Walker Fire Protection Environmental Program
As part of the A.G. Coombs Group of companies, our Environmental Policy is implemented through a wide range of procedures and practices that are part of our normal business practices.
Environmental Policy
Environmental Training
Environmental Performance Monitoring & Reporting
Pollution Control
Waste Management
Transport
Natural Resources
Environmentally Related Services
Technical Capability Development
Industry and Community Contribution
Continuous Improvement
Within A.G. Coombs our Environmental Policy is implemented through a wide range of procedures and practices that are part of our normal business practices. Contract specific Environmental Management Plans are developed for particular contracts or sites as required and these set out site/contract specific procedures and practices to minimise, manage and report on environmental impacts.
Training in environmentally related areas typically falls into four (4) categories in A.G. Coombs.
- General induction training for new employees: New employees are given comprehensive induction training; this includes aspects relating to environmentally related procedures and practices.
- Site /contract specific induction training: Employees are provided with training for site / contract specific requirements.
- Training as part of ongoing individual training plans: All employees have individual training plans. These are reviewed as required or yearly as a minimum and may include environmentally related training.
- General training relating to new issues, new company procedures, technology or regulations.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MONITORING & REPORTING
The environmental performance of the A.G. Coombs group of companies is formally reported on each financial year. This Report is part of A.G. Coombs commitment to improving the environment where possible through our services and managing company activities to ensure that any related environmental impacts are minimised while continuing to meet client expectations.
Analysis and reporting on environmentally related issues is also carried out to reflect specific site/contract requirements. For example on some sites water usage associated with cooling towers and central plant is actively tracked, analysed and reported on. This information is used to tune systems and identify problems. On some sites energy consumption / energy efficiency related issues are reported and tracked. This information is used to tune systems and to identify and quantify opportunities for further reductions in energy consumption.
Site / contract specific environmentally related information is reported to clients via regular monthly and/or other contract reporting mechanisms. These reports are sometimes part of our contracted responsibility / service and as such are typically subject to commercial confidentiality provisions. The usage, reclaim and accounting for of CFC refrigerant gases is subject to specific regulatory control and reporting.
Information relating to the environment impact of our business operations such as office energy consumption, paper usage / recycling, metals recycling, disposal to landfill, vehicle fuel usage etc is accounted for and reported as part of in house business reporting.
Assessment of the typical activities carried out in our maintenance of building services indicates pollution risk in the following areas:
- Contaminated water effluent to storm water: This is particularly a problem with treated water from cooling towers and associated systems. As part of our site management service we advise clients of situations where there is the potential for inadvertent discharge of effluent to storm water and recommend the installation of appropriate arrangements.
- Leakage of oil from air conditioning equipment. We have oil reclaim practices and recycling arrangement s in place. A number of sites where there is a particular risk have spill kits installed.
- Discharge of refrigerant gas to atmosphere. We have refrigeration gas reclaim procedures and the appropriate equipment and training is in place. On sites where the risk and consequence of refrigerant gas escape is significant we recommend higher frequencies of inspection and maintenance and in some instances the installation of leak detection / warning systems and ensure that rupture disc arrangements are such that the risk of large amounts of gas on failure is minimised.
- Boiler and Diesel Generator Exhaust Stacks: Our boiler technicians are fully trained in trained in boiler tuning and adjustment to minimise harmful discharges and maximise the efficiency of boiler combustion. Diesel generators are regularly maintained by trained staff and adjusted to minimise harmful exhaust discharges.
- Waste to landfill; Ground pollution via waste to landfill is minimised through paper and metal recycling programs. Paper usage is minimised through the use of electronic communications and information management
- Vehicle Pollution: All fleet vehicles are regularly tuned and technicians undergo driver training. Vehicle maintenance is carried out by qualified organisations/ dealerships using responsible environmental practices for the discharge and disposal of effluent, oil and used materials.
Recycling arrangements are in place for office paper, office cardboard and metals. Recent years have seen a 50% reduction in volume of materials to landfill from our operations. Refrigerant gases are reclaimed and recycled. Used oil from air conditioning equipment is reclaimed and recycled.
Energy efficiency is considered in the selection of vehicles as one of a number of criteria. Our mobile service vehicles are appropriately sized and equipped to minimise the need for additional travel to acquire parts or specialist tools and equipment. Vehicle costs are closely monitored, travel time and associated fuel usage is minimised by good planning and organisation of van based technician activities. All fleet vehicles are serviced and tuned regularly to ensure maximum fuel efficiency is maintained. Fleet vehicles are being progressively replaced with Natural Gas powered variants. Vehicle selection criteria are reviewed regularly.
Materials
Sites/ Contracts: Material usage in construction projects is optimized by value engineering, pre fabrication and supplier precutting practices monitored by out strict quality assurance system. Material usage on maintenance sites is minimised through good maintenance practices, increasingly equipment is being serviced as required by its condition or its "hours run" rather than on a strict time scheduled basis. This usually results in less material usage (e.g. air filters, oil, belts, belts etc). We actively promote improved maintenance approaches. Minor work s are carried out based on thorough planning and the application of well thought through procedures and practices to minimise the materials required and reduce the likelihood of rework and the use of further materials.
Office: The major material usage in the office is paper, this is minimised through the use of electronic communications and information management.
Chemicals
Our procedures require us to review and manage all chemical usage. Dangerous goods legislation and compliance with the OH&S Act require good levels of management, documentation and training associated with chemical usage. This process has seen a number of chemicals that have posed OH&S risks or environmental risks discontinued in their use. A good example is the usage of chromates in water treatment for cooling towers. This group of chemicals was used widely as a very effective anti corrosion agent. Chromates are now viewed as posing unacceptable safety and environmental risks and their use has been discontinued.
