IRHACE Industry Journal - April 2025

The Industry Journal for the New Zealand Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Industries

Local projects

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY AN INNER-CITY REGENERATION PROJECT GET READY FOR HVAC&R SOUTH 2025 CHANGES TO VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE WALLIE ASKEW REGIONAL CHALLENGES

Efficiency and digitalisation APRIL 2025

A CO2 HEAT PUMP INSTALL IN TIMARU

ENTRIES OPEN FOR WALLIE ASKEW

GEARING UP TO HVAC&R SOUTH

IN THIS ISSUE

10 On the cover

7

9 new partnership for responsible 7 Arecycling A-Gas partners with Phoenix Recycling Group with new drop-off locations added to the programme.

of using the timer function 9 Benefits on your A/C

CASE STUDIES

10

A TRANSCRITICAL CO2 HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION IN TIMARU

16

A SOPHISTICATED HOTEL FITOUT FOR A HOLIDAY DESTINATION

2 hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025

One of the most underrated features of heating and cooling systems is the timer function.

WorldSkills 2026 12 Introducing The world’s largest international skills competition will be held in Shanghai next year.

to the building code 15 Changes The MBIE recently asked for feedback on proposed changes to the building code for insulation in homes other than buildings.

16 20 digitalisation and energy 20 Efficiency, intelligence These are the hot-topics for HVAC&R companies across the globe.

Insider 22 Member Snippets from our members. From competitions to helping out the community, this is what local HVAC&R companies are up to.

Filler fact sheet 26 Approved What you need to know about Approved Filler

MEMBER INSIDER

23 WHAT’S ON 24 AROUND THE INDUSTRY 29 MILESTONES

legislation and requirements.

Code of Practice released 29 New Periodically revises, the 2025 edition of the code

30 ANNOUNCEMENTS

has been updated from the 2007 version to reflect the industry today.

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 3

FROM THE CEO

PUBLISHER IRHACE/CCCANZ/RLNZ hvacrcentre.nz CEO AND MANAGING EDITOR Gina McMaster eo@irhace.org.nz

The latest issue of the IRHACE Journal provides valuable insights into key industry trends and challenges. It features case studies from Timaru to Queenstown, highlighting real-world HVAC&R projects, challenges faced, and innovative solutions implemented. These case studies offer practical knowledge for industry professionals adapting to evolving standards and technologies.

A significant update in this issue is the release of the revised Code of Practice for Refrigerant Handling. With over 35,000 disposable refrigerant cylinders imported into New Zealand each year, responsible disposal is critical.

Despite strict regulations prohibiting the venting of refrigerant gases into the atmosphere, this practice remains a concern in the industry.

Proper training and compliance are essential to ensuring environmentally responsible refrigerant management.

New Zealand continues to perform well on the international stage, with a strong presence in the WorldSkills competition. In 2024, the country’s first apprentice competitor achieved an impressive 9th place globally. Looking ahead, the 2026 WorldSkills competition will take place in Shanghai, and there is hope for another skilled apprentice to represent New Zealand at this prestigious event.

Energy efficiency remains a top priority in the HVAC&R sector. This year’s HVAC&R Technical Stage will focus on ‘Energy Saving Solutions’, with expert speakers presenting on July 15–16 at the Auckland Showgrounds. This event will provide industry professionals with insights into cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies and strategies.

EDITOR Cassie McKenzie editor@irhace.org.nz MEMBERSHIP admin@irhace.org.nz admin@cccanz.org.nz REFRIGERANT LICENSING & COURSES admin@rlnz.org.nz ADVERTISING admin@irhace.org.nz HVAC&R CENTRE PO Box 217184 Botany Junction 2164 Auckland, New Zealand e: admin@irhace.org.nz e: admin@cccanz.org.nz e: admin@rlnz.org.nz No part of this journal may be printed in other publications without prior written permission of the Managing Editor.

Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the associations, and members of IRHACE or CCCANZ. The IRHACE Journal publishes both local and international articles. Standards and or practices may differ from current New Zealand standards and or practices used. No responsibility is accepted by the associations and editor for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. The IRHACE Journal is distributed to all the IRHACE and CCCANZ financial members.

ISSN 01148257

CEO: IRHACE, CCCANZ, HVAC&R Centre

4 hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025

Fire Dampers you can rely on.

