Ice Arenas

Continuous monitoring of ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and propane in ice arenas protects athletes, spectators, and workers from refrigeration leaks and ice resurfacer exhaust.

Typical Ice Arenas System

Target Gases

Gases monitored in this application

R-454B

R32/R1234yf

Hydrogen

H₂

Carbon Dioxide

CO₂

Propane

C₃H₈

R-143a

C₂H₃F₃

R-404A

R125/R143a/R134a

R-134a

C₂H₂F₄

R-448A

R32/R125/R134a/R1234yf/R1234ze

R-449A

R32/R125/R134a/R1234yf

R-744

CO₂

R-410A

CH₂F₂/CHF₂CF₃

Ammonia

NH₃

Methane

CH₄

Carbon Monoxide

R-32

CH₂F₂

Nitrogen Dioxide

NO₂

Why Gas Detection is Required

Ice arenas have multiple gas hazards in various locations throughout the facility. Ammonia is commonly used in the chiller/mechanical room and if a leak were to occur, it would become a corrosive, toxic gas. At the ice surface level, gasoline, propane, natural gas (and sometimes diesel) powered equipment such as an ice cleaning machinery and ice edger produce exhaust composed of carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen dioxide. Other fuel powered equipment such as floor sweepers, lift trucks and other vehicles idling in close proximity can add to the CO and NO2 levels. In the stands, cheering spectators watch the game and produce Carbon dioxide as they breathe.

System Architecture

A complete ice arena gas detection system typically consists of CO and NO₂ sensors positioned near ice resurfacing equipment areas and throughout the rink, combined with refrigerant sensors in the mechanical room. Sensors connect to a controller that manages demand-controlled ventilation and provides alarming when concentrations exceed safe levels. For smaller community rinks, self-contained detector-controller units provide economical protection for the rink area and separate mechanical room monitoring. Larger multi-rink facilities benefit from networked architectures with sensors throughout each rink and spectator areas, enabling coordinated ventilation response across the facility. Alarm outputs activate audible/visual notification devices, trigger enhanced ventilation, and can interface with ice resurfacing equipment to prevent operation during elevated gas conditions. Integration with building automation enables data logging and trending for compliance documentation.

Key Considerations

Important factors for planning your system

Multiple gas hazards exist throughout the facility which means require several types of gas detectors are required

Recommend an Explosion Proof gas detector in the parking area of the ice cleaning machinery

Outside the chiller room should be a Controller with a strobe and manual shut off switch to meet code requirements

Additional Information

To meet code requirements, the FCS should be equipped with a top mounted strobe and a manual shut off switch. At specified alarm levels, the ventilation system can be activated as well as any remote devices such as the Remote Strobe / Horn combo (RSH-24V-R or RSA-24V) and the manual shut off switch can be used to shut off the chiller equipment.