SAIRAC Johannesburg Centre held its joint Christmas in July party and annual general meeting on 25 July, with chairman Gregory Grobbelaar presenting the highlights of the 2024/5 year.
Committee members (l-r): Gregory Grobbelaar, Jaco Pieterse, Mariet Pieterse Robert Fox, Grant Laidlaw, Gareth Channer, James Laidlaw, Ryan Laidlaw and Mankale Molaba. © RACA Journal
Enrichment courses offered (mostly via Zoom):
- Psychrometrics – Jannie Potgieter (July 2024)
- Equipment selection for refrigeration applications – Robert Fox (Aug 2024)
- Advanced Psychrometrics – Jannie Potgieter (Sept 2024)
- Air Conditioning – Anton Kotze (Oct 2024)
- Ducting – Robert Fox (Nov 2024)
- Load estimating for refrigeration applications – Robert Fox (March 2025)
- Fans course – Francois Schoombie (May 2025)
Site visits for the year included HC Group.
Technical Talks (topics and presenters)
- HVAC technology and operations – Charles Friedman (July 2024)
- Altitude Impact on Cooling – Jannie Potgieter (Aug 2024)
- Liquid Cooling in Data Centers – Michael Young (Sept 2024)
- Training and Trade Testing – Grant Laidlaw (Oct 2024)
- Open Source vs Proprietary HVAC Solutions – Robert Fox (Feb 2025)
- Subcritical CO₂ Condensing – Andre van der Merwe (face-to-face, May 2025)
- Optimising CO₂ Systems – (June 2025) Jannie Potgieter
Committee meetings were held monthly, alternating between Zoom and face-to-face.
Key events hosted:
60th AGM & Christmas in July Function – July 2024
Dreosti Memorial Lecture – Dr Andy Pearson (Sept 2024)
Annual Fellows Luncheon – (Oct 2024)
36th Annual Golf Day – (March 2025)
11th FRIGAIR Expo – Gallagher Estate (June 2025)
Membership Figures (as of June 2025 – Johannesburg Centre):
Students: 2
Associates: 72
Associate members: 126
Members: 139
Paying Fellows: 4
Exempt Fellows: 6
Exempt members: 76
Total: 425 members
