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July / August 2016

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A SHEET OF ICE FROM NO ICE TO SKATING ICE? This is a question we often get asked here at STAR. Every rink and building is different in some way and it is very difficult to answer but we will give some basic guidelines. We will make the assumption that you have completed your facility inspection including but not limited to the following items: 1. Overhead equipment, including score clock, lighting, speakers and anything else hung over the ice surface. 2. Refrigeration equipment. 3. HVAC and dehumidification equipment. 4. Rink boards and shielding, including spectator safety netting. 5. Goal frames have been inspected and painted for upcoming season. 6. The floor (concrete) has been inspected and repaired as needed then thoroughly cleaned with a natural cleaner. 7. You have the proper painting equipment on hand (owned or rented). If you have completed the above list, then you are ready to start the ice install. It will generally take 3-4 staffers 6-8 hours to install the first bond coat, white paint, ice markings and any logos depending on experience and skill. This could take double the time if your staff is not experienced. With all the ice markings completed and sealed in with cold water, it is time to build at a minimum 1" of ice over this level. This is the recognized minimum amount of ice before any skating is allowed on the ice sheet. In fact, the trend in the industry is towards 1.5" of ice depth. How long? If your refrigeration equipment can freeze 500 gallons per hour and it takes approximately 10,500 gallons of water to make 1" of ice, this will take you a minimum of 20.5 hours. This is working straight through, with no breaks. It also does not take into account that as the ice gets thicker, it will take longer to freeze and the freezing rate of 500 gallons per hour will slow. Also, this is assuming almost perfect conditions with all of the above criteria met. This is certainly not always the case. The absolute minimum to install a sheet of ice and 1" will take two full days. In the planning stages of installing a sheet of ice, there should always be some extra time allowed, for staff safety (breaks to warm up) and also to allow for any equipment failures. Mother Nature can also play a role in the speed of installation, even indoors. STAR recommends two-and-a-half to three days to install a sheet from start to finish. There are several steps that have not been covered here that will give you details on how to create a great sheet of ice. If you would like further information on this topic, STAR has a four-day program that will guide you through the process. Ice Making & Painting Technologies (IMPT) is offered around the country at various locations and dates. J ASK STAR You have rink questions, STAR has rink answers Send your rink questions to: INFO@STARRINKS.COM 48 / JULY.AUGUST.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM A: Q: ALLOW TWO- AND-A-HALF TO THREE DAYS TO COMPLETE A FULL ICE INSTALL. RINK PHOTO

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