Technical Corner

July 14, 2025

Greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally sustainable products. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) metric examines each greenhouse gas’s ability to trap heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). Communities want to be viewed as being environmentally responsible in their choices today, often selecting new construction and retrofits designs based on this goal. However, additional thought on the long-term operation, maintenance and management impacts of these investments is critical.

Recent industry events have demonized ammonia, creating a fear surrounding its toxicity management. Ammonia related incidents are most often rooted in poor maintenance or asset management practices. The focus becomes the chemical vs. the human failures associated with the use, handling or disposal of the product. In reality, ammonia remains one of the most naturally available refrigerants in the marketplace. What also must not be lost specific to the ice sheet industry is the fact that there are proven educational and accreditation pathways that can properly prepare frontline operators in understanding the risks, hazards and best practices associated with an ammonia based industrial refrigeration system. The ORFA has raised awareness that municipalities are often unknowing partners in manufacturer advancements as they invest in products or services that have not been completely researched or developed by the supplier. Respectful that any equipment or design issues are often covered under warranty, there is usually little compensation provided for the internal staffing costs of dealing with any glitches.

The shift toward electric vehicle (EV) technology in recreation is another example of how the industry supported manufacturers in this design shift. The ORFA raised the fact that most facilities or communities are not properly prepared for a significant failure of battery technology. Recently. Trevor King, Strategy Advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) provided an update on Ministry activities including compliance plans, commitments, and legislative changes. One emerging concern that they are looking at is large lithium-ion battery issues in various sectors, relevant hazards, and enforcement considerations. He shared one case where a worker was dealing with a LiB fire and was wearing level 2 personal protective equipment (PPE), when he should have had on level 4 PPE (like a firefighter kit) for best protection. He further highlighted the fact that LiB “thermal runaway” is a serious issue whereby the fire caused by these batteries takes thousands of litres of water to extinguish and can still reignite hours, days, and weeks later.

The interest in C02 refrigerant is another example of the industry pioneering innovation. The introduction of C02 refrigeration was originally for grocery stores as they used a refrigerant that required significant piping that often leaked. C02 was an affordable, and less risky fix. What we know for sure is that CO2 systems require a lot of extra equipment to work in even moderate temperature fluctuations. Feedback from ice sheet operators of these systems indicates that CO2 systems often struggle in hot weather conditions. Often these investments create long-term service agreements with a supplier that is controlled by technology that is also owned and secured by the supplier, thus creating a single source relationship which reduces the opportunity of facility management to receive competitive pricing for products and services. CO2 systems are very high pressure. At over 1,000 PSI this equipment is doing a lot of compression. More equipment, more maintenance, more complexity, more failure points as the system ages and wears. The mechanical integrity of all components “long term” is currently unknown. Governing agencies often take time to have regulations “catching up” [More]. 

Regrettably, the industry often learns from tragedy. What is not known is the risk to operators of even a pinhole leak to containment on the high side of a C02 system. Toronto Outdoor Rink Feedback [More] & Alaska Indoor Rink Problems [More]. Another known issue impacting the industry is the lack of new refrigeration mechanics entering the field [More]. Experts warn of dire skills shortage threatening air conditioning and refrigeration industry this summer - ABC News. Given that C02 refrigeration has a higher complexity of required skills and that ice sheet managers will be competing with grocery store refrigeration mechanic needs, the reality of not being able to access qualified, competent mechanics could become a future issue.

The ORFA is not an expert in refrigerants or advancing technologies, however, our role has been and will continue to be watchdog on advancements in the industry. We continue to seek better options for efficiency, maintenance costs, construction costs, safety and capital expense to supply and install refrigeration systems and purchase equipment that have the best return on investment. The ORFA currently has no understanding or specific guidance in current training refrigeration pathways as to how our members can prevent or respond to the risk of a C02 system leak, or how to best manage a battery fire. This is currently left between the supplier and the customer to navigate.  Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. - The Evolution of Industrial Ice Sheet Refrigeration [More] & ORFA Alert: Lithium-ion Battery Emergency Management [More]. The trap to be avoided is having persons who make purchasing decisions solely based on environmental goals, then passing the day to day operations onto individuals who do not possess the training to operate and manage these advanced systems and equipment. Without an understanding of the long-term effects, owners may be creating a long-term reliance on service providers to maintain the system and equipment who have limited accountability under current regulation.