BE - Building Efficiency 2021-2022 by A.G. Coombs

2021-2022

Victorian Heart Hospital Queen’s Wharf Under the Collins Arch Canberra University Retail Revolution

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Over the last 12 months the ongoing COVID-19

improvements in facility performance, and

Building Efficiency, the A.G. Coombs Group’s

pandemic has touched each of our lives in

providing expert COVID-19 related building

annual publication again highlights the

a significant way. Life has certainly been

services advice.

remarkable work we have undertaken over the

a lot different in these challenging and

last year with our clients, industry partners

unprecedented times.

Digital transformation of building design and

This edition of Building Efficiency highlights the

is leading the shift to off-site modular

During the COVID-19 pandemic A.G. Coombs

scope of innovative building services solutions

manufacture. Our leading contribution to the

has continued to lead the building services

delivered during this demanding period.

BIM MEPAUS initiative and our innovative Virtual

industry, embracing the challenges, applying

Buildings Information System® puts us at the

new techniques and technologies, continuing

forefront of a digitally enabled, more efficient

to deliver the service and quality standards,

and safer industry.

and outcomes that drive our Group’s success.

suppliers to deliver our services safely and

Digital facility operations offer a wealth of useful

A.G. Coombs is committed to enhancing the

effectively. Our strong business infrastructure and

information supporting asset management

spaces that provide value to our clients and our

resilient continuity plans ensured that we operated

and maintenance, helping our teams deliver

communities – hospitals, learning institutions,

reliably and at a high-performance standard.

significant improvements in system performance,

commercial buildings, defence facilities, data

increased plant life cycles, and reduced operating

centres, museums, sporting facilities and other

costs and environmental impacts.

large-scale community and cultural facilities.

construction continues, and A.G. Coombs

In the changing phases of the pandemic A.G. Coombs Group companies have worked closely with our clients, service providers and

Our industry leading work health and safety systems, together with our evolving COVID-19 safe work plans, have supported our

Ensuring our business operations are sustainable

commitment to the health and well-being of our

and helping our clients reduce the environmental

personnel, clients and the public.

impacts and improve the resilience of their businesses in a changing climate is a prime focus.

We have many large-scale projects of note underway including major rail infrastructure

We are immensely proud of our commitment

with the Victoria Cross and Martin Place

to strength and high performance through

underground rail stations in Sydney, the Town Hall

Diversity and Inclusion as well as Reconciliation

underground rail station in Melbourne, the new

- promoting awareness, understanding and

Victorian Heart Hospital in Clayton, Queens Wharf

positive change in our industry. Our dedicated

precinct redevelopment in Brisbane, and the new

support of community and charitable causes

Sydney Football Stadium. Along with data centre

and longstanding foundation charity partner

developments, defence facility upgrades, large-scale

Challenge is unabated.

pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and many

and suppliers.

We bring to these buildings innovative solutions across the full spectrum of building services to optimise whole of life outcomes.

We bring these buildings to life!

We have always been a values-driven organisation, and this has been fundamental in our performance during COVID-19.

Our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our people and to quality, efficiency and sustainability has seen the best brought out in our people, and our industry.

The A.G. Coombs Group Board fully supports this commitment to values with a clear

smaller but no less important specialist projects.

Strong values and culture provide confidence

These facilities feature the latest in building

For many years these have been the

services technologies and will serve their owners,

cornerstones of our success together with our

occupants and the community well into the future.

talented people – our greatest strength and the

We are proud of what we have achieved in

A.G. Coombs Group’s clear point of difference.

the last 12 months and have exciting plans

Important infrastructure including acute-care

and guidance during challenging periods.

strategic vision for the time ahead, and a firm focus on sound governance, prosperity and success for the long term.

for the future. Thank you for your support

hospitals, data centres, banking facilities,

We are excited by the opportunities that lie

Government building portfolios, and the national

ahead of us as we continue to grow our people

broadcaster together with major commercial

and enhance our capabilities. The A.G. Coombs

building portfolios, iconic cultural institutions,

Group with its highly valued relationships,

multiple universities, and retail shopping centre

leading expertise and strong reputation for

It gives me great pleasure to commend this

portfolios, are all operating safely, efficiently

innovative and dependable delivery looks

year’s edition of Building Efficiency to you.

and sustainably assisted by our specialist

forward to producing outcomes of the highest

building services maintenance and technical

standard for our valued clients.

facility management.

Russell Telford

Our multi-discipline Advisory team is enhancing

Managing Director

client project delivery, enabling significant

A.G. Coombs Group

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and engagement during this challenging and unprecedented period. We look forward to a positive future together.

Clive Weeks AO Chairman A.G. Coombs Group

Contents 04

Heart and soul Australia’s first hospital dedicated to cardiac care

06

Queen of the north Transforming Brisbane’s CBD and riverfront

08

Right on track Specialist high temperature exhaust system for V/Line rail maintenance

06 09

12 14

19

Improving the lifecycle of over

World-class Data Centre design

Cooling upgrade for major acute-care hospital

11,000 university assets

and construction

10

15

A shot in the arm

National maintenance

Delivering on uptime

An eye to summer

20

Spotlight on maintenance

Building capital

Whole-of-life technical support for the

Multi-service bank maintenance

Integrated maintenance for

Queensland Cultural Centre

across Australia

University of Canberra

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16

Cooling power

In tune

Supporting Powerlink Queensland

New ventilation for iconic guitar maker

12

18

Under the Collins arch

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Retail revolution

High performance building

Fire protection for world leading automated

operation

Coles’ customer fulfilment centre

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.

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Heart and soul When completed in late 2022, the Victorian Heart Hospital will be Australia’s first hospital dedicated to cardiac care. For A.G. Coombs, the project showcases the next evolution of the Group’s pioneering prefabrication capability as it aims to complete 30 per cent of works offsite.

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partnership between the Victorian Government, Monash

As is typical of large scale and complex healthcare projects, the fast-

Health and Monash University, the $564 million Victorian

tracked construction program outpaced services design finalisation.

Heart Hospital is a strategically located and purpose-built

Identified as an issue early, this resulted in the floor slab above

facility that will enhance the state’s position in cardiac

the Level 3 main plantroom being formed and poured prior to any

care, research and education.

opportunity to drop large, prefabricated risers into the building.

Currently under construction by John Holland for the Victorian Health

Consequently, 27 mechanical services risers were designed for offsite

Building Authority, the hospital – located on the Monash University

prefabrication including the development of a new “roll-in” riser design

Clayton campus - will feature a total floor area of 65,550m² over 13 levels.

concept to address the access issue.