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RECYCLING

A new partnership for responsible recycling Phoenix Recycling Group has been added to the list of convenient drop-off locations for used refrigerant gas cylinders.

Each year, over 35,000 disposable refrigerant cylinders are imported into New Zealand, making responsible disposable essential. While it is illegal to vent refrigerant gas into the atmosphere, this practice unfortunately remains prevalent in the HVAC&R sector.

preventing the release of harmful refrigerants, reducing waste, and supporting environmental responsibility within the industry.

Addressing this challenge is the Drop-a-JUG programme by A-Gas. This free and easy solution provides HVAC&R professionals a convenient and environmentally responsible way to recycle used refrigerant cylinders.

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Refspecs: Penrose, Auckland; Albany, North Harbour; Frankton, Hamilton; Judea, Tauranga; Middleton, Christchurch.

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Actrol: Mount Wellington, Auckland; Petone, Lower Hutt; Takaro, Palmerston North; Frankton, Hamilton; Sydenham, Christchurch.

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Phoenix Recycling Group: Takanini, Auckland.

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Otaihanga Zero Waste: Otaihanga, Paraparaumu.

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Active Electrical Suppliers: Tauhara, Taupō.

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A-Gas: Takanini, Auckland.

Since launching last year, A-Gas has partnered with leading HVAC suppliers and recycling entities nationwide to establish convenient drop-off locations for contractors. The latest partnership is with Phoenix Recycling Group to ensure that all metal materials are properly recycled, while A-Gas manages the safe recovery of any remaining refrigerant.

Through this collaboration, A-Gas and its partners are helping to build a more sustainable future –

CONVENIENT DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR USED REFRIGERANT GAS CYLINDERS

ORDER YOUR FREE COLLECTION CRATE

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 7

Benefits of using the timer function on your A/C There are many features of your heating and cooling system that you’re likely not using to their full potential. One of the most underrated is the timer function.

Most modern heating and cooling systems offer various timer functions. The most basic is timer mode – setting the system to turn on at a specific time within a 24-hour period on set days.

Whether it’s turning the air conditioning on so it’s cool when you arrive home from work in summer, or turning the heating on before you wake in the morning, it acts as a set and forget to create a comfortable environment when you need it.

Also common are program timers that allow you to integrate OFF timer and ON timer operations in a single sequence. One example of program timer use might be to have the air conditioner automatically stop after you go to sleep, then automatically switch on in the morning before you wake.

Another timer function is ‘sleep mode’ where the unit ensures optimal functioning throughout the night.

Aside from the convenience of using the timer function – such as making getting out of bed in winter much easier – there are a number of other benefits.

UTILISE YOUR TIMER MORE TO ACHIEVE...

Energy-efficiency and cost-savings: Using the timer function on your systems means you can pre-heat or pre-cool your space outside of peak times, lowering energy usage and costs. The unit can also be set to turn off after a certain period, preventing it from running unnecessarily when you don’t need it.

Customisable comfort and improved sleep quality: While it can vary person to person, the ideal temperature for sleep is between 15.6ºC and 18.3ºC. Depending on the season and your location, it can be hard to achieve this without heating or cooling. Having the unit operate for a few hours when you go to sleep can help you to fall asleep. The timer can turn the heating or cooling off so it isn’t using energy all night.

Longer lifespan of the unit: Using the timer function to operate the air conditioner/heat pump at specific intervals, rather than having it constantly running, can reduce wear and tear on the compressor and other components. This can extend the lifespan of the system, and save on repair and replacement costs.

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 9

CASE STUDY

A transcritical CO2 heat pump installation in Timaru The installation of an eight-megawatt electrode boiler to replace an inefficient six-megawatt coal-fired boiler is part of a broader energy-saving strategy at a leading wool scour in the South Island.

Supported by funding from EECA (the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority,) WoolWorks in Timaru has undergone a large decarbonisation project. Part of the work was completed by Piersons Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, which includes the design, supply and installation of a 750KW CO2-based heat pump.

“Traditionally, WoolWorks had used a six-megawatt coal-fired boiler to meet their hot water production needs – quite an old and inefficient process.

