The most important issue for ice skating rink is energy and operating costs, which depends on the weather conditions and location of the ice rink. Accurately designed ice rinks can save up to 50% in energy consumption. Building construction is important in order to keep indoor temperature and humidity values at desired level. In the ice rinks, proper ventilation is required to keep the indoor air in the desired conditions and the moisture level must be maintained at the appropriate level to avoid fog on the surface. In the cooling system; Freon (404a) or Ammonia (NH3) can be used depending on the capacity.
OUTDOOR AND INDOOR ICE RINKS APPLICATION
- Brine chillers
- Discharge desuperheaters for water and floor heating
- Preparing ice rink floor
- Ice rink piping
- Dasher boards, kick plates and security glasses
- Air conditioning of ice rinks
- Dehumidification system
SKI SLOPES APPLICATION
- Turn-key indoor ski slopes
- Specially designed cooling units for snow making
- Customized design evaporators for indoor ski slopes
- Floor cooling systems for high quality snow
- Adjustable snow guns
- Ventilation and dehumidification systems
- Ice slopes
- Snow rooms
PLANNING AND DESIGN
The first step is working on an ice rink project is designing and planning.The most important issue for ice skating rink is energy and operating costs, which depends on the weather conditions and location of the ice rink. Accurately designed ice rinks can save up to 50% in energy consumption. Building construction is important in order to keep indoor temperature and humidity values at desired level. In the ice rinks, proper ventilation is required to keep the indoor air in the desired conditions and the moisture level must be maintained at the appropriate level to avoid fog on the surface. There are several factors that have to be taken into consideration when working at a project and the most important being the building, floor and wheather condition. The construction process of the ice rink includes floor and refrigeration system piping, heat and vapour insulation, appropriate chiller system and dasherboard installation with the assembly of different components depending on the size and complexity of the project.
PIPING SYSTEM
The Ice rinks are made in two forms as fixed or modular (mobile) systems. The choice of the piping system depends on which system is selected.
PERMANENT SYSTEM
Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-x piping system) pipes are used in the field piping. These pipes are laid in the field with special fixing elements and then the final concrete is poured on the field. The final layer of concrete must be poured very smoothly. For this, a special vibratory floating rule must be made and the concrete must be poured in a single day. Cold joints should never be allowed to form. In addition, during the cooling process, additional reinforced concrete must be poured to prevent cracking of the concrete.
MODULAR (MOBILE) SYSTEM
For mobile systems, flexible MAT system piping, which is made from plastic material, is applied. This system is generally created by combining ready-made parts called Ice Boxes. At the beginning in the MAT system piping, the pipes are in roll form and the system is installed with these rolls laid on the ground. The Ice Boxes can be arranged side by side and the collector can be made in any desired length. Special connection sets, flanges, bolts and nuts are used for this purpose.
ADVANTAGES OF MODULAR SYSTEM
- Easy to install and remove
- Consists of removable and portable parts
- Permanent installation and permanent excavation work are not required.
- The same materials are used for installation, removal and reinstallation.
- The ideal installation time is 4-5 days, the removal time is 1 day
- Labor costs are lower
- No special brackets are required for piping alignment.
REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
The goal of Frigo Mekanik is to offer the customers economical and environmental friendly chillers with a power consumption as low as possible while maintaining optimum performance. We ensure the right solutions for all types of ice skating rinks (arenas, sports centers, shopping centers, indoor or outdoor ice rinks). The equipment is chosen mainly based on the size of the ice field in varying levels of performance and the temperature. The chiller units work in an outside temperature range of – 20°C up to + 45°C problem-free and can also provide sufficient cooling performance in warmer regions with brine temperatures of – 10°C to – 12 °C for rink ice making. Frigo Mekanik is also offering machines that are equipped with energy-saving components such as a winter kit or heat recovery for warm water supply. In addition Frigo Mekanik ensures its customer 7/24 maintenance and repair services for entire warranty period.
VENTILATION AND DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM
The most healthy way to keep the indoor air on the ice rinks under the desired condition is to make forced ventilation. Air conditioning units are provided with heating and cooling coils to maintain the desired temperature and humidity condition. The temperature of the ice skating rink should be kept at 14°C. In order to avoid fog on the ice rink, the humidity must be very low. If the ice rink is to be operated in winter, the optimum design values should be 14°C and 50% relative humidity. During summer periods, up to 16°C and 70% relative humidity can be arranged to save energy consumption. Some customized air conditioning units used in ice rink areas may also have a dehumidification system.