It will offer a full range of ambulatory and inpatient cardiac care, with

Constructed within a frame and with a set of removable wheels

cardiac theatres, cardiac catheterisation laboratories and ambulatory

at each corner, the “roll-in” riser was able to be craned onto the

services such as cardiac CT, echocardiography and specialist consultation spaces. The hospital will also provide for a range of training and education opportunities and be home to the Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre.

corresponding floor plate and simply rolled into the riser services penetration via floor guide channels. The wheels were then removed, and the riser frame fixed to the slab floor.

Each riser was then connected to the riser systems on the floors above

Once completed, the Victorian Heart Hospital will have the capacity to provide up to 2,150 cardiac surgeries and 13,000 cardiac laboratory procedures each year.

and below the main Level 3 AHU plantroom.

A total of 14 “roll-in” risers were prefabricated - the largest measuring 12m by 6.2m and catering for up to 38 separate systems including air

Following early contractor involvement (ECI) with John Holland in mid-2019, A.G. Coombs was awarded the mechanical services and specialist systems contract. It immediately began work on a design by consulting engineer AECOM, reaching design finalisation in mid-2020.

Calling on the Group’s credentials and experience in hospital and

ductwork, medical gas and in some instances, heating and chilled water pipework.

As lead services coordinator, A.G. Coombs is leading the building information modelling (BIM) design and virtual construction process on the Victorian Heart Hospital project.

healthcare projects, the project team identified a number of opportunities to add value to the design. These include a fire mode strategy that incorporates 356 compartment smoke dampers across the facility to help ensure continuity of clinical operation should there be a fire event.

The complex floor layout, which sees the integration of medical and research laboratories in the middle of the hospital, presented design challenges in maintaining pressure regimes in isolation rooms, research areas with multiple fume cupboards and in the reticulation of specialist services including medical gases and liquid nitrogen.

The use of strobic fans in the laboratory fume cupboard exhaust systems enables the maintenance of critical laboratory pressure regimes under all operating conditions.

Gary Upton, Senior Services Manager, John Holland

The Victorian Heart Hospital project has also benefitted from the next evolution in A.G. Coombs’ prefabrication capability.

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“We have valued the contribution A.G. Coombs has made across engineering, drafting and BIM management, and in particular the Group’s prefabrication capability and the significant advantages it offers a project like this.”

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01 115 air handling units and over 52,000 square metres of ductwork were installed.

02 14 “roll-in” risers were prefabricated – the largest measuring 12m by 6.2m.

03 The project showcases the A.G. Coombs Group’s pioneering prefabrication capability as it aims to complete 30 per cent of works offsite.

01

This has been a critical role across the project with the installation of 115 air handling units, over 52,000 square metres of ductwork and

02

18 kilometres of pipework systems including 4 kilometres of prefabricated horizontal pipe modules serving 100’s of active chilled beams across the hospital floors.

When combined, off-site prefabricated solutions such as multi pump skids, riser frames, horizontal pipe modules, roof fan and duct skids, and valve assemblies make up over 30 per cent of work. As well as allowing for parallel construction, the reduction in onsite hours has played an important part in the management of risks and restrictions associated with COVID-19.

“We are pleased to be building a state-of-the-art facility that will transform the care of cardiac patients in Victoria,” said Gary Upton Senior Services Manager at John Holland.

“We have valued the contribution A.G. Coombs has made across engineering, drafting and BIM management, and in particular the Group’s prefabrication capability and the significant advantages it offers a project like this.”

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Queen of the north Set to open in 2023, the new Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development promises to transform the city’s CBD and riverfront, positioning it as one of Australia’s leading tourism, leisure and entertainment destinations.

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he $3.6 billion development is being delivered by the Destination Brisbane Consortium – a joint venture between The Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) and Far East Consortium.

Queen’s Wharf Brisbane represents the largest private sector development ever undertaken in Queensland.

The development will span across 12 hectares of CBD land, and feature over 1,000 hotel rooms, up to 2,000 residential apartments, a worldclass casino, ballroom and more than 50 restaurants and bars as well as significant public spaces.

A.G. Coombs is playing a key role in the project, having been awarded the mechanical services contracts for several stages.

To this end, A.G. Coombs has taken the services coordination lead

These include the two 10-level Star Grand Hotel towers and the

building information modelling (BIM). Demonstrating the Group’s

65-level luxury residential tower being built by Multiplex – as well as

industry leadership and capabilities, this project will represent some of

the casino gaming floor fitout under construction by Built.

the highest standard of BIM ever delivered by A.G. Coombs.

In value-managing the mechanical services design by consultant WSP,

The important role that BIM will play in the construction and

A.G. Coombs has progressed the design of the residential tower to

ongoing maintenance of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development

include a dedicated chilled water plant. The selection of fan coil units

is obvious when one considers that over 12,000 pieces of mechanical

(FCUs) has also ensured ceiling heights and net lettable area (NLA)

services plant and equipment will be installed across the totality of

across the apartment floors are maximised.

the precinct.

The mechanical services associated with the two hotel towers

In order to meet the construction programme, reduce onsite hours

and gaming floors will – once completed – connect to the site’s

and safety risks, and achieve the highest quality build, A.G. Coombs

central energy plant. This will require close collaboration with other

is applying its well-established prefabrication strategy to the offsite

contractors to ensure quality of build and successful commissioning.

construction of items including risers and large horizontal modules.

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on the awarded stages of the project, as well as the management of

“Destination Brisbane Consortium, together with Multiplex and Built, are delivering an iconic development with the construction of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane.”

Danny McGregor, Queensland Manager, A.G. Coombs

IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY DBC. CONCEPT IMAGES ONLY. SUBJECT TO APPROVALS.

Given the scale and importance of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, A.G. Coombs has appointed key members of its management team to work closely with the project’s stakeholders to ensure the project is delivered successfully.

“Destination Brisbane Consortium, together with Multiplex and Built, are delivering this iconic development with the construction of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane,” said Danny McGregor, Queensland Manager at A.G. Coombs.

“Leveraging our Group’s technical expertise and years of experience in delivering landmark projects across Australia, A.G. Coombs is pleased to be playing a major role in the construction of this transformative project.”

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Right on track The construction of a specialist, high temperature exhaust system used in the maintenance of V/Line’s diesel locomotive stock will contribute to the ongoing performance of Victoria’s regional train network.

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uilt locally by Bombardier, VLocity trains are the most

“The technical expertise of the A.G. Coombs team, and their application of prefabrication to ensure we met the programme, contributed to the success of the project.”

Jamie Gordon, Senior Project Engineer, Laing O’Rourke Australia

modern in the V/Line fleet with the ability to travel at up to 160km/h on regional lines including those to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Bairnsdale.

