March 20, 2025 in Advisory Notes

We depend on the reliable supply of electrical power to support the operation of important systems in buildings. With the move to electrify gas powered building systems, this reliance increases. Regular service and maintenance of electrical systems is vital to ensure their safe, reliable and cost effective operation.

January 29, 2025 in Advisory Notes

Lead contamination in drinking water remains a critical public health issue in Australia and has been highlighted by studies and reports, including the “Lead in Plumbing Products and Materials” review ¹ and findings from “Lead Leaching from In-Line Fittings: Perth Children’s Hospital Perth.” ² Both reports document the risks of lead leaching from plumbing materials and these are addressed by new legislation with significant attention on brass components and lead free service lines.

November 6, 2024 in Advisory Notes

Modern fire protection systems are now often integrated into other building systems and require a comprehensive testing approach to assure they will operate in line with the building’s fire safety strategy when required.

August 8, 2024 in Advisory Notes

Over the past decade, automated data analytics have been seamlessly integrated into various facets of our daily lives, including the operation and maintenance of buildings such as commercial offices, educational facilities, infrastructure, and healthcare establishments. As facility owners, managers, and building service providers embrace this advanced technology, the methods for collecting, storing, and analysing operational building data have evolved significantly.

June 24, 2024 in Advisory Notes

Mould plays an important role in the natural environment as a break-down mechanism for dead organic matter. In the built environment it is an unwanted presence and a particular problem in the warm and humid conditions experienced in much of Australia. Unpleasant and unsightly, it can damage fabric and equipment and is a threat to the health of occupants

April 30, 2024 in Advisory Notes

A lot has changed since A.G. Coombs released our first Advisory Note on heat pumps back in 2018. Increasingly, asset owners are no longer asking if heat pumps should be installed to replace fossil fuel-fired heating technology, but instead are asking when – and how.

March 12, 2024 in Advisory Notes

Building owners and facility managers often don’t have access to a full set of accurate documentation for of their buildings to support effective and safe ongoing operation, maintenance and modifications. This limits the ability to manage a building over its lifecycle and ensure occupant safety and regulatory compliance.

October 4, 2023 in Advisory Notes

As the construction and property sectors continue to develop and embrace new technologies including digital twins, cognitive buildings, artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is a need to ensure that data systems are suitable to maximise the potential value and return on investment. 

July 18, 2023 in Advisory Notes

In response to the identification of potential risks to workers from electric shock and arc flash, an Australian Standard (AS4836) has been updated to provide new guidelines for the principles for safe working.

June 26, 2023 in Advisory Notes

The principle on which fire sprinklers operate is a simple one and has been the same since they were invented in 1806, the automatic discharge...

June 1, 2023 in Advisory Notes

Soaring gas prices, uncertainty around the validity of carbon offsets and updates to the National Greenhouse Accounts emissions factors are just some of the reasons that building owners are switching off their trigeneration and cogeneration plants.

April 13, 2023 in Advisory Notes

With the increasing demand for electric vehicles, particularly in urban centres, provision of suitable charging infrastructure must be considered within buildings.

March 21, 2023 in Advisory Notes

As businesses and building owners move toward reducing their emissions and achieving emissions targets there is a growing requirement to convert buildings to be fully electric in order to decarbonise.

March 2, 2023 in Advisory Notes

The concept of “net-zero” is pivotal to any discussion regarding sustainability in the built environment. Despite its widespread use, there remains confusion about what exactly it means, what actions are required to get there, and what the practical implications are for building owners and facility managers.

November 25, 2022 in Advisory Notes

As more and more building owners commit to net zero emissions, there has never been a stronger focus on reducing emissions. Building Tuning is a cost-effective method of improving energy efficiency as well as increasing occupant satisfaction, reducing operating costs, extending the operating life of equipment, and increasing the capital value of the building asset.

February 21, 2022 in Advisory Notes

As the world grapples with rising temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are under renewed scrutiny, as common refrigerants are classified as greenhouse gases which can be hundreds or even thousand times worse from a Global Warming Potential (GWP) versus the equivalent volume of natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

October 29, 2021 in Advisory Notes

During COVID-19 many buildings experienced a significant reduction in the number of occupants. With the move to remote working, the reliance on tenant IT systems (often supported by base building electrical and cooling systems and fire protection infrastructure) has become fundamental for business continuity.

