clarification on timing of games for tankand playdowns

[Cathy Croteau, Head Coach Ottawa]

Hi Folks, 

We just completed our first round of playdowns for this season's Tankard. I have the following questions that could lead to clarification in the rules supplement.

Are the 2 1-minute timeouts and the mid-game 3-minute break included in the elapsed time limits (as in no new end after 50 minutes). This needs to be clarified in the supplement (as well as Fair play time outs also). 

If there is a need for a measure, is the time required to do so included in the overall time limit or is this considered an official's time out (is there such a thing?)? 

We had a situation where a measure was required and while it was being done our lead was already in the hack ready to continue the game. Unfortunately, the on-ice official on the next sheet (not even our official who was doing the measure) stopped our game from continuing after the measure because the 50-minute limit had been reached.

Please clarify for other regions who have yet to start their playdowns as well as for our next level of playdowns. Thanks

Cathy Croteau

Ottawa Curling