BE - Building Efficiency 2023-2024 by A.G. Coombs by agcoombs

World Class Victorian Heart Hospital Electrification 540 Wickham Future Construction Designed for Manufacture

leadership

2023-2024

WELCOME

Chairperson’s Message I am very pleased to commend this year’s edition of Building Efficiency to you. This publication shares the remarkable work of our Group of Companies. The A.G. Coombs Group embodies leadership in everything it does and this work bears witness to our strong relationships, long term strategic vision and commitment to delivering success for our clients, and in turn, for our organisation and its people. The concept of leadership is embedded deeply within us. It is reflected in our processes and standards, our corporate behaviour and in our people. We constantly strive to be at the forefront of the building services industry, always growing our people and applying new technologies, systems and processes to improve safety, quality, efficiency and sustainability. We are committed to acting honestly and with integrity and see great value in starting conversations, and leading dialogue in areas such as diversity, inclusion and reconciliation. We look to support others to make a difference whenever we are able.

Building Efficiency

These behaviours are not new, they are underpinned by our long-standing core values, demonstrated by teamwork and respect, and a commitment at every level to do our best. The A.G. Coombs Group Board fully supports this commitment to values with a clear-sighted strategic vision for the future, a firm focus on sound governance, prosperity and success over the long term. Thank you for your support and we look forward to a positive future together.

Murray Coleman OAM Chairperson A.G. Coombs Group

Managing Director's Message Over the past year, the A.G. Coombs Group has experienced significant growth and advancement. In this edition of Building Efficiency, we proudly showcase the scope of our building services solutions. It stands as a testament to the strength of our teamwork and the exceptional talents of our people, who are our greatest strength and set us apart. We have seen the successful progression and completion of noteworthy large-scale projects. These encompass major acute healthcare facilities, underground rail infrastructure, iconic commercial and entertainment precincts, large data centre developments, and cutting-edge biotech manufacturing plants. Additionally, we have delivered numerous smaller yet equally important projects for our clients. These projects feature the latest innovations in building services technologies, and the quality of their design and installation assures long-lasting benefits for owners, occupants, and the wider community. Across Australia, our multidisciplinary maintenance and technical facility management teams have played a pivotal role in supporting critical infrastructure. Acute-care hospitals, data centres, airports, financial institutions, government offices, commercial property portfolios, cultural landmarks, multiple universities, and retail shopping centres all operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably with our support. Our whole-of-life approach to building services continues to make a substantial impact, with our expert Advisory business offering high value advice and services to enhance project delivery and drive significant improvements in building performance, safety, and sustainability.

This year, we were delighted to open our Townsville operation as part of our commitment to extending the capabilities of the A.G. Coombs Group to regional Queensland. Offsite fabrication plays a pivotal role in our innovative delivery methods, and we continue to lead the industry in this area. Our ongoing contributions to the BIM-MEP AUS initiative and the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre, along with our groundbreaking Virtual Buildings Information System®, are enabling digitisation, making facilities more efficient, sustainable, and secure. We remain true to our Net Zero 2030 commitment making good progress in reducing our environmental footprint. We have applied the same skills and dedication to assisting our clients to reduce their environmental impact, particularly through the electrification of buildings to remove gas consumption.

The safety and well-being of our people, their continuous personal development, and a robust culture of collaboration across the Group are central to our collective success. Our unwavering commitment to achieving incident and injury-free operations wherever we work is non-negotiable. As we look ahead, the prospects for the A.G. Coombs Group are exceptionally promising. With highly valued relationships, unparalleled expertise, and a longstanding reputation for innovative and reliable delivery, we look forward to producing outcomes of the highest standard for our clients well into the future.

Russell Telford Managing Director A.G. Coombs Group

We are excited to welcome Butler Electrical to our group of companies to augment our electrical capabilities. Strength and high performance through Diversity and Inclusion remains a core focus. The launch of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan marks the next phase of our journey toward a reconciled Australia. We take great pride in our efforts to raise awareness, foster understanding, and drive positive change in our industry and the wider community.

2023-2024

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what’s inside: 4

06.

Good health Landmark Victorian Heart Hospital completion

12.

Ready for take-off Supporting Sydney Airport

14.

Integration at heart Technical management

18.

Now and later Chifley Square central plant

20.

Project Seqirus World class biotech manufacturing

22.

Heart of the arts Victorian Arts Precinct

24.

A great education Melbourne Indigenous Transition School

26.

Close to home The electrification of 540 Wickham

30.

Big build Melbourne Metro’s remarkable Town Hall Station

34.

Going big on data NEXTDC S3

36.

Educated decisions Victoria University

38.

Good health Landmark Victorian Heart Hospital completion

Ready for take-off Supporting Sydney Airport

Designed for manufacture The future of construction

42.

Northern exposure A.G. Coombs Townsville

Project Seqirus World class biotech manufacturing

A great education Melbourne Indigenous Transition School

44.

In the news

Close to home The electrification of 540 Wickham

Big build Melbourne Metro’s remarkable Town Hall Station

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au

what’s inside: 4

06.

Good health Landmark Victorian Heart Hospital completion

12.

Ready for take-off Supporting Sydney Airport

14.

Integration at heart Technical management

18.

Now and later Chifley Square central plant

20.

Project Seqirus World class biotech manufacturing

22.

Heart of the arts Victorian Arts Precinct

24.

A great education Melbourne Indigenous Transition School

26.

Close to home The electrification of 540 Wickham

30.

Big build Melbourne Metro’s remarkable Town Hall Station

34.

Going big on data NEXTDC S3

36.

Educated decisions Victoria University

38.

Good health Landmark Victorian Heart Hospital completion

Ready for take-off Supporting Sydney Airport

Designed for manufacture The future of construction

42.

Northern exposure A.G. Coombs Townsville

Project Seqirus World class biotech manufacturing

A great education Melbourne Indigenous Transition School

44.

In the news

Close to home The electrification of 540 Wickham

Big build Melbourne Metro’s remarkable Town Hall Station

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au

Good health If one project was to epitomise the capability of A.G. Coombs, the Victorian Heart Hospital might well be it. Showcasing the benefits of early engagement, prefabrication and commissioning, the $564 million facility opened to patients in early 2023. >

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

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Building Efficiency

2023-2024

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Built by John Holland for the Victorian Health Building Authority, the Victorian Heart Hospital is the result of a partnership between the Victorian Government, Monash Health and Monash University. The world–class 65,500m² facility in Clayton provides capacity for up to 206 beds and will each year deliver 28,000 emergency patient assessments, 10,000 interventional cardiac catheterisation procedures and 2,000 open heart surgeries. A.G. Coombs is proud to have delivered the mechanical services contract on the project, which commenced with early contractor involvement (ECI) in late 2019. “ECI engagement offers numerous opportunities to enhance project outcomes and is very important on complex healthcare projects such as this,” says Kevin Wilson, Senior Project Manager at A.G. Coombs.

“On the Victorian Heart Hospital project, our team was able to complete engineering and Building Information Modelling (BIM) 15 months prior to the practical completion date, which put us and the project in a good place in regard to procurement, works programming and ultimately prefabrication.” The Victorian Heart Hospital project represents a watershed moment for the A.G. Coombs Group, with almost 30% of construction hours spent prefabricating mechanical services system components offsite. This included specially–developed “roll in” prefabricated risers – the largest measuring 12m by 6.2m – which were able to be wheeled into the riser penetration at each floor level, overcoming challenges that restricted traditional drop in risers. This design has since been repeated in other projects.

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A number of other innovative prefabrication solutions delivered benefits to the project’s timeline while solving construction challenges, including pump skids, riser frames, 4.3km of horizontal chilled beam pipework modules, roof fan skids and coil valve assemblies. “We maximised prefabrication opportunities wherever possible, which not only overcame the construction challenges we identified early on but also allowed for a parallel construction solution that aided in the project being completed to schedule,” says Kevin. As well as prefabrication, A.G. Coombs called on the Group’s technical capability and experience in the healthcare sector to deliver a complex multi compartment fire mode strategy. This met the challenges of the floor and department layouts and successfully maintains critical pressure regimes in operating theatres, catheterisation labs, isolation rooms, and the Monash University laboratory space. >

Healthy record The A.G. Coombs Group has a long history of delivering major hospital and healthcare projects around Australia.

