scope:

APPLICATIONS

Most ice surfaces are used for a variety of sports, although some are constructed for specific purposes and are of specific dimensions. Usual rink sizes include the following:

Hockey. The accepted North American hockey rink size is 25.91 by 60.96 m. Radius corners of 8.53 m are recommended by professional and amateur rules. The Olympic and international hockey rink size is 30.48 by 60.96 m, with 8.53 m radius corners. Many rinks are considered adequate with dimensions of 25.9 by 56.4 m, 24.4 by 54.9 m, and 21.3 by 51.8 m. In substandard size rinks, a corner radius of not less than 4.5 m should be provided to allow use of mechanical resurfacing equipment.

Curling. Regulation surface for this sport is 4.3 by 45 m; however, the width of the ice sheet is often increased to allow space for installation of dividers between the sheets, particularly at the circles. Most curling rinks are laid out with ice sheets measuring 4.5 by 46 m.

Figure Skating. School or compulsory figures are generally done on a "patch" measuring approximately 5 by 12 m. Freestyle and dance routines generally require an area of 18 by 36 m or more.

Speed Skating. Indoor speed skating has traditionally been performed on hockey-sized rinks. The Olympic-sized outdoor speed-skating track is a 400 m oval, 10 m wide with 112 m straightaways and curves with an inner radius of 25 m. Most speed-skating ovals were originally constructed outdoors, although some are now constructed indoors.

Recreational Skating. Recreational skating can be done on any size or shape rink, as long as it can be efficiently resurfaced. Generally, 2.3 to 2.8 m2 is allowed for each person actually skating. This ratio may vary for large numbers of beginner skaters. A 26 by 61 m hockey rink with 8.5 m radius corners has an area of 1517 m2 and will accommodate a mixed group of about 650 skaters.

Public Arenas, Auditoriums, and Coliseums. Public arenas, auditoriums, field houses, etc., are designed primarily for spectator events. They are used for ice sports, ice shows, and recreational skating, as well as for non-ice events, such as basketball, boxing, tennis, conventions, exhibits, circuses, rodeos, tractor events, and stock shows. The refrigeration system can be designed so that, with adequate personnel, the ice surface can be produced within 12 to 16 h. However, general practice is to leave the ice sheet in place and to hold other events on an insulated floor placed on the ice. This approach saves significant time, labor, and energy.

Bobsled-Luge Tracks. The bobsled-luge track usually incorporates steel piping embedded in the track and fed by an ammonia liquid recirculation system. Approximately 85 000 to 96 000 m of piping is required for an Olympic-sized track. The total refrigerated surface is 8300 to 9800 m2. Refrigeration plant capacities in the range of 4000 to 5000 kW are required, depending on ambient design conditions, wind, and sun loads. The ammonia charge can exceed 90 000 kg. Because elevation changes are significant, care must be used in placing liquid recirculators, selecting ammonia pumps, and circuiting floor piping.