Energy
The great majority of our non transport energy usage is in the office. Lighting and business machines (Computers, photocopiers, printers, faxes, etc) are turned off during non business hours if appropriate, where not appropriate machines with power saver modes are installed. Energy efficiency is a factor taken into account when business machines are acquired. Office air-conditioning and ventilation systems are time clock controlled to operate during business hours. Hot water in the kitchens is provided by boiling hot water taps (instantaneous heaters) Energy usage is tracked via energy bills. Energy efficiency is a factor considered whenever the office is expanded.
Energy usage associated with sites/contracts is usually minimal and related to power tools and equipment. On sites where we have a permanent presence the office procedures apply with respect to lights, air conditioning and business machines.
We provide an energy auditing service for our clients as part of our A.G. Coombs Advisory service and have staff very experienced in this area and in the area of reducing the environmental impacts of buildings.
Water
Office: Water usage in our office in minimal. We have dual flush toilet cisterns and boiling hot water taps (instantaneous heaters) to minimise wastage.
Sites/Contracts: We have a number of strategies and practices in place to manage and minimise water usage for our sites/contracts. The great majority of water usage in mechanical building services is associated with cooling towers. On a number of sites water usage associated with cooling towers is actively tracked, analysed and reported on. This information is used to tune systems and identify problems. We actively promote water conservation in cooling towers to our clients and the broader industry. The A.G. Coombs Advisory Note "Managing Water Usage in Cooling Towers" has been circulated on a number of occasions to our clients and has been included in a number of industry journals. We provide a water auditing service for our clients as part of our A.G. Coombs Advisory service and have staff very experienced in this area and in the area of reducing the environmental impacts of buildings. Water usage during construction and commissioning of piped water systems has been significantly reduced through the application of enhanced systems and procedures.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED SERVICES
The A.G. Coombs Group provides leading industry specialist service at any stage of the building life cycle to minimise the environmental impact of air conditioning, electrical and fire protection systems.
- Integrated Design; Life cycle design for low ongoing environmental impact
- Installation; Construction practices to minimise installation waste & emissions
- Commissioning; Integrated HVAC & controls commissioning for Star Rated outcomes
- Maintenance; Enhanced services to improve performance and lower operating costs
- Operation; Management, monitoring, reporting and verification for total performance
- Advice; Industry leading advice to ensure the success of ESD initiatives
In the financial year 2006-2007 specific environmentally related services provided by companies in the A.G. Coombs Group included:
- Independent Commissioning Agent for Council House 2, Melbourne’s first 6 Star Green Star building, Bendigo Bank Head Quarters in Bendigo, Melbourne University Economics and Commerce Building, Century City Development - 100 St Georges Terrace Perth
- Provision of senior technical advice for proposed new "Green" Melbourne Headquarters development and major public hospital redevelopment.
- Water recycling system devised and proposed for testing fire pumps in major Government building portfolio.
- Provision of environmentally related technical and strategic advice for a number of key clients.
- Installation of chilled beam air conditioning systems in major Collins Street 5 Star Green Star redevelopment project.
- Energy Efficiency enhancements at major mixed-use CBD facility.
- Provision of senior level briefings on sustainability to various client and industry groups.
It should be noted that environmental aspects, energy and water efficiency in particular, are considered as a matter or course on many projects and contracts carried out by A.G. Coombs Companies.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
In the financial year 2006-07 activities undertaken to enhance the technical capability of A.G. Coombs companies in the provision of environmentally related services included:
- Further development of revised Servicing Technician Environmental Guidelines.
- Development of "Green Fire" fire protection systems design principles.
- Development of A.G. Coombs Green Star Assurance Process
- Green Star Accreditation – senior design engineers, senior commissioning personnel.
INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
A.G. Coombs makes significant contribution through industry associations to the development of industry awareness and abilities with respect to environmental management. Industry involvement in 2006-2007 specifically relating to environmental issues included.
- Member of Property Council of Australia steering committee for redevelopment and republication of the Property Council’s Indoor Air Quality Guidelines
- Articles published in a wide range of industry publications including papers on; Green Fire – sustainable fire services, The future of HVAC, including sustainability impacts, Commissioning and Sustainability
- Input into City West Water guide to minimise water consumption in buildings.
- Input into the to Federal Government High Efficiency HVAC Project
- Input into the development process for Green Leases for Commonwealth tenancies.
- Preparation of detailed stakeholder input submission on Australian Green Building Council Green Star Office Asset existing building environmental rating tool and subsequent discussions.
- Steering committee membership Warren Centre for Engineering Innovation - Low Energy High Rise project steering committee
- Air conditioning & Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) Technical Committee on Sustainability - Development of AMCA Sustainability Policy and Plan
- AMCA representative on Australian Building Codes Board HVAC Technical Committee for Energy Efficiency Amendments
- Advisory Notes distributed to clients – Green Fire Principles
- Editorial Review Committee Royal Australian Institute of Architect Building Design Professionals Environment Design Guide – Regular review of papers for inclusion in Guide
- Preparation of Paper for Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air conditioning & Heating (AIRAH) National Conference on Commissioning relating to green buildings and environmental outcomes.
- Chair Property Council of Australia’s National Energy and Utilities sub-committee
- Property Council of Australia representative on Australian Building Codes Board Steering Committee for Energy Efficiency Amendments to Building Code of Australia.
As part of the A.G. Coombs Continuous Improvement approach to business a significant ongoing program to improve Environmental Management in the A.G. Coombs Group is in place.