even plant room sealed combustion air systems are possible simply by ducting fresh outside air to each boiler module.

If access is a problem, the Ambassador Modupak systems are ideeal for difficult plant room boiler replacement projects.

The Ambassador Modupak can be supplied complete or in SKD kit form for easy handling of single boiler modules, stand and header assemblies for easy access up stairwells, goods lift and even through standard door widths eliminating the need for expensive crainage or building mofications.

For more information about the Ambassador Modupak range contact Airatherm Pty Ltd on (03) 87395408. ✺ CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JUNE 2018

37

Boilers and Heating

Energy efficiency grants program simplified to boost productivity

Double digit growth for heat pump rivals THE GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP MARKET IS GROWING AT A RATE OF 12.04 PER CENT FROM 2017 TO 2021.

HEAT PUMPS REQUIRE high initial investments for procurement and installation which has restrained the market.

However, the cost savings that the heat pumps offer are far more than what the traditional furnaces offer. Thus, the noteworthy savings and comfort that the heat pumps offer have encouraged some SMEs to buy refurbished and reconditioned geothermal heat pumps.

This has given way to the development of a parallel market for used machines.

There are manufacturers that repair and recondition the machine for resale.

Heat pumps are extensively used for space heating or space cooling in residential as well as commercial applications.

Since the emphasis is on energy efficiency and reduction of emissions, building energy management systems (BEMS) is an emerging concept that can lead to significant energy savings.

The global BEMS market is projected to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period.

Countries such as the United States and Australia have introduced energy labels such as the Energy Star and Three-Star that rate buildings

38

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

based on energy consumption and other parameters. These ratings have further spurred the demand for BEMS. One market undergoing significant growth is the European market which will see the installation of six million units by 2024.

Demand for highly developed and energy-efficient boilers is on the rise, prompting the EU to lay down an even more stringent regulatory framework with regards to energy efficiency.

As a result the European market is set to witness a massive growth.

There has been escalating demand for multiple boiler set-ups across the commercial and residential sectors.

For example, in 2017 Weil-McLain added three new smaller sizes to its advanced condensing boiler line. With this new addition, the company has managed to produce a condensing boiler for residential applications. In addition, for attracting more customers it has also worked on the design and aesthetic features of its products, which seemingly resulted in the improved functionality of boilers.

The implementation of advanced control functions is changing the heating landscape and setting the scene for the adoption of next generation technologies.

The development of gas-powered water heaters, ultra-efficient hybrid systems, and new heating technologies for commercial applications have generated many lucrative opportunities for players in the boiler market. âœş

SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA (SV) has simplified its $6.1 million grants program for businesses seeking to reduce energy costs.

SV provides grants to businesses that spend between $20,000 and $50,000 a year on energy under its Boosting Business Productivity Program.

The good news is that businesses can now get up to $2000 to engage expert advice on reducing energy costs without having to match the State Government's contribution.

The program also offers a $3000 Implementation Bonus when energy efficiency recommendations are introduced.

Sustainability Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan, said making the grants more accessible will help more businesses cut costs and increase energy efficiency.

"Energy efficiency is key to unlocking the productivity of Victorian businesses, and making them more competitive," Krpan said.

Companies spending more than $50,000 a year are eligible to receive a detailed energy assessment.

For businesses getting detailed energy assessments (co-funded by government up to $15,000), the Implementation Bonus rises from $3000 to $5000 to unlock greater savings.

Krpan said Materials Efficiency Grants of up to $13,000 are also available to help businesses make more efficient use of materials, while Gas Efficiency Grants of up to $50,000 can be used to upgrade equipment to deliver gas savings.

Grants for energy efficiency assessments and upgrades have already been awarded to 70 Victorian businesses ranging from meat processors to wineries and manufacturers of confectionary and chemicals.

Contact Sustainable Business advisors on 1300 363 744. âœş

Stan Krpan

• • • • • • •

New products

App allows tenants to review heating and cooling strategies BUILDINGIQ HAS LAUNCHED a mobile app designed to provide a building’s facilities team with access to BuildingIQ’s 5i Platform while onthe-go.

