AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) Overview
These study notes are designed to prepare candidates for the AIRAH RPEQ exam, focusing on Queensland-specific professional engineering legislation, advanced HVAC/R principles, NCC compliance, ventilation, refrigeration, and fire safety integration. All content is anchored to official sources including ASHRAE, IMC, IECC, ACCA, ARCtick, AIRAH, and the Queensland Board of Professional Engineers. Candidates should verify any unconfirmed details with the official bodies.
For Technical Conquer practice planning, this module is tracked as 100 questions over about 180 minutes with a listed pass mark of 70%. Treat those numbers as practice baselines and verify the current official format before scheduling.
How This Guide Is Organized
The sections below turn the syllabus into studyable subject blocks. Read a subject first, explain the must-know ideas without notes, then use questions, flashcards, and mind maps to test whether the knowledge holds under field-style pressure.
- Queensland Professional Engineering Legislation and Ethics
- Advanced Psychrometrics and Thermal Load Analysis
- HVAC System Design and NCC Section J Compliance
- Mechanical Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
- Refrigeration Systems and Safety Standards
- Fire Safety and Essential Services Integration
Exam Snapshot and Readiness Target
Format: 100 questions, 180 minutes, pass mark 70% (practice baseline; verify with AIRAH)
Candidate level: Professional engineer seeking RPEQ registration in Queensland
Readiness target: Demonstrate competence in Queensland engineering legislation, HVAC/R design, NCC compliance, and safety standards
Most candidates should budget at least 42+ focused study hours, then adjust upward for unfamiliar equipment, code, regulatory, commissioning, controls, or calculation-heavy content.
Queensland Professional Engineering Legislation and Ethics
Syllabus Focus
- Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld)
- Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (BPEQ) registration requirements
- Code of Ethics for professional engineers
- Duty of care and liability under Queensland law
- Continuing professional development (CPD) obligations
Key Notes
- The Professional Engineers Act 2002 establishes the regulatory framework for engineering practice in Queensland, requiring registration for all professional engineers providing engineering services.
- BPEQ administers registration, sets competency standards, and enforces the Code of Ethics, which mandates integrity, competence, and public safety.
- Engineers must exercise reasonable skill and care, and can be held liable for negligence under common law and the Act.
- CPD requirements are a minimum of 150 hours over 3 years, with at least 50 hours in formal activities.
- Unregistered practice or breach of ethics can result in penalties, suspension, or cancellation of registration.
Must Know
- Understand the scope of 'professional engineering services' as defined in the Act.
- Know the categories of registration (e.g., RPEQ, temporary, practising) and their conditions.
- Memorise the key principles of the Code of Ethics: public interest, competence, honesty, and accountability.
- Recognise the role of BPEQ in complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
Field and Exam Application
- When designing an HVAC system for a Queensland hospital, ensure compliance with the Act by engaging only RPEQ-registered engineers for structural and mechanical design.
- In a dispute over system failure, apply duty of care principles to document design decisions and risk assessments.
- For a new building project, verify that all engineering reports are signed by an RPEQ engineer as required by law.
High-Yield Distinctions
- RPEQ vs. Chartered Engineer: RPEQ is Queensland-specific statutory registration; Chartered is a professional credential from Engineers Australia.
- Professional Engineers Act vs. Building Act 1975: The former governs engineer registration; the latter covers building certification and compliance.
- Code of Ethics vs. company policy: Ethics are mandatory and enforceable by BPEQ; company policies are additional but cannot override ethics.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming that a degree alone qualifies one for RPEQ; supervised experience and competency assessment are also required.
- Neglecting to renew registration annually or failing to meet CPD hours.
- Confusing the Act's definition of 'engineering services' with 'building design' - some tasks may be exempt.
Review Tasks
- Read the Professional Engineers Act 2002 and summarise key sections.
- Review BPEQ's Code of Ethics and list five obligations.
- Calculate your CPD hours for the last year and identify gaps.
- Write a short case study on ethical decision-making in HVAC design.
Advanced Psychrometrics and Thermal Load Analysis
Syllabus Focus
- Psychrometric chart interpretation and processes
- Sensible and latent heat calculations
- Cooling and dehumidification coil analysis
- Heating and humidification processes
- Thermal load calculation methods (CLTD, RTS, heat balance)
Key Notes
- Psychrometric chart plots dry-bulb, wet-bulb, dew-point, humidity ratio, relative humidity, and enthalpy; used to visualise air conditioning processes.
