Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1376344
T THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, all of our arenas are well into the operating season. For the most part, the refrig- eration system should have been operating relatively trouble-free since startup. This doesn't happen by accident. In order to minimize equipment problems and poten- tial shutdowns, every arena must have a refrigeration equipment maintenance pro- gram, regardless of the length of the operat- ing season. This program should consider: 1) mainte- nance required during the annual shutdown period; 2) checks and maintenance during the initial startup; 3) ongoing preventative maintenance throughout the operating sea- son; and 4) proper shutdown of the system at the end of the season in preparation for inspection and repairs. Today's arena refrigeration plants con- tain sophisticated equipment provided by different suppliers; therefore, in devel- oping and implementing a maintenance program, careful thought must be given to what checks and maintenance will be done "in house" by properly trained arena staff and what work must be performed by external qualified contractors. It can- not be stated strongly enough that any maintenance work done on refrigeration equipment must be performed by properly qualified personnel following the manu- facturer's recommendations. In general terms, the following summa- rizes considerations for the implementa- tion of an annual refrigeration mainte- nance program for an arena. Annual Shutdown Preparations for the annual shutdown of the refrigeration system should be well planned and in place prior to the last ice rental of the season. In many cases, arenas have entered into a service agreement with 40 / MAY.JUNE.2021 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: RINK ARCHIVES Refrigeration System Maintenance // by Bill Vass KEEP Refrigerated Refrigerated A