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REFRIGERATION AND ICE COURSES
Individuals seeking to write the TSSA RB-1 and/or RB-2 examinations are strongly encouraged to learn more about the exam qualification requirements by reviewing the Operating Engineers section of the Technical Standards & Safety Authority website at www.tssa.org. |
A time-tested course, Basic Refrigeration has been delivered to recreation facility personnel for over four decades and has become an industry-recognized minimum competency for practitioners working in a recreation-related refrigeration plant.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of the theory and principles of refrigeration and the importance this plays in the creation of a quality ice surface. While not mandatory, participants are encouraged to gain some knowledge of a working refrigeration system prior to attendance. It is recommended that prior to attending this course participants ask their refrigeration plant operator, or other qualified facility individual, for a guided tour and orientation of the refrigeration plant. This review should explore: key pieces of equipment; safety devices; log book use; responses to emergencies and evacuation plans; types and amounts of refrigerants; storage; and personal protective equipment for all noxious gases and/or refrigerants stored on site.
Topics include:
- Principles of Refrigeration
- Refrigeration Equipment Identification & Function
- Refrigeration Controls, Accessories and Safety Devices
- Refrigeration System Operation & Maintenance
Prerequisites: Participants should have completed the Basic Refrigeration course or the Advanced Refrigeration Facility Operator course and have one year, hands-on, artificial ice experience.
Creating a durable sheet of ice requires a clear understanding by the ice technician of the ice making environment. This environment will include such variables as basic scientific principles surrounding air, water, paint and refrigeration and may or may not be within the operator’s control. Building on the theory gained in the refrigeration classes, this course will enhance the participants’ knowledge, while increasing their operational effectiveness through a clear understanding of proven ice installation principles and techniques. Further, participants will learn basic standard facility operation practices and have hands-on exposure to various proven on-ice applications.
Some practical on-ice demonstrations will occur, with limited opportunity for each participant to take part. All students should come prepared to spend up to seven hours on the ice. Clothing and CSA-approved footwear should be selected and worn to suit a cold, wet work environment.
Topics include:
- History of ice making and painting
- Humidity – principles and equipment
- Water – understanding and controlling Total Dissolved Solids
- Refrigerated floors – constructed options, limitations and preparation
- Dasher board systems – types, best installation practices, safety
- Painting and Logos – painting ice white, lines and logos vs. paper, vinyl and other materials
- Specialty Ice Surfaces - Hockey, Curling, Speed Skating, Broomball, Ringette, Figure Skating, Sledge Hockey and Public Skating
- Ice Energy Management
Prerequisites: Participants should have completed a) Basic Refrigeration or the Advanced Refrigeration Facility Operator course; b) and the Ice Making and Painting Technologies course; and c) have two years of practical artificial ice knowledge with some ice resurfacer operational experience or a Safe Ice Resurfacer Operator permit.
In this course, participants will learn skills to create exceptional ice, troubleshoot poor ice conditions, perform ice maintenance, and operate and maintain equipment while ensuring a safe physical setting. There will be some limited opportunity for each participant to take part in the on-ice demonstrations. All participants should come prepared to spend up to seven hours on, or near, the ice surface.
This course is not designed to make a worker a completely competent ice resurfacer driver. It has been created to demonstrate industry best practices with regard to the operation and care of a vital and expensive piece of ice maintenance equipment. The ice resurfacer is a complicated piece of heavy equipment that requires a concise understanding of how it works, what adjustments must be maintained and what ongoing regular maintenance must be conducted by the operator to ensure it provides trouble-free operation. Ongoing workplace specific training must take place once the participant completes this training course.
The ORFA works closely with both Zamboni and Resurfice Corporation in providing the most up-to-date operational information to participants during this course.
Please note that appropriate clothing and CSA-approved footwear must be worn to suit a cold and wet work environment.
Topics include:
- Daily facility physical maintenance through both policy and procedure
- Ice maintenance, up-keep and equipment
- Troubleshooting
- Air quality
- Facility changeovers
- Fossil fuel safety
- Edger use and safety
- Ice resurfacer operations and maintenance
The course is designed to meet the needs of practitioners wishing to enhance their knowledge of refrigeration systems pertaining specifically to artificial ice rinks. It builds on the knowledge learned in the Basic Refrigeration course. Participants will gain a greater appreciation of the various means of accomplishing temperature reduction for ice making applications. It is ideally suited for those individuals who are responsible for decision making surrounding the maintenance and upgrading of arena refrigeration systems.
Topics include:
- Review of Basic Refrigeration course content
- Definitions, principles, theory applicable to arena refrigeration systems
- Enhanced refrigeration fundamentals
- Theory of refrigeration as it applies to various AIR settings
- Cycle of refrigeration as it applied to various common and advanced AIR settings
- Understanding refrigerants -including safety and environmental concerns
- Introduction of electrical theory and components (including a variety of starters)
- Maintenance requirements
- Introduction to psychometrics
- Applicable dehumidification systems
- Control theory recognition
- Plant accessories
- Health and safety related matters
- Introduction to applicable legislation and codes
*Additional recommended courses for a) Certified Ice Technicians or b) those planning to write the TSSA Refrigeration Operator - Class B Examinations.
This course is designed for individuals seeking an introduction to basic building environmental system/air conditioning systems. It is well suited for practitioners who need to learn more about the various air conditioning and mechanical systems that can be found in arenas, office buildings and community centres. In addition, this course will allow practitioners to facilitate responsible decision-making surrounding the maintenance and upgrading of HVAC/R systems.
Topics include:
- Review of Basic Refrigeration and Advanced Refrigeration Facility Operator course content
- Applicable fundamentals
- Applicable theory as applied to various HVAC/R settings
- Review of cycle (arena specific)
- Application of the Cycle of Refrigeration as applied to various HVAC/R settings
- Review of basic psychometrics
- Applicable psychometrics theory as applied to various HVAC/R settings
- Introduction to various air conditioning systems and related building environmental systems
- Details of different air conditioning systems
- Water treatment for refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Legion Ella, legionnaire’s disease, and sick building syndrome
- Fire alarm & sprinkler systems
- DDC for building environmental systems
*Additional recommended courses for a) Certified Ice Technicians or b) those planning to write the TSSA Refrigeration Operator - Class B Examinations.
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