Through careful manoeuvring between existing depot infrastructure

Said to be among the most reliable diesel railcars in the world with

like maintenance platforms and stairs, each prefabricated arm and

a design life of 35 years, power to each car is provided by a 559kW

dropper set was safely installed via a boom lift.

(750hp) diesel engine that powers both axles on one of two bogies.

Maintenance and service of the trains and engines are conducted

by V/Line at the South Dynon Locomotive Depot in West Melbourne.

Originally built in 1964, the depot is now a modern, purpose-built facility designed specifically for the servicing of the VLocity fleet.

In mid-2020, A.G. Coombs was engaged by builder Laing O’Rourke to provide high-capacity fume exhaust systems to the depot as part of broader facility upgrades.

Working to a documented design by consultant GHD, A.G. Coombs applied its prefabrication capability and technical expertise to the construction of the six systems.

Additional interior air extraction is provided to the depot via ten general exhaust fans installed at roof level. To improve space conditions – particularly during the summer months - A.G. Coombs replaced nine existing evaporative coolers that had reached their endof-life.

All rooftop equipment was skid-mounted offsite for ease of installation and craned into position.

As well as minimising the safety risks associated with working at heights, the integrated prefabricated approach taken by A.G. Coombs at the South Dynon Locomotive Depot reduced onsite work hours and ensured a high quality build was achieved.

Each features a specialist high temperature, high volume exhaust fan with vertical discharge located on the rooftop. Connected to these fans are 12m high fixed arms and movable droppers fitted with 500mm

“The South Dynon Locomotive Depot plays a critical role in V/Line’s day-to-day operations,” said Jamie Gordon, Senior Project Engineer at

diameter stainless steel hoods to allow for 360° movement.

Laing O’Rourke Australia.

The flexible design allows each hood to be accurately positioned above

“The technical expertise of the A.G. Coombs team, and their

the discharge vent of a train’s running diesel engine to safely exhaust

application of prefabrication to ensure we met the programme,

the 300°C diesel fumes at 3,000 litres per second.

contributed to the success of the project.”

Designed by A.G. Coombs to allow for thermal expansion and

The A.G. Coombs Group is now involved in additional works at the

contraction – similar to a steam system - the arms and droppers were

depot. These include installation of air conditioning systems, exhaust

prefabricated using galvanised steel ductwork and insulated to protect

fans and fume cupboards, as well as fire protection systems and

maintenance staff from hot surfaces.

infrastructure wiring.

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A shot in the arm With a background of uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic,

Accessible to The University of Melbourne’s campus services

A.G. Coombs is working closely with The University of Melbourne to

team, this system is continually updated with data by A.G. Coombs

manage the lifecycle of over 11,000 mechanical services assets.

field technicians as part of routine service and maintenance

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inspections. As well as tracking the lifecycle of assets, it automates

.G. Coombs Group has shared a long association with The University of Melbourne that goes back to the completion of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the Parkville Campus

almost a decade ago.

the assessment of asset criticality and condition, assigns cost of ownership and is used for regulatory compliance.

Ongoing, this technology will be used in the annual review of building operations across The University of Melbourne’s four campuses. It will

The relationship has been strengthened in recent times, with A.G. Coombs Service successfully tendering for the University’s mechanical services maintenance contract.

also help identify energy efficiency opportunities and inform capital expenditure planning for the short, medium and longer term.

As The University of Melbourne emerges from the other side of

Since commencing delivery of this single vendor, predictive maintenance agreement, the two organisations have worked collaboratively to improve the general standard of maintenance across the Parkville, Southbank, Burnley and Werribee campuses.

A.G. Coombs has also driven down both the quantity and cost of reactive works over time, and overseen the successful rollout of a Building Energy Optimisation Program (BEOP) to assist the ®

University in fulfilling its sustainability ambitions.

But it is the development of a uniform digital asset management model that is arming the University with the information necessary

the pandemic, A.G. Coombs Service is preparing to return to a full maintenance model.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a number of challenges to the tertiary education sector, requiring the University and our partners to be flexible and agile in their delivery,” said Colin Reiter, Director Campus Management at The University of Melbourne.

“A.G. Coombs has been a proactive and reliable partner, adapting to the circumstances while remaining committed to ensuring our assets are maintained in good condition as we plan a return to onsite learning.”

to help navigate the COVID-19 pandemic – a period when the tertiary education sector has been among the hardest hit.

As the impact of COVID-19 on the University’s day-to-day operations and finances became apparent in 2020, the accurate picture painted by digital asset management allowed A.G. Coombs Service to move swiftly to an alternative maintenance model that aimed to reduce reactive maintenance costs.

A.G. Coombs has since helped to identify critical systems that require ongoing service and has been relied upon to ensure a general standard of maintenance is delivered in the short term.

The success of the model was predicated on the completion of a comprehensive asset audit by A.G. Coombs.

The status of over 11,000 known and unknown individual mechanical services assets was recorded across 150 buildings – including the location, age, condition, equipment type, make and model. Many were found to be outside their published life cycle, but rather than rely on age as a blunt instrument to verify their condition, expert A.G. Coombs technicians were deployed to manually identify and accurately establish the actual state of each asset and its useful lifecycle.

The ongoing asset audit has been used to improve the data held within the University’s own asset register.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs has deployed its own digital asset management system that conforms to ISO 55001:2014 Asset

“A.G. Coombs has been a proactive and reliable partner, adapting to the circumstances while remaining committed to ensuring our assets are maintained in good condition as we plan a return to onsite learning.”

Colin Reiter, Director Campus Management, The University of Melbourne

Management and TEFMA (Tertiary Education Facility Management Association) standards.

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National maintenance Having delivered mechanical, electrical and fire services maintenance to the National Australia Bank’s (NAB) southern region for over a decade, A.G. Coombs has expanded this important role nationwide.

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he national contract, which commenced in late 2020, sees the strong relationship with facilities management firm Cushman & Wakefield continue as A.G. Coombs provides maintenance to NAB’s retail and commercial tenancies in

all states.

While A.G. Coombs had previously serviced NAB’s southern region – encompassing properties across Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory – the addition of the northern region has seen that service extend throughout New South Wales and Queensland.

This equates to over 700 properties right across Australia – from the heart of Sydney’s CBD to as far north as the Torres Strait Islands.

The national contract has resulted in the growth of A.G. Coombs Service in New South Wales and Queensland, and has further developed the Group’s electrical capability in those states.

Aligning with a number of other national maintenance contracts, A.G. Coombs has leveraged its regional supply chain and drawn on its well-established aligned partner network to ensure consistent delivery of service across the breadth of the country.

Providing a physical presence where A.G. Coombs’ technicians cannot, these partners are fellow members of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) and are required to meet the same training, standards and communications protocols.

