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Can UV-c stop COVID-19?
Light Let there be Can UV-c stop COVID-19? - AIRAH
F E AT U R E

22   A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M
Light Let there be Can UV-c stop COVID-19? - AIRAH
Excellent
adventure      A new world-class facility in Melbourne has redefined
    specialist HVAC vocational education and training by simulating
and replicating entire systems commonly found in today’s buildings.
             Sean McGowan explores the HVAC Centre of Excellence
                                 at Holmesglen’s Chadstone campus.
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FE ATURE

     The HVAC Centre of Excellence is the           Balancing and commissioning is critical      STRONG INDUSTRY
     outcome of a collaborative initiative          to the performance, energy efficiency
     created through a partnership between          and safety of buildings.”                    SUPPORT
     Holmesglen Institute and peak industry                                                      The AMCA was involved in the
     body the AMCA (Air Conditioning and            As well as ensuring those in the HVAC
                                                                                                 development of the Refrigeration
     Mechanical Contractors’ Association)           industry have the knowledge and skills
                                                                                                 and Climate Control Centre of
     with the input and support of HVAC             required to meet the daily challenges they
                                                                                                 Excellence (RCCC) at Box Hill TAFE
     businesses and the Victorian government.       face when working, the HVAC Centre
                                                                                                 (see Ecolibrium March 2016). It therefore
                                                    of Excellence also helps to promote the      has long known the benefits that a
     Purpose-built, it is the first training        industry by demonstrating a bright and
     facility of its kind to offer applied                                                       cutting-edge facility can deliver to both
                                                    exciting career pathway.                     apprentices and post‑trade students.
     learning.
                                                    “School leavers are faced with countless     So, when the concept of a HVAC Centre
     “Through exposure to a simulated ‘live’        career choices, meaning that building
     system, the Centre builds students’                                                         of Excellence at Holmesglen received
                                                    and construction companies are not           strong industry support – including
     skills quickly in what would take years        only competing amongst themselves
     in the workplace,” says former AMCA                                                         that from equipment suppliers and
                                                    for talent, but with other sectors that      mechanical services contractors –
     executive director, Sumit Oberoi.              offer the types of technology-centric        consultation began on what such a
     He says the Centre and its integration of      career opportunities that appeal to          facility would need to look like.
     latest technologies such as energy‑efficient   younger workers,” says Oberoi.
     systems and building information                                                            “The AMCA and Holmesglen have
                                                    “Having such an advanced facility gives      enjoyed a strong and collaborative
     modelling (BIM) software reflect               us an opportunity to demonstrate the
     contemporary industry practices.                                                            relationship over many years,”
                                                    types of career pathways that exist,         says Oberoi. “The strength of this
     “The Centre is the only applied                including things such as balancing and       relationship comes from our regular
     balancing and commissioning learning           commissioning, digital design and BIM,       roundtables, which provide an open
     centre in the world to our knowledge,”         modelling and the optimisation of energy     forum for both parties to raise issues
     Oberoi says, “and will make an                 performance using sophisticated building     and workshop solutions. And over
     important contribution to our industry.        monitoring systems.”                         time, we both realised that in order to
                                                                                                 improve training outcomes significantly,
                                                                 Balancing and commissioning
                                                                                                 we needed a facility where students can
                                                                     can be demonstrated in a    have access to the latest technologies and
                                                                  contextualised environment.    apply their learning in an environment
                                                                                                 that replicates the types of challenges
                                                                                                 they face in real buildings.”
                                                                                                 But it was not until funding was
                                                                                                 made available through the Victorian
                                                                                                 government’s Workforce Training
                                                                                                 Innovation Fund, and Regional and
                                                                                                 Specialist Training Fund, that the
                                                                                                 Centre became a reality.
                                                                                                 Drawing on the experiences and
                                                                                                 knowledge of industry members,
                                                                                                 the needs of both employers and their
                                                                                                 staff were identified. Valuable insights
                                                                                                 into the types of technologies, systems
                                                                                                 and training delivery methods that
                                                                                                 would ensure the Centre developed
                                                                                                 the skills required of today’s dynamic
                                                                                                 marketplace were also sought.
                                                                                                 “The HVAC Centre of Excellence
                                                                                                 was designed to meet the training
                                                                                                 and development needs of both
                                                                                                 Holmesglen apprentices and
                                                                                                 students, as well as those working
                                                                                                 in the mechanical services sector,”
                                                                                                 says Ross Digby, Holmesglen’s Dean of
                                                                                                 Building, Construction and Engineering.
                                                                                                 To determine how the Centre could fulfil
                                                                                                 industry training needs, a roundtable
                                                                                                 committee with representatives from key
                                                                                                 stakeholder groups was established.

