Preparing Your Facility For Harsh Winter Storms
Winter doesn't just bring slush and wet, gray weather. It's also the season for severe winter storms. It can be hard to prepare your facility for a blizzard, but doing so will save a lot of headaches later. Here are five tips to help you keep your guests, employees, and assets safe during the worst that winter has to offer:
1. Know what to expect, and when.
"Watch the weather channel and follow weather advisories" might seem like a no-brainer, but how well do you know what their storm terminology means? Being able to decode what the National Weather Service is saying can be a tremendous help when it comes to preparing for a potential emergency. The Red Cross uses specific definitions for this terminology. A "storm outlook" indicates that storm conditions may occur within the next 2-5 days or so. A "weather advisory" says to be on the lookout for significant disruptions at best, and hazards at worst. Road conditions may be slick, visibility may be poor, and delays should be expected. A "storm watch" indicates that a storm may be coming within the next 48 hours, and typically means a significant amount of snow, sleet, or ice. Lastly, a "storm warning" means that hazardous or potentially life-threatening storm conditions are already happening.
2. Figure out your specific risks.
Depending on where you live, severe winter weather might mean different things. People commonly joke that a few flurries can bring some states to a complete halt, while others keep going through three-foot drifts. While this is an exaggeration, it has a grain of truth -- different areas face different risks. You should know what risks you are most likely to face and prioritize your plans accordingly. When the National Weather Service detects a storm, there isn't a huge window of time in which to prepare. Devote more time and resources to the risks you're most likely to face.
3. Find your facility's vulnerabilities.
It would be great if HVAC systems operated with perfect efficiency, but this isn't possible. There will always be areas in every building that are colder or warmer than others. When it comes to blizzards, those cold areas can become dangerous. Find the cold spots in your buildings, and either move assets out of them or add supplemental heating. In the case of things like plumbing, add extra insulation and open up these areas as much as you can. This will allow them to benefit from the better-heated areas of the building, and keep pipes from freezing and exploding.
4. Prepare for power outages.
High winds and the weight of ice and snow can pull down power lines. If visibility is bad enough, it's also not uncommon for motorists to crash into poles, causing outages. This is inconvenient enough as it is, but, if your HVAC system depends on electricity, it can quickly become dangerous -- even deadly. It's a good idea to have a backup plan for power outages in general since they can happen at any time. Double-check and make sure that battery packs and cords are in good repair, computer data is properly backed up, emergency lighting works the way it should, and backup generators work. On top of that, you'll want to make sure you have supplemental heating, like chemical heat packs, emergency blankets, and space heaters that can plug into backup generators or portable power supplies.
5. Prepare your people.
If anyone can work from the safety of their homes, plan for them to do so. Even if your employees are safe within your facility, they may be in considerable danger during their commute back and forth. If your area declares an emergency, they also may not legally be able to be on the road in order to get to work. For employees who can't work from home, make sure they're equipped with all of the supplies and information they need. Show them how to operate backup generators and supplemental heat sources safely. If anyone has to work outside, make sure they have protective gear.
All employees should know how to recognize and respond to the signs of hypothermia or frostbite. Don't neglect company vehicles, either. If you have anyone who's going to be away from the facility, make sure they have access to emergency supplies. It's possible that they might become stranded, and emergency help can take a long time to get to them in the middle of a blizzard. Equip every vehicle in your fleet with an emergency kit designed to keep them fed, hydrated, warm, and in contact during severe weather. Include sand (or cat litter), blankets, a flashlight, bottled water, a tow rope, non-perishable food, hats, mittens, socks, and a snow shovel, on top of the tire iron, spare tire, and jumper cables that should already be in every vehicle.
Ideally, your facility should already be prepared for regular winter weather. When a severe storm hits, you have to go the extra mile to protect everyone and everything in your buildings. By staying on top of emerging weather conditions, assessing and prioritizing risk, and preparing accordingly, you can make sure your facility can weather anything.
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