• Box Hill Hospital, VIC

• Monash Children’s Hospital, VIC

• Cabrini Hospital, VIC

• Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC

• Chris O’Brien Lighthouse, Sydney NSW

• Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC

• Frankston Hospital, VIC

• St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park, VIC

• Bendigo Hospital, VIC

• Goulburn Valley Health, VIC • Logan Hospital, QLD

2023-2024

• Thomas Embling Hospital, VIC • Victorian Heart Hospital, VIC

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Building Efficiency

Healthy record The A.G. Coombs Group has a long history of delivering major hospital and healthcare projects around Australia.

• Box Hill Hospital, VIC

• Monash Children’s Hospital, VIC

• Cabrini Hospital, VIC

• Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC

• Chris O’Brien Lighthouse, Sydney NSW

• Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC

• Frankston Hospital, VIC

• St Vincent’s Hospital on the Park, VIC

• Bendigo Hospital, VIC

• Goulburn Valley Health, VIC • Logan Hospital, QLD

2023-2024

• Thomas Embling Hospital, VIC • Victorian Heart Hospital, VIC

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The journey continues Designed for future expansion during the building’s initial construction, the 2,500m² floorplate on Level 8 will be fitted with CT (computed tomography) scan infrastructure and procedure rooms to expand the Victorian Heart Hospital’s emergency department short stay space.

Post–completion, monthly building tuning meetings continue to be held with a focus on energy efficiency given mechanical services typically represent 75% of a hospital’s energy consumption. To date, this work has centred on improvements to the coefficient of performance (COP) of chillers, boilers and air handling systems serving the facility. A dedicated energy monitoring system provides real time energy usage and trending for all services. This work has been complemented by the delivery of mechanical services maintenance by A.G. Coombs Service during the 12-month defects liability period (DLP).

Completion of the Victorian Heart Hospital’s Level 8 mechanical services fitout is expected in late 2023.

Importantly, client training has also been prioritised to ensure Monash Health personnel are familiar with the operation of the services within the building.

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“I’m extremely proud of the outcome at the Victorian Heart Hospital and the quality of installation that our team has achieved,” says Kevin. “We will apply the lessons learned from this project to healthcare projects in the future.” A.G. Coombs will now deliver the mechanical services fitout to a number of shell spaces within the hospital, having been awarded the contract in mid-2023. “The Victorian Heart Hospital is a game– changer for cardiovascular healthcare, and A.G. Coombs has been a valued contributor on the project,” says Matthew Launer, Project Manager at John Holland. “They have been willing to take on and overcome challenges for the good of the final outcome, demonstrated the depth of their technical capability and experience in healthcare, and importantly drove the services and safety program on what was a robust build.”

2023-2024

healthcare

A.G. Coombs dedicated an intensive six weeks during commissioning to ensure the system functioned as designed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1668.

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Completion of the Victorian Heart Hospital’s Level 8 mechanical services fitout is expected in late 2023.

Importantly, client training has also been prioritised to ensure Monash Health personnel are familiar with the operation of the services within the building.

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

healthcare

A.G. Coombs dedicated an intensive six weeks during commissioning to ensure the system functioned as designed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1668.

agcoombs.com.au

A permanent team The sheer size and critical nature of the Sydney Airport requires a team that varies between six and twenty A.G. Coombs technicians on the site to work across the three terminals and ancillary buildings. An established network of inducted subcontractors also support the A.G. Coombs team to provide specialist trades and services as required.

Ready for takeoff A.G. Coombs and the Sydney Airport have shared a long and successful partnership for almost ten years. Now, as passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels, A.G. Coombs is ensuring the airport’s mechanical services infrastructure is ready for takeoff.

After the COVID-19 pandemic caused border closures and severe interruptions to international and domestic air travel, passenger numbers are bouncing back. A total of 3.06 million passengers passed through Sydney Airport in June 2023, representing an 89.9% recovery compared to the same period in 2019. Even year-onyear, passenger traffic is rapidly increasing – highlighted by the throughput of Sydney Airport’s T1 international terminal, which saw almost half a million more passengers in June 2023 compared to June 2022. Behind the scenes, A.G. Coombs is ensuring the airport’s building services are capable of catering for this increasing demand. Originally engaged in 2013 by Sydney Airport to complete a major upgrade of the site’s central services building and chilled water plant in 2014, A.G. Coombs then commenced a service and maintenance contract for base building mechanical services in the T1 (international) and T2 (domestic) terminals, as well as ancillary buildings.

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More recently that engagement has expanded to include the T3 (Qantas domestic) terminal, while A.G. Coombs Advisory has provided technical advice in relation to energy efficiency. Given the Group’s longevity and familiarity with the precinct, A.G. Coombs also acts as the independent mechanical consultant for the airport on occasion, preparing design tender documents for various projects. While this level of engagement was reduced significantly as the pandemic impacted domestic and international travel, the Group has worked collaboratively with the Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) over the course of the last 18 months as it sought to invest in airport infrastructure improvements. “Those pandemic years were difficult on airports, and of course A.G. Coombs as a business, but the relationship between ourselves and Sydney Airport has only become stronger in the period since,” says Gary Economos, A.G. Coombs General Manager New South Wales.

“We proved to be flexible and reduced maintenance to an acceptable minimum during the pandemic, but as the country bounced back and travel resumed, we’ve been pleased to support Sydney Airport in the post-pandemic return to activity, as well as in its infrastructure investment.”

“The technical capability of A.G. Coombs’ on-site team, and their ability to identify and present solutions rather than problems, has been valuable as Sydney Airport operations return to pre-pandemic levels,” says Mark Xuereb, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager for Sydney Airport.

While a regular service and maintenance schedule has returned, A.G. Coombs Advisory has been engaged in major energy optimisation works, particularly in relation to chiller plant servicing the T1 terminal. Following data capture and monitoring, the implementation of optimisation strategies will deliver significant energy savings with short payback periods. Other opportunities including carbon roadmapping and electrification have also been identified. The work of the service and maintenance team, as well as A.G. Coombs Advisory’s leadership in energy efficiency optimisation, has recently led to the Group securing the contract for a major chiller plant upgrade of the T3 terminal.

2023-2024

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Building Efficiency

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Integration at heart For over 20 years, A.G. Coombs’ Integrated Technical Management (ITM) has provided operationally-focused technical building services for some of Australia’s most critical, complex and operationally challenging facilities.

As an independent member of the A.G. Coombs Group, ITM’s value is in its ability to leverage from the Group’s wider technical capability and resources to provide tailored solutions that focus solely on client needs. These include technical facilities management of all hard services and essential safety maintenance, technical project management and strategic advice to support the client’s business operations and objectives. Deploying technically experienced personnel and technologies, ITM is able to map and maintain client assets at optimal levels, delivering long term value to their facilities with a whole of life approach underpinning asset management and maintenance. “Today’s facilities rely heavily on technology at many levels, and therefore facilities management has undergone an evolution of sorts,” says Andrew Shedden, General Manager of Integrated Technical Management.

“ITM’s role is to support and collaborate with facility managers responsible for complex or high-risk, business critical sites, with a range of competencies that take into account a holistic view of the total built environment. We draw together the diversity of skills required to ensure robust, operational performance and reliability, and confidence in contractual and legislative compliance.” As well as internal staff across management, operations and contracts, ITM’s multi-skilled onsite technical personnel seamlessly integrate into client operational structures and embed with facility management teams. ITM is also able to call on the breadth of technical expertise offered by the A.G. Coombs Group including A.G. Coombs Service, Walker Fire Protection and A.G. Coombs Advisory, while our established partner network of specialist trades is available where required. >

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au/itm

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au/itm

Other sectors in which ITM specialises are major government complexes, museums and cultural institutions, healthcare facilities, laboratories and large commercial sites – all environments where continuity of high performing technical systems is critical.

“We are closely aligned with our clients, working together to ensure the best outcome for their facilities, and ultimately their business.”

ITM’s diverse range of clients include ANZ Data Centres, Court Services Victoria, National Museum of Australia, Museum of Australian Democracy, High Court of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, National Film and Sound Archive, Creative Victoria, Aligned Leisure Group and the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School.

ITM and the A.G. Coombs Group, are the market leader in data centre design, construction and operations having led or been involved in many of the most significant and technically complex data centre infrastructure projects around Australia. As well as a strong pedigree in the operation of data centres, ITM has a wealth of experience in the management of client data centres on a cloud-migration pathway.

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"ITM has a unique whole-of-assetlife approach to building services management and maintenance; one that ensures the best outcomes for everybody," said Stephen Kaye, Manager Facilities & Procurement, Museum of Australian Democracy.