24   A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M
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FE ATURE

This group identified the specific
training needs of the industry, as well as
an appropriate pedagogy. They also
provided forecast demand planning
and determined skills shortages.
“As an industry, we provided feedback on
the effectiveness of training provision,
which provided Holmesglen with the
information they needed to develop
creative training solutions using the
teaching and learning capabilities
of Holmesglen,” says Oberoi.
The AMCA and Holmesglen also
drew on existing relationships
with manufacturers and suppliers.
This ensured the Centre would
contain the latest technologies,
and could apply them within
a simulated environment.

THE WHOLE
KIT AND CABOODLE
The HVAC Centre of Excellence                The facility provides access to the latest technologies and applies
is located within Building 2 of              learning in an environment that replicates real-world challenges.
Holmesglen’s Chadstone campus.
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FE ATURE

                                                                                  The facility features cutting-edge
                                                                                  equipment and technology in a
                                                                                  simulated environment that replicates
                                                                                  the technologically advanced and
                                                                                  environmentally efficient mechanical
                                                                                  services systems found in today’s
                                                                                  climate‑controlled buildings.
                                                                                  These technologies have also been
                                                                                  combined with the latest learning delivery
                                                                                  platforms, including augmented reality.
                                                                                  “It has the capability to simulate a
                                                                                  wide range of HVAC scenarios that a
                                                                                  mechanical services tradesperson would
                                                                                  encounter in their role,” says Digby.
                                                                                  “Indeed, many may never even encounter
                                                                                  some of the more specialised scenarios
                                                                                  that can be simulated in the HVAC
                                                                                  Centre of Excellence.”
                                                                                  An in-house team at Holmesglen
                                                                                  provided building services engineering
                                                                                  and design for the Centre. Building
                                                                                  services specialist A.G. Coombs was
                                              Exposure to simulated systems
                                                                                  also engaged to provide direction and
                                               builds students’ skills quickly.   input into the design as well as carry out
                                                                                  the installation and commissioning of

26   A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M
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FE ATURE

equipment and systems used for training.
This equipment includes fully operational
air handling units, variable-volume
boxes, ductwork systems, chillers,
boilers, pumps, valve arrangements,
an energy-recovery ventilation unit,
heat exchangers, chilled beams, hydronic
and underfloor heating systems and
various air conditioning split systems.
“All equipment was sourced to suit the
design at a minimal cost to the project,”
says Peter Staedler, project manager
at A.G. Coombs.
“The mechanical services industry
suppliers and manufacturers were
outstanding in providing equipment and
services at no cost, or at minimal cost.”
The installation was designed to fit within
the existing footprint of the building,
with all equipment deliberately exposed
to provide access and full view to staff,
students and trainees.
                                              The mechanical services industry suppliers,
“The location of the air-cooled               manufacturers and contractors provided equipment and services at nil or minimal cost.
chiller, buffer tank and heating water
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FE ATURE

                      Every piece of equipment is fully operational and controlled by the dedicated building management control system (BMCS).

     generator were the most challenging,”
     says A.G. Coombs technical support
     manager Paul Chasteauneuf.
                                                              INDUSTRY WISH LIST
     “We had to work around providing                         When the concept of the HVAC Centre            the industry. Recognising the growing
     an aesthetic façade, an existing                         of Excellence was first broached in            involvement of the industry in many
     external staircase and access cover.”                    2014, the AMCA Technical Committee             pharmaceutical, scientific laboratories
                                                              approached the NEBB Australia                  and healthcare facilities, it was decided
     Every piece of equipment is fully                                                                       to incorporate a clean room with
                                                              (National Environmental Balancing
     operational and controlled by the                                                                       fume cupboard so that the operation,
                                                              Bureau) Victorian chapter for ideas on
     building management control system                                                                      design and set‑up of similar systems
                                                              how the facility could best help the
     (BMCS). The full installation can be                                                                    featuring pressure isolation could be
                                                              industry provide a pathway of transition
     viewed from within the training room,                                                                   demonstrated.
                                                              between mechanical plumbing,
     with students and trainees able to follow
                                                              commissioning and engineering of               “The challenge was to provide
     the controls strategy and operation of
                                                              mechanical services work.                      training for individuals to make the
     equipment from individual terminals.
                                                              In response, A.G. Coombs’ Paul                 connection between the engineering
     The installation of equipment has been                                                                  design and what the system
                                                              Chasteauneuf, who is also technical
     placed so that it is either easily accessible            committee chair for NEBB Australia,            actually does or can do in the field,
     from the floor, or from a safe working                   as well as colleagues from the NEBB            as well as the limitations of field
     height via a 1,200mm platform ladder,                    Victoria committee, put together a wish        measurement and understanding
     for hands-on learning.                                   list of equipment and requirements.
                                                                                                             how different equipment interacts
                                                                                                             with a single system.”
     To provide minimum air conditioning                      “During the process we realised the
     requirements to the facility, much of                    opportunity to create a facility to
                                                                                                             “Therefore, the facility has been
     the building’s existing mechanical                       educate a broad range of trainees and
                                                                                                             aimed at a wide range of individuals
     services system was retained.                            professionals in all aspects of building
                                                                                                             including engineers, drafting
     This standalone system provides the                                                                     professionals, mechanical and
                                                              mechanical systems,” he says.
     opportunity for the separate, training                                                                  electrical installation personnel,
     equipment to be turned on or off as                      As part of this process, the NEBB              project managers, controls
     required for demonstration purposes,                     committee considered the current               technicians and service and
     without impacting the indoor                             technologies and the future needs of           commissioning personnel.” ❚
     conditions of the space.

