Spring 2023

Well, it has been a busy few weeks, and as I put pen to paper for this column AIRAH has just held the Future of HVAC 2023 conference, along with the Building Physics Forum and Big Data and Analytics Forum, which were all held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, writes Paul Jackson, F.AIRAH.

A six-storey Amsterdam building comprising laboratories and office space incorporates sustainable thinking from every possible angle, writes Laura Timberlake.

Given the considerable amount of transport infrastructure under construction, on drawing boards and taking shape in the daydreams of ambitious politicians, the concept of zero carbon transport buildings is featuring heavily in discussions amount those concerned about sustainability for our stations.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) using electromagnetic radiation in the UV‑C wavelength band of 200–280nm can prevent the reproduction of microorganisms. Several factors related to UV fixtures, HVAC layout and the resulting airflow flow patterns can affect the performance of upper‑room UVGI applications.

Fusion Group Holdings, owner of Fusion Modulair, has acquired Sydney-based Smartair Diffusion, a leading developer and supplier of air diffusion products.

Does your work actually matter – to you? To your employees? Answers to these questions are important because today many employees are looking for meaning and purpose in their work, in addition to receiving a paycheque. Most people – particularly the younger generation – prefer to do something that also adds value to the world.

What gets measured gets managed is a truism of our age. But in the case of refrigerant gases, could a heavy reliance on one specific measurement be concealing the full sustainability story? Mark Vender reports.

Daikin Australia has launched a new Stylish Controller incorporating a Zigbee 3.0 protocol to facilitate connection to a range of Daikin wireless sensors.

In 2016 Reliable Controls released RC-RemoteAccess, a BACnet virtual private network (B/VPN) software solution designed to harden BACnet building automation networks and protect them from malicious actors.

What role does data play in the electrification of buildings? With a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence and the interaction with the electricity grid, a panel at AIRAH’s recent Building Date Forum explored this fascinating topic.

Desiring to use actionable data from our buildings is undoubtedly a good thing. To effectively do this, however, defining terms and allocating responsibility for tasks is essential – especially when the “smarts” from our edifices exist in the space between systems.

An El Niño weather event has been declared, amid realisation that 2023 appears likely to be the hottest year on record.

M3 Melbourne is one of two data centres in the Victorian capital that are set to house Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cloud ecosystem.

Awards, celebrating distinguished contributions in Australia’s HVAC&R and building services sector. Awards are handed out in six categories: young achiever, product excellence, software/digital excellence, project excellence, outstanding industry education/training, and the ARBS Industry Hall of Fame.

At the recent Women of AIRAH breakfast, attendees were challenged to be agents of change for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector.