Environmental and Sustainability

Australia and New Zealand are joining a worldwide trend that is expected to see sales of revolving doors globally expand to more than $A1.5 billion ($NZ 1.6 billion) by 2028, in response to climate change, energy efficiency and integrated security needs. “These doors are energy-efficient and help reduce the loss of heating or cooling of the buildings,” says the global Research and Markets organisation, which serves 30,000 companies worldwide. “Further, a rise in spending across APAC (Asia-Pacific) countries for maintaining security in office premises across the commercial, industrial, and government sectors is driving the adoption of advanced revolving doors,” it says in a report this month. Boon Edam Australia Managing Director Michael Fisher says both energy efficiency and integrated automated security capabilities are definitely helping to drive uptake of the doors in Australia and New Zealand. “Architectural revolving doors’ robust and weathertight construction – plus their always open, always closed operating principle – means they respond naturally to the wild weather challenges of climate change. And they are also naturally energy- efficient, retaining expensive cooled or heated air, which is important when HVAC costs comprise a major part of a typical commercial, industrial, and social infrastructure building’s operating costs,” says Mr Fisher, who leads the local arm of the global Royal Boon Edam organisation, which is an industry leader in 27 countries. Boon Edam specialises in architectural revolving doors and security speed gate systems designed to enhance overall security while reducing the need to have expensive manned security on every entrance. The Research and Markets reports says the rise in construction of high-tech airports, cinema halls, grand hotels, shopping malls, and others is expected to influence the revolving doors market growth during the forecast period. “A rapid rise in construction activities and an increase in the adoption of door automation are propelling the growth of revolving doors’ market size. These doors support secure, easy, fast, and accurate operations. The rising implementation of automatic doors in commercial and industrial spaces, and growing awareness about new and developing technologies are expected to offer ample opportunities for the revolving doors market growth.” Strong growth is also expected in areas where there are concentrations of data centres, says the report. “North America led the revolving doors market in 2020, majorly due to presence of a large of number of data centres. Companies such as CenturyLink, Digital Realty Trust, L.P., Equinix Inc., and AT&T, Inc. are among the leading data centre colocation players in North America, and they are expanding at an exponential rate.” Key Industry Dynamics identified by the Research and Market organisation include: Rising Adoption of Doors’ Automation in Commercial and Industrial Spaces Increasing Infrastructure Spending and Rapid Urbanization in Emerging Economies Adoption of Green Building Standards and Energy Efficient Products The future Emerging Trend of Integrated Security for Intelligent Buildings Michael Fisher says energy-savers such as architectural revolving doors (which also exclude natural health hazards and man-made pollutants) are now achieving some of the recognition in Australasia they have long enjoyed overseas as a front line of defence against energy losses, health threats and pollution. Mr Fisher says many architects his company collaborates with have known about the energy and other advantages of revolving doors for years, including their inherent functioning as airlocks, which allow smooth pedestrian flow while saving money on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. On warmer days, they keep cool air in, reducing air conditioning costs. In cooler times, they keep cold air out, thereby reducing heating costs. “But clients in the past have often gone for cheaper options when energy was cheaper and sustainability targets were lower. Now the tide is turning, with the global and local surge of interest in environmental and sustainability objectives.” “Architects and builders now are doing some real ROI comparisons that consider the comfort and sustainability objectives of the spaces they create. It is no longer a question of ‘What is the cheapest door up front’, but rather ‘How can we create a healthy, secure, comfortable environment that meets our duty of care to occupants and visitors’”. “Employers have a responsibility towards the health of their employees, and this includes workplace safety, as well as good hygiene and air quality practices,” says Mr Fisher. In response to the surge in interest in clean, green buildings, Boon Edam has introduced extensive ranges of its HVAC-conserving doors to the Australasian market, including its Tourniket, Tournex, Tourlock, Duotour, and Circleslide doors, which can also be integrated with Boon Edam security entrances, to combat another hazard of modern times: entrance of unauthorised people into a facility – whether if may be a disgruntled person intention on managing data centre records, or a non-vaccinated person attempting to enter hospitals or age care facilities screening against Covid.