- Sensible heat ratio (SHR) = sensible load / total load; determines coil selection and bypass factor.
- Cooling coils remove both sensible and latent heat; apparatus dew point (ADP) is the coil surface temperature controlling dehumidification.
- ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals provides the heat balance method for accurate load calculations, replacing older CLTD/CLF methods.
- Radiant time series (RTS) method accounts for thermal storage in building mass, improving peak load estimation.
Must Know
- Plot and read all psychrometric properties from the chart.
- Calculate mixed air conditions using weighted averages of return and outdoor air.
- Determine coil load using enthalpy difference and airflow (Q = 4.5 × CFM × Δh).
- Apply ASHRAE Standard 55 for comfort zone boundaries.
Field and Exam Application
- For a museum requiring strict humidity control, design a system with reheat to maintain 50% RH ±5%.
- In a tropical climate, size a cooling coil to handle high latent load by selecting a low ADP.
- Use RTS method to size a VAV system for an office building, accounting for solar gain and internal loads.
High-Yield Distinctions
- CLTD vs. RTS: CLTD is simplified for constant conditions; RTS is dynamic and more accurate for modern buildings.
- Sensible vs. latent load: Sensible affects dry-bulb; latent affects moisture content; both impact coil sizing.
- Bypass factor vs. contact factor: Bypass factor is fraction of air not contacting coil; contact factor = 1 - bypass factor.
Common Pitfalls
- Forgetting to include latent load from occupants and infiltration in total load.
- Using standard psychrometric chart at sea level without altitude correction for high-altitude sites.
- Confusing dew-point temperature with wet-bulb temperature in coil analysis.
Review Tasks
- Solve a psychrometric problem: given outdoor and return conditions, find mixed air and coil leaving conditions.
- Calculate total cooling load for a small office using RTS method from ASHRAE examples.
- Plot a cooling and dehumidification process on a psychrometric chart and label all points.
HVAC System Design and NCC Section J Compliance
Syllabus Focus
- National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Volume One Section J
- Energy efficiency provisions for HVAC systems
- System types: all-air, air-water, all-water, DX, VRF
- Duct design and air distribution
- Controls and zoning for energy compliance
Key Notes
- NCC Section J sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for building fabric, glazing, and HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
- HVAC compliance pathways: Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) or Performance Solution (J1V3 verification method).
- DTS requires minimum equipment efficiencies (e.g., chiller COP ≥ 6.1 for water-cooled), duct insulation R-values, and zone controls.
- System selection must consider part-load performance, fan power limits (e.g., 2.0 W/L/s for constant volume), and economiser requirements.
- Commissioning and maintenance documentation is required under Section J to ensure ongoing performance.
Must Know
- Know the minimum COP/EER for chillers, heat pumps, and packaged units per AS/NZS 4777 and MEPS.
- Understand the difference between DTS and Performance Solution, and when to use each.
- Calculate duct insulation thickness based on NCC Table J5.2a for supply air temperature.
- Identify when economisers are mandatory (e.g., systems > 15 kW cooling capacity in climate zones 2-5).
Field and Exam Application
- Design a VRF system for a multi-tenant office building, ensuring each zone has independent temperature control to meet NCC zoning requirements.
- For a hospital, use a Performance Solution to exceed DTS efficiency by modelling energy use with simulation software.
- Specify duct insulation for a 12°C supply air duct in Brisbane (climate zone 2) using NCC Table J5.2a.
High-Yield Distinctions
- DTS vs. Performance Solution: DTS is prescriptive; Performance Solution requires verification via J1V3 or energy modelling.
- NCC Section J vs. ASHRAE 90.1: Section J is Australian-specific; ASHRAE 90.1 is US standard but often referenced in performance solutions.
- Constant volume vs. VAV: VAV systems typically have lower fan energy and can meet NCC fan power limits more easily.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming all HVAC systems must meet DTS; performance solutions are valid but require rigorous documentation.
- Overlooking the requirement for sub-metering of HVAC energy use under Section J.
- Neglecting to include pipe insulation for chilled water and hot water systems as per NCC.
Review Tasks
- Review NCC 2022 Volume One Section J and list all HVAC-related provisions.
- Compare DTS and Performance Solution for a sample building and decide which path to take.
- Calculate the required R-value for duct insulation in your local climate zone.
