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FAQs

  • What are the methods for coolig data centres?
    1. Cold Aisle / Hot Aisle 2. Cold or Hot Aisle Air Containment (also known as cool pool) 3 . In-Rack Heat Extraction 4. Water Cooled Racks and Servers 5. Liquid Immersion Cooling 6. In row cooling Want to discuss about the best way to cool your next data centre projects. Get in touch and we will be happy to provide you advice on the matter. https://www.sustena.com.au/contact-us
  • What is Smart Home Automation?
    Smart home automation is an automation system designed for homes. An automation system will monitor and control different items in the house/office such as lighting, temperature, fresh air, entertainment, curtains, security, irrigation systems, etc. This will bring significant ease, control and comfort to your life style.
  • What can you do to make my property development Smart?
    We are leading building services consultants with the knowledge of Smart home automation. We will listen to your needs such as comfort, accessibility, climate control, light control, remote functions,level of IoT implementation etc. At the next stage we ensure that as we design the building services for your project, sufficient provision is placed to enable the smart functionality you have in mind. In this way the HVAC, electrical, fire protection, swimming pool, gardens, solar power, water supply, curtains, home entertainment systems are fully integrated and able to talk to each other and controlled remotely or locally.
  • Who is Sustena?
    We are leading building services design engineers who are capable of designing HVAC, electrical, fire protection, water supply and drainage to your projects. In addition to that Sustena has a niche expertise in smart home automation that can be implemented in building services designs.
  • What is hot/cold aisle in data centres?
    In the hot and cold aisles of the data center, server racks and other computing equipment are arranged in alternating rows with cold air intakes facing one way and hot air exhausts facing the other. The rows composed of rack fronts are called cold aisles. Typically, cold aisles face air conditioner output ducts. The rows the heated exhausts pour into are called hot aisles. Typically, hot aisles face air conditioner return ducts. To find out more refer to the link below: Get in touch with us if you would like guidance regarding rack arrangement of your next data centre project. https://www.sustena.com.au/contact-us
  • What are the costs involved in making my property Smart?
    The cost of making your home Smart is highly dependent on the level of Smartness you want to bring to your house. For instance you may decide to only automate your lighting and curtains. Or on the other hand you may decide to fully automate all your house including lighting, air conditioning, fire protection, security and access control, remote pool heating, weather based irrigation etc etc.
  • What is a complying development certificate CDC?
    Submitting a full development application to the local council may not be necessary for many types of building work. Instead, a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be obtained for straightforward developments. This certificate is a combined planning and construction approval that ensures the building works comply with all relevant legislation and building standards. The CDC can be approved when the proposed development meets the pre-determined development standards under State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP), allowing for a fast-track assessment by a certifying authority which can be either Council or an Accredited Certifier. However, it is important to note that if the development does not meet the criteria for Exempt Development, an approval under CDC must be issued before starting any work. To apply for a Complying Development Certificate, the first step is to determine whether any planning controls apply to the land which may exclude the CDC pathway. This can be done by obtaining a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate from the local council or the NSW Planning Portal. Once the land is determined suitable for CDC, the proposed development must be assessed against the requirements of a SEPP, and all works must comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia. Complying developments can apply to residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Examples of projects that can be approved with a Complying Development Certificate include one or two storey homes, granny flats, swimming pools, commercial building alterations, and establishing a home-based enterprise, among others. It is important to note that owners can often make significant cost and time savings when following the Complying Development pathway, where approvals can often be issued in as little as 5 – 20 days.
  • Can I engage you to design building services systems that are not Smart?
    Definitely yes. We are a leading building services consultant and can design building services from concept to detail design stage for your projects. Give us a call on 1300 883 685 to find out more.
  • What is the best stage to apply the smart home concept in a property development project?
    The earlier you engage a smart automation consultant the better. The reason is that the smart home can be implemented in the house design from concept stage to ensure sufficient space and provision is provided for the smart devices.
  • How IoT Home Automation Works?
    IoT (internet of things) Home automation is made of several smart devices that are made for specific applications, such as lighting, security, entertainment, air conditioning, etc. All these smart devices are connected and integrated over a common network. The network can be further connected to a local network or internet as per homeowner needs. So you can operate your systems and appliances no matter where you are.
  • Can I choose the level of IoT to be used in my development?
    Yes you can. The Smart systems can include all building services and most appliances in the house. As an owner or developer you can choose the level of Smart devices and controls that you want to add to your house.
  • What are regulated designs under NSW fair trading class 2 design practitioner scheme?
    Regulated designs are designs related to a building element on a class 2 building. Whenever there is building work on either a new or existing class 2 building which involves a building element or a performance solution, a design practitioner who is registered under the Design and Building Practitioner scheme must prepare regulated designs. Designs that are not related to a building element (that is, they are not a regulated design) can be prepared by a design practitioner who is not registered. Design practitioners are required to coordinate with other practitioners to integrate their regulated designs. Designs must be lodged before any building work can start. The building practitioner is responsible for lodging designs and declarations. After work has started, if there is a variation involving a building element or a performance solution, new designs must be prepared before building work can continue. Updated or new designs must be lodged in the NSW Planning Portal. You need to include a standard title block on your regulated designs. Source SUSTENA is registered under design practitioner scheme to provide regulated designs for class 2 buildings. Designs include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fire protection. Get in touch if you would like us to provide you with regulated designs for your next class 2 project in NSW.
