AIR QUALITY IN ARENAS

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Of all the companies concerned by the quality of arena air, Robert Boileau inc. and the Zamboni manufacturer are among the most sensitive to the situation.  For some years, Zamboni has been involved  in manufacturing a vehicle that is as least pollutant as possible.    

A few years ago, a group of various CLSC's put together the "Guide de surveillance de la qualité de l'air dans les arénas".  According to its standards and those of la Régie du Bâtiment du Québec, the tolerance limits for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are of 20 ppm for CO and 0.5 ppm for NO₂.  It is in the manager's interest not to exceed these levels and therefore to monitor the ventilation system and to maintain his or her combustion equipment well.

The criteria which seems the most determinant in the ventilation standards is the arena volume.  The rule stipulates that a minimum of one change of fresh air per hour is required when the arena is in operation.

However, while an arena must have the necessary ventilation to minimise toxic gas levels, a large quantity of air coming from outside may interfere with ice making and maintenance.

The "Guide de surveillance de la qualité de l'air dans les arénas" recommends taking air samples a minimum of once a week, at a fixed period which corresponds to heaviest use of the resurfacer.  It also recommends sampling during tournaments and during the scrapping process. All results are to be recorded in an air surveillance register.

Sample takings should be made in areas where people have the greatest chances of being exposed.  For CO and NO₂, it is advised at the centre of the rink, in the players' rooms, the concession areas, and near the players' bench at 5 feet above the ice surface.

Before leaving the Zamboni assembly line, each resurfacer is submitted to rigorous emissions testing which will certify that the unit meets environmental standards.  But this control vanishes when the Zamboni goes out in the field.  It is up to the end user to make sure that the unit is both kept and operated in adequate conditions.

As for any other vehicle or combustion appliance, there is an exhaust gas analysis device.  The four or five gas analyzer takes a reading directly from the exhaust pipe and displays the proportion of particles present.  Then, the technician, who is TGC certfified¹, proceeds with the carburation adjustments.  When balance is reached, the result of the last reading is printed and handed to the customer.

The surveillance guide recommends a gas analysis every 50 hours.  One must remember however that the analysis and the engine adjustment, ARE VALID ONLY FOR THE TIME at which they were done. 

¹.Under the Regulation respecting certificates of qualification and apprenticeship regarding gas, stationary engines and pressure vessels.

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