Winter not only brings shorter days and colder weather, but in many parts of the country, it can wreak havoc with buildings and property. Heavy snow loads can collapse roofs, and freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst, creating significant water damage inside a building. Winter weather also typically increases injury exposures to employees and patrons. Wet, snowy, and ice-covered walking surfaces brought about through winter storms are known to dramatically increase slip and fall accidents. However, taking the time to implement some basic risk management steps can prevent major damage to property, loss of business income, and significant injuries to employees and patrons.
The following are key areas to focus on to protect your property, your building, and the people who work and visit your facility:
When the weight of snow or ice exceeds the design loads, sagging and deflections to the roof can become permanent and, in extreme cases, can cause the roof to collapse. When it comes to snow load risks, the type of snow is just as important as the depth of the snow. Fresh "powder" type snow has less water content than wet, packed snow, and ice is heavier than all snow as it contains the most water. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a collapse "danger zone" may exist if the total amount of snow and/or ice exceeds 20-25 pounds per square foot (psf) and should be an indication to have the load removed. The following are the guidelines by IBHS for the estimated weight of snow:
It is also important to realize that roof equipment or roof projections over 2 feet tall can cause snow accumulation due to drifting, thus increasing the snow load to dangerous levels. Additionally, snow accumulation on your roof can produce dangerous snow loads if a taller building is adjacent to your building. The following are examples of properties that are particularly vulnerable to roof damage or roof collapse due to increased snow loads:
Before the onset of the winter weather season, building owners and operators should always ensure that their roof is in good repair. During periods of heavy snow or ice accumulation, it is critical that the roof is inspected for signs of deflection or overloading. If either of these exists, building owners and operators should immediately contact a professional contractor to safely remove the heavy snow or ice.
A frozen pipe can cause serious problems and lead to a costly property damage claim or even a business interruption claim. When pipes get too cold, the water inside freezes, expands, and then can burst. The damage resulting from a burst pipe can be catastrophic, causing flooding, ceiling collapse, plumbing problems, and mold issues. The best way to prevent pipes from freezing is by keeping the building at or above 65 degrees. The following are risk management strategies that can help prevent a pipe freeze event:
- Inspect the building to determine if additional insulation is needed. The following are common areas of a building that are the most susceptible to freezing:
- Inspect and test building systems to include:
- Protect fire suppression systems
Note: Fire protection systems depend on water's ability to freely flow when activated. Wet piping systems that are subject to cold temperatures must be sufficiently heated to prevent freezing; therefore, from a life safety perspective, it is imperative to properly maintain fire protection systems to ensure that they will work when needed.
- Other preventive maintenance tips
Slip and fall incidents are the most common injury in the workplace and remain among the most common injuries to patrons who enter your facility. During the winter seasons, slip and fall exposures significantly increase as wet, snowy, and icy conditions can make walking surfaces extremely slippery. During the cold-weather months, building owners and operators should take extra precautions to mitigate slip and fall exposures. The following are tips to reduce slip and fall incidents during the winter months:
- Property and Building Safety Tips
- Hazard Inspection Tips
- Employee Awareness Tips
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it is essential to be mindful of the increased exposure winter brings to your property, building, and the people who visit or work there. A modest investment in time and resources can prevent significant property losses, injuries to employees and patrons, and even significant business interruptions.
This article was created for educational purposes to share general information. Consult a licensed professional in your state when seeking advice. See your policy or agent to view your specific terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services, and programs.