When we walk into an ice rink, the first thing that catches our eye is a smooth and cold ice surface. So, how is this ice surface made?This article will uncover the secrets of making ice surfaces in ice rinks.
1. Preparations.
First of all, make sure that the ice rink is clean, level, and free of impurities and dust. This is to ensure the quality of the ice surface and prevent cracks and bubbles on the ice surface.
2. Freeze the first layer of ice.
Water the ground of the skating rink to make it moist. A special freezer is then used to convert the liquid water into solid ice. The temperature of the freezer is extremely low and can quickly freeze water into ice. This layer of ice is the foundation of the entire skating rink, and it must be made sure that it is strong and level.
3. Lay the insulation layer.
Lay a layer of insulation, such as foam board or straw, on the first layer of ice. This is done to prevent the subsequent pouring of ice from producing too much cold air during the freezing process, causing bubbles to appear on the ice surface.
4. Freeze the second layer of ice.
Continue watering on the insulation and use the freezer again to convert the water to ice. The thickness of this layer of ice is usually thinner than the first layer, about 5-10 cm. The role of this layer of ice is to protect the insulation material inside while providing a smoother surface for the skaters.
5. Smooth the surface.
Use an ice grinder to smooth out the surface of the second layer of ice. This is to ensure the smoothness of the ice surface and reduce friction, so that the skater can glide on the ice more freely.
6. Maintenance and maintenance.
During the opening of the rink, the staff regularly inspects the condition of the ice surface and performs maintenance. For example, when cracks or bubbles are found on the ice surface, they are repaired in time;When the ice surface is too rough, it is smoothed again. At the same time, impurities and dust in the rink are regularly cleaned to ensure that the ice surface is clean and smooth.
7. Temperature control.
Temperature control at the skating rink is also very important. If the temperature is too high, it will cause the ice to melt;If the temperature is too low, the ice will be too hard and the skating experience will be affected. Therefore, the staff will pay close attention to the temperature changes of the skating rink and take measures to adjust accordingly. Typically, ice rinks are equipped with advanced temperature control systems to ensure that the ice surface is in optimal condition.
8. Security measures.
To ensure the safety of skaters, the rink also has a series of safety measures in place. For example, setting up safety warning signs, providing life-saving equipment and professional lifeguards, etc. At the same time, skaters also need to follow the rules and safety requirements of the skating rink to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
In short, the ice surface of an ice rink is a complex and specialized project. Through careful design and rigorous construction, a high-quality ice rink can be created. At the same time, the hard work and upkeep of the staff is also key to ensuring the proper functioning of the ice rink. For those of us who are ice skaters, it's a wonderful experience to be able to skate freely on such a slippery and safe surface of ice.