Global cable systems technology leader LAPP has radically stepped-up availability in Australia of internationally proven ranges of low-smoke, flame-retardant, zero halogen cabling systems in response to rising awareness of risks to life and property from toxic fumes.  LAPP Australia General Manager Mr Simon Pullinger says the new move to comprehensively expand stocking of the low smoke halogen-free types of its top selling OLFLEX®, UNITRONIC® and ETHERLINE® ranges comes in response to strong Australian demand.  LAPP now offers the widest range of purpose-designed low-smoke halogen-free cables in the market (500+ lines). Uses extend from building and construction, data and telecommunications, energy and resources, infrastructure and utilities, broad industrial ethernet and automation categories and medical and chemical processing, says Mr Pullinger.   The multi-tiered product ranges now stocked here for rapid delivery – and backed by a free cut-to-length service tailored to individual projects – range from single-core and multi-core power and control, screened and unscreened data transmission and industrial and LAN Ethernet cables.  All are tested to the highest global standards and trusted in more than 50 countries to deliver additional safety and optimum protection for applications involving large numbers of people at risk of being asphyxiated and major concentrations of vital electronic and communications equipment that could be rendered useless by destructive acidic fumes.  “Specifiers now are profoundly aware that smoke and poisonous fumes can be a greater risk to lives and property than fire alone,” says Mr Pullinger. “With the increased demand for safety and risk management in public and private commercial infrastructure, specifiers and their contractors are now being advised to install materials that provide the greatest assurance of safety and protection. This duty of care extends across a broad spectrum of industry designers, specifiers and managers, including architects, engineers, construction, infrastructure and HVAC managers. It applies to data and telecommunications specialists, and electronic and IT systems installers particularly, working on projects including transport facilities, major public and private buildings, materials handling, industrial automation, Industry 4.0 applications including manufacturing, energy and resources, food and beverage and primary processing, including in wet environments.”  LAPP Australia’s locally stocked ranges – selected to be particularly useful where fire hazard is a consideration and where high-value property is concentrated – include:  OLFLEX® CLASSIC 130H, which is suitable for both fixed and flexible installations, including airports, railway stations, transport facilities, air conditioning, industrial machinery, and plant engineering.  OLFLEX® CLASSIC 135CH, a halogen-free control cable, flexible and screened for various applications, including those in public buildings and industrial plants.  OLFLEX® CLASSIC 115CH, a halogen-free control cable, oil-resistant, screened, very flexible and cold-resistant down to -30°C, EN 45545-2 certified for railway/rolling stock application.  OLFLEX® CLASSIC 128 H BK 0.6-1kV, CLASSIC 128 CH BK 0.6-1kV, and ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC 128 H BK SC types, which provide cost-effective halogen-free control cables with outstanding fire resistant characteristics. These space-saving cables are ideally suited to public buildings and industrial plants, and are weather-resistant according to ISO 4892-2.  New SC LSZH 110 range + SDI 110 + EARTH 110. The low smoke gas density is a very important part of the LSZH cable, both smoke inhalation and the amount of dark smoke in fire that can prevent people to from finding escape routes is a major factor in causalities that can result from a fire. LSZH cables are the recommended cables for Green Star rated building projects due to the low toxicity and low smoke design. LSZH cables don’t require PVC Best Practice certification as there are no PVC elements in the cable construction.  UNITRONIC® ROBUST C and UNITRONIC® ROBUST C (TP), for halogen-free data transmission with a colour code according to DIN 47100 standards. It is resistant to a wide range of chemical media. (TP signifies a twisted pair option.)  UNITRONIC® LiHCH TP has the same advantages of other LiHCH cables but with twisted pair arrangements to facilitate de-coupling of circuits, and a thinner coper wire braid to project the cable against external electrical influences.  ETHERLINE® H CAT.5e 2-Pair, which can be used for Industrial Ethernet in harsh industrial environments. These cables feature a PUR (polyurethane) jacket and a 1000V UL-rating for installation next to power cables.  ETHERLINE® PN CAT.6A FRNC FLEX FC, for flexible use PROFINET applications with four pairs. This range can come with PVC or FRNC (flame retardant non-corrosive) outer sheath and has UL-approval.  ETHERLINE® ROBUST Cat.7 FLEX, which is designed for PROFINET applications, halogen-free, TPE sheath, and features good chemical and weather resistance.  