2023-2024

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

“Buildings are more complex today than ever before and services have become so intertwined that our clients recognise the importance of our specialists, the benefits that come from familiarity of the site, and the relationships that can be built,” says Andrew.

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“We are closely aligned with our clients, working together to ensure the best outcome for their facilities, and ultimately their business.”

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

agcoombs.com.au/itm

Now and later

The 44-storey Chifley North tower is one of the more prominent commercial office buildings on the central Sydney CBD skyline. Designed by New York architects Kohn Pederson Fox and built in 1992, the tower sits on a three-storey, mixed-use podium – Chifley Plaza – that spans the entirety of the city block. In August 2019, Charter Hall Group partnered with the property’s owner, GIC, to acquire the lease-hold of Chifley Tower and set about planning the addition of a second office tower on the site. To be known as Chifley South, the new tower will add more than 50,000m² of premium grade NLA commercial office space, while a new seven-storey podium will integrate the new building with the existing Chifley North tower. In preparation for this development, A.G. Coombs has been engaged by main contractor Built to design and construct a central mechanical services plantroom that will serve both the existing tower, and new buildings. The 1,055m² plantroom space, constructed in the existing basement carpark, accommodates eight centrifugal water-cooled chillers – six main-load chillers with a capacity of 2.5MW each and two low-load chillers of 1400kW each. Each chiller set is served by two condenser and two chilled water pumps, all in duty-duty arrangement.

Building Efficiency

A small 50kW after-hours chiller and associated fan coil units maintain conditions in the new plantroom. The tower’s existing cooling towers, which have been upgraded, will provide heat rejection until the new cooling tower plant is constructed as part of the Chifley South development. After becoming involved in investigation works during the tender process and identifying the latent conditions in the existing building, A.G. Coombs developed an alternative methodology for the connection of new chilled water and condenser water pipework into the HVAC system serving the Chifley North tower. To avoid disruption to tenants, pipework connections and cut-over works have been carefully planned and completed during long weekends when building occupancy is at its lowest.

Additionally, spatial restraints in the plantroom – combined with the size of pipework required to meet necessary flow rates – has demanded precise planning of pipework reticulation and assembly on site. Practical completion of the new central plantroom is expected by early 2024 ahead of the future development commencing. “A.G. Coombs’ active role in rationalising the new mechanical service plant design, and the team’s ability to complete potentially disruptive works on time while minimising the impact on tenants, has been of great benefit to the project,” says Marty Brooks, Project Manager at Built.

Coordination of services with other trades has also been critical, with A.G. Coombs taking the services lead on the project. “It is a complex and unique project in that the existing tower does not have any pressure breaks,” says Patryk Dykas, Project Engineer at A.G. Coombs. “Main chiller plantroom located on the bottom of the building is exposed to pressure of 2800kPa. All equipment, pipework, couplings and valves are required to be rated for this high operating pressure.”

2023-2024

commercial

Central to the redevelopment of Charter Hall’s Chifley Square precinct in Sydney’s CBD is the construction of a new central mechanical services plantroom.

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Now and later

Building Efficiency

2023-2024

commercial

Central to the redevelopment of Charter Hall’s Chifley Square precinct in Sydney’s CBD is the construction of a new central mechanical services plantroom.

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Following the successful completion of the AlbuRx and Aurora facilities in Broadmeadows for CSL Behring, A.G. Coombs has been engaged to deliver mechanical services systems for a new CSL Seqirus Facility in Tullamarine.

CSL Seqirus – a wholly owned subsidiary of CSL Limited – is constructing a new world-class biotech manufacturing facility in Melbourne. This state-of-the-art facility will be the only cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere, producing seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines as well as Seqirus’ proprietary adjuvant MF59®.

Expected to be operational from 2026, the facility is located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park in Tullamarine.

Since mid-2023, up to 80 A.G. Coombs personnel were working on the installation at any one time.

Construction of the NDY consortia designed facility is being managed by builder BESIX Watpac.

The scope of works includes the installation of mechanical services within the FCC (Flu Cell Culture) building, as well as the central chilled water (CHW) plant, heating hot water (HHW) and steam plant, heat rejection (cooling tower) plant and associated pumps accommodated within an adjacent utilities building. A.G. Coombs is also providing connections of these services for the PNS (Products of National Significance) and administration buildings under construction.

This follows an agreement with the Australian Government to secure the ongoing onshore manufacture and supply over ten years for influenza pandemic vaccines.

Due in large part to our successful involvement in the delivery of CSL Behring’s AlbuRx and Aurora facilities in Broadmeadows, A.G. Coombs was engaged in the project at early contractor involvement (ECI) stage before being awarded a $40 million mechanical services construct-only contract in early 2022.

In addition, the facility will manufacture unique products important to Australia’s public health needs including anti-venom for snakes, spiders and marine creatures, and the world’s only human vaccine for Q-Fever.

Working to a water systems mechanical services design by project lead consultant NDY, and an air systems design by WSP, A.G. Coombs commenced detailed engineering in April 2022 and was onsite from late 2022.

The four-level FCC building features mechanical services plant on both the lower and top levels – a configuration allowing for maintenance without impacting the manufacturing spaces. Level 1 accommodates the facility’s thermal and process manufacturing plantrooms and clean rooms, while Level 4 contains the main air handling plantroom. The two middle levels are each divided into four clean room spaces for manufacturing. The utilities building is connected to the FCC building via a pipe bridge spanning a 5m roadway that carries condenser water, HHW, compressed air and steam pipework. This very large component was designed and prefabricated by A.G. Coombs before being installed onsite within just one day – alleviating the risks associated with constructing this complex component onsite. In order to meet the rigorous standards required of a biotech manufacturing facility, prefabrication techniques were also employed in the design and construction of large pipe rack modules and risers.

Building Efficiency

As well as ensuring a high quality finish, this method allowed parallel construction to continue while reducing site hours and the risks associated with working at heights. “The project has certainly benefitted from A.G. Coombs’ prefabrication capabilities, which has expedited installation onsite and mitigated risk,” says David Phillips, Senior Project Manager at BESIX Watpac. Through the contract, A.G. Coombs has also been responsible for the procurement of energy efficient mechanical services equipment, including high efficiency chillers operating with low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants and EC (electronically commutated) fan motors. This also extends to the procurement and pre-wiring of electrical boards and field control units (including temperature sensors and actuators), notwithstanding that the building management and control system (BMCS) is outside of A.G. Coombs’ scope of works.

biotech

Project Seqirus

In line with CSL’s broader sustainability strategy, the facility has been designed with best-in-class sustainable design features. These include heat recovery systems, electrification of plant to reduce reliance on natural gas, and a solar photovoltaic (PV) array for onsite renewable energy generation. The project is also seeking an ambitious Green Star certification rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) – a first for a manufacturing facility of this type. A detailed commissioning process is expected to commence in late 2023, with A.G. Coombs applying lessons from its work at CSL Broadmeadows to enhance the documentation of systems in readiness for client handover.

2023-2024

A.G. Coombs will return to the CSL Broadmeadows site in late 2023 to install the mechanical services systems serving a secondary vaccine manufacturing facility under construction. This facility will complement the manufacturing process at CSL Banksia.

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Expected to be operational from 2026, the facility is located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park in Tullamarine.

Since mid-2023, up to 80 A.G. Coombs personnel were working on the installation at any one time.

Construction of the NDY consortia designed facility is being managed by builder BESIX Watpac.

This follows an agreement with the Australian Government to secure the ongoing onshore manufacture and supply over ten years for influenza pandemic vaccines.

Building Efficiency

biotech

Project Seqirus

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au

Heart of the arts The Melbourne Arts Precinct is one of the world’s great arts and culture destinations, hosting around 3,000 performances and exhibitions annually. The A.G. Coombs Group is proud to have performed a leading role at the heart of the precinct for well over 20 years, including the replacement of the large Arts Centre central energy plant in 1999, the major refurbishment of the iconic National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in 2003, the major refurbishment of Hamer Hall in 2012 together with maintenance and other technical support services. Founded in 1861, the NGV is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia holding a vast collection of over 78,000 precious artworks. Originally constructed in 1968, the NGV International building on St Kilda Road – together with The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square – host a wide range of events from contemporary art to major international exhibitions. Adjacent to NGV International is the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building with its iconic spire. Since 1984, world-class performance spaces including the State Theatre and Hamer Hall have welcomed thousands of patrons. It is also home to four resident companies – The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Theatre Company and Opera Australia. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl outdoor concert venue is also managed by Arts Centre Melbourne. The Melbourne Arts Precinct is currently undergoing further change with the construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary and significant upgrades to the Arts Centre Melbourne’s theatres building. The expertise of the A.G. Coombs Group is involved in the early works and is part of the day-to-day operations at the NGV International and Arts Centre Melbourne. A.G. Coombs Service delivers the maintenance of specialist electrical services at the Arts Centre Melbourne under a service agreement with the Victorian Arts Centre Trust.