Additionally they are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of working in regional and remote locations.

The A.G. Coombs web-based Sub-contractor Notification Email System (SNES) plays a critical role in allowing partners to directly interface with A.G. Coombs systems to provide real-time job status updates and resolution notes without delays.

These include Maintenance Management systems that provide automated triage and prioritisation of work orders, an algorithmbased Dispatch System that assigns the most appropriate technician

across Australia remain compliant, efficient, comfortable and reliable.

“Our relationship with A.G. Coombs is one built on trust in, and transparency of, their delivery model over a number of years,” said Kristy Megaw, NAB Account Director at Cushman & Wakefield.

“A.G. Coombs has proven to be a safe set of hands – demonstrating an ability to mobilise quickly and manage an almost doubling of NAB’s portfolio while remaining focused on safety, compliance and asset management.”

to the task, and a number of integrated mobile device applications to streamline onsite job management and compliance.

Additionally, A.G. Coombs has developed a robust KPI Management system that ensures the stringent KPIs of the contract are delivered on.

All these systems have a proven track record of integrating and complementing existing systems operated by Cushman & Wakefield and NAB, including technology to assist in reporting and documentation.

When combined with A.G. Coombs’ procedures and operating capabilities, they contribute to ensuring NAB properties

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“Our relationship with A.G. Coombs is one built on trust in, and transparency of, its delivery model over a number of years.”

Kristy Megaw, NAB Account Director, Cushman & Wakefield.

Cooling power Through consistent and thorough delivery of its maintenance service

maintenance model accordingly. This has resulted in service

contract, A.G. Coombs is partnering with Powerlink Queensland to

technicians being assigned specific locations to reduce the risk of

improve the reliability of its’ sites across Brisbane.

exposure and cross-contamination across sites.

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owerlink is a government owned corporation (GOC) that owns, develops, operates and maintains the high voltage electricity transmission network in Queensland.

Their network extends 1,700km from Cairns to the New

South Wales border, and comprises 15,345 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and 147 substations. They’re providing electricity to five million Queenslanders and 238,000 businesses.

As well as its headquarters, Powerlink operates a number of building facilities in Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region. In late 2019

As well as continuing to deliver improvements via the service and maintenance contract, key infrastructure works and projects have been carried out throughout this period showcasing the breadth of capability within the A.G. Coombs Group.

These include the installation of an energy efficient VAV system and upgrade of the BMCS (building management and control system) with the works completed predominantly after hours to avoid disrupting operational staff.

A.G. Coombs was awarded the service and maintenance contract for

“The proactive way in which A.G. Coombs has partnered with

these sites.

us to support Powerlink’s operations has been important”,

Recognising the important role Powerlink plays connecting Queenslanders to a world-class energy future, A.G. Coombs has implemented a maintenance strategy that aims to improve reliability and consistency of mechanical services.

A detailed understanding of each site’s mechanical services is central

says John Moulden, Team Leader Workplace Operations at Powerlink Queensland.

“The technical capability of their technicians and consistency of service delivery – particularly as we navigated the challenges of COVID-19 – has brought tangible improvements to our sites.”

to the safe and successful delivery of the service and maintenance contract. This has led A.G. Coombs to undertake specialist training of its technician team so as to manage and deliver chiller maintenance in-house.

Through consistency of delivery, the number of system breakdowns has reduced significantly during the period of the contract. This has led to greater confidence in the operation of equipment both during and after hours. A reduction in staff complaints associated with comfort conditions has been attributed to Powerlink’s recently delivered VAV (variable air volume) upgrade.

“The proactive way in which A.G. Coombs has partnered with us to support Powerlink’s operations has been important.”

John Moulden, Team Leader Workplace Operations, Powerlink Queensland

A.G. Coombs has worked proactively to align with Powerlink’s management response to COVID-19 by adjusting its service and

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Under the arch Working alongside JLL, A.G. Coombs has implemented a number of proven technologies and a preventative maintenance model to improve the operational performance of the new Collins Arch mixed-use development.

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panning an entire city block in Melbourne’s legal precinct,

A.G. Coombs Service was contracted to provide mechanical services

Collins Arch at 447 Collins Street is a world-class

maintenance to common areas, retail spaces, the W hotel and key

development owned by cbus property and ISPT.

tenancies under a preventative maintenance model. While Advisory’s

Completed in 2020, the distinctive design by SHoP

Architects and Woods Bagot features two 164m high towers connected by an eight-level sky bridge.

As well as offering 49,000m² of premium grade commercial office space across 24 levels, the dual structure features 184 luxury residential apartments and the new 294-room W Melbourne hotel.

A range of ground floor retail space, and Melbourne’s newest public park, round out the development.

involvement was extended as JLL and the site’s owners sought to drive building performance optimisation to achieve a NABERS Energy 6 star rating.

Through the introduction of various leading-edge technologies, Advisory’s approach is designed to optimise the management of complex interactions between mechanical services and systems, and the different spaces across the site.

This end-to-end integration of technologies commenced with the

JLL won the contract to manage the commercial office spaces, common areas and key logistical elements while the development was under construction.

Upon completion, JLL’s operational team engaged A.G. Coombs Advisory as it transitioned through the defects liability period (DLP) to tuning and ongoing high performance building operations. Working collaboratively with JLL and the building owners, Advisory has acted as an independent third-party throughout this period.

Given the complexity of fire modes operating across the site, works initially included commissioning fire services testing, the development of fire mode matrices and fire system gap analysis – as well as control systems DLP peer reviews.

implementation of A.G. Coombs’ Building Energy Optimisation Program (BEOP)®, which seeks to improve the energy performance and carbon footprint of the building.

Further investment in technologies led to the deployment of the sophisticated SkySpark analytics software.

This rules-based analytics platform is used to drive building efficiency during the tuning period, as well as provide energy management and operational insights to instruct maintenance through automated fault detection, data visualisation and triage.

To provide greater visibility of building performance and system operations, DGLux5 dashboard technology has also been implemented.

This dashboard provides the JLL on site team with the ability to

Drawing on shared experiences and mutual trust developed over

monitor performance and operations in real-time, as well as the

a number of years on other properties, JLL extended the scope of

playback of historical events within a range of systems.

A.G. Coombs’ engagement.

As an extension of this, Advisory has also implemented 3D scanning technology to provide a digital twin of plantrooms and equipment that allows the user to complete a virtual walkthrough.

“JLL and A.G. Coombs have a shared history of working collaboratively to get the best out of the properties we manage.”

The use of A.G. Coombs’ VBIS (Virtual Buildings Information System) tagging enhances this tool by providing comprehensive asset classification that identifies equipment and links connecting data such as technical specifications.

