Queen’s University, Belfast
Topics included an update on the latest revisions to the F-Gas Regulations and the implications for the industry and end users, plus an overview of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), and how it relates to air conditioning in buildings.
The programme was led by Paul Turley, Toshiba’s regional specification manager in Ireland, and Keith Elliott, technical director of BL Refrigeration, with eight building services engineers from the university’s estates management team attending, co-ordinated by John Devlin, the university’s mechanical engineering projects manager. The series began before the COVID-19 outbreak, and is now being offered remotely via online group video platforms.
“Queen’s University has Toshiba air conditioning on its campus,” said Ken Lawlor, who heads Toshiba Ireland. “And we have had a strong relationship with the estates team through BL Refrigeration, a key installer and service and maintenance contractor for the university for many years. The CPD courses are a great way to quickly get up-to-speed with the latest legislation and technology and to improve system design and product application for both energy efficiency and environmental protection.”
“The sessions were very well received by our engineers, and provoked interesting debate with many questions,” said Devlin. “It was a valuable exercise and I am grateful to Toshiba and BL Refrigeration for their time and sharing their expertise on these key topics of interest.”
Toshiba CPD courses are certified by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), and participants are presented with certificates and credits towards their annual personal CPD training targets. Courses are offered free of charge and led by experienced practitioners at customers’ offices or other convenient locations across the country.
In addition to courses on the latest F-Gas legislation and BREEAM, Toshiba offers modules on the fundamentals of air conditioning, the application of existing and new refrigerants, and updates on the latest compressor technology and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.
The full programme includes the following six modules:
• CPD 1: A basic guide to air conditioning;
• CPD 2: F-Gas: A detailed look at the latest legislation and its implications for the air conditioning industry;
• CPD 3:Refrigerants: Current and future refrigerants, and the impact of the F-Gas regulation on their use;
• CPD 4:BREEAM, Pump Down and EN378: An overview of EN378 and BREEAM credits for DX systems, and Toshiba's solutions to comply with legislation;
• CPD 5:Variable Refrigerant Systems: A guide to VRF system technology, building on Module 1;
• CPD 6:Compressor Technology: The different types of compressors used in DX air conditioning, their application and comparison.
The CPD modules are in addition to Toshiba’s technical training courses for installers and service technicians, which cover VRF systems, digital and super inverter splits, controls, and safe handling of flammable A2L, A2 and A3 refrigerants.Many courses are now also available online via Toshiba’s Training Portal.