The 2015-16 edition of A.G. Coombs’ annual publication, Building Efficiency (‘be’) Magazine, is now available online

It has been an exciting period for the A.G. Coombs Group and this edition highlights the innovative building services solutions provided by the Group during the last year. It also marks our seventieth year in business and the compilation of our company history, ‘A.G. Coombs – A Singular Vision’.

The magazine at a glance:

Assuring Australia’s Biosecurity with Specialised Systems: Situated on a huge 1.4 square kilometre parcel of land in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mickleham, a new state-of-the-art Post Entry Quarantine facility is being built to manage high risk animal and plant imports. A.G. Coombs Projects is delivering mechanical and HVAC services to the first three stages of the new PEQ facility, and Walker Fire Protection has been commissioned to install fire detection systems.

The Rise of Residential: A Complete Service Offering: As higher density living becomes the norm for more and more Australians, the quality of building services and, in particular, air conditioning has become a differentiator between apartments. In Melbourne, A.G. Coombs is working to improve the standard of building services in the high rise residential market, with enhanced comfort, increased equipment life and improved energy efficiency as key outcomes. At SCALA Lakeside Apartments, a sophisticated air conditioning system controls and valve upgrade delivered by A.G. Coombs Service has led to improved system performance and increased resident comfort.

It’s Go Go Go in Bendigo as New Hospital Takes Shape: Bendigo’s hospital is quickly taking on a very different shape, with construction of this new $630 million state-of-the-art, acute healthcare facility well underway. A.G. Coombs in conjunction with local Bendigo area alliance partner, McCaig Air Conditioning, is delivering mechanical and HVAC services as part of the Lendlease design and construction team. Around 35,000 pieces or 40 kilometres of ductwork and over 800 air conditioning and ventilation fans are being installed on this large-scale project!

A Cool Look and Feel for Margaret Court Arena: A large-scale redevelopment of Melbourne Park has transformed it into the only Grand Slam precinct in the world with three retractable roof stadiums. A key challenge was to ensure patron comfort in this new weatherproof stadium. A.G. Coombs Projects delivered complex HVAC and mechanical services to arena, as well as to an extended concourse area that joins the arena with Rod Laver Arena, to ensure that the newly enclosed space was properly air conditioned.

Tuned Performance: Many buildings do not operate at optimal levels. Getting them to perform to where they are capable requires a coordinated team effort between building owner, facility manager and technical experts. Through the implementation of a strategic and technically advanced energy optimisation program, Charter Hall is witnessing much more than just improved operational performance and reductions in energy consumption across its Victorian building portfolio.

Sydney Comes Alive: Already one of the world’s most loved cities, Sydney is taking off with new precinct developments, state-of-the-art commercial office construction, redeveloped arts and entertainment facilities, and the construction of world-leading educational facilities. A.G. Coombs is delivering high quality HVAC and mechanical services across four of Sydney’s major projects – Barangaroo South, Darling Harbour Live, and the University of Sydney’s new Dr Chau Chak Wing Building and Thomas Street facility.

New Paradigm at UQ: At The University of Queensland, A.G. Coombs has applied a different model to the way asset management and maintenance services are being delivered; a change that could be beneficial to buildings everywhere. The scope includes the planning, management and delivery of whole-of-asset-life maintenance services across the University’s multiple campuses; in excess of 400 buildings.

Specialist Fire Protection for Automotive Industry: When you’re manufacturing vehicles for both the local and international markets, and your production processes generate extremely high temperatures, fire protection is paramount. Add that to a multitude of facility types and locations and thousands of staff, the need for effective fire systems becomes as critical as the facilities themselves. Toyota Motor Corporation Australia entrusted Walker Fire Protection to deliver fire protection maintenance services to its national facilities portfolio, and to carry out various fire protection system projects at the Altona manufacturing facility.

Australia’s Broadband Revolution: With the rollout of Australia’s Broadband Network, Australians will have access to fast broadband – which is designed to fuel growth and drive improvements to local economies, businesses and homes, bringing new opportunities to the whole country. As part of the project, nbn has constructed 10 critical satellite ground stations in remote rural locations, with services over the nbn™ network. And as part of the construction of these sites, A.G. Coombs Projects provided HVAC and mechanical services and Walker Fire Protection installed the fire detection, occupant warning and gaseous suppression systems.

Keeping Science Cool: Located on the southern shore of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin is Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, which features more than 200 interactive exhibits relating to science and technology. Specialists from Integrated Technical Management (ITM), an A.G. Coombs Group company, are supporting the management and operation of these facilities, providing comprehensive mechanical, electrical, fire, Building Management and Controls System and electronic security services to the Questacon buildings.

Contemporary Services for a Historic Site: Take one historic harbour side, grand Art Deco building and 4,000 pieces of cutting edge artwork and you’re sure to have complexities and challenges with building services. A.G. Coombs is delivering specialist maintenance services for the Museum of Contemporary Art’s iconic facility on Sydney’s Circular Quay. Covering HVAC and energy systems, including preventative maintenance, works and repairs, inspection and testing, annual system condition reporting and Certification of Essential Services, A.G. Coombs is helping to preserve the collection and assure the comfort and safety of the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

A Singular Vision: In 1945, following the end of the Second World War and at a time of great opportunity, one man set off on his pushbike with a vision; a vision to create and build his own plumbing business. That man was Allan George Coombs. 70 years on, A.G. Coombs has grown to become one of Australia’s leading building services companies, marked this year with the publication of, ‘A Singular Vison – The A.G. Coombs Story’.

We hope that you enjoy reading our publication and welcome any feedback you may have.