The majority of the water is consumed by the wool scouring process, with the dirty wastewater providing an excellent opportunity to recover some waste heat,” says Matt Thomas, Managing Director at Piersons Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

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With the new system, the wastewater is collected in the common sump at approximately 35–40ºC. From this sump, the low-grade heat is transferred via an intermediate, tube-in-tube heat exchanger with a self-cleaning filtration system back into the high-temperature CO2 heat pump system where the quality of this heat is raised to 90ºC using the thermodynamic properties of a CO2-based vapour compression system.

“This high-temperature hot water is produced at a flow rate of two litres a second, with a COP of more than 3.5,” says Matthew. “This means that for every unit of electrical energy, the heat pump produces 3.5 times that amount in thermal energy.”

Piersons’ Senior Engineer, Josh Le Compte, was the supervisor for this project, and says this equipment is at the forefront of CO2-based hot water heat pump technology.

“This heat pump has been designed specifically for this project, and because of that, we’re able to extract every drop of efficiency,” says Josh.

“This heat pump was built using world-leading suppliers and with the system’s customised PLC control system, we’re able to easily commission, tune and adjust the system to match the factory’s needs. Our very user-friendly and visual human machine interface means our technicians are able to commission, diagnose and monitor all aspects of the system, and it can also be accessed remotely.”

Not only does this new system recover otherwise wasted energy for WoolWorks, it is also coupled with an Air-dryer heat reclaim unit and a flow-down heat recovery system that takes the load off the electrode boiler and allows WoolWorks to keep their power consumption under the allowable threshold.

Piersons, together with Glaciem Cooling Technologies and engineering consultant Lumen, have fully designed, built and commissioned this bespoke CO2 heat pump system. This includes the design and construction of the heat pump, pump skids, all field services and electrical, right through to the handling of the council consent.

Josh Le Compte at the WoolWorks plant.

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 11

WORLDSKILLS

Introducing WorldSkills 2026 Next year, the world’s largest international skills competition will be held in Shanghai.

Held every two years and hosted by member countries across the globe, the WorldSkills International competitions are a great opportunity for apprentices in our industry to represent New Zealand on the world stage.

These competitions promote apprenticeship, professional training, mobility, youth, and their skills, bringing together young people, industry, education and government leaders from around the world to advance technical and vocational education and training.

The events and network help to skill development through promoting and developing global training standards, benchmarking systems, and enhancing industry engagement, as well as influence industry, government, and educators through cooperation and research.

In 2024, Jack Butler went on to compete at the WorldSkills International competition in France, following his award-placement in our Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition.

Prior to competing in France, Jack also competed in the Australia Global Skills Challenge, designed to simulate the conditions of the international competition and allow competitors, experts and other support team members the opportunity to meet ahead of the global event.

To participate in a WorldSkills competition, a competitor must be from a member country or region. In New Zealand, this is facilitated by IRHACE and WorldSkills NZ. A competitor must not be older than 22 years old in the year of the competition.

IRHACE’s Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition is the perfect place for apprentices to start their journey to representing their industry on the world stage.

“Back in 2021, the IRHACE Council wanted to provide both a high-performance and development pathway for our apprentices. The plan started with the restructuring of the existing Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition,” says Gina McMaster, HVAC&R Centre CEO. “At WorldSkills, the skill is ‘Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’, and this is what we were going to need to change to bring in the other components. The international competition also has different scoring – another change to bring in to give us a more consistent and structured approach.”

Alongside other changes, including establishing the Apprentices of IRHACE special interest group, and IRHACE’s partnership with WorldSkills NZ, IRHACE was honoured to help put forward an apprentice to represent the country on the world stage. Looking ahead to 2026, we hope we can do the same!

Jack Butler competing last year.

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WALLIE ASKEW MEMORIAL WORKSKILLS COMPETITION

REGIONAL CHALLENGES 2nd August Chillex Group, Auckland 9th August Steelfort, Palmerston North 16th August Gavin Lowe Energy, Christchurch

ENTRIES OPEN

Top 2 finishers in each regional challenge battle it out in the Final Competition

Final competition 17-18th October Steelfort, Palmerston North

SEE RULES & ELIGIBILITY

BOUGHT TO YOU BY

hvacrcentre.nz | FEB/MARCH 2025

WALLIE ASKEW MEMORIAL WORKSKILLS COMPETITION

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES 2025 Companies are invited to support the Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition for 2025.

COMPETITION

EQUIPMENT

VENUE

DINNER

SUPPORTERS

Promotion across all regional challenges and finals competition.

