6 ways to prepare your business for winter weather

Before bad weather hits: 

• Identify staff, contractors, and equipment suppliers that can help if something breaks or goes wrong.
• Make sure snow shovel and snow blowers are in good condition and employees are trained on how to use them properly.
• Establish a plan to monitor the path and intensity of storms, and how you’ll communicate with employees.

• Maintain a minimum temperature of 10oC in all buildings to help ensure pipes don’t freeze.
• Make sure all doors, windows, skylights, ventilators, and shafts are weather-tight to prevent drafts.

• Put moisture absorbent mats, rugs, and runners at building entrances.
• Clear storm drains so runoff water doesn’t pool.
• Arrange for someone to remove snow (and sand and salt, if necessary) along walkways, in parking lots and access roads.
• Mark concrete tire stops or landscape islands in parking areas, as they can cause trip and fall accidents when covered in snow.

• Make sure all emergency power and heating systems operate properly.
• Move combustible materials at least three feet away from heat sources.
• Drain all idle cooling equipment or make sure it is installed in areas with heat.
• Use water-resistant covers on equipment and inventory that is located directly below pipes that could potentially freeze and then burst.
• Add listed/approved heat tracing (a system used to maintain the temperature of pipes and vessels) to all pipes that could freeze. 

• If power goes off or sprinklers are not working, provide 24-hour security with hourly watch rounds.
• Check coolant levels, fuel supplies, batteries, and diesel driver conditions for fire pumps.
• Verify sprinkler system water gongs and fire department connections are self-draining.
• Shut off, drain, and tag wet sprinkler and standpipe systems that have pipes located in areas that could freeze.
• Keep access ways, control valves, fire hydrants, hose cabinets, smoke/heat vents, water motor gongs, and fire department connections free from snow and ice.
• Test and inspect low temperature alarm devices.
• Mark yard hydrants, post indicator valves, and other equipment that could get covered in snow.

• Determine the maximum snow load for your roof.
• Make sure roof drains and downspouts are free of debris and fully functional.
• If you see signs of water damage or a weakened roof inside the building, make the necessary repairs.
• During a storm, check roof sections for drifting snow, use salt to keep snow/ice from freezing, and remove snow and ice buildup, taking care not to damage roof covering.