September 30, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Aerosol transmission has emerged as a viable COVID-19 infection mechanism – very small particles carrying the virus – emitted by infected people breathing – hanging in the air possibly for hours – being pushed around by air flows in rooms – potentially being drawn into recirculating HVAC systems – possibly being reintroduced into occupied areas.

September 28, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Cyber security incidents reported against both government and private organisations continue to increase in both frequency and severity. 

September 2, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Appropriate use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in HVAC systems has been proven as an effective inactivation method for mould, bacteria and viruses, reducing the source of Healthcare Associated Infections and a reduction of airborne microorganisms.

July 27, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Over the last 10 years we have seen the emergence of automated analytics in just about every aspect of our daily lives. This includes the use of analytics in the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the buildings around us including commercial office towers, educational facilities, infrastructure, and health care. How we collect and store this operational data and the analysis applied has evolved significantly as facility owners, managers, and service providers alike embrace this new technology.

July 23, 2021 in Advisory Notes

With the return of people to buildings after the COVID19 period, a new way of thinking will need to be adopted to ensure building access control systems align to occupant health while continuing to maintain building security.

June 24, 2021 in Advisory Notes

AS/NZS 3000 specifies the electrical installation safety requirements for all premises in Australia and New Zealand. Following a 5-year transition period from 2016, the release of ‘AS/NZS 3000 Amendment 2’ mandates from May 2021 the AS/NZS 61439 series of standards for switchboard assemblies, superseding AS/NZS 3439. This change will impact the design and modification of electrical distribution, mechanical services, and other switchboards in buildings.

May 27, 2021 in Advisory Notes

In the COVID-19 situation many buildings experienced significantly reduced occupancy with some completely being vacated. Building services systems have seen reduced operation and some have been turned off. Ramping up or starting systems after a protracted shutdown, especially those that are large, or complex and interdependent, can be challenging.

May 6, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Building owners & facility managers rely on accurate information for planning and to keep equipment and system assets operating effectively. This information is accumulated throughout the asset’s lifecycle. The rise of digital engineering and digital building management technology has led to an increase in the amount of information created and in the number of systems that hold data. How do you manage these potentially disparate information sets and harness the information to better achieve facility objectives?

April 16, 2021 in Advisory Notes

Many buildings are experiencing significantly reduced occupancy in the COVID-19 situation and building operators are seeking opportunities to minimise costs during this period. Reducing operation or shutting down HVAC systems is an option that can be considered. Many HVAC systems rely upon Cooling Tower Systems for heat rejection.

April 9, 2021 in Advisory Notes

COVID-19’s substantial impact on our lives has caused us to reconsider how building HVAC systems can assist reduce airborne transmission of viruses and bacteria. Humidity levels in indoor environments can play a key role in infection control.

April 9, 2021 in Advisory Notes

In the COVID-19 situation many buildings are experiencing significantly reduced occupancy and in some instances being vacated. Building owners are questioning; can the HVAC systems run at reduced levels or be shut down for an extended period to save running costs? Can Mechanical, Fire services and Electrical maintenance be reduced or stopped? How to keep buildings compliant? What are the important issues to consider and what should be done?

March 18, 2021 in Advisory Notes

There is considerable interest in the role that HVAC may play in the transmission of COVID-19. This Advisory Note provides an overview on viral transmission, how HVAC systems work, and the practical HVAC operational measures that can be considered along with possible design changes to reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading.

June 30, 2020 in Advisory Notes

NABERS have released information to assessors and building owners on how NABERS ratings will be affected by COVID-19. We have developed this information into a readily accessible FAQ format to assist building owners, facility managers and NABERS Assessors.

June 24, 2020 in Advisory Notes

Maintenance of Heating Ventilating, Air-conditioning Ventilation & Refrigeration services is carried out to reduce the occurrence of system failures, optimise the performance of systems, and to extend the service life of plant. Maintenance is necessary to ensure safety, reliability and comfort, as well as manage operational costs and environmental ratings. Some maintenance is required by legislation.