Provides equipment for the selected regional challenge/s and/or finals competition.

Promotion for the selected venue.

Promotion at finals competition.

Promotion at finals competition.

Provides venue and logistics.

Provides funding for awards dinner.

Provides funding for awards dinner.

Promotion for the selected regional challenge/s and/or competition.

Venue locations: • Northern • Central • Southern • Finals

Banners and signage at each of the venues.

Provides funding for operations team and judges.

Steelfort Palmerston North finals

Prize vouchers for finalists to redeem after competition.

BUILDING CODE

Changes to the Building Code: what can we expect?

In case you missed it, the MBIE recently asked for feedback on proposed changes to the Building for insulation in homes and other buildings.

It’s a change that comes after the previous changes in May 2023, which saw an increase in insulation requirements for roofs, walls, floors, windows, doors and skylights. These changes were introduced to improve the energy-efficiency and thermal performance of Aotearoa’s built environment.

The recent feedback process will help MBIE to understand whether: •

• However, concerns were raised about overheating and higher moisture levels in homes with increased insulation, and a disproportionate increase in the cost to build relative to the performance.

• •

After reviewing this, the MBIE ultimately found that these concerns were a result of poor design – including building orientation, ventilation, window shading, and heat absorption properties of building materials – rather than increased insulation.

• •

The H1 clause requires enclosed spaces where temperature or humidity are modified to provide adequate thermal resistance and to limit uncontrollable airflow in certain buildings. It also sets out physical conditions likely to affect energy performance, and requirements for hot water systems, artificial lighting and HVAC systems.

There are currently three methods used to see if a building meets the requirements under the Building Code H1 Energy Efficiency clause: the Schedule Method (a ‘one size fits all’ prescriptive table of insulation values that is proposed to be removed), the Calculation Method, and the Modelling Method.

adjustments to the methods of compliance will reduce upfront costs of buildings and improve cost effectiveness; any proposed adjustments better balance upfront cost design decisions with long-term cost benefits; removing the prescriptive Schedule Method would increase design flexibility; relaxing the requirements in the Calculation and Modelling methods would increase design flexibility and better enable buildings to be optimised; building framing ratios need to be adapted to better meet insulation specifications; and if energy loss effects of the framing in walls needs more consideration when calculating insulation specifications.

MBIE also wants to understand the needs of the building design sector to improve the management of internal moisture and overheating risks in buildings.

Along with many others, HVAC&R Centre provided its feedback, and we await updates to understand how our industry will be impacted.

Chillex Group – Northern region Auckland

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 15

CASE STUDY

A sophisticated hotel fit-out for a holiday destination Mitsubishi Electric was instrumental in creating a top-rated accommodation experience for guests staying beneath the stunning Remarkables mountain range.

Year-round comfort was a key part of the brief when designing the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park Hotel. With the cold, snowy winters and hot, dry Otago summers, a safe, energy-efficient and centrally-managed comfort heating and cooling solution was required.

THE SPACE Spread across five storeys, plus a basement, the 9,500sqm hotel features 182 rooms, a full service restaurant, bar, grab and go café, cosy media lounge, gym, four conference rooms, and a drying/ storage room for all guests to keep their ski and outdoor adventure equipment. The open lobby is a particularly popular space where guests and visitors can eat, drink, work, meet, relax and socialise.

THE CHALLENGE As a hotel project with 182 rooms, the confined sleeping spaces are classified as a Class A application under the AS/NZ 5149:2016 and therefore has a maximum charge kg for refrigerant volumes – if the system were to exceed the concentration limit, forms of mitigation such as alarms, shut off valves and ventilation would be needed to ensure greater occupant safety.

Alarms as a form of mitigation can be costly in the long term.

Also, as a building with different spaces and multiple functions a mix of VRF, split systems and an air handler unit to introduce fresh air would be required for simultaneous heating and cooling to ensure comfort in every space.

However, it was important to the client that guests could soak up the view from balconies without it being interrupted by bulky outdoor air conditioning units.

THE SOLUTION The Mitsubishi Electric R32 Hybrid advanced simultaneous heating and cooling system with heat recovery was the logical choice for accommodation areas. R32 Hybrid is based on a 2-Pipe Heat Recovery VRF System but uses water as a heat exchange medium between the Hybrid Branch Controller and the indoor units. As such, the system combines the comfort of a traditional hydronic system with the efficiency and ease of modern VRF air conditioning.

