The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has developed a discussion paper about the potential for building manuals to address long-standing problems with inaccurate and incomplete building information. Issues with building documentation were highlighted in the Building Confidence Report, published in 2018. It recommended that each state and territory require a comprehensive building manual to be […]
The Department for Energy and Mining in South Australia has put forward proposed local demand response requirements for selected appliances, including air conditioners. Appliances with demand response (DR) capabilities can be used to shift load of appliances and to lower peak demand on the network. For air conditioners in particular, DR has the potential to […]
Two new units of competency are being added to the Electrotechnology Training Package. The technical advisory committees (TACs) have now considered all stakeholder feedback and the draft materials are available for final validation to ensure they meet industry needs. The unit UEERA999Y Inspect, test and repair fire and smoke control features of mechanical services systems […]
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has invited comments for the fourth public review of BSR/IIAR CO2-202x, Safety Standard for Closed-Circuit Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration Systems. The public review period runs until March 14. “Substantive changes resulting from this public review will also be provided for comment in a future public review if necessary,” the IIAR […]
New training units have been drafted for the electrotechnology training package and are open for comment. The two new units cover variable refrigerant flow (VRF) AC systems, and emergency lighting and alarm systems/fire and smoke control systems. Both will be included as an elective in Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration. The new unit of […]
The Australia Building Codes Board (ABCB) is has released three discussion papers on responses to the Building Confidence Report (BCR), and is looking for input until February 28. The BCR was published in 2018 and identified significant problems with the compliance and enforcement systems for Australia’s building and construction industry. In response, the Building Ministers’ […]
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has opened a public consultation to expand the range of energy efficiency upgrades available to households and businesses, as part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. The VEU program is established under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Act 2007 to help Victoria reduce its […]
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) on the phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters. The RIS is open for public consultation until February 22, 2021. Under certain circumstances, open-flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide […]
New South Wales has taken a major step towards starting its scheme for professional registration of engineers. The draft Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2020 has been released for public consultation, and is open for comment until Monday, January 11. The Regulation has been developed to support the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, which was […]
Three technical discussion papers, for industrial pumps, compressors and boilers, have been released for industry comment. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program prioritisation plan identified these industrial products as high priority and a focus for immediate attention. The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, on behalf of the Committee overseeing the E3 Program, […]