The full-time presence of experienced A.G. Coombs technicians helps ensure continuity of service, reliability and safety of electrical systems including general lighting, exit/emergency lighting and electrical infrastructure. This work ensures appropriate conditions are met in performance spaces, as well as providing safe and comfortable environments for audiences to enjoy. A.G. Coombs technicians have also for many years provided pro-bono support to the annual Carols by Candlelight at the Music Bowl. Sharing over 20 years of experience at the precinct, A.G. Coombs personnel work closely with the client’s in-house facility management team to schedule maintenance and repairs around performances to avoid disruption to operations, while also supporting after-hours events on site as facilities team representatives. Walker Fire Protection has worked alongside this team to deliver fire services maintenance across the precinct since early 2023. “A.G. Coombs Service and Walker Fire Protection perform an integral role in the operation of Arts Centre Melbourne and understand the complex nature and function of our spaces,” says Jim Grayson, Manager of Engineering Services at Arts Centre Melbourne. A.G. Coombs Service also delivers mechanical services maintenance for the NGV International, ensuring reliability of systems serving spaces such as galleries and back-of-house where temperature and humidity conditions are critical to the display and conservation of artworks. A.G. Coombs has also carried out the fire mode testing continuously since 2003. Walker Fire Protection delivers fire services testing and maintenance, including essential safety measures (ESM) management, to the facility. Calling on the experience of a contract management, operations and technician

Building Efficiency

team that share many years working within the precinct, Walker Fire Protection are well aware of the sensitivity associated with the gallery spaces and the collections at the NGV. “We pride ourselves in maintaining the NGV to the highest standards and ensuring a world-class visitor experience, and both Walker Fire Protection and A.G. Coombs Service are valuable and trusted members of our team,” says Tony Henshaw, Facilities Manager at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Recital recollections As well as being associated with a number of major redevelopments in the Melbourne Arts Precinct over the last 20 plus years, A.G. Coombs has also had a role in the construction of new venues including the Melbourne Recital Centre and Southbank Theatre. Since opening in 2009, the Recital Centre has become world-renowned for its acoustic performance thanks, in large part, to the careful design, construction and commissioning of building services and noise control by A.G. Coombs Projects and A.G. Coombs Advisory.

CULTURE 2023-2024

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Building Efficiency

CULTURE 2023-2024

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A great education Established in 2016, the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) creates pathways to greater opportunity in education for Indigenous students from remote Top End and regional Victorian communities.

Through its Year 7 and 8 school and boarding program, Pathways Program and senior boarding houses, MITS supports young Indigenous people as they pursue away-from-home schooling in Melbourne.

to one of 13 partner schools via a Pathways Program designed to support students, families and their chosen school across Independent, Government and Catholic sectors.

“We work in partnership with families and communities who aspire for their young people to access a great education away from home,” says Edward Tudor, Chief Executive Officer at MITS.

Students attending partner schools are then able to choose to continue boarding with MITS in its senior boarding houses for the entirety of their high school years. This provides them with the opportunity to be educated at some of the city’s best schools then return to a warm and culturally safe environment where they feel a connection with their MITS peers. Consequently, MITS has been on a journey of rapid expansion.

“Every parent wants educational opportunity and choice for their children, and that is true for our parents as well. Before we established MITS we heard parents tell us that opportunities in Melbourne were harder for their young people to access, and MITS is a response to that.” Every year, a cohort of 22 young people relocate to MITS for their Year 7 education, boarding at Richmond Hill and attending school inside the nearby Richmond Football Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute. MITS provides a highly differentiated learning program for its students – enabling them to grow academically, socially and emotionally while celebrating Indigenous cultures – as well as transition both geographically and culturally. This process is aided through the school’s various partnerships that allow students to participate in a vibrant curriculum that makes the most of the opportunities available in Melbourne.

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In 2022 MITS recorded a Year 7 completion rate of 91% – up from 86% the previous year – with the average Year 7 mathematics ability growth among its students being 2.2 year levels. “We are very committed to reflecting on the actual experience of our students, and how we can evolve our model to best provide for them,” says Edward. “It was that commitment to reflection and continuous improvement that expanded our program to include Year 8, as well as our senior boarding houses.” Throughout their Year 8 program, MITS students commence their transition

It now operates a number of dedicated boarding house facilities on Richmond Hill, including a Year 7 boarding house for boys and girls, and three senior boarding houses for students from Years 8 to 12, including a new purpose-designed boarding house for girls. “With this new building, we are coming to the end of a period of very significant growth,” says Edward. “We’ve opened three boarding houses since 2020, and in doing so have gone from a provider of 22 boarding positions to up to 100 positions.” Beyond MITS, students aspire to a broad range of pathways. For some, that may mean finishing their secondary schooling in Melbourne and attending university, or accessing trade or vocational pathways. Others will decide to complete their education closer to home. “We want to provide for the ambitions and aspirations of every one of our MITS students, no matter where those aspirations lie across Australia.” A.G. Coombs is a proud partner of MITS and its education programs for young Indigenous students. A.G. Coombs’ technical facility management organisation, Integrated Technical Management, provides building services maintenance to many of MITS’ properties, as well as the Richmond Football Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute.

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“We have a strategic focus on partnerships that will deliver the very best for our students, and that extends to our corporate partnerships,” says Edward. “Every day when we pick up the phone to the A.G. Coombs Group and Integrated Technical Management, it is clear that we are working with the best in the business, and that is ultimately to the benefit of the kids.”

Opportunity and connection Recently, MITS opened its newest boarding house in Church Street, Richmond. The first of its properties to be purpose design and constructed, the building accommodates MITS senior alumni girls as well as providing spaces for office staff and the MITS leadership and board teams. The school will also benefit from the proposed $60 million redevelopment of Richmond Football Club’s Punt Road Oval. This will include the establishment of the William Cooper Centre, providing dedicated Year 7 and 8 classrooms and a science wet lab for the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School.

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Through its Year 7 and 8 school and boarding program, Pathways Program and senior boarding houses, MITS supports young Indigenous people as they pursue away-from-home schooling in Melbourne.

to one of 13 partner schools via a Pathways Program designed to support students, families and their chosen school across Independent, Government and Catholic sectors.

“We work in partnership with families and communities who aspire for their young people to access a great education away from home,” says Edward Tudor, Chief Executive Officer at MITS.

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Close to home The Australian commercial building market is on a clear path towards electrification. So when it came time for an iconic property in Brisbane to decommission its gas-fired cogeneration plant, the technical expertise of the A.G. Coombs Group was called on to deliver a project close to home.

Located in one of Brisbane’s fastest growing business precincts, 540 Wickham Street is Fortitude Valley’s most prestigious commercial office address – HQ North and HQ South. Owned by Cromwell Property Group since 2011, HQ North features 29,364m² NLA over 11 storeys, including 1,086m² of retail space and secure basement parking for 330 cars.