Water at the heart of the indoor units With water rather than refrigerant used between the patented Hybrid Branch Box and the indoor units, this removed the refrigeration-containing parts from the occupied spaces by transferring heating or cooling to each indoor unit via water.

R32 Hybrid not only significantly reduced the risk of refrigerant leaks in these confined spaces to safeguard guests, the total cost of the system and ongoing maintenance is reduced as the need for expensive leak detection is minimised – a major benefit for the maintenance team.

Photography: IHG Hotels & Resorts

The R32 Hybrid system utilises the low GWP refrigerant R32, providing a real solution that delivers high operational efficiency while minimising the global warming potential of the refrigerants used within these systems. The hybrid technology also reduced the amount of costly refrigerant while providing additional benefits of a water-based design such as higher sensible cooling and no refrigerant noise at the indoor units.

Less material and equipment Mitsubishi Electric’s unique 2-Pipe Heat Recovery System requires less piping than a 4-Pipe Chiller System. The system does not require an external pump, valves, sensors, actuators, or other ancillary controls associated with conventional 4-Pipe Chiller Systems.

“The ability to time room air conditioning operation with check-in and check-out times also avoids wasteful energy used when rooms are empty.”

Seamless integration for total building comfort Due to the capacities needed, Mitsubishi Electric’s City Multi VRF was chosen for the open-plan lobby.

The modular nature of the VRF system also allowed for tidy installation alongside the R32 Hybrid System and seamless integration with the air handler unit through the Zubadan Series Condenser, which introduces tempered fresh air into the kitchen.

The physical footprint required for the outdoor units on the roof top is significantly smaller than other systems. In the hotel’s public spaces, the use of discrete concealed ducted units with stylish grilles and in-ceiling cassettes allows the interior design to take centre stage.

Low-temperature heat recovery performance The Zubadan Heat Pump outdoor unit used in conjunction with a refrigerant coil mounted in the air handler unit allows air to be pre-heated or pre-cooled prior to entering the facility to maintain safe temperatures throughout the seasons. The unique Mitsubishi Electric Zubadan Compressor in the outdoor unit ensures that full heating capacity can be provided even during the snowy Queenstown winters, with operation down to ambient temperatures of -25°C.

Centralised control With 182 rooms to manage as well as conference rooms that can experience temperature fluctuations when hosting events, quick and remote adjustment of temperatures was key for maintenance staff. Two AE200 Centralised and Web Controller LCD touch panels were installed with three EW-50E Central Controller Expansions, allowing up to 250 indoor units to be controlled; one touch screen controls the guest rooms and the other controls common areas and back of house.

The AE200’s large, back-lit display makes programming a breeze, giving the management team control of temperature, fan speed and airflow options at the touch of a button. The ability to time room air conditioning operation with check-in and check-out times also avoids wasteful energy used when rooms are empty.

THE RESULT As the bulk of the install was R32 Hybrid, time-consuming installation and cost-heavy ongoing leak detection requirements were avoided.

Now the Holiday Inn Remarkables Park Hotel stands proud in the newly established precinct as a conveniently located one stop shop to sleep, eat and connect, in total comfort.

The client now enjoys impressive energy and operational efficiency which they can continuously monitor, make year-on-year comparisons and is a breeze for management staff to operate in response to Queenstown’s varying seasons.

hvacrcentre.nz | FEB/MARCH 2025 Daikin Team

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Efficiency, digitalisation and energy intelligence Energy efficiency, reductions in emissions, and smart building management and technological innovation through the proposal of innovative, high-performance tools, are hot topics for the HVAC&R industry.

Heat pumps are a key element in reducing CO2 emissions in residential heating systems – they transfer heat from the environment rather than generating it through combustion, resulting in significantly lower carbon footprints compared to traditional fossil fuel-based heating systems.

This is a key focus for CAREL, parent company of Eurotec.

Offering an integrated system of advanced controllers, high-efficiency inverters, and electronic expansion valves to optimise energy consumption and performance, the company also has dedicated simulation software to create virtual models of real thermodynamic units in a digital environment,

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helping to reduce development times and minimise errors and malfunctions.

