Following last week’s tragic deaths of three men at an ice arena in Fernie, B.C., there have been questions raised about the safety of ammonia used in refrigeration systems in ice rinks across the province.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has stringent safeguards in place for its arenas in Gibsons and Sechelt, according to Ian Hall, the SCRD’s general manager of planning and community development.
“Industrial refrigerants of all kinds carry risks that need to be managed and the SCRD is aware of and manages very carefully the risks of ammonia refrigeration,” Hall said. “There are strict regulations set out by the province regarding how ammonia plants are maintained and monitored.”
Facility operators at the local rinks are certified through Technical Safety BC, under whose rules and regulations the SCRD operates, he said, adding that facility operators’ certification is also supplemented by annual testing.
“As well, annual plant overhauls and annual safety checks are made on all the plant safety controls prior to the starting up of our refrigeration plants. This is one of the things that happens during our annual shutdowns and why the ‘no-ice’ time is important.”
Refrigeration plants at the two arenas have 24-hour monitoring services that are connected to an ammonia alarm system that would dispatch a certified staff member on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis.
“Both our refrigeration plants have vestibules that create an airlock that slows [and/or] stops airflow; those entering the space where the ice-making equipment is located can see an ammonia sensor and alarm before they enter,” Hall said.
And both arenas have automatic fan controls connected to ammonia alarms, which would disperse ammonia to safe levels if there were a leak, he added. The fans can also be activated manually if required.
“SCRD also coordinates with emergency services for response to alarms or other issues, as required,” he said.
On Oct. 17, two municipal workers and a Calgary-based employee of a refrigeration company were killed in gas leak at the Fernie Memorial Arena. The victims were identified as Wayne Hornquist, Lloyd Smith and Jason Podloski.
Fernie’s municipal operations resumed Monday but, as of Wednesday, the arena and community centre remained closed until further notice and the investigation into the deadly incident was ongoing.
“Our thoughts are with those affected in Fernie,” Hall said.