Recently refurbished to include a bright and welcoming lobby, the building boasts outstanding environmental credentials including a 6 star Green Star v2 Office Design rating – the highest given by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) – as well as 5.5 star NABERS Energy and 4 star NABERS Water ratings. Among its key tenants is A.G. Coombs Queensland, having occupied Level 1 since 2016. A.G. Coombs Advisory has worked collaboratively with the Cromwell team in the years since, with a number of projects driving improvements to the buildings’ NABERS Energy rating and sustainability performance. Recognising impending changes to the way in which NABERS Energy ratings are to be calculated, Cromwell more recently engaged A.G. Coombs Advisory to investigate the impact of the building’s 1900kVA gas-fired cogeneration plant on its environmental ratings. “Our feasibility study found the use of the cogeneration system’s absorption chiller to provide cooling as a supplement to the building’s chilled water plant did not provide significant reduction in emissions compared to the electric chiller plant, largely as a result of the auxiliary systems required to run the absorber,” says David Oakeshott, Leader – Technical Advice at A.G. Coombs Advisory. The study took into account the maintenance and life cycle of the plant, the standby power demands of the building, the changing cost of energy and a decarbonised electricity grid, in particular the upcoming changes to the NABERS Energy rating emissions factors – both short and long term. “It used to be that by using natural gas to generate power on site, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were approximately halved compared to the Queensland electricity grid,” says David. “But as more renewables contribute to the electricity grid, generating locally with gas is no longer as carbon efficient.”

services offered the potential to improve HQ North tower’s NABERS Energy rating to a market-leading 6 stars. The use of a HFO (R1233zd) refrigerant further reduces the Scope 1 emissions from the site. Additionally, the plant’s replacement reduces plant operational costs and allows the optimisation of plantroom space through careful design, thereby increasing the space afforded to the onsite facility management team. The use of a diesel generating set for standby power greatly simplifies the operation and maintenance of the plant and increases the reliability of the system. The sizing of the new electric chiller was critical to the success of the project. The new chiller needed to replace the absorption chiller’s capacity while still providing a high-efficiency alternative to the existing low load chiller. Accepting these recommendations, Cromwell engaged A.G. Coombs Advisory to write the specification for the

replacement of the cogeneration plant, and provide technical support to the tender process. Cromwell awarded the project to A.G. Coombs under a traditional design and construct (D&C) contract, with A.G. Coombs Advisory staying on in a technical capacity for the client. The project commenced in mid-2022 with the building’s cogeneration plant decommissioned and the system’s absorption chiller and emissions treatment system removed. A waste minimisation strategy saw many components of the plant reused, including the gas powered generator which will be used in outback Australia, the urea which is being used in another trigen plant, the lithiumbromide which is being reused in another absorption chiller overseas and various other components which are being retained as spare parts to extend the life of other plant. The absorption chiller, along with other components including redundant cable, pipework and flues were recycled. >

Net Zero ambitions The project aims to help reduce the buildings carbon emissions in 3 ways: • By not consuming gas on-site the owner is able to purchase green power from renewable sources for the operation of the site. • A significantly more efficient electric chiller was selected to replace the absorption chiller and provide low and mid load cooling which is required for about 80% of normal operation.

• A chiller using a hydrofluroolefin (HFO) refrigerant was selected. HFO has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of one and as such is equivalent to carbon dioxide (CO2), whereas similar chillers with alternative refrigerants have a GWP of over 1400, or 1400 times that of carbon dioxide.

A.G. Coombs Advisory found that by removing the cogeneration set and replacing it with a magnetic bearing, water-cooled electric chiller and standby diesel generator to power essential Image: Ross Pottinger

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Through careful cut-over planning, the complete shutdown of services has been limited. A temporary generator provided standby power to essential services for the duration of the changeover, until the new diesel generator and associated systems were complete. “This has been one of the most complex jobs I’ve ever managed,” says Gareth McCrystal, Project Manager at A.G. Coombs. “Working side-by-side with the A.G. Coombs Advisory team and leaning on the technical expertise of the broader Group, has been of enormous benefit.”

Additionally, Gareth says having the right trade partners in place has been crucial in managing risk. A new pre-commissioned controls and mechanical electrical board, installed and cutover from the existing board, helped to facilitate the cutover to the new arrangement and has addressed the critical issue of arc flash safety. Control of the Main Switchroom can be safely managed from outside the room which eliminates the life safety risk of switching in close proximity to circuit breakers with a rating of 3200Amps.

Electrification

The works presented a major logistics challenge to minimise disruption to the building and tenants, and safely remove the heavy plant. With the existing suspended slab floor requiring back-propping, the entire removal works were completed across one weekend.

“We have been pleased to have the A.G. Coombs Group involved, with the technical capability and commitment of the team evident in their approach to the works.” It is expected the new electric chiller plant will contribute significantly to Cromwell Property Group’s net zero emissions goals, while reducing complexity and providing significant savings in plant maintenance The project is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2023.

“HQ North is a prominent asset in our portfolio, with this electrification project marking a significant milestone in our broader efforts to enhance the precinct's already strong sustainability credentials in the years ahead.” says Chris Eske, National Facilities & Operations Manager at Cromwell Property Group.

Why electrify? "Used to produce exhaust heat and hot water for use in the absorption chiller – as well as electrical power in the case of cogeneration and trigeneration plant – natural gas can typically represent between 10 and 30% of a commercial building’s Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (operational) greenhouse gas emissions. While an electric alternative would appear an obvious choice in reducing these emissions, the driver for electrification/degasification is not the same for every building and the business case will vary. " David Oakeshott, Leader – Technical Advice at A.G. Coombs Advisory

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Electrification

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Big build

in a duty/standby configuration, allowing A.G. Coombs to prefabricate duty/standby fans and coil arrangements with motorised dampers and valve sets making site installation significantly more straightforward. Pipework modules that connect services from the Flinders OSD plantroom to the concourse were also prefabricated. Given their installation some 9m above the concourse floor, this method removed the significant risk associated with personnel working at heights. Considerable detail has gone into the design lifecycle of plant and equipment

that will operate in a high humidity environment, with consideration given to specialist equipment design life and corrosion prevention. As well as the construction of mechanical services and ventilation systems serving the station concourse, A.G. Coombs has been responsible for the installation of the Over-Track Exhaust (OTE) system, and specialist rail tunnel fan units capable of exhausting 200,000l/s of air when operational. “We went through a steep learning curve in regard to understanding this specialist rail tunnel ventilation systems

and critical systems,” says Ben Bishop, Senior Engineer for A.G. Coombs. “This was assisted significantly by A.G. Coombs' considerable experience in the new Sydney underground metro stations.” “The heavy-weight specification of 6mm plate steel superstructure associated with these systems, including transition pieces and connections to attenuators, required specialist steel prefabrication techniques. These pieces were so large and heavy, they were designed and constructed into four quadrants before being lifted and joined onsite.” >

A.G. Coombs is currently involved in some of Australia’s largest transport infrastructure projects, including the delivery of mechanical services for the new Town Hall Station, as part of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project.

One of the Victorian Government’s Big Build infrastructure projects, the Metro Tunnel is set to untangle Melbourne’s underground City Loop by creating a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the west to Pakenham in the south east. The project includes twin 9km long rail tunnels and five new underground stations, including Town Hall in the centre of Melbourne’s CBD. Located beneath Swanston Street between Flinders and Collins, Town Hall Station will provide a passenger connection to nearby Flinders Street Station, allowing commuters to conveniently interchange between Metro Tunnel and City Loop services. It will also improve passenger and public access to City Square, Federation Square and other notable landmarks in the CBD.

that integrate the concourse with train platforms on one single level. This design has resulted in 19m wide platforms – some of the widest metro platforms in the world – as well as a concourse featuring a cathedral-like vaulted ceiling. In late 2021, A.G. Coombs was awarded a construct-only contract to deliver the mechanical services for Town Hall Station by managing contractor, CYP Design & Construction Joint Venture. The concourse, electrical and communications rooms are conditioned by a water-cooled chiller plant located within an Over-Station Development (OSD) nearby. This plant serves chilled water fan coil units (FCUs) throughout, while a small boiler plant provides heating to retail spaces and back-of-house.

The station is located at a depth of 27m below street level and features a trinocular cavern with three overlapping tunnels

Due to rail-specific requirements, all plant has been designed and installed

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Big build

The station is located at a depth of 27m below street level and features a trinocular cavern with three overlapping tunnels

Due to rail-specific requirements, all plant has been designed and installed

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Incredibly, the rail tunnel ventilation system at Town Hall Station operates in unison with the ventilation systems within adjacent underground stations to either supply or exhaust air through the expanse of the connected rail tunnel.

in us workshopping with CYP and the contractor working on the other CBD underground station, to develop a holistic solution that was both achievable and consistent across both sites,” says Ben. A.G. Coombs personnel continue to work on site, with Town Hall Station expected to reach completion and open with the Metro Tunnel in 2025.

And unlike the 45-year old City Loop, the Metro Tunnel rail tunnels are separated from each station concourse by doors, effectively sealing the tunnel. In the event of a concourse fire, the Environmental Control System (ECS) plenum that conditions the platform via supply air in normal operation reverses to become a smoke exhaust system. “Because there are so many critical spaces in an underground station, the fire mode is quite complex and resulted

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Construction sequencing associated with working underground also presented numerous challenges and required close coordination with other trades.

