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Safety Levels

January 2014


Dear NoCo Ice Center Patrons:

Due to past events at other ice facilities and informative broadcast on national television regarding carbon monoxide levels in ice facilities, the Staff of the NoCo Ice Center would like to inform our patrons of processes that have been in place for over six years to ensure their safety.

NoCo is a participating member in the STAR (Serving the American Rinks) program, sponsored by USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating. STAR provides education and resources to help increase operational efficiencies, safety procedures and the sustainability of ice facilities in the United States. This program provides industry standards to be recognized by its participating members to ensure the safety of those participating in ice sports.

The NoCo Ice Center has a propane powered ice resurfacer and ice edging machine. The ice edger is used for maintenance at a time reserved during the week when no ice programming is scheduled, thereby minimizing customer exposure to the fumes. The NoCo Ice Center is equipped with a fresh air ventilation system that is in operation during the times the ice resurfacer and ice edger is being used.

The NoCo Ice Center receives an annual Certificate of Occupancy inspection performed by the Windsor Fire Department. During this inspection, all safety items are addressed and reviewed to make sure the building is in sound operating condition. Any safety items that are brought to our attention are corrected immediately and all staff are made aware of potential issues that could arise during operation and what they should be doing to prevent them.

A carbon monoxide test is not a standard test included in the Certificate of Occupancy inspection. However, the Staff of the NoCo Ice Center takes this concern very seriously and we voluntarily request and receive an annual carbon monoxide test from the Windsor Fire Department. The tested levels from the Windsor Fire Department have consistently been 0 ppm, the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit for carbon monoxide is 30 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average concentration. In 2008, the NoCo Staff installed carbon monoxide detectors in the facility to ensure the safety of our members and staff between official testing and are continued to be monitored on a daily basis. Those detectors have sounded an alarm during the ice edging operation (during weekly ice maintenance when no ice programming is scheduled) with a displayed reading level of 45 ppm which reduced to 0 ppm within 30 minutes to the performance of the fresh air ventilation system.

The safety of our customers and staff is a priority at NoCo and we will continue to be proactive in our efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Sincerely,
NoCo Operations Staff