To successfully deliver the preventative maintenance contract, A.G. Coombs Service has embedded a dedicated technician with the

Selva Thiru, Operations Manager, 447 Collins Street for JLL.

JLL facilities team. As well as becoming a trusted member within the onsite team, their presence on site ensures familiarity of the building services, the variety of spaces and building tenants.

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Given the mixed-use nature of the site, most works are completed

“JLL and A.G. Coombs have a shared history of working collaboratively

inconspicuously to limit disruptions to building tenants, residents,

to get the best out of the properties we manage,” said Selva Thiru,

and guests.

Operations Manager at 447 Collins Street for JLL.

Reflecting the Group’s whole-of-business capabilities, both Service and

“At 447 Collins Street, JLL has demonstrated a commitment to invest

Advisory teams have worked collaboratively to identify energy efficiency improvements, and prepare the site for further tuning post-DLP. It is anticipated that as the technologies deployed at Collins Arch become further embedded and trusted, the mechanical services

in people and technologies. A.G. Coombs shares the same mindset and has proven to be an enthusiastic partner as we transition to building operations and seek to drive operational efficiencies and achieve energy targets.”

maintenance may move to a preventative/data-driven hybrid model to deliver even greater efficiencies.

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Delivering on uptime The increasing digitisation of our everyday lives, combined with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and data sovereignty considerations, have all accelerated the demand for onshore cloudbased services.

W

ith a network extending across five states, iseek is one of Australia’s leading providers of Data Centres, cloud and connectivity to the enterprise and government sectors.

To accommodate growing client demand in south eastern Queensland, the company has expanded its Eagle Farm campus in Brisbane with the addition of the new LDR2 facility.

Completed in late 2020, the new Data Centre provides for approximately 1,000m² of white (data hall) space and has been designed and built to Uptime Institute Tier IV standards.

IMAGES: LUKE MARSDEN

The Uptime Tier IV certified design provides certainty of operation for Data Centre clients by ensuring data availability and security, even when a piece of equipment fails.

A.G. Coombs Group has a deep understanding of mission critical computing facilities and was awarded the mechanical services design and construct (D&C) contract in December 2019 by project builder FDC Construction & Fitout.

Key design considerations included the duplication of power feeds, chilled water systems, and the chilled water pipes that run

ancillary spaces including offices, meeting rooms, reception and

independently of each other to provide the level of resilience and

specialist spaces.

redundancy required.

Integrated prefabrication was incorporated into the mechanical

A.G. Coombs played a key role in the design development and virtual

services design. Pump sets, piping valve arrangements and buffer tank

construction of the 3D BIM model. Data Centres are heavily populated

connections were fabricated offsite to reduce on site installation time.

with electrical, mechanical, fire protection, hydraulic, controls and security building services. This is a critical phase in taking the conceptual design through to construction ready documentation.

To significantly reduce Data Centre cooling energy costs, chillers with free cooling capability were selected and an indirect free cooling solution was deployed. Featuring a dual coil configuration –

Commencing on site in early 2020, the work included the installation

a traditional refrigerant coil and a free cooling coil – the chillers can

of chillers, chilled water pipework and associated pumps, CRAC

operate in full free cooling mode when the external ambient conditions

(computer room air conditioner) units and air conditioning for

are favourable, in partial free cooling mode or in standard mode.

The design and construction of the new LDR2 facility is modular, providing scalability to accommodate future growth.

“A.G. Coombs has played an integral role in the successful delivery of this project. The technical expertise of the project team, and their intimate knowledge of Data Centre facilities, has contributed to a world-class facility that clients can depend on.”

Ian Porter, Chief Operating Officer, iseek

Prior to practical completion in late 2020, an exhaustive commissioning process was undertaken including extensive Integrated System Testing (IST) and proving of system operation across a wide range of conditions.

As part of its whole-of-life approach to building services, A.G. Coombs provide service and maintenance to the new Data Centre, providing iseek with 24x7 support and ongoing preventative maintenance.

“Digital transformation to cloud based computing architectures together with COVID-19 has certainly made customers reconsider their data storage and computing requirements, and appreciate the benefits offered by our new LDR2 facility at Eagle Farm,” says Ian Porter, Chief Operating Officer at iseek.

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Building capital Associated with many of Australia’s leading universities and tertiary institutions, A.G. Coombs is now implementing its successful integrated maintenance model in the nation’s capital.

F

irst established in 1967, the University of Canberra is located in the suburb of Bruce – a few kilometres north-west of the capital.

The campus covers some 290 acres with most of its

buildings arranged around the University’s main concourse.

The exception is the 140-bed University of Canberra Hospital (UCH), which is located on the northern-most perimeter of the campus.

“In seeking to streamline and improve the maintenance of its buildings’ services, the University engaged A.G. Coombs Service via competitive tender to deliver its proven integrated services model.”

Mark Fletcher, A.G. Coombs Contract Manager

The University’s buildings are typical of the sector, varying in age and function – from the four-storey library and faculty-dedicated buildings featuring laboratory spaces and research facilities, to oncampus student accommodation.

In seeking to streamline and improve the maintenance of its buildings’ services, the University engaged A.G. Coombs Service via competitive tender to deliver its proven integrated services model.

This model acknowledges the interdependency between mechanical, electrical and fire services, and in this instance, also incorporates

the asset register used for service and maintenance, and the University’s system.

As well as providing a complete picture of the status of building services plant, equipment and systems, the data gathered has also informed a dynamic lifecycle and costing model prepared by A.G. Coombs Advisory.

handyman maintenance.

This is used by the University to track the condition of plant and

It also provided the catalyst for the A.G. Coombs Group to establish

around future capital expenditure and planning.

equipment, and provide a rolling lifecycle model to inform decisions

a permanent Walker Fire Protection presence in the ACT, and has allowed the Group to self-deliver fire services maintenance at the

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the tertiary

University, as well as on other contracts in the ACT. This provides

education sector became apparent, A.G. Coombs Service adjusted

for a robust delivery model with greater flexibility and a more timely

to a flexible delivery model that focused on repair activity and the

response to emergencies.

maintenance of essential services.

The contract at the University of Canberra commenced with the

Even with service and maintenance scaled back due to lower-than-

A.G. Coombs Group conducting a partnership workshop involving all key stakeholders.

At that time, the University had recently set out on a journey to establish its own in-house asset management system.

normal student occupancy numbers, the A.G. Coombs Service team worked closely with the University to improve plant reliability and reduce running costs across the campus.

A.G. Coombs Advisory was also engaged as Independent

Following the completion of a comprehensive asset audit by

Commissioning Agent (ICA) by ACT Health, including a lead role in

A.G. Coombs – including fire services verification for regulatory

the commissioning, handover and two-year building tuning phase at

compliance – an interface was able to be established between

the University of Canberra Hospital.