Vital tests for LSZH cable Mr Pullinger says the biggest issue facing new users of LSZH cables is a full understanding of what is a true low smoke zero halogen cable.  “This is a key consideration in risk management and safety, because to be assured you are selecting a quality cable that will offer security during fire, it must pass three tests contained in IEC and VDE standards, pertaining to halogen content, low smoke density and flame propagation.  “These tests are all encompassed in LAPP’s range of low smoke halogen free products, which are stringently tested to ensure peace of mind when installing these cables where human life or valuable property are exposed to a high risk of fire hazards.”  Toxicity of smoke is of particularly great concern within enclosed spaces where means of escape are limited. “Examples include mass transit vehicles and facilities and offshore oil and gas platforms and ships, for example, where life is very much at risk. But it is also becoming critical to use halogen-free products around areas where electronics are present, with examples of particular concern including data centres handling vital information, hugely expensive production facilities and telecommunications equipment upon which entire communities depend, particularly in emergencies.”   The new low smoke halogen free products are new additions to LAPP Australia’s stocking of more than 4,000 products locally for short lead time delivery coast-to coast. These include cable and cabling systems focussed on safety and sustainability, including halogen-free products and extended ranges of special purpose and conduit and cable systems integral to sustainability and reliability in areas such as solar, wind and broader green energy systems, surveillance, security and safety systems.   Mr Pullinger says the current availability of 20,000 products online locally, with engineering and technical support – as well as twice that number accessible from LAPP’s global ranges – gives customers greater access to advanced products and rapid lead times for better planning of future-focussed initiatives, including safety, sustainability and Industry 4.0 automation and digital integration. 

An Australian island already noted for its exceptional environmental foresight is taking further major steps to advance its clean, green protection of its precious World Heritage listed natural assets. Lord Howe Island – just 11km long, averaging about 2km wide, with peaks rising to Mt Gower’s 880m – is working towards EPA approvals, flora and fauna protections, and waste recycling initiatives to help avoid pollution so future generations of residents and visitors can enjoy its unique creatures, plants, crystal water, spectacular walks and unique coral reef. The initiatives, by the Lord Howe Island Board, complement the island’s broader environmental initiatives, including an island-wide residents’ cleanup campaign initiated by Clean Up Australia champion, the late Ian Kiernan and complementary programmes to eradicate entire species of foreign weeds and pests. Ultimately it aims to be totally free of unwanted flora and fauna introduced more than 100 years ago. Once this is done, it can begin re-introducing species currently extinct in the wild. CST Wastewater Solutions’ screen compactor, right, pre-screens effluent prior to the septic wastewaters being pumped to the polymer dosage tank Meanwhile, the Board is enhancing its environmental credentials by introducing solar power to provide two-thirds of the island’s annual energy needs, while also seeking EPA approval to re-use as compost the solids from treated sewage effluent produced by its environmentally sensitive, low-energy wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater treatment plant incorporates advanced liquid-solid waste separation, drying and dewatering technologies engineered by Australian environmental clean water and recycling innovators CST Wastewater Solutions. The pre-treatment and recovery technologies – which draw far less power than older separator technologies – produce cleaner liquid waste and drier much lighter reusable solid waste and that is easier to recycle and avoids the costs and hazards of handling heavy, sloppy and smelly solids from septic tanks. It also facilitates practical and cost-efficient environmental progress by reducing the amount of hazardous waste that in many situations in Australasia and South Asia would need to be expensively transported to landfill. The technologies are designed for small to medium applications (hydraulic capacities from 264-4092 gal/hr; approx. 