Arena & Refrigeration Courses
Registration Fee:Member Rate: $530 | Non-Member Rate: $610
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Arena Ice Maker
Designed for front-line arena operators, the Arena Ice Maker course provides practical training in the fundamentals of arena ice installation and maintenance.
Both new and experienced operators are encouraged to participate. The course is also suitable for supervisors, managers and other recreation professionals looking to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of ice installation.
What You’ll Learn
- Understand how ice is made and maintained in an arena
- Explain how refrigeration systems affect ice quality
- Safely use ice-making and maintenance equipment
- Install ice, including painting, lines, and logos
- Monitor ice conditions and facility systems
- Identify and fix common ice problems
- Maintain safe, high-quality ice for users
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Hands-On Learning
The ice-making portion of the course combines classroom instruction with practical, hands-on sessions in the installation of ice including painting the white ice and installing lines and logos.
Participants will spend time on the ice and should come prepared with warm work clothing for the practical sessions.
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ℹ️ Funding Information
Did you know that this RFABC course is eligible for the B.C. Employer Training Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.
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Upcoming Courses
Sorry, there are no courses scheduled at this time. Please email education@rfabc.com to express your interest for future courses.
Registration Fee:Member Rate: $490 | Non-Member Rate: $580
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Refrigeration Safety Awareness (RSA)
This 8-hour course provides the safety training required to apply to write the Technical Safety BC Refrigeration Safety Awareness (RSA) exam.
The RSA certificate allows you to be present and monitor a refrigeration plant up to 1,000 kW under general supervision or a risk-assessed status. It does not allow you to operate or repair the plant but does allow you to shut down the plant or initiate safety procedures when trained and assigned.
This course is designed for people who work in or around regulated refrigeration facilities.
What You’ll Learn
- Your responsibilities under BC refrigeration safety legislation
- How refrigeration systems work and where key safety controls are located
- How to recognize refrigerant leaks and other hazards
- The purpose of plant safety equipment and records
- How to respond to alarms and follow shutdown and evacuation procedures
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RSA Certification
RFABC is an approved Technical Safety BC course provider. Completing this course is the first step toward earning your RSA certificate.
To become certified, participants must also meet Technical Safety BC eligibility requirements and successfully pass the provincial RSA exam.
For eligibility, exam and certification information, visit the Technical Safety BC website or call 1-866-566-7233.
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CHOOSE HOW YOU LEARN
💻 Online — Three Evenings
Complete the course live online with an RFABC instructor over three evening Zoom sessions.
- First two evenings: 5:30–8:30 p.m. PT
- Final evening: 5:30–9:00 p.m. PT
What you’ll need: Reliable internet, webcam and highlighter pen. Cameras are required during the live sessions.
📍 In Person — One Day
Complete the course through one full day of instructor-led classroom learning, including a refrigeration plant tour for practical, real-world context.
What you’ll need: Highlighter pen
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ℹ️ Funding Information
Did you know that this RFABC course is eligible for the B.C. Employer Training Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.
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Upcoming Courses
Registration Fee:Member Rate: $1415 | Non-Member Rate: $1575
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Ice Facility Operator (IFO)
This 40-hour course provides comprehensive training in refrigeration and ice facility operations and prepares participants to write the Technical Safety BC (TSBC) Provincial IFO Exam.
The Ice Facility Operator certificate allows you to operate an ice facility plant that:
- Does not exceed a 1,000 kW prime mover nameplate rating
- Has a Refrigeration Operator or a Fourth Class Power Engineer as the chief engineer of the plant
Designed for those working or planning to work in the ice rink industry, the course combines technical knowledge, safety practices and operational fundamentals needed to build a strong foundation in ice facility operations.
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What You’ll Learn
- BC refrigeration safety requirements and operator responsibilities
- Refrigeration principles, calculations, and plant components
- How to monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot refrigeration systems
- Arena floor cooling systems and basic electrical safety
- Safe work practices and emergency procedures
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Prerequisites
Participants should:
- Have completed Grade 12 or an acceptable equivalent, particularly in math and English
- Have sufficient English language proficiency to participate in verbal and written course work
- Work or intend to work in the ice rink industry, as refrigeration work experience is required to obtain the final qualification
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IFO Certification
Completing the RFABC IFO course is one part of the pathway toward Technical Safety BC IFO certification.
Participants must also meet TSBC requirements, including being employed at, and have experience in the operation of, an ice facility plant for a period of no less than 30 days and successful completion of the TSBC Provincial IFO Exam.
For current certification requirements and information about writing the provincial IFO exam, visit the Technical Safety BC website or call 1-866-566-7233.
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Course Materials
Participants receive:
- IFO Course Manual
- Academic Supplement
- CSA B-52:23 Mechanical Refrigeration Code
- Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation
- Ice Facility Operator’s Logbook
- TSBC exam-approved calculator
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Continuing to Refrigeration Operator (RO)
Participants interested in pursuing their TSBC Refrigeration Operator (RO) certification may use the IFO classroom training as the first of the three weeks of classroom instruction required by TSBC to qualify to write the Provincial RO Exam.
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ℹ️ Funding Information
Did you know that this RFABC course is eligible for the B.C. Employer Training Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.
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Upcoming Courses
PLEASE NOTE
RFABC has temporarily paused RO course offerings because the required course manuals are no longer being printed by PanGlobal. We are working with industry partners to identify suitable materials so we can offer this training again.
In the meantime, operators can view other TSBC-approved training providers for current RO course options by clicking here.
We know this training is important to operators and recreation facilities across B.C. We’ll update this page as soon as we have more information.
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Upcoming Courses
Sorry, there are no courses scheduled at this time. Please email education@rfabc.com to express your interest for future courses.
Please Note: The registration system uses your email address to identify you as a member or non-member and assign the correct fee. After transferring to the Pheedloop registration portal, click the registration button to start the process.