28   A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M
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BIM IN PRACTICE                            technicians and drafting trainees,”
                                           says A.G. Coombs project draftsman
Building information modelling (BIM)
                                           Stuart Knipe.
software was utilised in the development
of the Centre, with a 3D model             The Centre’s BIM laboratory provides
produced in Revit 2017.2.                  a glimpse into the future of digital
                                           deliverables, with a 3D interactive model
The choice of this drafting platform
                                           illustrating the size and scope of the
enabled mechanical services equipment
                                           facility, as well as allowing the viewer
and systems technology within the
                                           to investigate various items of plant
Centre’s learning laboratory to be
                                           and equipment via the use of tags.
documented and made visually
comprehensible for future students         Each tag provides detailed technical
and users of the training facility.        information about the asset as well
                                           as operational and maintenance
“The new facility provides
                                           information.
numerous education opportunities
to complement a wide variety of            The Centre also utilises augmented
new and experienced participants           reality so that students can hold devices
involved in the air conditioning and       over pieces of equipment to play a video
mechanical services industry, including    explaining its usage, installation date
mechanical plumbers, commissioning         and the last date it was serviced.

  AWARD WINNER
  The HVAC Centre of Excellence won
  the CIBSE Building Performance
  Award 2020 for Learning and
  Development. The plaudit was
  in recognition of the vision and
  commitment of the AMCA and
  Holmesglen in developing the facility.
  “The Learning and Development
  award is especially significant
  because it recognises the impact
  that the Centre will have on
  improving building performance,”
  says Sumit Oberoi, formerly of
  the AMCA.
  “As we grapple with ways to
  transition towards net-zero buildings
  and a low-carbon economy,
  increasing our workforce’s ability
  to deliver more energy-efficient
  and higher performing buildings
  is absolutely critical.”
  And according to Ross Digby
  from Holmesglen, the award also
  recognises the leadership role of
  Victoria’s HVAC industry.
  “This award is not only recognition
  for Holmesglen and the AMCA …
  but it is also recognition for
  Victoria’s HVAC industry,” Digby
  says. “We are a world leader in the
  ongoing training and development of
  the existing and future tradespeople       The facility features equipment and
  and technician in the sector.”             technology in a simulated environment
  The HVAC Centre of Excellence              that replicates the technologically
  was also a finalist in the ARBS 2020       advanced and environmentally efficient
                                             mechanical services systems found in
  Industry Awards. ❚
                                             modern climate-controlled buildings.
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FE ATURE

COMMISSIONED
The HVAC Centre of Excellence has been designed for use by a wide range of industry
professions including engineers, draftspersons, mechanical and electrical installation
personnel, service and maintenance technicians, project managers, controls technicians
and commissioning professionals.
Commissioning professionals are particularly catered for, given their integral role in the
efficient operation of mechanical services equipment.
“Commissioning of modern environmental systems is heavily dependent on good
design, drafting, project management and installation of systems,” says A.G. Coombs’
Paul Chasteauneuf.
“In order to provide the best energy, performance and serviceability outcomes for
building owners, it is important that all stakeholders work together and have good
understanding of the systems.
“We believe that the Centre provides the opportunity for all stakeholders to either
learn or improve their knowledge and understanding of building environmental
systems as well as a place to share their knowledge to improve the industry.” ❚

                                                                                             A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M 31
FE ATURE

     The AMCA believes this hi-tech
     learning environment will maximise
     learning outcomes.
     To cater for Holmesglen’s Certificate IV
     in Engineering Drafting program, the
     facility offers the opportunity for teaching
     and performing site measuring tasks and
     point cloud scanning technology training
     away from the “red tape” and restrictions
     of a building site.
     “Trainees gain valuable knowledge about
     the various components that make up a
     system, receive basic technical instruction
     in relation to equipment operation, and
     identify how a drafting model compares
     to an as-installed system,” says Knipe.