2021-2022

Building Efficiency

15

In tune Just months after Allan George Coombs established A.G. Coombs in 1945, another iconic Australian company emerged in post-war Melbourne. Both born from humble beginnings, it seems fitting the two have come together 75 years later as leaders of their industries.

M

aton Guitars is widely regarded as Australia’s favourite and most successful maker of guitars.

Prior to the company’s establishment in 1946, the local guitar industry was virtually non-existent. Musicians

relied on imported guitars and quality instruments were difficult to find.

Enter Bill May, a Melbourne-born jazz musician, woodwork teacher and luthier. Having established a successful custom guitar and repair business in the years prior, he convinced his brother Reg to join him as a full time guitar maker and the Maton Musical Instruments Company was formed.

Maton guitars have since become an icon of the Australian music industry – played by world-renowned artists including Tommy Emmanuel, John Williamson, Neil Finn, Paul Kelly and Melinda Schneider. Indeed, such has been Bill May’s importance to Australian music that the Australian Music Association Awards posthumously inducted him into its hall of fame.

of recommendations that could achieve improved reliability and operational control while minimising capital expenditure.

These included the enhancement and refurbishment of the existing

Today, Maton Guitars remains in the family with each instrument hand-crafted from local timber in a purpose-built factory in Box Hill.

dehumidification unit with the provision of a new thermal wheel and an upgrade of its control panel and the HVAC control system with the

Recognising the importance of climate control in its manufacturing process, Maton Guitars reached out to A.G. Coombs in late 2020 for assistance in improving the internal space conditions of the factory.

This led A.G. Coombs Advisory to complete a mechanical services asset audit and condition review, and present a range of options to improve conditions, controls and efficiency as well as address operational issues and risk.

The review found that the factory’s scissor-roof construction and dust-extraction systems – combined with an aging, unsupported controls system – made maintaining optimal humidity conditions challenging. To overcome these issues, A.G. Coombs made a series

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“Maton Guitars and A.G. Coombs share a similar history of opportunity, growth and expertise in our respective fields.”

Patrick Evans, Manager of Projects, Research and Development, Maton Guitars

IMAGE: ROD SMITH/IDYLLWILD PHOTOGRAPHY

deployment of additional temperature sensors to monitor internal

December 2020 saw A.G. Coombs respond quickly to Maton Guitar’s

conditions across the factory, including the timber drying area.

request for service through the summer period.

Improvements to controls have seen internal space conditions

This led to an agreement for ongoing mechanical services

maintained within an optimal range of 43 to 45% relative humidity at

maintenance at the Box Hill facility being formalised in early 2021.

20°C and enhanced the visibility of conditions and access to settings, including remote monitoring.

As well as service and maintenance, A.G. Coombs is providing building

Additionally, A.G. Coombs recommended a number of access,

of-life operation of plant and equipment.

maintenance and safety improvements including the installation of safe maintenance access for long term maintainability of plant

tuning advice with consideration to energy efficiency and the whole-

“Maton Guitars and A.G. Coombs share a similar history of

within the factory.

opportunity, growth and expertise in our respective fields,” says

In addition, A.G Coombs Advisory proposed non-HVAC initiatives such

Maton Guitars.

as leak sealing of roller doors and spraying the external roof with a membrane product for improved seal and reflective properties, for

Patrick Evans, Manager of Projects, Research and Development at

“In our short time working together, A.G. Coombs has demonstrated

additional energy savings.

a commitment to understand our business needs. Their technical

While these improvement works were being carried out, the sudden

conditions that helps ensure our hand-crafted instruments are of the

departure of the incumbent mechanical services contractor in

highest quality.”

team has delivered significant improvements in comfort and space

2021-2022

Building Efficiency

17

Retail revolution As part of its digital transformation strategy, Coles Group is

These include early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers

constructing a new, highly automated Customer Fulfilment Centre

serving the ambient temperature chamber, and smoke detection

(CFC) in Melbourne’s west that will provide Coles Online customers

provided via VESDA smoke detection units. Pre-action (ESFR)

with market-leading range and service.

sprinkler systems serve the chiller chamber with linear heat detection

C

oles joins major international grocery retailers around the world in partnering with the UK-based Ocado Group

(LHD) cables to trigger the pre-action. Dry drop sprinklers and VESDA smoke detection systems protect the freezer chamber.

to implement its world-leading online grocery platform,

The selection and application of vortex water mist systems – an

automated single-pick fulfilment technology and home

environmentally-friendly alternative to inert gas suppression systems

delivery solution in Australia.

– will protect the facility’s two external energy centres.

The CFC in Melbourne’s west is being built in parallel with a similar

A state-of-the-art fire indicator panel (FIP), as well as occupant

facility in Sydney. Together, they are expected to almost double Coles

warning system (OWS) with audio and visual warnings to facilitate

Online’s current Australia-wide home delivery capacity.

evacuation control, will also be installed.

The cutting edge online fulfilment solution, which will also include

As an indication of the scale of the fire services installation the

new website technology for Coles Online, will maximise transport

diesel-powered emergency fire system pumps are supplied from three

efficiency, reduce waste and improve safety for team members.

1,100,000 litre water tanks.

The CFC’s design is modular and configured to accommodate much

Following completion and approval of the design, Walker Fire

greater storage capacity than large store-based alternatives, with a

Protection’s site team commenced installation at Truganina in

scalable product range. The storage and picking process uses Ocado’s

September 2020.

proprietary warehouse management system – a high-tech ecosystem in which hundreds of cube-like, automated “bots” are orchestrated

Despite the challenges and interruptions associated with the

across a four-dimensional grid structure called “the Hive.”

COVID-19 pandemic, practical completion is expected to be reached

Through this process, a 50 item order can be picked within minutes.

of its warehouse management system. Walker Fire Protection will

Such is the infrastructure required to accommodate the Ocado

by early 2022. The facility will then be handed over to Ocado for fitout support and maintain the fire protection systems.

ecosystem that Coles has entered into a long-term lease for a 30,000m²

“Walker Fire Protection has proven to be a valuable contributor and has

facility at Charter Hall’s MidWest Logistics Hub in Truganina.

worked proactively with the FDC team,” says David Gibbeson, Project

The Hub and the Coles customer fulfilment centre are currently being

Engineer at FDC Group.

“We look forward to continuing to work together as FDC delivers this

constructed by builder FDC. Given the complex, technology-heavy nature of the CFC fitout, Walker

exciting project for Charter Hall and the Coles Group.”

Fire Protection was able to leverage on its extensive experience in providing fire protection systems to the data centre sector when it was awarded the contract by FDC in mid-2020.