A Public Private Partnership The design and construction of the Metro Tunnel’s main tunneling works, five underground stations and station fitout was awarded to the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) consortium. This consortium comprises Lendlease Melbourne Metro, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital, operating in a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“A.G. Coombs has proven to be a valuable specialist technical partner on the Metro Tunnel Town Hall Station, with our technical experience in underground rail stations and prefabricated solutions bringing advantages to the construction site and overall program,” says Michael Roberts, Metro South Project Manager for A.G. Coombs. Image: bigbuild.vic.gov.au

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Construction sequencing associated with working underground also presented numerous challenges and required close coordination with other trades.

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Going big on data As the potential of AI (artificial intelligence) is realised, and the economy continues its digital transformation, the demand for data storage, cloud and interconnection capability has never been greater. Working with leading data centre provider NEXTDC, A.G. Coombs is at the forefront of delivering the digital infrastructure platform underpinning that future. The AI influence

Image: Aran Anderson Photography

S3 Sydney is NEXTDC’s third and largest data centre in Sydney – directly connecting to the company’s existing S1 and S2 sites to form an interconnected, digital metropolitan campus. Located in Artarmon, S3 Sydney comprises more than 26,000m² of data halls and ancillary infrastructure over nine levels, and when completed will deliver more than 20,000m² of critical IT space and 80MW of critical power to clients. This is complemented by over 4,000m² of operational space housing essential teams and business operations, as well as client amenities such as mission critical workspaces, collaboration zones and a 73-seat auditorium.

mechanical services specialist and services lead for Stage 1 under a design and construct (D&C) contract. This project represents a further deepening of the partnership between A.G. Coombs, NEXTDC and Multiplex, following the successful completion of the S2 data centre. “This has been a highly collaborative project environment, with both upstream and downstream representation from stakeholders, including NEXTDC, in services meetings being of great benefit to the project outcomes,” says Nathan Waugh, Project Manager for A.G. Coombs.

A.G. Coombs is pleased to have contributed to a technically complex, services-heavy build in its role as

Working to a modular mechanical services design by consultant Aurecon, A.G. Coombs applied its industry leading prefabrication capabilities on the project. Given the interruption caused by COVID-19 and 2022’s record heavy rain in Sydney, this strategy became a key driver in achieving practical completion by the construction program date.

Building Efficiency

Built by Multiplex, the construction of the facility commenced in 2021, with practical completion of Stage 1 reached in July 2022.

Around 90% of the mechanical services pipework was prefabricated offsite. Similarly, external risers located on the southern side of the building that serve each level’s data halls were prefabricated and installed while the building remained wrapped in scaffold. The S3 Sydney Data Centre is served by a large heat rejection rooftop plant located on the northern side of the building. A.G. Coombs installed 13 of 26 cooling towers under the Stage 1 works, with each cooling tower set prefabricated on modular skids weighing seven tonnes each. These skids contain the primary and secondary pumps, heat exchanger, water treatment plant, feed and expansion systems and all relevant pipework. Through the design phase, the placement of each skid was carefully devised. The Trimble system was utilised on site to ensure they were correctly set out within the three-tiered, cooling tower walkway, with careful coordination required to

allow for each skid to be craned into the corresponding cooling tower void.

says David Dannaoui, Senior Services Manager at Multiplex.

Data hall pressurisation and humidity control is achieved by dedicated outsideair pressurisation units installed on each level, while the operational (office) spaces are served by dedicated variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems.

As of mid-2023, A.G. Coombs has fitted out two of the sixteen largest data halls within the facility, representing 2.4MW of initial capacity. The remaining halls and suites (approximately 77.7MW of capacity) are expected to be fitted out progressively over the next few years.

The separation of services, and that each service is supported independently, are requirements of the Uptime Institute Tier IV standard to which the S3 Sydney Data Centre has been designed and constructed. This certification, achieved soon after practical completion, recognises the facility’s complete fault tolerance and the provision of redundancy for power and cooling to ensure reliability and resilience.

“A.G. Coombs has shown an ability to bring our design to life, not only through prefabrication and modularisation of mechanical services but also through their commitment to collaboration at every turn of the project,” says Angus Barron, Engineering Delivery Director at NEXTDC.

“Through their prefabrication strategy and technical expertise, A.G. Coombs has proven to be a genuine partner in the successful, on-time delivery of the NEXTDC S3 Sydney Data Centre,”

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“The ever-growing AI (artificial intelligence) space is driving capacity requirements in data centres around the world, and the most cost-effective way to accommodate this fast growth is via a modular approach to construction,” says Nathan Waugh, Project Manager for A.G. Coombs. Approximately 70% of A.G. Coombs’ construction on the NEXTDC S3 Sydney project was prefabricated in an offsite controlled environment. The majority of works were completed in modules, leaving the joining of pipework risers and reticulation to be carried out on site. “The advantages provided by prefabrication, and A.G. Coombs’s industry leading capabilities in this space, complements data centre modularisation so well.”

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Image: Aran Anderson Photography

A.G. Coombs is pleased to have contributed to a technically complex, services-heavy build in its role as

Building Efficiency

Built by Multiplex, the construction of the facility commenced in 2021, with practical completion of Stage 1 reached in July 2022.

allow for each skid to be craned into the corresponding cooling tower void.

says David Dannaoui, Senior Services Manager at Multiplex.

“Through their prefabrication strategy and technical expertise, A.G. Coombs has proven to be a genuine partner in the successful, on-time delivery of the NEXTDC S3 Sydney Data Centre,”

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Educated decisions The A.G. Coombs Group has built a strong reputation for its work in Australia’s tertiary education sector, where effective lifecycle asset maintenance allows universities to make informed decisions on capital expenditure in line with sustainability commitments.

Victoria University has offered accessible education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond for over 100 years, with established campuses in the Melbourne CBD, Footscray, St Albans, Sunshine and Werribee catering for some of Melbourne’s fastest growing areas. As is typical of the tertiary education sector, these campuses are ever-evolving, resulting in a mix of buildings – from newly-constructed facilities to others that are decades old, all featuring mechanical services assets of varying age and condition.

This whole-of-life asset management and validation model has supported Victoria University in making informed decisions on upgrades, identify energy efficiency opportunities and indoor comfort improvements, and informed capital expenditure planning in association with their sustainability and net-zero carbon goals.

A dedicated team of mechanical services and electrical services technicians have delivered significant improvements in asset maintenance and lifecycle management, indoor environment quality (IEQ) and essential safety measures (ESM) integration, system performance and compliance.

A.G. Coombs is also undertaking an asset upgrade program resulting in aging, inefficient mechanical services plant and equipment being identified and replaced with new and more energy efficient systems.

Many of the achievements to date have relied on the introduction of a sophisticated digital asset management

Building Efficiency

Structured to conform to Australian Standard AS ISO 55001:2014 Asset Management, and Tertiary Education Facility Management Association (TEFMA) standards, the A.G. Coombs AMS is readily accessible for the University’s facility management team and provides valuable insights into the location, age, history and condition of individual mechanical services assets that fall under the contract.

Since being awarded the mechanical services maintenance contract in 2018, A.G. Coombs Service has worked collaboratively with Victoria University to improve the standard and consistency of HVAC and mechanical services maintenance across these campuses.

“Site knowledge is critical, and our team collaborates closely with the Victoria University facility management team on a daily basis to achieve our shared objectives,” says Gavin Mitchell, Senior Account Manager for A.G. Coombs Service.

Image: Gollings Studio & Jackson Architecture

system (AMS), developed following a detailed asset audit undertaken by A.G. Coombs.

This has included the removal of DX (direct expansion) cooling systems and the degasification of heating hot water systems with the installation of electric heat pump technology together with mechanical services switchboard and submains upgrades. The Group’s technical ability also proved valuable as the University emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A.G. Coombs Advisory worked closely with the University’s facility management team and key stakeholders to assure staff and students of their safe return to campus in 2022, via improvements to indoor air and environment quality. This was achieved through increased air change rates, enhanced building management control system (BMCS) strategies, and improvements to air filtration. Regular open dialogue between all relevant parties was critical in addressing perceived concerns with air quality. Representative of the relationship that has developed between A.G. Coombs and Victoria University since 2018, the mechanical services maintenance contract has been recently renewed to also include water treatment. Walker Fire Protection, a member of the A.G. Coombs Group, has also been awarded the contract to deliver fire services maintenance and Essential Safety Measures testing. “Having a trusted provider like the A.G. Coombs Group, who is consistent, outcome driven with a willingness to work closely with us, gives the University great confidence moving forward,” says Ian Crawford, Director Operational Planning & Asset Management at Victoria University. “A.G. Coombs has demonstrated a proactive attitude, and their work on HVAC essential safety measures performance testing and compliance, has been invaluable in ensuring the University demonstrates industry best practice.”

