The very first project to be approved under the PRIME initiative has been formally given the go ahead.
Funding for the project, which is a National Construction Code (NCC) whole-of-building commissioning proposal, was approved this week.
PRIME is the HVAC&R industry’s blueprint for a successful transition to a low-emissions future through Professionalism, Regulation, Information, Measurement, and Emission abatement.
However, with so many industry groups involved in PRIME, outcomes are not always easy.
Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) CEO, Tony Gleeson, said the aim is to develop an industry-agreed proposal for change (PFC) to provide an industry-endorsed commissioning process in the NCC Volume One. “Commissioning is such an important component of helping to make the built environment more energy efficient,” Gleeson said.
“Unfortunately, despite being critical to the efficient operation of HVAC&R equipment – and therefore of buildings and the built environment itself – it is often neglected, done shoddily, or completely ignored.
"Introducing a minimum standardised approach to commissioning into the NCC will ensure this is far less likely to occur.”
AIRAH is providing the resources to run this PRIME project.
A small PRIME working group of technical experts from AIRAH, the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA), Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) has been formed.
AIRAH technical manager, Vince Ahern, said there is also a close dialogue with the Australian Building Codes Board and individual state and territory building administrations.
"While there is significant support for a commissioning process specification from the construction industry and property sector, there are a number of administrative issues and regulatory challenges that need to be worked through,” he said.
“That’s why the whole-of-industry approach that PRIME can offer is so critical to this project”.
There was a period when PRIME stalled, this was before approval was given by the AIRAH Board to fund a PRIME secretariat.
AIRAH's external relations and technical services executive manager, Phil Wilkinson, said the PRIME bus has finally left the depot.
"We have a workable coalition of industry stakeholders and a model to work under, with our first PRIME project approved," Wilkinson said.
"A second project has been submitted for review, and there are three or four others in the pipeline. Hold on for the ride.”