Booming infrastructure landscape boosts air and cooling trade sector
The ongoing progress and infrastructure growth in the Philippines present rosy prospects for the cooling trade and other industrial technology businesses.
Driving the country’s growth is also hinged on the diversifying office tenancy, the rising demand for flexible workspaces and warehousing, and increasing condominium living spaces, according to the latest report of Colliers International Philippines.
The opportunities and challenges in the Heat, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration (HVAC/R) market in the context of developments in the country was at the heart of the HVAC/R Convention that was recently held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
HVAC/R, the busiest and most attended air and cooling technology trade event, gathered hundreds of industrial companies in the building and cooling sectors.
Now on its 20th year, the event is organized by Philippine Society
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 18-02 adopting the Philippine National Standard International – Electrotechnical Commission (PNS/IEC) 62560:2012 – Self-Ballasted LED Lamps for General Lighting Services by Voltage > 50V – Safety Requirements, as one of the PNS for mandatory implementation under the DTIBureau of Philippine Standards’ (DTI-BPS) Product Certification Scheme.
The DAO 18-02 declares the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Self- Ballasted LED Lamps for General Lighting Services, for mandatory implementation thus, the selfballasted LED lamp is now added to the list of products that the DTI regulates prior to their distribution to the market.
DTI- Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo said: “This DAO is a result of a series of public consultations with relevant stakeholders. This will further the department’s efforts in ensuring the safety of our consumers especially of Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigerating Engineers, Inc. (PSVARE).
International Elevator and Equipment, Inc. (IEE), for more than 10 years of participating as major sponsor, affirms the value of the event in updating engineers, architects, real estate developers, among other stakeholders of the latest technologies and products available in the market.
“The HVAC market plays a vital role in building sustainable infrastructures that enable people to live and work more efficiently and in healthier, more ergonomic ways. Consumer needs are constantly evolving and innovations in technology are gaining more significance,” said IEE President Engr. Ramoncito A. Ocampo.
The company handles the design, sales, installation and maintenance of Mitsubishi Electric elevators and escalators, ventilation and cooling technologies in the Philippines. now that more individuals and organizations are using LED lamps in their homes and workplaces.”
Under the DAO 18-02, the importers or manufacturers of self-ballasted LED lamps with a rated wattage of up to 30 W; a rated voltage of > 50 V up to 250V; and, E14 and E27capped- LED lamps, must secure an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or a Philippine Standard (PS) License prior to its distribution and sale.
The DAO 18-02 also states that a manufacturer must be able to conduct test parameters on marking completeness, legibility, and durability; interchangeability; protection against accidental contact with live parts; insulation resistance and electric strength test; mechanical strength test (torsion resistance); and, cap temperature rise.
Signed last Jan. 29, the DTI DAO 18-02 or the Mandatory Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Ballasted LED Lamps for General Lighting Services takes effect 15 days after its publication in a national newspaper.
Cityland recently announced the early turnover of North Residences. It is a 27-story commercial and residential condominium located along EDSA (beside Waltermart) corner Lanutan St., Brgy. Veterans Village, Quezon City. It is accessible via LRT Roosevelt station, buses and jeepneys.
Its close proximity to various business and commercial establishments makes it a practical choice for families to enjoy suburban city living convenience that is friendly on the budget.
Residential units in studio, one- and two-bedroom type are available in cash or easy payment schemes of up to 10 years.
“The booming infrastructure landscape and the prospective seven to eight percent gross domestic product growth present opportunities for companies like us to contribute and grow as well. At the same time, the challenge is to present solutions to specific needs of the market and there is now the call to build smarter cities with sustainable infrastructures,” noted Ocampo.
At the convention, IEE showcased its premium building and cooling technologies such as its passenger elevator, line-up of factory automation products, the Climaveneta chiller, Mr. Slim multi-split inverter air conditioner, and the City Multi variable refrigerant flow, to name a few.
The HVAC/R coincides with the PhilConstruct 2018, the country’s largest construction expo.
The four-day HVAC/R is yearly attended by over 60,000 people and is also a venue for exhibitors, visitors and industry professionals to meet and discuss business needs.
Buildings and skyscrapers may become hazardous air traps for its occupants. Many buildings have indoor air circulation systems which spread billions of molds and bacteria out of aircon ducts, causing health issues to its occupants every single day.
In a conference held at the Metropolitan Club in Makati entitled “Discussion on the significant issue of indoor air quality in terms of its impact on health, productivity and associated costs”, Jackson Tseng, a certified air quality expert from the US and Dr. Wong Wei Khiang, presidnt of the Institute of Air Quality in Malaysia said that poor air quality inside hospitals, skyscrapers, condominiums and offices could severely affect productivity and even cause chronic illnesses to building occupants. Both warned on the long-term effects of poor air quality.
Dr. Khiang said that more Asians now die due to indoor air pollution and thousands of companies lose monies from productivity losses. As more people get sick from dirty air, companies suffer from losses which affect overall productivity and performance.
World Health Organization (WHO) reveals more than 4.3 million people die every year due to diseases caused by poor air quality. Some diseases caused by molds and bacterial contamination in indoor air include cardio vascular, respiratory such as Lung cancer and cardio respiratory disease.
Tseng said that building owners and construction engineers should ensure that structures are completely compliant with environmental air quality standards. Buildings with old air circulation systems could cause severe diseases with its occupants. Regular checking and cleaning of these systems could save lives and millions of pesos worth of health-related costs.
Dr. Khiang noted that most hospital administrations should consider mold remediation works every six months. Without such remediation, patients and non-patients could be susceptible to contracting airborne diseases.
Air circulation systems left unchecked and uncleaned for just a month develop deadly molds and bacteria which mixes with indoor air. Whenever warm and cold air mix, said Dr. Khiang, the warm air will carry more moisture and will condense inside the air conditioning units.