Often times a system problem is so unusual that it's solution can be elusive to the local service personnel simply due to the lack of ice rink design experience.

This is where IRCC can help!

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At one point or another, the experts at IRCC have encountered just about every operational or design problem possible. With 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.

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 trial and error diagnosis processes. 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 several thousands of dollars quickly without getting you any closer to solving the problem.

Normally, with the opportunity to review your problems first hand, we take pride in being able to find the 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 attribute 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 issues 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
Establishing and maintaining financially prudent preventive maintenance procedures
Insurance claims resulting from machinery and equipment policies
Any other item relating to an ice rink’s 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
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 give you an overview 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 the risks and opportunities regarding the existing status of the complex.

If you are interested in any of the above listed services, contact IRCC for a written proposal.