To guarantee indoor air quality in buildings, CAREL offers energy recovery solutions for air handling units with thermal wheels, inverter-driven compressors, and advanced sensors that measure temperature, humidity and CO2.

These smart management systems reduce operating costs, while improving comfort and efficiency.

However, smart energy management in buildings requires open, scalable platforms and a centralised approach. At the recent ISH 2025 event, the world’s

leading trade fair for HVAC and water, a new CAREL Group company exhibited for the first time at the CAREL stand.

The company, Kiona, completes the proposals for managing services and energy in commercial and multi-residential buildings.

Kiona’s software-as-a-service platform uses selflearning AI to streamline automation and reporting through a partnership that reinforces the Group’s commitment to providing integrated solutions for optimal building control.

Photography: Messe Frankfurt GmbH

CAREL also presented innovative new programming and simulation tools based on digital twin technology, which can revolutionise the way HVAC&R applications are developed and tested.

The approach opens up new perspectives for the optimisation and reliability of thermodynamic units, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

The new PYC mini controller also introduces a higher level of specialisation for the sector, offering a compact yet high-performance solution ideal for HVAC applications where flexibility, efficiency and integration with advanced systems are essential to meet market demands.

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 21

Around the Industry Milestones What’s On

MEMBER INSIDER APRIL 2025

REFRIGERANT CODE OF PRACTICE

RLNZ FACT SHEET

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WHAT’S ON MAY 28–29th

HVAC&R SOUTH 2025 WHERE: WOLFBROOK ARENA, CHRISTCHURCH For the first time, this dedicated HVAC&R hub at SouthMACH will showcase the latest developments in our industry. The event is expected to attract 2,000 industry professionals.

JULY 15–17th

ARBS STUDY TOUR WHERE: AUCKLAND Spanning four days, this even presents a distinctive combination of educational sessions, networking and cultural experiences specifically designed for the leaders and emerging professionals in HVAC&R.

JULY 15–16th

HVAC&R HUB 2025 WHERE: AUCKLAND SHOWGROUNDS, EPSOM Showcase your company’s expertise, attend workshops, seminars and demonstrations, and engage with peers and key decision-makers in our industry.

VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS AT HVACRCENTRE.CO.NZ/WHATS-ON

AR OUN D T HE IN DUSTRY 3

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1 Realcold volunteers Every working day, businesses across Aotearoa make it possible for volunteer firefighters to respond to emergencies – and Realcold is one of them!

Barry Woolford, Realcold Christchurch Branch Manager, says: “The company is very supportive and understanding of our role that we play in the community.” Matt McPhee, Beijer Ref Distribution Christchurch Warehouse Manager, adds: “I’m so grateful to work for a company that supports volunteerism throughout New Zealand.”

2 Temprite winner Douglas was the lucky winner of Patton North Shore’s Copeland ZX promotion! Craig Parker, Branch/Technical Manager of Patton North Shore (left), had the pleasure of presenting him with a Weber 37cm Smokey Mountain Cooker.

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3 New apprentice for Ice Tech Troy Kilgour joins Ice Tech as an apprentice Refrigeration Technician. The team wishes Troy all the best for his apprenticeship as he embarks on the journey entering this trade. “We are confident he will be a success with the full backing and our support.”

4 Excel helps at Lake Rotokare Three of Excel’s Taranaki team members rolled up their sleeves recently to help refurbish the predatorproof fence at Lake Rotokare. Armed with 3,000 screws and washers, they upgraded 650 metres of the fence, strengthening this vital barrier that protects native wildlife and supports conservation efforts.

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5 1M at ASHRAE AHR Expo With over 50,000 attendees, 1,800 exhibitors, and 350+ speakers, it was all happening at the Orange County Convention Center! It was a unique opportunity for Jeff Wright, GM of 1M, to connect with global HVAC leaders, explore the latest technologies, and bring back insights to enhance 1M’s operations in Aotearoa.

6 Engineering Fabrication L4 A big congrats to Katie-Lee Reeves-Henry for achieving her New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade) (Level 4) with a strand in Light Fabrication! Katie is excited to continue her career as a qualified fabricator at Sheet Metalcraft. Katie has mastered GTAW (TIG welding), a challenging skill that results in strong and highend welds. A big thank you to Training Advisor David McIntyre for helping Katie-Lee cross the finish line!