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Many of the achievements to date have relied on the introduction of a sophisticated digital asset management

Building Efficiency

Image: Gollings Studio & Jackson Architecture

system (AMS), developed following a detailed asset audit undertaken by A.G. Coombs.

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Designed for manufacture

Interview

Technology is driving significant – some would say revolutionary – change in the way today’s buildings are constructed, and the prefabrication of mechanical services is a key part of that change.

Daniel Waack Integrated Prefabrication Leader A.G. Coombs Projects

As a leader in the Australian building services industry, A.G. Coombs has a long standing reputation as an innovator. Nowhere is this more evident than in the development of the Group’s offsite prefabrication capability. A.G. Coombs has pioneered the application of large-scale prefabricated services methods in the Australian construction sector for over 15 years – from vertical and horizontal services modules to external plant rooms. Constructed offsite in integrated prefabrication facilities before being transported to site for installation, all system components including mechanical, electrical, controls and fire protection elements can be installed, pre-tested and pre-commissioned. This strategy leads to improved quality, program, safety and performance outcomes, as well as reducing site construction time by transferring

Building Efficiency

thousands of hours of complicated site installation into a controlled environment with the need to work at height virtually eliminated. Now with growing economies of scale, the hyper-standardisation of repeatable components is allowing the creation of a “catalogue of parts” allowing for deeper integration of prefabrication strategies into design.

Building Efficiency (BE) spoke with Daniel Waack, Integrated Prefabrication Leader with A.G. Coombs Projects, about the evolution of construction and how prefabrication is changing the Australian construction landscape.

BE: What are A.G. Coombs’ capabilities in prefabrication?

BE: How is the evolution of prefabrication changing construction?

Daniel Waack: I like to say that if you can imagine it, we can prefabricate it. Likewise if you identify a problem, prefab can be a solution. Some of our best prefabrication outcomes have come from our team identifying a particular challenge on site, leading to an offsite manufactured answer that can be leveraged in other projects moving forward.

Daniel Waack: Traditional construction has always been about building from raw materials and individual components on site, that began to change with the use of pre-cast concrete panels and prefabricated steel structural items. Similarly, mechanical services were always “stick-built” too, but in recent years the adoption of prefabricated, modular building techniques began to change that, and now as clients come on board with the concept we are moving to a “kit of parts” approach that standardises common sub-assemblies to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale.

Continuous improvement is one of A.G. Coombs’ core values, and prefabrication is one area where this is realised on a day-to-day basis. We are constantly looking to refine and standardise our prefabricated components to be easier to integrate into building construction, be more costeffective, and more straightforward to manufacture. Standardisation is leading to more and more prefabrication being incorporated into building services design.

What we are now seeing is prefabrication being driven by the services contractor, with the barriers that once existed gradually breaking down as clients and constructors experience the benefits.

Consequently, our capability at A.G. Coombs has progressed from what is now relatively ‘straightforward’ pipe module manufacture to modular assembly on a significantly larger and more sophisticated scale. We now have a strong focus on the assembly component in DfMA (design for manufacture and assembly). BE: How is the integration of prefabrication strategies from Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) impacting design? Daniel Waack: Front end designers and ECI processes are now beginning to incorporate and leverage offsite opportunities at the early stages of design rather than later shoehorning prefabrication solutions in. This is bringing demonstrable benefits to construction projects. For example, we were able to incorporate our prefabricated riser frame >

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Designed for manufacture

Interview

Daniel Waack Integrated Prefabrication Leader A.G. Coombs Projects

Building Efficiency

BE: What are A.G. Coombs’ capabilities in prefabrication?

BE: How is the evolution of prefabrication changing construction?

What we are now seeing is prefabrication being driven by the services contractor, with the barriers that once existed gradually breaking down as clients and constructors experience the benefits.

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Prefabrication in numbers Across a six month period, A.G. Coombs’ dedicated prefabrication facility in Victoria manufactures thousands of items including: • Pipe, duct and multiservices riser modules • Integrated fan modules • Horizontal multi-services modules • Integrated pump modules • Plant room modules • Pump and equipment modules • Valve assemblies • Fan coil unit (FCU) modules

concepts into the early designs of the recently completed Victorian Heart Hospital. This brought a number of benefits to the project including reducing onsite labour hours, working from height risks, program risk and ultimately assisted in delivering an exceptionally high quality build. Prefabrication now forms part of our standard project methodology, rather than an after-thought post project commencement, with budgets and prefabrication proposals forming part of the initial pricing. This means that the budget can be appropriately allocated at the start of a project, and a clear plan is formed when the project mobilises. This is being made simpler by the standardisation of repeatable items and the ability to therefore confidently price these into each project.

Building Efficiency

BE: What benefits does offsite prefabrication bring to a project?

embrace them and change how things have always been done.

Daniel Waack: Prefabrication reduces the number of onsite labour hours and allows parallel construction (i.e. on site and offsite), which in turn increases the speed of project completion and can significantly reduce program risk. It also reduces the safety risks associated with working on site, and at heights, and improves build quality as prefabrication is occurring in a controlled environment. This can then lead to a reduction in the amount of rework required on site.

We are finding that as clients and design and construction teams experience the benefits of prefabrication and ECI they are enthusiastic to apply these approaches on their next projects.

multi-services riser solutions, integrated fan modules, horizontal multi services modules, valve assemblies, integrated pump modules and plant room modules. In our prefabrication environments we are moving to apply Lean manufacturing techniques to reduce waste and drive efficiencies and quality.

BE: Where is A.G. Coombs investing further in its prefabrication capability?

BE: What of the future? Where can we go from there?

Daniel Waack: The Group’s investment is focused on support and facilitation of our people to take a challenge and develop a prefabrication solution to deliver a positive outcome – whether that’s through a custom piece to solve a unique challenge, or through prefabricating a volume of the same assembly.

Daniel Waack: We believe that early contractor involvement (ECI) and prefabrication consideration at concept design will soon become normal on most significant projects, and that the design of services will begin to take up the advantage of applying a ‘kit of parts’ approach.

Hyper-standardisation of repeatable parts and sub-assemblies is where we are heading. We have progressed the creation of a catalogue of standardised prefabricated products including

There also remain very significant opportunities in the multi-services space, where multiple trade services can be fully integrated into prefabrication.

BE: What are the challenges and barriers left to be overcome? Daniel Waack: Price-based rather than value-based decision making, and a lack of benefit awareness or exposure to prefabrication continue to be challenges. Our industry is typically one of tactile learners, we often need to first experience the benefits of new methodologies to fully

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Multi-service collaboration, and increased levels of integration with the building superstructure to rationalise structural elements are areas we are progressing.

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Building Efficiency

BE: What benefits does offsite prefabrication bring to a project?

embrace them and change how things have always been done.

We are finding that as clients and design and construction teams experience the benefits of prefabrication and ECI they are enthusiastic to apply these approaches on their next projects.

BE: Where is A.G. Coombs investing further in its prefabrication capability?

BE: What of the future? Where can we go from there?

Hyper-standardisation of repeatable parts and sub-assemblies is where we are heading. We have progressed the creation of a catalogue of standardised prefabricated products including

There also remain very significant opportunities in the multi-services space, where multiple trade services can be fully integrated into prefabrication.

2023-2024

Multi-service collaboration, and increased levels of integration with the building superstructure to rationalise structural elements are areas we are progressing.

agcoombs.com.au

Northern exposure

For well over a decade, the A.G. Coombs Group has established itself as a leading provider of specialist building services in Queensland. As well as involvement on many of Brisbane’s largest construction projects, the company provides market-leading service and maintenance to a wide and diverse range of facilities across the state – from the Gold Coast to Cairns. To better service client sites and major projects in northern Queensland, and recognising the opportunities that exist in this growing region, A.G. Coombs North Queensland officially opened its Townsville office in May 2023. Local dance group Wulgurukaba Walkabouts welcomed A.G. Coombs to the region with a traditional smoking ceremony in the gardens adjacent to the new office in the Suncorp Tower. Led by regional leader Russ Sampson, A.G. Coombs has hit the ground running in North Queensland, securing the mechanical services contract for a local private hospital project as well as delivering service and maintenance to several national client sites. A.G. Coombs is pleased to have secured the maintenance contract for HVAC services at the prestigious 420 Flinders Street in Townsville. Partnering with national client Cromwell Property Group,

Building Efficiency

the highest standard of maintenance will be delivered at this A-grade, 5.5 star NABERS Energy rated office building that is home to Energy Queensland and the NAB.