With the app, members of the facilities team can identify and submit issues within a facility or campus, document with mobile photos, and automatically create a maintenance ticket in the moment.

Features can also be enabled to allow tenants to submit service requests for automatic ticket creation. The app may also be used to engage tenants on how they feel about the space by enabling a Comfort module.

With Comfort enabled, it takes only a few seconds for a building occupant to let the facilities team know if a location is too warm, cold, or just right. This vital feedback is mapped to building system status and presented through heat maps depicting the human factor of cooling and heating operations.

The BuildingIQ mobile app is now available for current BuildingIQ customers utilising Facility Worksite.

CN Tower's director of facilities and engineering, Jimmy Cheung, said mobile apps can be great for productivity when done right.

"Apps that combine both facilities professional and tenant tools in one – like BuildingIQ's app – are potentially very valuable in delivering flexibility, utility and engagement," he said.

Fast response to changes in humidity THE NEW OPTIDEW range from Michell Instruments offers the fastest response to changes in humidity of any chilled mirror instrument on the market.

Michell's engineers have developed a unique, hybrid mirror to provide a fast response to changes in temperature and humidity, while also improving the drift-free accuracy of the fundamental chilled mirror technique by 25 per cent to ±0.15°C. The mirror is highly resistant to corrosion from acids and other contaminants, and, during rigorous testing, outlasted other mirrors based on traditional designs. Customers will be offered three choices of sensor: single and dual stage cooling, plus a dual-stage sensor which is designed specifically for use in harsh, demanding applications.

This harsh environment sensor is capable of operating in temperatures up to 120°C. The new Optidew has two formats – the Optidew 501 wall mounted unit, and the Optidew 401 bench top instrument. Both are available with a full colour touchscreen HMI for easy local operation and interrogation.

The Optidew 501 is also available as a transmitter, without a screen, for integration into a DCS, or an environmental monitoring system such as the adaptive Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS).

Michell also offers PC-based software for data capture and graphing.

The transmitter version also includes a multi-colour LED indicator which clearly displays the instruments' status for operators to view locally.

Visit www.ams-ic.com.au for more information.

The new Optidew has two formats – it can be a wall mounted unit or bench top instrument.

Feedback is mapped and presented through heat maps depicting the human factor of cooling and heating operations.

40

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

"This is especially true as building owners, management firms and facility companies all embrace broader service offerings."

The app is an integral part of BuildingIQ's mobile-focused strategy to aid facilities teams by improving their efficiency and creating more powerful technology-enabled services for the buildings industry.

The Service Centre module provides an overview of all work orders so that managers can ensure operations are running smoothly in real-time.

By enabling the Comfort module of the BuildingIQ mobile app, facilities teams will be able to gauge the 'human' impact of their heating and cooling strategies, by turning

tenants into the ultimate building sensors.

Everything is made simpler by using the Goldilocks principle – a tenant is either too cold, too hot, or just right at any time during the day.

When submitting comfort information, feedback will be tagged by location within a building by floor and, more specifically, by the space/zone on that floor.

The data can then be used to create heat maps to correlate hot and cold comfort calls with building system settings. This will encourage more real-time feedback, replacing hot and cold calls that occur only once discomfort has escalated to a point of disruption.

Learn more at www.buildingiq.com/app.

New products

Portfolio adds a new dimension ABB HAS LAUNCHED a new energy and asset management portfolio, ‘Give your buildings a new dimension’, as part of its drive for greater energy efficiency through digitalisation.

The first step in managing a building's energy consumption is to understand exactly how much is used and where this usage occurs. With this information one can highlight areas for improvement, which in turn enables buildings to become more efficient and their users to reduce costs.

ABB's metering devices are able to connect with a building's cloud-based system and intelligently acquire, store and analyse this information to drive efficiency for the long term.

The new portfolio brings together two existing energy monitoring solutions, the CMS-700 circuitmonitoring system, and the EQmatic energy analyser. It integrates the functionality of both systems with the company's cloud-based ABB Ability Electrical Distribution Control System.

The result is a fully scalable portfolio, with both embedded and external plug and play connectivity, ranging from on-premise monitoring to cloud-based services. By embedding the connectivity and software in essential power hardware, ABB's solution integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the building, according to Frank-Andreas Winter, the company's digital lead for the electrification products division.