February 20, 2020 in Advisory Notes

In December 2019 bushfire smoke was so thick across towns and cities in eastern Australia that air quality exceeded "hazardous" levels on numerous occasions with the smoke permeating buildings, affecting indoor air quality and occupant health, and setting off fire detection systems forcing building evacuations.

August 1, 2019 in Advisory Notes

In modern buildings, Building Management and Control Systems (BMCS) are responsible for the operation of critical systems including air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, backup power supplies and, often, building security and access. These critical systems can be let down by a substandard computer, communications and power supply infrastructure, or by poor management and maintenance practices.

October 30, 2018 in Advisory Notes

It’s been over ten years since the previous version of AS/NZS3000 was released to the industry. The recently published Wiring Rules considered a number of technology changes namely relating to direct current (d.c.) installations such as solar and electric vehicle charging and the emergence of LED lighting.

October 5, 2018 in Advisory Notes

Significant new requirements for the management of cooling towers are now in place in NSW. The amended Public Health Regulation requires a performance-based risk management approach to managing cooling water systems. This approach allows each system to be managed according to its risk of Legionella contamination.

July 10, 2018 in Advisory Notes

Heat pumps are a well-established technology that can provide a pathway toward on-site carbon neutrality not possible in buildings that rely on gas for heating. Electricity used to drive heat pumps can be sourced from renewable or Carbon neutral sources. In some parts of Europe heat pumps are the most popular form of heating.

June 20, 2018 in Advisory Notes

Computer performance continues to increase significantly as does the demand on cooling and power supply infrastructure. Data Centres have been identified as significant users of energy and responsible for the associated Carbon emissions. Many data centres use up to around 45% of their energy consumption on support infrastructure services with cooling and power supply system’s the majority users.

May 24, 2018 in Advisory Notes

Condensing water heaters or boilers are now commonly specified for their higher efficiency, both for new installations and as plant replacements with typical efficiencies of 90%+ compared with 70 – 80% for conventional heaters. However, their design, installation and operation need to be carefully considered for trouble-free operation and to ensure the expected service life.

April 9, 2018 in Advisory Notes

It is important particularly during the drier months in Australia to plan for extreme weather events such as dust storms.

February 20, 2018 in Advisory Notes

With heightened concerns around water usage, rising costs and environmental awareness there is an increased community consciousness in relation to unnecessary water consumption.

December 19, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Significant new requirements for the management of cooling towers in NSW commence on 1 January 2018. An amendment to the NSW Public Health Regulation 2012...

November 29, 2017 in Advisory Notes

EC fans are a hot topic in energy efficient air movement technology, with options available for almost every application in a HVAC system. These ‘new technology’ fans use significantly less energy compared to conventional fan designs and in existing commercial buildings their retrofitting could result in reductions of up to 10% in overall building energy consumption

November 21, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Heat waves are a regular extreme weather event in Australia. With respect to building air conditioning systems this is commonly thought of as two or more days when the ambient temperature exceeds the maximum temperature that the building and its systems were designed for.

September 6, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Energy valves are new Internet of Things (IoT) devices to help reduce air conditioning energy usage by better controlling chilled water and heating hot water flows, reducing chiller, boiler, pumping and fan energy.

August 8, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Electricity supplied at voltages that exceed the rated design of an electrical device can result in increased energy consumption and costs, and significantly shorten equipment lifespans.

June 30, 2017 in Advisory Notes

From 1 July 2017, the mandatory disclosure threshold on commercial office space will be lowered from 2000 square metres to 1000 square metres. The effect of this change is that owners and lessors of smaller commercial office buildings may need to disclose the building’s energy efficiency when they sell or lease their property after this date.

June 6, 2017 in Advisory Notes

A building fire safety systems manual is a simple and cost effective tool to assist in maintaining the compliance of fire safety measures as a building is modified over time.

May 18, 2017 in Advisory Notes

An increase in tenant condenser water requirement when replacing a R22 Plant can have significant implications when applied across an existing tenant's condenser water system, particularly if the system is already at or near the limit of its capacity.

April 18, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Building information modelling is now well adopted in the construction industry. Designers and builders can realise significant benefits through the application of this technology, to date models have generally been tailored to design and construction as their primary purpose.