7 Year of the Snake Temperzone welcomed the Year of the Snake with a vibrant Chinese New Year celebration! Their team enjoyed a festive morning tea dressed in red (the colour of luck) and shared in the traditions of this important holiday. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and celebrate the diverse cultures that enrich their workplace.

8 First-year apprentice giveaway Refspecs provided 61 sets to first-year apprentices in 2024 as part of the Yellow Jacket Manifold Giveaway programme supporting the next generation of industry professionals. If you know a first-year apprentice who could benefit from a free set of gauges to kick start their career, please contact your nearest Refspecs branch.

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 25

RLNZ FACT SHEET

APPROVED FILLER

Legislation and requirements One of the roles of Refrigerant License New Zealand (RLNZ) is to ensure that there is a better understanding about Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO) requirements and the risks of releasing harmful refrigerants into the atmosphere.

RLNZ regularly receives enquiries concerning the need to have an Approved Filler.

Here’s what you need to know.

WHY DO WE NEED AN APPROVED FILLER?

required to use or handle; and

On April 4, 2016, New Zealand Parliament created the regulation “Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016”.

(ii) all personal protective equipment that the worker is or may be required to wear or use.

Under section 9, page 6: Duty to provide information, supervision, training, and instruction (1) A PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that every worker who carries out work of any kind, uses plant of any kind, or deals with a substance of any kind that is capable of causing a risk in a workplace: (a) either: (i) has adequate knowledge and experience of similar places, and work, plant, or substances of that kind, to ensure that the worker carrying out the work, using the plant, or dealing with the substance is not likely to adversely affect the health and safety or cause harm to the worker or any other person; or (ii) is adequately supervised by a person who has that knowledge and experience; and (b) is adequately trained in the safe use of: (i) all plant, objects, substances, or equipment that the worker is or may be

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Read here for further definitions: Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (LI 2016/13) (as at 01 December 2020) – New Zealand Legislation

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK (HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 2017 New Zealand Parliament created the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 on 26th June 2017.

As a means of a control measure that is a method of work, process, or procedure designed to minimise risk when dealing with Hazardous substances.

Under Section 15 – 15.64 – 15.66, pages 347-348: 15.64 Restriction on persons who may charge gas containers (1) A PCBU with management or control of a workplace must ensure that no person at the workplace charges a gas container unless: (a) the person is an approved filler; or (b) the person: (i) is undertaking a course of instruction or

other training to become an approved filler; and (ii) is supervised at all times by an approved filler while charging the container.

(3) A PCBU who contravenes this regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction, (a) for an individual, to a fine not exceeding $6,000: (b) for any other person, to a fine not exceeding $30,000.

15.65 Approved fillers (1) A person must not carry out a duty of an approved filler under this subpart unless the person holds an approved filler certificate that is issued by a compliance certifier who is authorised to certify the competence of approved fillers.

(2) An individual who contravenes this regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

15.66 Compliance certificate for approved fillers (3) The certificate may specify its end date (no later than 5 years after issue).

Periodic tests Schedule 22 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 states: All other cylinders including refrigeration cylinders have a maximum test period of 5 years. These intervals relate to periods beyond which a person must not charge a cylinder unless that cylinder has been inspected and tested.

15.56 Periodic tests (1) A PCBU with management and control of a workplace must ensure that no person charges a cylinder at the workplace unless the cylinder has passed the tests referred to in sub-clause (2), or the inspections and tests referred to in regulation 15.3(1)(b) (3) A PCBU who contravenes this regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction, (a) for an individual, to a fine not exceeding $6,000: (b) for any other person, to a fine not exceeding $30,000.

Read here for further definitions: Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 (LI 2017/131) (as at 05 January 2022) Contents – New Zealand Legislation Breaches of Legislation WorkSafe receives a large amount of information about harm, or the risk of harm. This comes in a number of different ways, for example: notifications, complaints or reports of concern, our own intelligence, or an inspection.

This harm, or the risk of harm, can be the result of a single event, a pattern or a series of events, a precursor event or a near miss. Because of the large amount of information we receive, we are deliberate in choosing when we will, and won’t, investigate. Even if it’s a matter within our remit, we won’t necessarily investigate. We start by applying ‘When we intervene’ and this helps us decide if the matter is something we could investigate.

More information can be found on via WorkSafe’s ‘Guide to gas cylinders’.

