Practical Inspection Procedures

1. TOOLS & METHODOLOGY

Before starting an ice arena inspection, the public health inspector should ensure the following items are available:

• Calibrated air quality equipment to test carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels.

• Standardized checklist and inspection report to document risk assessment and inspection findings.

• Reference materials such as:

  • Health Canada's Best Practices for Improving Air Quality in Ice Arenas

  • ORFA Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality in Arenas (317.9 KB)

  • A Practical Public Health Inspector Guide to Ice Arena Indoor Air Quality Inspections

• A review of historical inspections to determine trends in compliance rates.

• PPE such as CSA-approved shoes and a CSA-approved helmet.

• Established inspection policy and procedure outlining the actions to be taken if elevated levels of air pollutants are observed at the time of inspection.

2. INSPECTION WALK-THROUGH

Before continuing, please watch this video featuring Public Health inspector Vittoria Vecchiarelli as she walks through how she conducts an indoor air quality inspection in an ice arena. This step-by-step overview will help you understand the key areas of focus during an inspection and the role of public health in ensuring safe air quality.

3. IAQ TESTING PROCEDURE

Step-by-step guide to IAQ testing:

1. Take an air sample of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in the ice pad area before any ice resurfacing activities to determine baseline levels and record findings.

2. Ask the operator to turn on fuel-powered radiant heaters and flood the ice pad. Wait 5 minutes after resurfacing before proceeding.

3. Observe whether the ventilation system is turned on and functioning properly. The exhaust fan should be moving, and the make-up louvres should be open.

EXHAUST FANS 

MAKE-UP LOUVRES

4. If ventilation systems are not operational, educate the operator on the importance of proper ventilation, document your findings, and recommend repairs.

5. Take an air sample at the player's ench, 1 metre above the ice surface (breathing height), for 15 minutes. Ensure the location is not enclosed by plexiglass. 

6. Take an air sample in the spectator seating area at breathing height, preferably under a radiant heater, and record values.

7. Repeat the steps for each ice pad.

4. Increased Pollutant Levels

5. BENEFITS OF ROUTINE INSPECTIONS

Before continuing, please watch this video featuring public health inspector Vittoria Vecchiarelli as she discusses the benefits of incorporating routine indoor air quality inspections into public health practice. Currently, indoor air quality inspections are conducted only on a complaint basis, but Vittoria highlights why proactive inspections could significantly improve health and safety in ice arenas.

6. RESPONDING TO ELEVATED AIR POLLUTANT LEVELS

Public health units should stay up-to-date on the latest safe exposure levels for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Below are examples of recommended action and evacuation levels that may prompt a public health response, operator education, control measures, re-inspections, or evacuation orders. Public Health units must ensure their indoor air quality equipment can accurately measure these levels, considering detection limits, resolution, and range.

DEFINITIONS

Recommended Level - Air Pollutants at concentration levels that protect the health of the most vulnerable populations.

Action Level (AL) - Air pollutants at concentrations below evacuation levels but above recommended levels. Air pollutant concentrations have reached a level that is no longer protective to health, and increased ventilation is necessary to introduce fresh air into the facility. Direct the operator to implement corrective actions (see below). Consider conducting a re-inspection.

• Advise operator to increase ventilation rates (e.g., open exterior doors and increase mechanical exhaust).

• Consider reducing/suspending ice arena resurfacing activities or stopping all public activity on the ice surface.

• Implement corrective actions to ensure acceptable indoor air quality can be maintained while the potential cause of poor indoor air quality is investigated. Document corrective actions.

• Re-inspect the facility to ensure corrective actions were successful in maintaining acceptable indoor air quality. If the re-inspection reveals continued non-compliance, consider enforcement after consultation with management.

Evacuation Level - Air pollutants at concentrations elevated enough to meet the definition of a health hazard and warrant an evacuation of patrons and the issuance of a closure order under section 13 of the HPPA. 

• Issue a section 13 closure order to the facility operator to close the affected area(s) as determined by the inspection.

• Direct the operator to evacuate all patrons from the area immediately and contact emergency services. The public health inspector must ensure the arena is evacuated and contact their supervisor/management.

• Advise operators to suspend ice resurfacing activities and increase ventilation rates immediately (e.g., open exterior doors, increase mechanical exhaust).

Before continuing, please watch this video featuring public health inspector Vittoria Vecchiarelli as she discusses how to respond to a health hazard in an ice Arena. Vittoria outlines the steps involved in identifying, assessing, and addressing potential health risks to ensure the safety of all individuals in the facility.

7. SHEDULING A ROUTINE INSPECTION

There are various factors to consider when scheduling an inspection during peak operating hours vs. off-peak operating periods.

Peak operating periods are often on weeknights, weekends or during tournaments. The ice resurfacing equipment will be in frequent use, and pollutant levels may be higher. Ice arena staff may not be available to answer questions for the risk assessment and provide necessary documentation.

Off-peak operating hours are typically during the weekdays (and regular working hours for public health inspectors). The ice arena staff may be more available to answer questions for the risk assessment, provide documentation, and discuss recommendations. However, pollutant levels may be at their lowest, and the ice resurfacer is used less frequently during off-peak hours.

Each option has pros and cons and must be considered and determined by the public health unit management based on available resources.

8. INDOOR AIR QUALITY TESTING EQUIPMENT

Ensure that air quality monitors meet the resolution, range, and precision required for the desired measurement ranges of both carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

PURCHASING IAQ TESTING EQUIPMENT

Health Canada recommends using a nitrogen dioxide monitor that is designated as a Federal Reference Method (FRM) or a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM). However, nitrogen dioxide monitors designated as FRM or FEM are significantly more expensive compared to electrochemical gas sensors on the market.

The cost of an FRM or FEM designated sensor may not fit the budget of many public health units or ice arenas. In addition, most electrochemical sensors do not meet the resolution requirement of 0.02 ppm, which impacts recommendations and action levels set by the public health unit.

EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM

Due to budgetary constraints, it may be more sensible for your health unit to borrow indoor air quality testing equipment. For short-term access to monitoring equipment, consider utilizing the Public Health Ontario Equipment Loan Program. Contact EOH@oahpp.ca to book a device. 

Ensure all public health inspectors are trained on the correct operation, storage, calibration, and maintenance of indoor air quality testing equipment.