RACA Journal Publication
www . hvacronline . co . za benjamin @ interactmedia . co . za
IS TECHNOLOGY MAKING US UNHAPPY ?
An interesting point to ponder as we are faced , now more than ever , with what seems like an endless chain of technological solutions : if you can ‘ think it ’, a solution most likely already exists somewhere in the world .
Looking back in time , even to the 80s , who would have thought that today most of our existence would be controlled via smart devices as there is this absolute drive to feed the enormous beast that is technology and digital innovation .
Anything from home comfort systems to measuring the performance of a compressor to being able to determine how much energy a system consumes in a given time can be done from the palm of your hand .
Naturally , the persisting pandemic , which at the time of writing , has marked a year since South Africa implemented hard lockdown , has compounded the situation , and , in many cases , forced people and business to adopt technology they would otherwise not have considered .
With this vast pool of solutions and the highly competitive nature of the digital landscape , I think it would be fair to say that we all have become very accustomed to technology , and with that , the problem of ‘ instant gratification syndrome ’, which is already posing great challenges today . To put this in perspective ,
how often do you get impatient when someone doesn ’ t reply immediately when they have for example read your WhatsApp message – or when you order something online and it ’ s not delivered the very next morning , or you need to wait a whole three days for it ! Similarly , clients often demand unrealistic turnaround times . Another example is the first thing that goes through your mind when either you have no electricity or no data connection . These two things specifically brings us to a standstill with the immediate response of stress which is obviously not good for anyone .
Technology is of course great in many aspects as it makes our lives , business and tasks better and simpler , but you have to consider the opposite , and that is what it takes away from us : it gives us access to the world , but we lose relationships ; it offers us more time through efficiency , but we squander that time filling it with meaningless online activities ; we have more ways to communicate but we talk less and less … Perhaps there is something to think about here – it ’ s a complicated subject .
In this issue , we have our regular local and international updates , our regular and new contributions , and continue our technical feature on the introduction to fin and tube heat exchangers .
Our project is the iconic new Umhlanga Arch that was completed at the end of 2020 , with the HVAC handled by Spoormaker & Partners KZN . This multi-use facility that includes a car dealership , various commercial and retail spaces , offices and luxury apartments , is also the location for the country ’ s first Hilton Garden Inn .
Our feature is on medical facilities , and primarily focuses on hospitals and theatres . Although HVAC solutions are seemingly simple , for the layman who would not know the difference in risk between split wall units to ducted diffusers to a theatre ’ s laminar flow design , these are actually critical in the protection of lives ; while designers must ensure details like the correct air flows , particle counts , filtration , air changes per hour in normal and critical operation , and the ever-topical zone pressurisations .
Our personality profile this month is greening technology enthusiast , Patrick Gwitirwa of VMG Consulting Engineers .
I trust you find value in this issue and really welcome your feedback . Does this Journal hold the information you are looking for and are interested in ? I would love to hear from you . As this is your industry and we are a mere mouthpiece , we value all of your comments and suggestions , whether compliment or complaint , as this helps us to do better !
I welcome and encourage you to engage with me – in these times where we find ourselves lacking interaction at the regular gatherings the industry has always been accustomed to , I am available and willing to ( as far as physically possible ) meet with you in person , via virtual engagement , telephonically or engage through methods suitable to you ! This month ’ s quote I believe is simple but profound … “ Change your thoughts and you change your world ” —
Norman Vincent Peale . Have a great month ! Ben RACA
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I May 2021 1