1000-15,500 litres) including urban, municipal, agribusiness and industrial applications as well as remote and environmentally sensitive applications of which Lord Howe is an outstanding example. CST Wastewater Solutions’ separation and dewatering technologies – selected by the Lord Howe Island Board after a detailed consideration process of the best solutions – help avoid sloppy, unhygienic output and material that is difficult to handle and dispose of on the virtually rubbish-free island. The conservation-minded Island is home to just 400 residents who welcome an equal number of tourists at any one time to clean, green laid back resorts, warm white beaches, vibrant recreational fishing and Australia’s southernmost coral reef, located around 600km off the NSW east coast from Port Macquarie. Measured doses of polymer determined from sampling at the input stage enable WWTP Supervisor Bradley Josephs high accuracy and predictability of compacted waste output “These environmental and waste initiatives enjoy the support of both the local resident and tourist business communities,” says David Waterhouse, Manager, Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Lord Howe Island Board. “The people of Lord Howe see it as great initiatives that we are seeking to return flora, fauna, emissions and water resources closer to their natural state existing when the island group was discovered, (in 1788 by Lieutenant Ball, Commander of H.M. Tender Supply, on a voyage from Sydney to Norfolk Island and named after the Lord of the Admiralty at the time). “And, of course, unique land and marine creatures and a pristine environment are what people come here to enjoy, with glorious trekking, diving, fishing and family relaxation. It is a win-win for residents and visitors, who love the opportunity to relax in a clean, green environment which is not overcrowded or damaged by excessive tourism. As a community, we want to retain the original beauty of the environment and combine it with relaxed, unspoilt uncrowded tourism where visitors can leave their doors unlocked and enjoy relaxed privacy with quiet roads and beaches with space and beauty to spare,” says Mr Waterhouse. Separated solids sludge being processed on the KDS system’s unique roller system, above, while the system also produces much clearer and higher quality liquid effluent requiring less processing for re-use, below Lord Howe Waste Management Facility Supervisor, Mr Bradley Josephs, says the facility’s waste water treatment plant has produced cost-efficient and practical environmental, operational and OHS benefits since it was introduced as part of a full package to separate biosolids, liquids and residual waste in a three-step process of which the CST technology is an integral part. The CST technology uses a combination of coarse and fine screening and KDS advanced dewatering technology to produce the more hygienic and more compact output that can be added to recycled compost streams. “Our benefits to date will be extended further if EPA approval is received to incorporate the compacted solids from the effluent into compost for use on the island, incorporating previously odorous waste into a valuable resource and further reducing the need for transport and landfill,” he says. The WWTP plant compacts solid sewage waste to a fraction of the original volume of material that was previously laid out on drying racks to dewater – a process that smelt, involved much more handling, and could take extended periods to complete, particularly if the weather changed. The new facility’s screening, filtration and KDS liquid-to-solid separator is also much more efficient in separating diverse solids from liquid, without clogging and producing a liquid component is much clearer and more suitable for speedier processing and re-use. Solid waste compacted by the KDS separator is drier, more compact and easier to convert to valuable use in compost – rather than being a troublesome waste disposal problem Septic waste from residential and commercial systems treated at this facility is drawn from about 220 septic water systems on the island, 25 of which are commercial operations. Currently pump-outs are delivered to the facility via an

An air filtration system trusted by major global hospitality chains is being introduced to Australasia to help to help overcome clean air challenges in accommodation and shared facilities, including airborne viruses, bacteria, allergens and other health risks to workers, guests and travellers, including those in quarantine. The EnviroKlenz® Air System Plus combines ultraviolet UVC germicidal irradiation with safe and effective earth mineral technology originally developed for the US military and still used today to destroy chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Now this medical-grade technology is being used to protect health, fulfil air quality preferences among consumers and to deliver OHS advantages for workers a huge variety of industries, says Scott Whittaker, General Manager of the company introducing the technology to Australia and New Zealand, Clean Stream Technologies. “Such technology will be very important as Australia recovers from the coronavirus pandemic and begins to open up its borders to local and international travellers who will be very aware of the dangers of airborne health risks and very grateful to hospitality providers who demonstrate their concerns with technology such as this.” The latest German-made and US patented technology, with UV bulbs and internal cleaning system, provides a proven safe and effective technology to capture and neutralise airborne toxins and noxious gases, particulates, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other allergy triggers in venues involving shared