  • Give me an example of a common Smart Home application in simple words.
    Sky's the limit when it comes to scenarios that can be run under Smart home automation. Bellow are the list of some sample scenarios: Scenario 1: You wake up in the morning and say good morning Julia. Julia is the name you have given to your home automation system. From there, curtains will start going up, lights dim down and turn off, your favourite light morning music starts playing. Scenario 2: Imagine it’s a cold day and you want to have a swim in the warm pool after you get back home. Just ask your smart home Julia. Four hours later, by the time you reach home the swimming pool is warm and ready to use, and the best part is that you saved on energy and turned on heating only when needed. Scenario 3: You have guests over for dinner and food is ready. You tell your home to prepare for dinner. This could be a voice command or a button on the wall, or a button on your phone. From there light will be shined on dining table, rest of the house lights will be dimmed down, a fine dining music that you have chosen will start to play in low volume.
  • What is the process of making my home smart?
    To make a home Smart you can engage professionals with the skill set of smart home automation and building services to set it up for you.
  • Does making my development Smart add to its value?
    As per the solid industry research that we present to our selected clients it is proven that investments as small as 1% of property cost can bring a minimum 5% added value to the property. It also makes it more attractive for potential buyers and a better source of investment.
  • What are the expectations of senior hydraulic engineer role?
    Scope • Sanitary drainage • Potable water services • Hot water services • Non potable water services • Gas services • Trade waste • Stormwater systems • Rainwater systems • Statement of Available Flow and • Pressure from authorities • Irrigation (connection point supply only) • Sydney Water Section 73 submission. • Gas Application Responsibilities • Completing design calculations and mark-ups as per Australian standards and project requirements • Preparing fee proposals • Specifications • Attending meetings when on teams and occasionally on site Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field • 6+ years' of industry experience • Strong knowledge of building services • Strong knowledge of BCA, AS standards and industry • NER • CPENG (preferred) If you are interested to join our engineering team send us a copy of your latest CV with expression of interest to info@sustena.com.au
  • What is free cooling?
    Free cooling systems are the most economical method of using low external air temperatures to assist in chilling water, which can then be used for industrial processes and/or air conditioning systems. This system utilizes the cool outdoor air as a free cooling source when outdoor temperatures are lower relative to indoor temperature, therefore replacing the chiller in traditional air conditioning systems while achieving the same cooling result. To find out more refer to the link below: Free cooling systems are quite economical for large scale project with high cooling demand such as data centres, hospitals and offices. Do you want to save on your project energy bills? SUSTENA design consultants have implemented free cooling systems on numerous data centre projects and are happy to help you on your next project in this regard. https://www.sustena.com.au/contact-us
  • What is Thermo Active Building System?
    Thermo Active Building Systems (TABS) is a fully integrated design approach that integrates all building elements, including the structure and equipment for heating/cooling, lighting, fire safety and security. The unique, corrugated floor slab allows one additional story to be included in a building by omitting suspended ceilings – saving time and cost. To find out more refer to the link below: Thermo Active Building System Creates Comfort, Energy Efficiency (ashrae.org) SUSTENA design consultants are capable of integrating TABS into your design. Feel free to call us on 1300 883 685 if you are interested to save on your next building height and energy consumption.
  • When staircase pressurisation is needed?
    As per Building Code of Australia, Part E2 Smoke Hazard Management in clause E2.2 General requirements stipulates compliance with Table E2.2a General Provisions which requires any fire-isolated stairway to be provided with stairwell pressurisation – an automatic air pressurisation system. The BCA requires a stairwell pressurisation system to ensure the occupants of a building in a fire emergency have sufficient time to evacuate the building before the stairwell becomes untenable. A stairwell pressurisation system must be installed in accordance with AS/NZS 1668.1:1998 The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings – Fire and smoke control in multi-compartment buildings and the building permit. When installed, the stairwell pressurisation system will be in Normal Mode and Fire Mode (if needed). In the event of a fire detection system detecting a fire in the buildings, the stairwell pressurisation system will automatically change to fire mode and start the system. The positive pressure in the stair case will ensure a safe path for building users to evacuate. If you would like to know more about staircase pressurisation systems and how to implement them on your next project feel free to get in touch with us. https://www.sustena.com.au/contact-us
  • What is district Cooling System?
    District cooling is an energy efficient way to air condition a network of buildings in cities or campuses. Centralized cooling plants house large, highly efficient and cost-effective industrial-grade equipment that produces chilled water for supply to customer buildings through an insulated underground piping network. Cold supply water enters the building and flows through a heat exchanger, absorbing heat before recirculating back to the central plant through a closed loop return line. For more information on this subject refer to the link below: https://www.districtenergy.org/topics/district-cooling Consulting engineers at SUSTENA have delivered multiple district cooling systems to well known world universities and hospitals. This system is super efficient when multiple number of buildings are involved. Feel free to get in touch with us in case you would like to apply district cooling on your next project and we are more than happy to help. https://www.sustena.com.au/contact-us
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