Insulating Ice Rinks with PlastiSpan Insulation

Using PlastiSpan Insulation for Ice Rinks

Several recreational activities are enjoyed with family and friends in the colder months, including popular ones like ice skating, curling and ice hockey. These activities share a common place: the ice rink. Whether it's a natural one where freezing happens from cold climate temperatures, or an artificial one, where a coolant creates cold temperatures in the surface below the water, ice rinks should ensure both quality and safety to fully provide the best possible experience.

Using Artificial Ice

In any climate, an arena surface of ice can be placed in a well-built space. It is composed of a bed of sand or at times a slab of concrete, through which pipes run. The pipes carry an icy fluid which can reduce the temperature of the slab so that water placed atop will freeze. This method is called ""artificial ice"" to differentiate from ice rinks created by simply freezing water in cold temperature, indoors or outdoors, although both types are of icy water. A more proper technical term is ""mechanically frozen"" ice.

PlastiSpan insulation: commercial solution for ice rinks

With all the ice rink solutions, how does the ice stay frozen? Insulation is placed beneath the ice, and this helps keep the temperatures at a controlled level. PlastiSpan insulation board meeting CAN/ULC-S701, Type 1 is adequate for this service. If a higher compressive strength material is required due to additional compressive loads on the insulation, PlastiSpan HD insulation board meeting CAN/ULC-S701, Type 2 or PlastiSpan insulation board meeting CAN/ULC-S701, Type 3 may be used.

Installation

Plasti-Fab PlastiSpan insulation board is placed under the floor slabs of artificial ice rinks to lessen the effect of soil frost heaving below the ice surface. It also shortens the time required to make or remove an ice surface and may also allow a reduction in the capacity of the refrigeration equipment. These benefits are significant as they reduce the energy costs for the operation of the ice rink.

Anyone out skating, playing hockey or curling just might be skating right over PlastiSpan insulation and would never know it.