Got questions? Get in touch

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 27

ASSESSMENT

www.rlnz.org.nz

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RLNZ UPDATE

Refrigerant Handling Code of Practice 2025 for New Zealand has been released The Code of Practice was originally produced by IRHACE and RACCA back in 2001, and was updated in 2007 by IRHACE and AIRAH. This code has been periodically revised over time with assistance from the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), Standards Australia, the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand (IRHACE) and other institutions.

This 2025 edition of the code has been updated from the 2007 version to reflect changes in the Standards and Regulations the industry currently works with: •

Requirements and recommendations on design, manufacture and maintenance, have been updated based on the applicable Australia and New Zealand standards and industry guidelines.

•

Procedures have been outline for (on-site) evacuation, charging, inspection and repair.

•

More focus and clarity are provided around leak inspection, leak detection and leak testing.

•

Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating’s (AIRAH) Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide.

•

Australian Refrigeration Council’s (ARC) Handle Class A2/A2L Flammable Refrigerants and a range of fact sheets produced in Australia by Refrigerants Australia and in New Zealand by CCCANZ.

There are a range of resources available regarding the use of flammable refrigerants, including but not limited to: •

Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities’ (HWSA) Flammable Refrigerant Gases Position Paper as published by the relevant state or territory WHS authority.

Thank you to those who provided their expertise in reviewing the Code of Practice: Dean Moffat (M.IRHACE), Paddy Durham (M.IRHACE), Chris Arvidson (M.IRHACE), Mike Dubey (M.IRHACE), Mitch Williamson (M.IRHACE), Garrett Glynn (M.IRHACE), Andy Goodall (M.IRHACE), and Rod Dickson (WorkSafe).

hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 29

MEMBER MILESTONES WELCOME Liam Couling Ayden Hudson Kingi Wetere Timothy James Wilson James Yardley Martin Lightfoot Matthew Lowe James McCormack Andrew Dwyer William Lovell Mark Hoskin Matthew Hallgren

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hvacrcentre.nz | | FEB/MARCH hvacrcentre.nz APRIL 20252025

Competenz Strategic Advisory Board announced Competenz has finalised its Strategic Advisory Board (SAB), with all members confirmed.

The SAB will act as the collective voice for Competenz industries to key stakeholders, including Te Pūkenga, the Minister for Vocational Education, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), and other government agencies. The board will provide strategic guidance and represent industry interests as the vocational education system evolves following the current VET consultation.

The Board consists of nine members, representing employers, industry associations, and Māori and Pasifika communities. Led by an independent Chair, the board brings together diverse perspectives across sectors, regions, and cultures, alongside strong governance expertise and in-depth knowledge of vocational education. This includes CCCANZ’s Brendan Clarkson.

MEET THE SAB MEMBERS • Nick Sheppard | Head of Learning & Development, Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) | Engineering & Manufacturing (Chairperson)

• Katherine Hall | Executive Director, ConCOVE Tūhura | Construction Research, International VET Models • Bryn Thompson | Ambassador, MAKE|NZ | Engineering, Fabrication & Manufacturing • Brendan Clarkson | Managing Director, Clarkson Air Conditioning Ltd | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning • Ruth Cobb | Chief Executive Officer, Print NZ | Print, Packaging & Sign Making • Narelle Cameron | Senior Learning Partner, Fonterra | Various Sectors • Alan Sutcliffe | Chief Executive Officer, Page Macrae Engineering | Engineering & Manufacturing • Kevin Ihaka | Managing Director, Forest Protection Services Group | Forestry • Dr Cliff Harwood | Manager Qualifications & Vendor Relations, New Zealand Defence Force • Amanda Wheeler | Executive Director, Competenz

NEW SKILLS GROUP APPOINTMENT Skills Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Di Lithgow as the new Director Trades School which comprises Etco, E-tec and ICE. Di brings extensive experience in vocational and tertiary education, having dedicated her career to improving educational systems and outcomes for learners across Aotearoa.

“Her ability to translate strategic vision into practical, impactful operational outcomes has been a hallmark of her leadership.

“Di’s deep roots in the vocational education sector, where she has worked for Competenz, Te Pūkenga and previously, Skills, combined with her people-first approach, make her exceptionally well-suited to the role.”

hvacrcentre.nz | FEB/MARCH 2025 hvacrcentre.nz | APRIL 2025 32

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