Mechanical Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Syllabus Focus
- Ventilation rates per AS 1668.2 and NCC
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters and standards
- Filtration requirements (ASHRAE 52.2, AS 1324)
- Exhaust systems for carpark, kitchen, and bathroom
- Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) strategies
Key Notes
- AS 1668.2 specifies minimum outdoor air ventilation rates for occupied spaces (e.g., 10 L/s per person for offices).
- NCC Section F (now Part F6 in NCC 2022) mandates ventilation for indoor air quality, referencing AS 1668.2.
- Filtration levels are based on outdoor air quality and space use; minimum MERV 8 (ASHRAE) or G4 (AS 1324) for general spaces.
- Exhaust systems must maintain negative pressure in kitchens and bathrooms, with minimum air changes per hour (e.g., 15 ACH for commercial kitchens).
- DCV uses CO2 sensors to modulate outdoor air intake, reducing energy while maintaining IAQ.
Must Know
- Calculate required outdoor air flow using AS 1668.2: Q = N × V_p + A × V_a (people + area components).
- Know the minimum exhaust rates for carpark (e.g., 6 ACH for enclosed) and kitchen (hood capture velocity).
- Understand the difference between MERV and G classes for filters.
- Identify when DCV is required (e.g., spaces with variable occupancy > 25 people).
Field and Exam Application
- Design ventilation for a 200-person conference room: use AS 1668.2 to determine 10 L/s/person = 2000 L/s, plus area component.
- For a hospital isolation room, specify HEPA filtration and negative pressure with 12 ACH.
- Implement DCV in a school gymnasium to reduce energy when unoccupied, using CO2 setpoint of 800 ppm.
High-Yield Distinctions
- AS 1668.2 vs. ASHRAE 62.1: Both set ventilation rates but differ in calculation methods and default values; AS 1668.2 is mandatory in Australia.
- MERV vs. G class: MERV (ASHRAE) ranges 1-16; G class (AS 1324) ranges G1-G4; G4 ≈ MERV 8.
- Positive vs. negative pressure: Positive for cleanrooms; negative for isolation rooms and kitchens.
Common Pitfalls
- Using only people-based ventilation rates without area component for spaces with high pollutant sources.
- Specifying filters without considering pressure drop and fan energy impact.
- Forgetting to include transfer air paths for toilet exhaust in building pressure balance.
Review Tasks
- Calculate ventilation rate for a classroom using AS 1668.2 and compare with ASHRAE 62.1.
- Design a kitchen exhaust system with hood capture velocity of 0.5 m/s and duct velocity of 10 m/s.
- Select filters for a hospital operating theatre and justify the choice.
Refrigeration Systems and Safety Standards
Syllabus Focus
- Refrigeration cycle and components
- Refrigerant types, environmental impact, and phase-out (Montreal Protocol, Kigali Amendment)
- Australian refrigerant handling regulations (ARCtick)
- Safety standards: AS/NZS 5149, AS 1677
- Leak detection, pressure vessels, and emergency procedures
Key Notes
- The vapour-compression refrigeration cycle consists of compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator; superheat and subcooling are key performance indicators.
- Refrigerants are classified by ODP and GWP; HCFCs are phased out, HFCs are being phased down under the Kigali Amendment.
- ARCtick licensing is mandatory for anyone handling refrigerants in Australia; three licence types: full, restricted, and split system.
- AS/NZS 5149 (based on ISO 5149) sets safety requirements for refrigeration systems, including charge limits, ventilation, and pressure relief.
- Leak detection systems are required for systems with > 50 kg of high-GWP refrigerant, with annual leak checks.
Must Know
- Identify common refrigerants (R-134a, R-410A, R-32, R-290) and their safety groups (A1, A2L, A3).
- Know the maximum refrigerant charge for occupied spaces per AS/NZS 5149 (e.g., R-32 limit 1.84 kg for floor area).
- Understand the ARCtick licence categories and when each is required.
- Calculate superheat and subcooling from pressure-temperature charts.
Field and Exam Application
- For a supermarket refrigeration system using R-404A (GWP 3922), plan a retrofit to R-448A (GWP 1387) to comply with HFC phase-down.
- Design a chiller plant with ammonia (R-717, safety group B2L) including machine room ventilation and gas detection.
- Perform a leak test on a rooftop package unit using electronic leak detector and nitrogen pressure test.
High-Yield Distinctions
- A1 vs. A2L vs. A3: A1 non-flammable; A2L mildly flammable; A3 highly flammable (e.g., R-290 propane).
- ODP vs. GWP: ODP depletes ozone; GWP contributes to global warming; both regulated internationally.