"ABB Ability is supporting the digital transfor-

Hardware and software is tailored to the specific needs of the customer.

mation of public, commercial and industrial buildings and power technologies by making smarter asset and energy management second nature," he said.

"The 'Give your buildings a new dimension' portfolio tailors the hardware and software to the specific needs of the customer. Its scalability provides advanced functionalities on our cloudbased ABB Ability Electrical Distribution Control System and can deliver cost effective digitalisation using software embedded in the site's power hardware."

The 'Give your buildings a new dimension' portfolio, which can be scaled to suit a range of small to medium sized businesses, enables electrical installers, energy and facility managers, and building owners to maximise smarter building solutions in order to collect

and visualise data, both on-site and remotely.

This in turn optimises energy consumption allocation and asset supervision, driving greater efficiency.

"Our harmonised offering of cloud-based energy efficiency and asset management solutions helps customers to benefit from the increasing number of connected devices and available data," Winter said. "This results in energy savings of up to 30 per cent, increased productivity and a more sustainable business model."

The ABB Ability Electrical Distribution Control System requires 25 per cent fewer hardware components and up to 60 per cent less cabling than conventional solutions. Plug and play modules or devices are enough to set up the network and cloud connectivity on new installations, as well as upgrading existing ones.

ATEX certification for portable analysers THE POPULAR RANGE of portable galvanic electro-chemical oxygen analysers from Advanced Instruments now has ATEX approved for use in atmospheres containing acetylene and/or hydrogen.

The instruments with the new certification are the GPR-1000, GPR-1100 and GPR-2000 portable range and the GPR-1200 premium portable analyser which are used to measure oxygen to ensure product quality or avoid potentially explosive atmospheres by detecting leaks.

Using AII's galvanic oxygen sensors, the portable analysers are simple to use with low main-

tenance. The sensors have a life between 24 and 32 months, and replacing them is quick and easy to do.

The portables have an innovative design which eliminates the waiting time between measurements, provides an instant purge and a fast response to changes in oxygen levels.

The instruments also feature a state of the art sample bypass system that isolates the sensors from high concentrations of air and allows a quick recovery from an upset. They are convenient to use in the field with a long battery life of up to 30 days on a single charge.

The instruments, which are used to measure oxygen and detect leaks, have new certification.

CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS  JUNE 2018

41

Temperature Gauge

dress the disparity in BIM education and converge towards a consistent policy approach.

I am hoping this can be done by bringing together a group of academics from different Australian universities to develop such a framework – a project I am already a part of developing in the US, and something that's also being established in the UK. Embracing BIM is a crucial way Australia's construction industry can make the important efficiency gains needed to reduce a reported 30 per cent wastage, due to issues like poor communication between architects, engineers and contractors, changes to budgets and timelines, and fixing defective work.

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY LECTURER, DR M REZA HOSSEINI, EXPLAINS WHY AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO INTRODUCE A COMMON TERTIARY EDUCATION STRATEGY TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR EXPERTISE IN DIGITAL ENGINEERING OR BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM).

Call to join the construction revolution BIM GOES BEYOND 3D design and serves as a tool that connects architects, building contractors and owners which is critical to improving building efficiency.

BIM is the digital modelling of buildings or infrastructure to provide an intelligent system that connects everyone involved in the development, and can be used as a reliable basis for decisions during a building's life cycle – from construction all the way through to the end of life.

A large proportion of Australian companies today are using BIM and this trend is growing steadily so demand for associated skilled professionals is predicted to increase substantially.

Despite this there is no integrated plan across Australia's tertiary sector to guide a universal curriculum in the core knowledge, skills and abilities relating to BIM. At Deakin, two new units focusing on BIM were introduced last year into construction management courses – Introduction to Building Information Modelling for undergraduate students, and Principles of Building Information Modelling for postgraduates.

42

CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU

The School of Architecture and Built Environment is also developing a "BIM at Deakin" online resource with information for staff and students in this field.

While several other Australian universities are introducing similar units, they varied in content across institutions, and therefore did not provide consistent student learning outcomes beneficial for industry.