A.G. Coombs acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which it operates in North Queensland – the Bindal Gugu Badhun, Nywaigi and Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra People.

“This contract marks a significant milestone for our dedicated A.G. Coombs team as we expand and strengthen our local presence in North Queensland and look to add value to the region’s bright future,” says Danny McGregor, General Manager for A.G. Coombs Queensland. The arrival of A.G. Coombs to North Queensland is also good news for employment and the mechanical services trade in the region, with the company actively recruiting qualified tradespeople as it grows its local team. Danny says the company’s culture of technical excellence, innovation and experience will benefit major projects in the region including those in the defence, tertiary education, healthcare and renewable energy sectors. This includes the company’s industry leading, state-of-the-art prefabrication capabilities. “With its incredible potential to accelerate project timelines, improve quality control and enhance sustainability, prefabrication is a game-changer across regional Australia,” says Danny.

The North Queensland region is home to over 240,000 people and contributes over $17.1 billion to the Queensland economy annually. It features one of the most diverse economic bases in Australia, with over 16,000 businesses operating in 19 industry sectors including defence, education and research, manufacturing, construction and healthcare.

2023-2024

regional

The A.G. Coombs Group continues to expand its presence across the eastern seaboard, opening a new regional office in Townsville to bring industry leading building services expertise to Northern Queensland.

agcoombs.com.au

Northern exposure

Building Efficiency

the highest standard of maintenance will be delivered at this A-grade, 5.5 star NABERS Energy rated office building that is home to Energy Queensland and the NAB.

A.G. Coombs acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which it operates in North Queensland – the Bindal Gugu Badhun, Nywaigi and Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra People.

2023-2024

regional

agcoombs.com.au

Talent recognised at AMCA Industry Excellence Awards

An innovative research project initiated by the City of Melbourne has found a simple way to reduce energy consumption in office buildings while also decreasing the transmission of COVID-19.

High quality staff are our major strength and the long-standing policy of attracting and developing only the best continues to reinforce a reputation that A.G. Coombs is “the place to work.”

in the news

Invisible Links – The BREATH Project

BREATH is a world-first collaboration between local government, industry and academics, and has given us the knowledge to predict the best type of retrofit to simultaneously reduce carbon footprint and infectious disease transmission.

This project was initiated by the City of Melbourne in collaboration with Cbus Property, the University of Melbourne, A.G. Coombs, SEED engineering, Aurecon, Cundall and Westaflex Australia. “We worked closely with clients, industry and government during the pandemic to highlight the role that ventilation in buildings can play in mitigating the transmission of aerosol-borne diseases,” says Andrew Nagarajah, Senior Engineer – Sustainability at A.G. Coombs Advisory.

Ethan Jones QLD – Trainee/Apprentice of the Year

Andrew Harkin VIC – Engineering and Technical Award

Ryan Leather QLD – Future Leader Award

Blake Kilroy NSW – Trade and Technician Award

“Our participation in the BREATH project is a natural extension of that. Post COVID it is essential that building owners, occupiers and HVAC designers and service providers have an enhanced understanding of air distribution in the built environment and how this can be better configured to significantly reduce aerosol spread of disease.”

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan A.G. Coombs are proud to launch our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), building on the foundation laid by our Reflect RAP – an important initial step in our reconciliation journey.

As our journey continues, we remain committed to reinforcing and extending our partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to increase respect, understanding and meaningful collaboration.

We also acknowledge Reconciliation Australia who have provided support and guidance whilst challenging us through the framework in developing measurable targets and activities to ensure we have a clear pathway to be successful.

Our vision remains clear, to embed the recognition, acknowledgement, and celebration of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians within the A.G. Coombs Group of Companies and the industries we lead. We acknowledge and thank our many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partner organisations, communities and indigenous employees who have kindly provided guidance and learnings through our reconciliation journey.

We are very pleased to progress our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan with our employees, clients, stakeholders, and the wider communities in which we work. We look forward to communicating our reconciliation journey.

Building Efficiency

Our commitment to training, career development and industry contribution has been recognised this year through the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of Australia (AMCA) Industry Excellence Awards.

A.G. Coombs congratulates the finalists and winners across all categories. A.G. Coombs Group provides strong foundations for interesting and fulfilling careers though a structured and challenging Graduate Program and an Industry-leading Apprenticeship and Trainee Program. Lauren Campbell QLD – Trade and Technician Award

Paul Eagling VIC – Service Award in Recognition of Significant Contribution to the Industry

For more information please visit agcoombs.com.au/people-careers

Thomas Bennett QLD – Engineering and Technical Award

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au

Talent recognised at AMCA Industry Excellence Awards

An innovative research project initiated by the City of Melbourne has found a simple way to reduce energy consumption in office buildings while also decreasing the transmission of COVID-19.

High quality staff are our major strength and the long-standing policy of attracting and developing only the best continues to reinforce a reputation that A.G. Coombs is “the place to work.”

in the news

Invisible Links – The BREATH Project

Ethan Jones QLD – Trainee/Apprentice of the Year

Andrew Harkin VIC – Engineering and Technical Award

Ryan Leather QLD – Future Leader Award

Blake Kilroy NSW – Trade and Technician Award

Building Efficiency

Paul Eagling VIC – Service Award in Recognition of Significant Contribution to the Industry

For more information please visit agcoombs.com.au/people-careers

Thomas Bennett QLD – Engineering and Technical Award

2023-2024

agcoombs.com.au

A.G. Coombs Group Melbourne | Sydney | Canberra | Brisbane | Townsville Head Office: 26 Cochranes Road Moorabbin VIC 3189 The A.G. Coombs Group is a privately owned Australian group of companies that provides an integrated range of technical services for all systems in buildings, from design through to installation, commissioning, maintenance and ongoing operation and management. Established in 1945, A.G. Coombs has a national capability with major operations on Australia’s eastern seaboard. Melbourne 03 9248 2700 | Sydney 02 8020 6000 | Canberra 02 6217 5600 Brisbane 07 3648 0500 | Townsville 07 4431 1000 | agcoombs.com.au

A.G. Coombs Projects A.G. Coombs Projects leverage a National Centre of Excellence approach, where teamwork and project management skills set the company apart. This approach also provides high end engineering, project management and site personnel to deliver successful projects throughout Australia. 03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/projects

A.G. Coombs Service A.G. Coombs Service is a specialist provider of air conditioning, mechanical services, building controls and bundled services maintenance. Delivering 24/7 building support, the company is a preferred supplier to the Facilities Management Industry and provides professionally managed, highly qualified technical staff to achieve improved reliability, lower costs and regulatory compliance in commercial, retail and industrial buildings. 03 9676 4600 | agcoombs.com.au/service

A.G. Coombs Advisory A.G. Coombs Advisory provides quality advice and consulting services across numerous disciplines including mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and fire protection services and building technologies. A.G. Coombs Advisory is Australia’s leading provider of Green Star Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) services for projects requiring Green Star ‘As Built’ Certification. 03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/advisory

Walker Fire Protection Walker Fire Protection provides a range of fire protection and detection services, from high end project engineering advice and consultancy through to concept and detailed design, installation of all types of fire detection and suppression systems, and ongoing inspection, testing, maintenance and regulatory compliance support. 03 9279 7100 | agcoombs.com.au/walkerfire

Integrated Technical Management Integrated Technical Management is a high quality provider of Technical Facilities Management specialising in technically complex and critical facilities such as data and internet centres, major commercial complexes and sophisticated industrial plants. 03 9248 2700 | agcoombs.com.au/itm

Butler Electrical Butler Electrical provides comprehensive Mechanical Electrical, Commercial Electrical, Industrial Electrical installation and Switchboard fabrication supported by its engineering design services. 03 9555 7400 | butlerelectrical.com.au

This publication is printed on FSC certified paper manufactured with ISO 14001 EMS accreditation and elemental chlorine free pulps. Site images by Mannix Photography. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 A.G. Coombs Group and all related entities. All rights reserved.

More than One Story By Michelle Kerrin

Acknowledgement to Country The A.G. Coombs Group acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders past and present and emerging.

Bringing Buildings to Life TM

BE – Building Efficiency 2023-2024 A.G. Coombs Group Melbourne | Sydney | Canberra | Brisbane | Townsville 03 9248 2700 agcoombs.com.au