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Tag: Slider
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China to tackle HFCs
China has proposed a national plan to deal with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The plan recommends adjusting the existing regulations dealing with Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) to cover HFCs, and to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of existing measures. It also proposes adding HFCs to existing regulations consistent with implementation of the Kigali Amendment, including a quota system […]
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Webinars on safe use of HFC alternatives
Industry groups in Europe and around the world are joining together to provide information on the safe adoption of alternatives to high-GWP HFC refrigerants via the REAL Alternatives 4 LIFE learning program. The program covers the full range of low-GWP refrigerants, including hydrocarbons, HFOs, carbon dioxide and ammonia. On May 28, the REAL Alternatives 4 […]
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Legionella on the rise in Sydney
As governments begin easing COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Ministry of Health (NSW Health) has issued a reminder that building owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to ensure air conditioning cooling towers are properly maintained, to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. “There has been an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease across the Sydney […]
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Rebound offers “once in a generation” opportunity
A new white paper is encouraging leaders from government and industry to use the COVID-19 recovery to transform our traditional construction processes. “The global construction industry cannot continue operating the way it does,” write co-authors Sumit Oberoi and Alain Waha in the paper, titled Industrialised Construction: The Rebound from COVID-19. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, […]
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NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index 2020
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Sustainable Portfolios Index (SPI) 2020 is now available online. The SPI explores the top 40 property portfolios in Australia achieving measurable sustainability actions. A portfolio consists of two or more buildings with NABERS ratings owned by the same company. The SPI also provides comparative business intelligence on […]
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Restarting hibernating HVAC systems
The Property Council of Australia, Facility Management Association (FMA) and the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) have called on building owners and facilities managers to commence careful planning for the safe reopening of commercial buildings and workplaces across Australia. The advice comes as the national cabinet and state governments announce easing […]
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Experts call for indoor humidity guidelines
Leading members of the international scientific and medical community have called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish global guidance on the minimum lower limit of air humidity in public buildings. Those behind the move have created a petition, which they say is aimed at increasing global public awareness about the crucial role indoor […]
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COVID-19 devastates housing industry
An economic modelling released by Master Builders Australia has shown that up to 43,000 new homes will not be built this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. CEO of Master Builders Australia, Denita Wawn, says the new modelling conducted by Master Builders Australia shows the devastating impact the lockdown of the economy is having on the […]
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Queensland to review licence regulations
The Queensland government has confirmed it will work to address a loophole in its new licensing framework for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. At the beginning of 2020, a new HVAC&R licensing framework was introduced in Queensland. Workers now require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence for mechanical services work. This includes air […]
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Speculation rife on airborne COVID-19
New studies have fuelled speculation about COVID-19 spreading through the air, and emphasised the vital role that HVAC systems will play in controlling the virus. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the World Health Organization has advised that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets. When someone with […]
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Big Data and Analytics Forum moves online
AIRAH has announced the 2020 edition of Big Data and Analytics Forum will be hosted online. Originally scheduled to take place in Melbourne on August 6, this year’s event will instead be delivered entirely as a virtual forum. The 2020 Big Data and Analytics Virtual Forum will be a live-streamed half-day event to be held […]
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Opportunity for work-day building maintenance
With many buildings across Australia currently empty, AIRAH board member and Country Leader, Integrated Technologies – Digital Solution, at Johnson Controls Australia, Ura Sarfejoo, has highlighted the opportunity for facilities to consider upgrades to improve building efficiencies, without disruption to tenants. Sarfejoo believes that with the current low occupancy rates in buildings, the maintenance of […]
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ASHRAE issues statements on COVID-19
In response to “widening false statements” in the US advising people not to run residential or commercial HVAC systems because of COVID-19, ASHRAE has issued its own statements on the matter. “In light of the current global pandemic, it’s critically important that ASHRAE responds with guidance on mitigating the transmission of the virus, as well […]
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ISHRAE releases COVID-19 Guidance Document
It may have emerged originally in Wuhan, China, but the COVID-19 coronavirus has touched upon everyone almost everywhere, including in India. With the potential for casualties in the densely populated nation immense, and confusing abounding, the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers has released the ISHRAE COVID-19 Guidance Document. “India, with the […]
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COVID-19 ventilation guide
European industry association Eurovent has released a guide on the operation of ventilation systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The document presents general and basic recommendations on the operation and maintenance of ventilation systems in accordance with instructions and applicable hygiene standards. According to the Eurovent website, there is currently no evidence that the coronavirus […]
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Global Cooling Prize timeline extension
The Global Cooling Prize Supervisory Board and Operating Council of the Prize have announced that the Prize timeline will be extended. The Global Cooling Prize is a global competition designed to spur development of a radically more energy efficient cooling technology. The decision comes as a result of the global escalation of measures to contain […]
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AIRAH launches ARPEng program
To support Australia’s new professional registration schemes for engineers, AIRAH has launched the AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (ARPEng) accreditation program for Mechanical Engineer – HVAC&R professionals. Last year, in response to the Shergold-Weir Building Confidence report, the Building Ministers Forum (BMF) signalled the need for a nationally harmonised registration scheme for building practitioners, including engineers. The Queensland […]
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What COVID-19 is teaching us about resilience
Over the past month, Australia’s measures to control the spread of the coronavirus have profoundly changed the way we interact with the built environment. In simple terms, it has meant people spending the majority of their day at home rather than another workplace. But, according to members of AIRAH’s Resilience Special Technical Group (STG), it […]
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REHVA publishes COVID-19 guidance
The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) has published a guidance document for building services in areas with a coronavirus disease outbreak. The document is targeted at HVAC professionals and facility managers working in commercial and public buildings. It provides practical recommendations for preventing the spread of coronavirus through HVAC and […]
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ARBS 2020: New dates announced
ARBS has been rescheduled to be held from February 15–17, 2021. The event was originally planned for May 19-21, 2020, but had been postponed due to the coronavirus. The exhibition will remain in the same venue at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. According to ARBS Exhibition Organiser Sue Falcke, it will occupy the same […]