Commercial Ice Rink Options

• About Us
• Philosophy and Methods
• List of Services
  • Phase 1: Pre-Planning
  • Phase 2: Feasibility & Business Plan
  • Phase 3: Construction Services
  • Phase 4: Employee Training, Orientation, Procedures, Policies
  • Equipment Appraisals
  • Existing System System Problem Diagnostics & Reports
  • Arena Energy Studies & Recommendations
  • Snow Park Ice Slide & Winder Carnival Design
  • Arena Management Services
• Project Experience
• Team Qualifications
• Project Pictures
• Contact Us

Existing System Problem Diagnostics & Reports

At one point or another, the experts at IRCC have encountered just about every operational or design problem possible over the last 30 years and are extremely familiar with the design for various makes and manufacturers. Over our 25 plus years of experience and over 650 rinks of installation/operational experience, we have seen just about every typical, and sometimes highly unusual, problem of circumstance which has afflicted an operating ice rink. Further, our broad technical experience and capability enables us to understand and diagnose some of the most sophisticated engineering problems which could be deeply embedded into the system design.

Because of our past background and understanding of the tell tale signs normally present with all rink or arena structure problems, we can avoid unnecessary testing or days of "wait and see" diagnosis processes sometimes associated with ice rink or refrigeration system problems. We also can help you avoid the very expensive process of having a local refrigeration technician learning about your ice rink system on an hourly rate or changing unnecessary parts in quest of solving the problem, both of which can waste many thousands of dollars quickly and not get you any closer to the problem being solved.

Normally, with the opportunity to review your problems first hand, we take pride in being able to come to a conclusion of what is the accurate source of a problem within 2 to 3 hours of on site inspection review and discussions with your staff. This is not because we are any smarter than your local technician, it is just that we have made or seen more mistakes than anyone else which is an experience your organization can benefit by.

Here are some of the more common, but certainly not all of the types of problems we can help with:

Refrigeration System Related Issues:

• Repeated compressor failures
• Increasing utility billings
• Sequencing problems due to control problems
• Repeated unplanned system shut-downs
• Motors which burn up repeatedly
• Cause and remedy for major component failure such as heat exchangers, chiller barrels, condensers, desuperheaters, towers, or air-cooled condensers.
• Repeated problems with compressor drive systems failing
• Under or over flow problems
• Oil return/management problems
• Overfeeding or underfeeding of refrigerant to heat exchangers
• Moisture problems within a refrigerant circuit
• Ongoing header pressure problems
• Questions about deteriorating performance with a system
• Evaporative condenser or cooling tower problems
• Problems with VFD’s (Variable Speed Drives)
• Air elimination problems from secondary systems
• Problems with accurate and reliable control of condenser water systems and head-pressure management
• Questions about safety controls
• Code compliance issues relating to halocarbon or ammonia based refrigerant systems
• Establishment and maintaining financially prudent preventive maintenance procedures
• Insurance claims resulting from machinery and & equipment policies
• And, any other item relating to an ice rinks refrigeration system

Rink Floor System Related Issues:

• Floor heaving or settling evaluation and repair
• Location & repair of floor system leaks for secondary or direct refrigerant applications
• Copper half-cell testing and analysis of direct refrigerant floor systems
• Concrete slab deterioration or matters of functional performance
• Dead or poor performing refrigerant circuits
• Poor ice quality or irregular ice floor temperatures (hot spots)
• Ice bonding or formation problems
• Establishing process for floor leveling or repair (sand or concrete)
• Problems relating to dasherboard mounting or movement
• Problems relating to subsoil heating systems
• Problems with headers and header trenches
• And, any other problem related to rink floor systems

Building Environmental & System Related Issues:

• Dehumidification operating problems
• Condensation causes and repairs
• Building ventilations, equipment and controls
• Poor ice quality driven by building environmental leaks or ventilation related matters
• Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide related problems and controls
• Excess building load factors during low use time periods
• Wall and building material deterioration, warping, or mold formation due to condensation (cause and remedies)
• Light related issues such as shadows or code compliance related issues.

Risk Assessment Program

IRCC can provide an overview evaluation of all mechanical and environmental systems to evaluate their current state of operational performance, the recommended repairs, the quality of existing preventive maintenance programs, and provide a report regarding risks and opportunities regarding existing status for the complex.