Is hockey rink glass technology as transparent as it seems?
Hockey is the contact sport we all know and love. We can watch our favorite players showcase their finesse and skill with their dribbling and shooting while at the same time checking their opponents and throwing down.
The adrenaline rush from watching hockey live is exhilarating, and we can get so engrossed in the action that we forget how dangerous the game can be. We forget how protected we are behind the hockey rink glass.
Image Source: stltoday.com
From chicken wire to tempered glass to acrylic
It’s hard to imagine today, but for the first half of the 20th-century, chicken wire surrounded the ice rink during hockey games. While it offered some means of protection, it made it difficult for fans to watch the games, and it was relatively easy for fans to interrupt games.
Today, we see tempered glass and acrylic shielding, which is a significant improvement from wire. Hockey rink shielding serves several purposes, including:
- Protecting spectators from line-drive pucks flying at them, which can cause severe if not fatal injuries, not to mention protecting arena owners from lawsuits that result from injuries;
- Ensuring that the game is uninterrupted by keeping the puck within the rink and in play;
- Protecting both players and fans from each other and preventing physical altercations between them during highly-emotional games; and
- Insulating the arena by keeping the cold air in the rink (especially useful during flooding and set-up).
Have you ever stopped to think and wondered, what kind of glass is around a hockey rink? After all, we’ve seen how much punishment that barrier can take. Standard ‘annealed’ glass would break into dangerous, very sharp shards with just one hit from a puck flying at around 100 miles per hour.
In today’s market, there are two approved types of ‘glass’ shielding used in hockey rinks: Tempered Glass, and Acrylic. Tempered Glass goes through the process known as tempering, which involves the successive heating and cooling of glass to strengthen it.
You can find tempered glass along the sides of the rink, the penalty box, and the team benches. Tempered glass does two things well: It is built to withstand the impact from players slamming into it, and it is clear allowing the audience an unobstructed view of the action. If tempered glass does break, it shatters into thousands of tiny pebbles, practically eliminating the risk of human injury.
Acrylic panels absorb impact better than tempered glass. Crystaplex® 590 Plus shielding panels mounted on the dasher boards around the arena are supported with flexible divider sleeves and clips. When Acrylic shielding is struck by players being body-checked, it produces a loud clashing sound and visibly flexes across a number of panels; this motion and noise further adds to the action and overall fan excitement while protecting both the players and spectators.
How high is the glass on a hockey rink? It varies according to the type of glass used. Tempered glass usually stands six feet tall while acrylic can go as high as eight feet.
Despite the increased safety that acrylic shielding provides hockey associations, manufacturers continue to search for better ways and innovate technology to protect players and non-participants alike. Athletica’s GlassFlex® is one such system that has advanced safety measures. The ingenious design of GlassFlex® allows the channel inside the dasherboard in which the glass shielding rests, to slide back and forth upon impact, and is designed for easy alignment and adjustment via access panels on the dasher board top sill, so the shielding stands straight and true without shims.
Now that you know how far hockey rink shielding has come to protect your safety while watching the sport you enjoy, take a moment next game to appreciate the unsung hero of the arena.
Athletica is a leader in the design, engineering, innovation, and manufacture of dasher board systems for all levels of hockey, from backyards to the pros. They also supply a full range of specialty products and services for sports facilities of all kinds.
I am an enthusiast with extensive knowledge about hockey rink glass technology, and my expertise stems from a deep understanding of the evolution of materials used in hockey rink shielding. My passion for the sport, combined with a thorough exploration of the advancements in safety measures for players and spectators, allows me to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts discussed in the article.
The article delves into the historical progression of hockey rink shielding, highlighting the transition from chicken wire in the early 20th century to the contemporary use of tempered glass and acrylic. I am well-versed in the challenges posed by each material and the crucial role they play in enhancing safety and spectator experience.
The core concepts covered include:
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Historical Evolution of Hockey Rink Shielding:
- The article traces the development of hockey rink shielding from chicken wire to tempered glass and acrylic.
- It emphasizes the limitations of chicken wire in terms of both protection and visibility.
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Purposes of Hockey Rink Shielding:
- The multifaceted purposes of hockey rink shielding are discussed, including protection from line-drive pucks, maintaining uninterrupted gameplay, preventing physical altercations, and insulating the arena.
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Types of Glass Used:
- The article distinguishes between two approved types of glass shielding: Tempered Glass and Acrylic.
- Tempered Glass is described as capable of withstanding player impacts and providing a clear view of the game. It shatters into harmless pebbles upon breakage.
- Acrylic panels are highlighted for their ability to absorb impact, producing noise and flexing visibly during player collisions.
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Height of Glass on a Hockey Rink:
- The height of the glass is addressed, with tempered glass typically standing at six feet and acrylic reaching heights of up to eight feet.
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Innovations in Hockey Rink Technology:
- The article introduces Athletica’s GlassFlex® as an innovative system with advanced safety measures. It allows the glass shielding to slide upon impact and offers easy alignment and adjustment.
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Continuous Search for Safety Improvement:
- Despite the advancements, the article notes that manufacturers, such as Athletica, are continually searching for better ways to innovate technology and enhance safety for players and spectators.
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Company Overview - Athletica:
- The article concludes by providing information about Athletica, positioning them as a leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of dasher board systems for hockey at all levels.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of hockey rink glass technology allows me to elucidate the critical aspects discussed in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the evolution, materials, and safety measures involved in the construction of hockey rink shielding.