March 22, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Modern buildings depend on resilient electrical infrastructure to support reliable and safe operation. Changes to system loads and operation during the life of a building, and the lack of regular review and structured electrical maintenance can compromise the ability of electrical systems to perform as required. This can lead to unexpected failures that cause business disruption and building safety issues.

February 27, 2017 in Advisory Notes

Building Operators have the onus to manage the residual risks from Safety-in-Design decisions and, as such, should be actively engage in both the initial “Safety-in-Design” process and ongoing management of workplace safety.

December 6, 2016 in Advisory Notes

The potential risks to public health associated with cooling tower systems and Legionella are well publicised. The regulatory requirements for the management of cooling tower systems are different across the States and Territories and some are also currently under review. As such, it is important to understand both the regulatory requirements as well as what a best practice risk management framework is for these systems.

November 17, 2016 in Advisory Notes

A Building Management and Control System (BMCS) connected to a company intranet or the outside world via the internet offers the benefits of remote building systems management; monitoring, issue diagnosis, and control, but can also expose a building and its systems to significant operational risks from external attacks including: destructive viruses, phishing attacks, and Trojan horse attacks.

October 27, 2016 in Advisory Notes

The Australian Standard AS 1670.1:2015 sets out the requirements for the design, installation and commissioning of fire detection and alarm systems. All new projects designed to NCC2016 must have their fire detection and alarm systems comply with the newly adopted standard.

October 18, 2016 in Advisory Notes

The Australian Standard AS 1668.1:2015 specifies how HVAC systems in buildings are designed for fire and smoke control. All new projects designed to NCC2016 must have their HVAC systems designed, installed and commissioned to the newly adopted standard.

September 16, 2016 in Advisory Notes

Across all industries, Data Centre facilities large and small underpin the operation of business applications and processes. Maintaining reliable and continuous operation is critical. Disruptions due to fire events, whether damage is caused by the fire or the fire suppression systems, can cause very significant business interruption with substantial commercial effects.

August 23, 2016 in Advisory Notes

Advances in digital technology are providing valuable information to help improve the operation and maintenance of installed building systems including HVAC, electrical and lighting systems, and lifts and escalators.

July 19, 2016 in Advisory Notes

New electrical network tariff charges will encourage many businesses to review energy usage and ways they can reduce their operational costs.

June 7, 2016 in Advisory Notes

Modern fire protection systems are now often integrated into other building systems and require a comprehensive testing approach to assure they will operate when required.

December 19, 2015 in Advisory Notes

Around 30-50% of all brigade ‘turnouts’ are to monitored fire protection systems, and it is estimated that well over 90% of those turnouts are classified...

September 28, 2015 in Advisory Notes

Portfolio Certification is suitable for buildings that exist in a common ownership portfolio or are managed centrally. It is particularly relevant to owners or operators...

August 1, 2015 in Advisory Notes

“Air-conditioning systems can consume over 50% of energy in buildings. Tuning HVAC systems to enable them to work properly is the ‘first best’ money you...

July 10, 2015 in Advisory Notes

State and Territory laws require building owners and occupiers to provide a safe environment for all building occupants, whether they are employees, visitors or service...

April 10, 2015 in Advisory Notes

As the effects of climate change become more evident, it is apparent that facilities and their operation need to adapt. Built environments must become more resilient and whilst designers are increasingly focused on this issue.

June 1, 2014 in Advisory Notes

In recent years, LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting has promised substantial reductions in lighting energy usage and significant improvements in lamp life. However, until recently,...

December 1, 2013 in Advisory Notes

Computer performance continues to increase significantly as does the demand on cooling and power supply infrastructure. Data Centres have been identified as significant users of...

June 8, 2013 in Advisory Notes

Legionnaires' disease is a sometimes fatal form of pneumonia contracted by inhaling fine droplets of water containing the Legionella bacteria. These droplets can be emitted by infected cooling towers and also domestic warm or hot water systems. In water systems the source of the droplets is usually from shower outlets or tap aerators. Correct design and careful operation and maintenance of these systems are required to ensure they do not pose a health risk.