An overarching framework is needed to make sure the units and curriculum align across institutions, which is what is already the case for other construction units, with relevant course accreditation through bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

Last year the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council and the Australian Construction Industry Forum released a BIM Knowledge and Skills Framework for industry, and it needs to be extended to the tertiary sector.

The community of BIM practitioners, educators and service users in Australia need to ad-

“THE VALUE OF THE WORK DONE IN THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WILL BE AROUND $203 BILLION IN 2019-2020, MAKING IT A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO AUSTRALIA’S GDP.” - DR M REZA HOSSEINI

The value of the work done in the Australian construction industry will be around $203 billion in 2019-2020, making it a significant contributor to Australia's GDP. With our cities set to double in size over the next 50 years, and with government increasingly committed to infrastructure investment, this would be good news for construction.

Right now construction in Australia is only as efficient as it can be under current conditions. Over the last decade profit margins have been declining, and the construction industry experiences the highest proportion of firms going into liquidation, at 18 per cent.

All this points to the fact that the way we build must be made more efficient. Modern methods such as off-site construction offer a way forward, but whatever the process improvement adopted, BIM will lie at the heart of the efficiency gains.

BIM has the potential to revolutionise the Australian construction sector. ✺ DR M REZA HOSSEINI Dr Hosseini is a lecturer in construction at Deakin University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment. He is a civil engineer and has a Msc in construction management.

& INNOVATIVE

NEW

CO Smart Sensor NOW AVAILABLE designed and manufactured by Regulator Automation

CO3800 – CO Smart Sensor

8 Hope St, Ermington, NSW 2115

(02) 9804 6366

info@regulatoraustralia.com.au

Air Conditioning Controls & Instrumentation

regulatoraustralia.com.au

318A-REG188452

- Designed and Manufactured by Regulator Automation in Sydney.

- Slim and attractive wall mounted sensor casing design.

- Unique feature: has a tiny fan that draws air in from the bottom of the housing through a dust filter over the sensor and discharges through the top. This ensures a positive response to carbon monoxide emissions while the sensor is well protected inside the polycarbonate housing.

- Power and communications are supplied over one pair of wires.

- Connects to Regulator’s TC5044 controller - Up to 10 CO3800 sensors can be fitted to the TC5044 controller - There is a 4 position DIP switch on each sensor. If the DIP switches are set for each sensor then the CO level for each area can be read at the controller. The controller will recognise how many sensors are connected and will select the highest CO level to control the carpark ventilation fan(s). If the DIP switches are not set, then the controller will allocate an address to each sensor, however the CO Levels for each area will not be available, only the highest CO level detected.

- Each CO3800 Carbon Monoxide sensor is calibrated as a group in a custom calibration chamber complete with a calibration label.

US7

AS SMART, AS IT IS STYLISH

2.5kW 5.0kW

The Daikin US7 split system air conditioner is the top of its class. Packed with advanced features that distinguishes itself from every other split system, it provides premium air quality for your home with its humidifying, dehumidifying, ventilating and air purification capabilities that not only have made it a Sensitive Choice approved product by the National Asthma Council of Australia, but has also earned it a 7-star ‘Super Efficiency’ rating.*

- TO -

CAPACITY RANGE

It’s Australia’s most energy efficient split system and technology you’d expect from a Daikin.

*Note: 7 Star Efficiency refers to US7 2.5kW model

CONTACT US ON

1300 368 300

FOR MORE INFORMATION

daikin.com.au

® FFICIENCY RATIN ER E G SUP

FFICIENCY RATIN ER E G SUP

The more stars the more energy efficient

Cooling

The more stars the more energy efficient

Heating

ENERGY RATING

ENERGY RATING

Capacity Output kW

Power Input kW

2.50

0.42

A joint government and industry program Daikin air conditioner FTXZ25N / RXZ25N

Compare models at www.energyrating.gov.au

Capacity Output kW

3.60

Power Input kW

0.62

Variable output compressor (heating and cooling)

YES



NO

When tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3823.2.

Actual energy use and running costs will depend on how you use the appliance Demand Response (AS4755)

Mode 1

Mode 2

Mode 3

APPROVED