Are Your Facilities Ready For a Harsh Long Island Winter?
From acorns to onion skins, people have always had ways of determining when the coming winter was going to be colder or harsher than usual. There's a good reason for this -- when winter's shaping up to be rough, you need to be prepared. Long Island weather forecasts predict that this is going to be a tough one. How ready is your facility? If you're not sure, here are seven things you can do right now to help make sure your facility makes it through the snow and ice unscathed:
1. Go over your emergency supplies.
Electrical power isn't the only thing likely to be disrupted during harsh winter weather. It's highly likely that there will be significant travel delays, too. Long Islanders are pretty accustomed to heavy snows now and then, but it's still possible for the roads to become impassable. In this case, there are two things you need to worry about: Employees and guests may not be able to leave, and deliveries or repair crews may not be able to come. It's a good idea to go over your emergency supplies of things like flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food, and bottled water. You may also want to have extra parts and repair supplies on hand, in case an asset goes down and a repair technician isn't able to come. Be ready to take care of your people and assets yourself in a pinch.
2. Double-check your building envelope.
If your walls, windows, or roof are experiencing any problems now, they're only going to get worse during winter. Don't wait -- look for drafts, cracks, aging seals, or signs of leaks, and make a plan to address them now. This will help protect your facility from water damage once the ice and snow start to melt, and will also help you save money on your heating bill. The better your building envelope is, the less heat you'll lose to the outdoors. Make sure your roof flashings are secure and your drains are clear. You may want to perform a routine roof check every week or two leading up to winter, so you can take care of any sudden problems promptly.
3. Take care of your pavement.
Winter, even a mild one, is murder on concrete and asphalt. It snows, snow melts, and water infiltrates into tiny cracks and crevices. When that water inevitably re-freezes, the resulting ice expands and forces those cracks to grow. Eventually, you end up with gaping potholes and other hazards. Even if cracks or gaps seem minor during summer and autumn, it's best to limit the number of places that water can sneak in. A little patch job now can save you big trouble later on.
4. Get your vendors and service contracts sorted out.
Vendor selection and service agreements are usually handled well before winter hits. If you wait too long, you may find that your facility is last in line when it comes to service. Don't get stuck waiting -- sort out your contracts for services like snow removal now, before you need them.
5. Buy some extra parts and repair supplies.
Imagine: A crucial asset goes down at the wrong time. The roads are covered in snow, and it's going to be a long time before a repair technician can come help you. If you're not able to perform an emergency repair yourself, you're going to be stuck for a while. Even if they're able to show up, they may not have all of the spare parts that your asset needs. Winter often means shipping delays, so it can be ages before your facility is fully up and running again. That's why it's a good idea to have a stash of spare parts and important repair supplies on hand. Along with extra cleaning supplies, emergency kits, and other essentials, you'll want to have the things you need in order to perform quick emergency repairs.
6. Do a deep clean.
While there's nothing winter-specific about giving your facility a thorough cleaning, there are a couple of reasons why you'll want to. For starters, it's highly likely that your employees will be too busy handling higher-priority tasks once winter is in full swing, so your facility may not be able to get deep cleaned until spring. Secondly, a deep cleaning now will probably uncover hidden issues that you'll want to fix before the cold weather hits.
7. Formulate a plan.
If a blizzard hits and the power goes out, what do you do? Who passes out emergency supplies? How do you keep your employees, tenants, and guests calm and comfortable until the danger passes? Don't wait for a disaster to strike before you have this all figured out. Have a plan in place, and clearly communicate that plan to your employees. Make sure everyone understands their role in an emergency situation. Dealing with a harsh winter is a matter of readiness. If you follow these tips, you can ensure that your facility and everyone in it is able to stay safe all season long.
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