How to Ensure that Your Commercial Building Is Prepared for a Winter Storm

Owners and managers of commercial buildings need to take active measures to prepare for blizzards, ice storms, and heavy snowfall. Here’s an overview of what you need to do to safeguard your building against whatever winter sends your way.

Understand Your Roof’s Limitations and Monitor It Continuously

After a building takes on heavy snow and ice, the structural integrity of its roofing system is compromised. In the best case scenario, it may sustain damage or leak. In the worst case scenario, the entire roof can collapse, causing serious injury or fatalities to anyone inside of the building as well as damage that could keep your building closed indefinitely. To prevent a catastrophic accident from happening, it’s important that you use a snow load calculator to know your building’s limitations. You also need technology that will provide continuous monitoring of how much pressure your roof is taking on and will alert you before the situation becomes dangerous.

Keep Your Roof’s Drainage Systems Functioning Properly

Buildup or damage to your roof’s draining system can cause heavy icicles to form along the sides of your building. When one of these icicles falls, the result could be very serious or even deadly. You need to prevent icicles from forming by performing routine maintenance on your roof’s drainage system well before winter weather starts to strike your region.

Have a Plan to Melt Ice on the Ground

Ice on the ground is one of winter’s most dangerous and common hazards. Property managers and owners are strictly liable for any falls that may occur on the premises due to unaddressed ice on the ground. You need to maintain a strong supply of salt or calcium chloride to melt any accumulated ice. Be sure that your staff understands who is responsible for keeping the area free of ice. You need to maintain a strong supply of salt or calcium chloride to melt any accumulated ice, and maybe even have a consultation with a winter snow plowing company for their advice on best practice.