Author: Haitham Razagui

Perth truck HC explosion: how it happened

Example how two truck occupants came to be seriously injured by hydrocarbon refrigerant escaping into their cabin and igniting as they drove down a suburban street in Perth, has been revealed in a report produced during an independent investigation of the incident. The explosion happened on April 28 this year, exactly five months after the Continue reading Perth truck HC explosion: how it happened

NZ to adopt refrigerant licensing from 2015

FROM January 1 2015, presentation of an Approved Filler or Handler Certificate or License will become a mandatory requirement when purchasing refrigerant in New Zealand. RLNZ training manager Matthew Allfree told VASA eNews the licensing requirement will cover all refrigerants – unlike the Australian situation that allows unlicensed operators to purchase certain refrigerants such as Continue reading NZ to adopt refrigerant licensing from 2015

2014 VASA AGM report

VASA’s Annual General Meeting took place on August 2 at the QT Gold Coast hotel in Surfers Paradise. In his annual report speech, VASA President Ian Stangroome told of the successful secretariat move to Ormeau in Queensland, giving VASA a more efficient and centralised infrastructure plus dedicated office space and staff. These facilities are kindly Continue reading 2014 VASA AGM report

RACCA fights to save NSW Refrigeration & A/C License

THE Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA) is waging a campaign to prevent abolition of the Refrigeration Air Conditioning License in New South Wales. RACCA’s campaign has gained the support of VASA, the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU). Industry was not consulted over the proposal, which Continue reading RACCA fights to save NSW Refrigeration & A/C License

Gold Coast training and AGM

VASA’s next regional training course and AGM will be held at the Gold Coast on Saturday August 2 and Sunday August 3. The Annual General Meeting will take place after the Saturday training session from 5pm-7pm. Subject: Advanced HVAC Diagnostic Course When: Saturday August 2 (8:30am – 4pm) and Sunday August 3 (8:30am – 12pm). Continue reading Gold Coast training and AGM

Carbon Tax repeal: ACCC’s refrigerant pricing expectations

THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has outlined how it expects industry to deal with the retrospective nature of the Carbon Tax repeal. Because the Carbon Tax repeal legislation will not pass before July 1, the repeal will be applied retrospectively once passed, meaning importers of synthetic greenhouse gases (such as HFC refrigerants) have Continue reading Carbon Tax repeal: ACCC’s refrigerant pricing expectations

Wire & Gas 2015: Gold Coast

VASA is pleased to announce that the Wire & Gas convention will return to the Gold Coast next year, again running across the June long weekend (5th-7th). The event will again be held at the Surfers Paradise Mariott Resort & Spa, where the trade show, discussion forum, award ceremony, speeches and gala dinner will take Continue reading Wire & Gas 2015: Gold Coast

Stop press: Two injured in Perth HC refrigerant explosion

TWO people have been seriously injured in Perth, Western Australia by a vehicle explosion involving flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants. Both victims were occupants of the vehicle when hydrocarbon refrigerant was suddenly released into the cabin and ignited. The explosion involved a older commercial vehicle that was around 14 years old. Flammable hydrocarbon refrigerant, rather than industry Continue reading Stop press: Two injured in Perth HC refrigerant explosion

Environment Minister Greg Hunt

THE Emission Reduction Fund white paper released late last month contains no easy pathways for the air-conditioning or refrigerant industries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in post Carbon Tax Australia. Refrigerants Australia executive director Greg Picker told VASA eNews the kind of activity already undertaken by VASA and its members are the best way Continue reading No carrot or stick for air-con, refrigerant industries in Emissions Reduction Fund white paper