- ARCtick full licence vs. restricted: Full allows handling all refrigerants; restricted limited to pre-charged split systems.
Common Pitfalls
- Using R-22 in new systems (phased out); only reclaimed R-22 allowed for servicing existing systems.
- Ignoring the requirement for pressure vessel registration with state authorities for systems > certain size.
- Assuming all flammable refrigerants are prohibited; A2L and A3 are allowed with safety measures.
Review Tasks
- Draw the refrigeration cycle on a P-h diagram and label all components and processes.
- List the steps to recover refrigerant from a system per ARCtick code of practice.
- Calculate the maximum allowable charge of R-32 in a 20 m² room per AS/NZS 5149.
Fire Safety and Essential Services Integration
Syllabus Focus
- Fire safety systems: sprinklers, smoke management, fire dampers
- Integration of HVAC with fire alarm and emergency systems
- AS 1668.1: Smoke control in buildings
- Essential services maintenance and testing per Queensland legislation
- Fire-rated construction and ductwork
Key Notes
- AS 1668.1 specifies smoke control systems for multi-storey buildings, including stair pressurisation and zone smoke exhaust.
- HVAC systems must interface with fire alarm: shutdown on smoke detection, fire damper closure, and smoke control mode activation.
- Fire dampers are required where ducts penetrate fire-rated walls; they must be tested and maintained per AS 1851.
- Essential services (fire hydrants, sprinklers, smoke alarms) must be maintained under Queensland Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.
- Smoke management systems can be passive (compartmentation) or active (pressurisation, exhaust).
Must Know
- Understand the difference between smoke exhaust and stair pressurisation systems.
- Know the location and operation of fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire/smoke dampers.
- Identify when a smoke control system is required (e.g., buildings > 25 m effective height).
- Know the testing frequency for essential services: monthly, quarterly, annually per AS 1851.
Field and Exam Application
- Design a stair pressurisation system for a 30-storey office building: supply air at 50 Pa differential across closed doors.
- Integrate a VAV system with fire alarm: on alarm, all VAV boxes go to full cooling and fans switch to smoke exhaust mode.
- Specify fire dampers for a duct penetrating a 2-hour fire-rated wall with a 1-hour fire damper rating.
High-Yield Distinctions
- Fire damper vs. smoke damper: Fire damper closes on heat (fusible link); smoke damper closes on smoke detection; combination does both.
- Stair pressurisation vs. zone smoke exhaust: Pressurisation keeps stairs smoke-free; exhaust removes smoke from fire zone.
- AS 1668.1 vs. AS 1668.2: Part 1 is smoke control; Part 2 is ventilation for IAQ.
Common Pitfalls
- Placing smoke detectors in return air ducts without proper location per AS 1670.1.
- Forgetting to provide access doors for fire damper testing and resetting.
- Assuming all fire dampers are motorised; many are gravity-operated with fusible links.
Review Tasks
- Sketch a smoke control system for a 10-storey building showing stair pressurisation and zone exhaust.
- List the essential services in a commercial building and their testing frequencies per AS 1851.
- Review a fire damper schedule and verify ratings match wall fire ratings.
How To Use These Notes With Practice Questions
Do not jump straight from reading to a full mock. Work by subject first: review the key notes, make a short recall sheet from memory, then answer a focused question set. After each miss, decide whether the problem was missing theory, weak code/source recall, poor measurement setup, calculation error, or a field sequence you did not visualize.
Technical Conquer's question bank, flashcards, mind maps, and spaced review tools are most useful after this instruction layer because they reveal which parts of the notes are not yet retrievable.
Final Review Checklist
- Re-read the Professional Engineers Act 2002 and BPEQ Code of Ethics; ensure you understand your obligations as an RPEQ.
- Practice psychrometric chart problems until you can quickly find any property given two known values.
- Review NCC 2022 Section J and Section F (ventilation) for HVAC-specific requirements.
- Memorise key ventilation rates from AS 1668.2 and smoke control principles from AS 1668.1.
- Understand refrigerant safety groups and ARCtick licensing categories.
- Know the integration points between HVAC and fire safety systems, including damper types and control sequences.
- Verify any unconfirmed details (e.g., exact pass mark, fees) with AIRAH or BPEQ before the exam.
Official Sources and Further Reading
Use these sources as the final authority for format, eligibility, rules, regulatory limits, and exam updates. Study notes are a preparation layer, not a replacement for official candidate guidance.