Walker Fire Protection quickly set about completing the design development and documentation of the specialist fire protection systems required.

This work included putting forward strategies and solutions, and a commissioning plan, that would meet the rigorous standards set out by the facility’s insurer, FM Global.

Walker Fire Protection’s technical expertise and experience is evident in the final design of the complex fire detection and suppression systems that display a strong resemblance to those commonly found in data centres.

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Building Efficiency

2021-2022

“Walker Fire Protection has proven to be a valuable contributor and has worked proactively with the FDC team as we have navigated various program changes.”

David Gibbeson, Project Engineer, FDC Group

An eye to summer Ahead of a multi-million expansion of Logan Hospital in Brisbane’s south, A.G. Coombs completed major chiller and cooling tower replacement works in time for the summer season.

L

ogan Hospital is currently undergoing a $460 million major redevelopment including a vertical expansion of its emergency department building that will add four new levels to accommodate an additional 206 beds and treatment spaces.

Scheduled for completion in 2024, the increase in capacity will help Metro South Health meet the current and future demand for healthcare services in one of Queensland’s fastest growing regions.

Critical to this redevelopment commencing were a number of lead-in

“As well as overcoming the complexities of the project, A.G. Coombs demonstrated a high level of professionalism and technical ability that is evident in the quality of the installation.”

Scott Mullin, Principal Project Manager, Metro South Health

works, including the replacement of the hospital’s aging chiller plant and cooling towers that had been identified as having reached their end-of-life.

Working to a design by consultant GHD, A.G. Coombs was engaged by Metro South Health in late 2019 as principal contractor on a constructonly basis for the mechanical, hydraulic and building works packages.

With a compressed project timeline for the completion of the works A.G. Coombs mobilised quickly. As well as forming its own project team, a dozen sub-contractors were engaged to complete the construction works which included the removal of the roof above the cooling tower plant to improve performance.

While the original design intent called for like-for-like replacement of the chillers and cooling towers, A.G. Coombs identified a number of opportunities to improve the system efficiency, redundancy and lifecycle maintenance costs of the plant.

For example, to fulfil the contract requirement of a 25-year life on all new chiller plant, A.G. Coombs proposed that the specified baseload HFC chillers be upgraded to new models operating on the ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant HFO R1233zd(E) A.G. Coombs replaced the hospital’s existing four chillers with three 2,000kW ceramic bearing centrifugal baseload chillers, and one 696kW variable speed screw low-load chiller. Dedicated variable speed pumps were installed to serve the primary circuit chilled water reticulation.

With the roof removed above the cooling tower plant on Building 1, the four existing cooling towers were removed and replaced with three

equally sized counter-flow cooling towers, sized to suit the base load chillers, providing 2,330kW of heat rejection each.

A smaller counter-flow tower was sized to the low-load chiller to deliver 820kW of heat rejection, complete with low temperature bypass.

A sidestream filtration system and water treatment plant was also installed to treat the condenser water system.

All works were completed while the Logan Hospital remained fully operational. Road closures that would restrict emergency services access were avoided through the use of a 350 tonne crane and lifting strategy, while the cutover of services was completed in stages.

The low-load chiller and its associated cooling tower were installed first. The baseload chillers and cooling towers were then installed consecutively. The mechanical services switchboard (MSSB) was replaced during one, eight-hour-long shutdown.

Practical completion was reached in July 2020.

“As well as overcoming the complexities of the project, A.G. Coombs demonstrated a high level of professionalism and technical ability that is evident in the quality of the installation,” said Scott Mullin, Principal Project Manager for Metro South Health.

“The life cycle approach taken to the final installation will ensure the new chiller plant is able to meet the demands of Logan Hospital for many years to come.”

2021-2022

Building Efficiency

19

Spotlight on maintenance Located across the river from the Brisbane CBD, the Queensland Cultural Centre, owned and managed by the Queensland Government, has been home to the State’s leading arts and cultural institutions for almost 40 years.

T

he heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre was originally built over an 11-year, multi-stage program that began with the construction of a new Queensland Art Gallery, underground carpark and central services plant in 1977.

award-winning redevelopment of the State Library.

More recently, the Queensland Government committed to the construction of a new 1,500-seat theatre on the Playhouse Green site, expected to be completed in late 2022.

The largest facility of the precinct, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, was completed in late 1984 and comprised of three venues – the Lyric Theatre (2,000 seats), Concert Hall (1,600 seats) and the adaptable Cremorne Theatre (277 seats).

These were later joined by the Playhouse Theatre in 1997, which seats 850 patrons.

The six-level Queensland Museum building was added to the precinct in 1986, while Stage 4 of the program saw the State Library

A.G. Coombs maintains an almost permanent presence on the site seven days a week, with a team of technicians operating in carefully managed shifts from 7am to midnight.

of Queensland and Fountain Restaurant (now The Edge) completed in 1988. This coincided with Brisbane’s hosting of the World Expo ’88 on the revitalised South Bank.

While a number of facility refurbishments were conducted in the years following, it was not until 2006 that the site was expanded with the addition of the Gallery of Modern Art, announced as part of the Millennium Arts Project, which also included an

20

Building Efficiency

2021-2022

Given the scale, complexity and age of buildings and services across the Cultural Centre, A.G. Coombs was engaged by Facility Manager Honeywell in 2018 to fulfil a comprehensive mechanical and building services maintenance contract.

IMAGE: DARREN THOMAS

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant contribution by understanding the diversity of the precinct and its buildings, working through the complexity of maintenance scheduling and bringing improvements to operating efficiencies and comfort conditions across the site.”

Frank Ferreira, Operations Manager, Honeywell

A.G. Coombs maintains an almost permanent presence on the site

A.G. Coombs has recently managed the replacement of pumps

seven days a week, with a team of technicians operating in carefully

serving this system, and will work closely with a specialist

managed shifts from 7am to midnight.

maintenance provider to achieve longevity of the plant.

This team performs service and maintenance to mechanical and

During this year’s forced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

building services assets in all public and back-of-house spaces.

A.G. Coombs worked collaboratively with Honeywell and

Working closely with key stakeholders, this work is scheduled around

Arts Queensland to take the opportunity to deploy specific

public opening hours in the galleries and library, as well as theatre

maintenance activities. These included energy efficiency upgrades

performances and rehearsals to avoid services disruptions.

such as the addition of variable speed drives (VSDs) to air handling

To this end, individual asset management has proven critical with A.G. Coombs having completed a detailed asset audit and register to determine asset functionality and access availability.

A whole-of-life approach has been taken to the maintenance of the Queensland Cultural Centre’s building and mechanical services, including the precinct’s river water cooling system.

