La Trobe University

La Trobe University is a public research University based predominantly in Melbourne and four x regional sites throughout Victoria. The main campus, located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora, is the largest metropolitan campus in the country.  ASM Chilltech has partnered with La Trobe since early 2019 to provide customised and sustainable HVAC solutions.

ASM Chilltech works collaboratively by partnering with the various University stakeholders to provide sustainable and customised HVAC solutions, including the implementation of a proactive maintenance regime across a very diverse mix of existing facilities, equipment and infrastructure. This involves managing, monitoring and maintaining all aspects of the heating, cooling and ventilation, inclusive of specialised services such as laboratory fume cupboards, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, reverse osmosis water systems and air compressors.

In 2019 ASM Chilltech conducted an “asset capture” of all the operational plant equipment at the University to ensure it was correctly identified and labelled. Most importantly, an up to date lifecycle analysis was performed. This is critical for factoring in service, repair and replacement time frames across both remedial and end of life capital expenditure budgets.

The asset capture explored the diversity of the University, as different areas have very different needs. For example:

• Research areas with critical climate spaces
• Research storage areas fitted with oxygen sensors
• Fume cupboards for the safe extraction of fumes within laboratory/research facilities
• Monitoring climate control and fresh air levels important for teaching, office and accommodation spaces
• Sports stadiums and other fitness spaces for recreation
• Specialised equipment such as pool chlorination and altitude rooms requiring air pressurisation equipment
• Heating and cooling equipment across all sites range from district chillers and chilled water systems
• A multitude of air conditioning systems which can service anything from general office spaces through to small server rooms
• Electric and absorption chilled water systems, heating hot water boilers, high temperature hot water systems, air conditioning systems, cool and freezer rooms.

Servicing all of these areas is a combination of technology and a wide range of skills. The use of quality components and consumables reduces cost and improves the serviceability of the equipment with the reduction of breakdowns. Such a wide range of equipment also allows ASM Chilltech, where applicable, to engage in partnerships with specialised technicians to act as a single point of contact for the University.