     ROLL IN/ROLL OUT                               through the creation of balancing             The new HVAC Centre of Excellence
                                                    and commissioning scenarios.                  at Holmesglen’s Chadstone campus
     The HVAC Centre of Excellence
                                                                                                  opened in late May 2019.
     features a range of roll in/roll out           “It is critical that learners are exposed
     skids with pieces of equipment built           to live systems when they are building        It has accommodated several hundred
     specifically for apprentices and               their skills,” says Digby.                    students to date, while Holmesglen has
     tradespeople to be able to repair,                                                           hosted a number of industry events.
                                                    “It enables them to contextualise and
     dismantle and maintain within the safe                                                       Several NEBB practical exams have
                                                    apply their underpinning knowledge,
     working environment of the facility.                                                         also been conducted in the Centre.
                                                    understand and apply the order of
     Balancing and commissioning can also           work to be undertaken, and enable the         In his role as AMCA national president,
     be demonstrated in a contextualised            development of workplace skills such as       A.G. Coombs Group managing
     manner, and tradespeople and students          teamwork, delegation, documentation           director Russell Telford says that the
     are able to apply their learning               and time management.”                         Centre has been designed to meet the
                                                                                                  rapid advances of the HVAC industry.
                                                                                                  He says it’s ready for the changes
                                         PROJECT AT A GLANCE                                      to skills required by both qualified
                                                                                                  technicians and new entrants.

          The personnel                             ▲ Ductwork: Ductmakers                        “The AMCA has committed to
                                                    ▲ Electric duct heater:                       developing and growing partnership
         ▲ Architect:                                  Therm Elect Element                        arrangements with TAFEs to address
             Crosier Scott Architects                                                             these challenges,” Telford says.
                                                    ▲ Energy recovery unit: Air Change
         ▲ Building services:                                                                     To this end, he says key themes have
             Holmesglen Institute                   ▲ Fans: Fantech
                                                                                                  been identified for industry and
         ▲ Client:                                  ▲ FCUs: Temperzone                            VET collaboration. These include
             Holmesglen Institute                   ▲ Filters: Airepure                           the establishment of a culture
         ▲ Electrical contractor:                                                                 of re‑investment between VET,
                                                    ▲ Fire dampers: Holyoake
             Victorian Electrical Services                                                        industry and government; a renewal
                                                    ▲ Fume cupboard: Lab Systems                  of focus on quality industry-led
         ▲ Mechanical services contractor:
             A.G. Coombs                            ▲ Hydronic heating: Reece                     outcomes; and the elevation of
                                                                                                  the status of apprenticeships by
         ▲ Independent commissioning agent:         ▲ Insulation (duct and pipe):
                                                       Mulgrave Insulation
                                                                                                  communicating how they lead to
             A.G. Coombs
                                                                                                  a sustainable career pathway.
                                                    ▲ Pumps: KSB
                                                                                                  Critically, the partnership between
          The equipment                             ▲ Split systems: Reece, Panasonic, Daikin
                                                                                                  the AMCA and Holmesglen remains
                                                    ▲ Sub-metering: Reece                         ongoing. This ensures the Centre
         ▲ AHUs: GJ Walker
                                                    ▲ Tools: Milwaukee, Blackwoods                continues to be responsive to the
         ▲ BMS: Alerton                                                                           needs of employers and adapts to
                                                    ▲ Underfloor heating: Reece
         ▲ Boilers: Automatic Heating                                                             changes in market demand as required.
                                                    ▲ VAV boxes: Celmec
         ▲ Chilled beams: Reece                                                                   “This Centre is a tremendous example
                                                    ▲ VC dampers: Celmec                          of strategic industry and employer
         ▲ Diffusers: Holyoake, Metalflex
             and Shapeair                           ▲ VSDs: Danfoss                               engagement with the training system,”
                                                                          (Source: A.G. Coombs)
                                                                                                  Oberoi says. “It will serve the industry
                                                                                                  well for years to come.” ❚

32   A P R I L 2021   •   ECO L I B R I U M
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