Winter is here and many businesses are unprepared when normal winter weather turns to extreme winter weather. Many events can occur that could result in devastating losses for your business. Severe cold can cause water or sprinkler pipes to freeze and burst, potentially damaging paperwork, records, computers, and machinery. Something as simple as a broken, or open window can let in enough cold to spark a chain of events. Here are some things that you can do to prepare for the winter ahead and avoid frozen pipes:
- Update your Emergency Response Program for winter emergencies to include proper procedures for severe cold conditions. Also have someone monitor the weather forecast to plan ahead for these conditions, and procedures for loss of heat or electricity.
- Determine which company processes depend on building heat or electricity for safety and need special attention.
- Identify processes, equipment, and piping that contain or use water or other liquid that is susceptible to freezing, those might need to be drained in the event of loss of heat or electricity.
- Locate building areas that are more difficult to heat and install an ordinary thermometer to monitor temperature during times of severe cold.
- Service the heating system before the winter season begins to insure that everything is working properly.
- Inspect the exterior of your buildings to minimize unnecessary openings, fix windows and doors so that they close tightly. Insulate and weather strip as needed.