accommodation and HVAC systems. These include hotels, restaurants, bars, breakfast rooms, gyms, meeting rooms, lobbies, bathrooms, areas of transport terminals, catering facilities, cruise ships and party vessels, and food and beverage manufacturing and preparation facilities. EnviroKlenz technology (left) uses safe and effective earth mineral technology (right) 99.9 per cent neutralisation EnviroKlenz has been tested and validated by Intertek Labs, a nationally recognised testing laboratory, to achieve a 99.9 neutralisation rate of viruses down to 0.025 microns. While the test is for a broad spectrum of viruses, rather than specific types, the size of virus against which it is effective is multiple times smaller than the Covid-19 coronavirus, for example. EnviroKlenz is also 99.9 per cent effective in neutralisation of gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and 99.9 per cent effective against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis). “The relevance of such medical-grade technology in hospitality and shared accommodation venues such as hostels and workcamps has been heightened by news this month that the World Health Organisation Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance to emphasise the threat of small airborne virus particles that linger in the air and can travel in poorly ventilated spaces,” says Mr Whittaker. “An obvious and most immediate need for this highly effective technology is in hotels and shared accommodation used to isolate passengers returning from overseas destinations, an issue that will be front and centre for the coming year,” he says. But the EnviroKlenz technology – proven in service with the four Seasons, Hyatt, Hilton and Wyndham worldwide group – is equally suitable for hospitality venues focussed on growing consumer awareness of air quality generally in shared venues. “EnviroKlenz research has shown that more than 90 per cent of consumers believe that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is important in the prevention of Covid-19, for example. And most of these said proof about a hotel’s IAQ, for example, would influence their decision about where to stay and feel better about entering particular buildings.” Clean Air Challenges The EnviroKlenz® Air System Plus combines ultraviolet germicidal irradiation through UVC bulbs, above, with safe and effective earth mineral technology “So, particularly in the present environment, air quality is a powerful driver of consumer preferences and worker safety concerns, especially when technologies such as EnviroKlenz are reliably used in areas such as medical and dental facilities, office and educational centres, and health and age facilities where people with compromised immune systems must be protected. Each EnviroKlenz Air System Plus unit is effective over individual areas up to 93 sq m (1,000 sq ft). The very quiet units (54-64 dB low-to high) can be used in multiple installations to address clean air challenges such as: Chemicals and odours from cleaning agents, water damage or renovations that cause indoor air quality problems Mould or mildew from water damage in bathrooms or ductwork in hospitality, commercial and industrial ductwork Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids or from carpets, furniture and other contributors to low IAQ scores Demand for severe allergy-friendly or allergy friendly accommodation and working environments “Sometimes the issue is excluding potential carriers of risk factors such as contagious conditions; sometimes the issue is to exclude the risk factors such as vehicle pollution, bushfire smoke and widespread allergens including pollen. Such allergens can particularly affect people suffering from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), which affects about 18 per cent of people in Australia and New Zealand – which is a large market sector,” says Mr Whittaker. EnviroKlenz in public areas provides guests and workers with protection and confidence The benefits of clean air for the hospitality industry and related industries include: Maintaining customer loyalty with better rankings Increasing air exchanges to ensure a quicker turnaround between guests Less time spent cleaning up dust – EnviroKlenz filters capture dust and other particulates Protection of workers and guests against recurring viruses -virus infections generally are a fact of life long-term “Infectious diseases have been with us from the beginning of time, as people have intermingled ever more extensively,” says Mr Whittaker. Even over this last century, we have had major mass afflictions, such as the Spanish Flu, for example, which killed 30-100 million worldwide, including more than 10,000 in Australia conservatively. “Covid and the virus challenges it presents have simply brought to the surface issues that have been simmering away for decades. Because we are fortunate enough to be in Australia, and blessed with fresh air outdoors and wide-open spaces, we have been spared many of their impacts to date. But as we increasingly urbanise and internationalise, indoor air quality and safeguarding health is becoming an issue that is here to stay.”