Designed and installed as part of the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, the energy efficient system draws on cool water from the Brisbane River to provide heat rejection in lieu of traditional cooling towers. Now 14 years old, the system requires regular

units within the Performing Arts and Playhouse venues, a proposed upgrade to outside air systems which includes the introduction of CO2 monitoring.

“The Queensland Cultural Centre is an iconic part of Brisbane, and vitally important to Queensland’s arts sector,” said Allan Keane, Operations Manager for Honeywell.

“A.G. Coombs has made a significant contribution by understanding the diversity of the precinct and its buildings, working through the complexity of maintenance scheduling and bringing improvements to operating efficiencies and comfort conditions across the site.”

maintenance to ensure efficient operation.

2021-2022

Building Efficiency

21

News Building Public Confidence – COVID-19 and Ventilation

Airborne transmissibility of COVID-19 is

During this period A.G. Coombs has also

in mitigating the transmission of the

now widely acknowledged by government

taken a leading and prominent role in

virus including:

health authorities, public health

the Australian Heating Ventilation and

• What role can HVAC play in the

officials (most notably the World Health

Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry in

Organisation), and academics from various

providing best practice information and

health, engineering and design disciplines.

technical services to help facilities meet

As building services specialists during COVID-19, the A.G. Coombs Group

the challenges posed by the pandemic and aerosol transmission of the SARSCoV-2 virus.

has been engaged in the design and construction of COVID-19 hospital

Responding to requests from building

facilities, review and rectification of

owners and managers, A.G. Coombs

ventilation in acute healthcare ICU

developed a COVID-19 resource page

and COVID-19 wards, and ventilation

providing useful and trustworthy building

works in various facility types including

services information about COVID-19,

commercial buildings, large stadiums,

aerosol transmission and the role

libraries and entertainment venues.

that building HVAC systems can play

transmission of COVID-19?

• How can HVAC systems be modified to reduce the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission?

• How do indoor conditions including humidity affect transmission of SARSCoV-2?

A.G. Coombs COVID-19 Building Services Resource page can be seen at https://www.agcoombs.com.au/covid-19building-services-resources/

A.G. Coombs young talent recognised at Training Awards A.G. Coombs personnel continue to receive recognition for their effort and dedication to training.

Members of the industry gathered to honour its apprentices, trades people and engineers at the 2021 Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association AMCA (Queensland) industry dinner and training achievement awards event in May 2021.

Lauren Campbell was presented with the

has since completed her apprenticeship

2021 On-Site Trades Award

with a Certificate III in Air-Conditioning &

and Bachelor of Business Management.

Refrigeration and is now a fully qualified

His career to date has included a wide variety

Lauren was also the recipient of the

Service Technician.

prestigious 2020 Allan Coombs Training Award and more recently the Queensland

Brodie Martin was presented with the

Training Awards Harry Hauenschild

Engineering Support Award.

Apprentice of the Year.

with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)

of engineering roles and he is currently an Engineer with A.G. Coombs Advisory.

A.G. Coombs congratulates the finalists

Brodie commenced the A.G. Coombs

and winners in all AMCA Award categories.

Starting with A.G. Coombs undertaking

Graduate Engineer Program in 2018 having

The qualities displayed by these young people

work experience while in Year 12, Lauren

graduated from University of Queensland

assure them of a great future in our industry.

22

Building Efficiency

2021-2022

FM Industry Award for Excellence – Integrated Technical Management and ANZ Data Centre This year Integrated Technical Management has been recognised with the Facility Management Industry Award

First Australian Sustainability ‘Triple Crown’ for 171 Collins Melbourne’s 171 Collins Street has

and Urban Taskforce Development

become the first sustainability “triple-

Excellence Awards.

crowned” building in Australia, achieving simultaneous 6 star NABERS ratings for Energy, Indoor Environment and Waste.

The building also holds a 5 star Green Star

The building is the global headquarters of mining company, BHP Billiton, and was originally designed to meet a 5 star NABERS

for Excellence in Government/Special Purpose Facilities for Critical Data Centres Infrastructure Facility Management for ANZ Bank. The award nomination focused on the innovative process applied to the development and successful implementation of an independently certified AS/NZS ISO 9001 Quality Management Framework.

Since implementation there has been

performance rating.

Energy rating – however, ongoing focus and enhancement have proven that performance

Owned and developed by property groups

operational efficiencies between ITM

can be continually improved over time.

and ANZ resulting in a step change;

Cbus Property and Charter Hall, 171 Collins

greatly increased alignment and

providing greater value, systems reliability

features a number of sustainability and

During construction, A.G. Coombs was

energy efficiency initiatives. These have

responsible for the detailed design,

also seen the building become the first

installation and commissioning of

Property Council of Australia Premium

specialist HVAC and mechanical services,

Grade building to achieve the prestigious

and was part of the Green Star building

6 star Green Star As-Built Office V2

tuning process. Subsequently, A.G. Coombs

The ANZ Data Centre team have stated

rating in 2014, and be recognised at the

has provided ongoing energy efficiency and

that the vital role played by the new

International Property Awards Asia

indoor air quality-focused maintenance and

ITM Quality Management Framework in

Pacific, United Nations Association of

building system’s tuning services to the on-

infrastructure facility management is

Australia World Environment Awards

site management team.

viewed as indisputable.

Vale – Mark Dunshore

Mark re-joined the A.G. Coombs Group in

The management and staff of the A.G. Coombs Group of Companies were deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of our colleague and friend Mark Dunshore in August.

and efficiencies. This enabled ITM to deliver benchmark outcomes in the unprecedented COVID-19 environment without the need for additional resources or expense.

June 2013 as a Senior Project Manager before taking up the role as General Manager of Walker Fire Protection in January 2015, where he passionately led the business for over six years whilst also making a significant and valuable contribution to the success of the A.G. Coombs Group.

Mark has had a long association with the A.G. Coombs Group for over thirty years,

Mark was an outstanding person in every

as both a highly valued client and industry

aspect, who was also highly respected

colleague as well as a passionate and

and admired for his contribution to the

dedicated leader, and team member of the

Group, broader community and industry as

A.G. Coombs Group.

a whole.

2021-2022

Building Efficiency

23

A.G. Coombs Group 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. Operating for over 75 years, 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 | 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 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/

A.G. Coombs Group Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra.

Head Office: 26 Cochranes Road (PO Box 1136) Moorabbin, VIC 3189 General Enquiry: 03 9248 2700

www.agcoombs.com.au

Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane.

Sustainability: this publication is printed on HannoArt Plus Silk, an FSC certified paper manufactured with ISO 14001 EMS accreditation and elemental chlorine free pulps.

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Integrated Technical Management