Tips for Winterizing your Commercial building

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Protection Systems

• Sprinkler pipes: protect any sprinkler pipes that are exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees to protect from freezing.
• Antifreeze systems: have antifreeze systems been tested for adequate concentration in the past year?"

Building Interior

• Furnaces: inspect, tune-up, check filters, check venting and assure property clearances to combustibles.
• Space heaters: prohibit or minimize use and assure safe location and operation.
• Wood-burning stoves and chimneys: inspected for safe use.
• Interior pipes: protect from freezing. Be very careful if attempting to thaw a frozen pipe. Do NOT thaw frozen pipes with open flames or torches.
• Faucets: leave dripping during intense cold.
• Alarms: test all fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Smoking: it may be cold outside but do not allow smoking inside of your building.

Building Exterior

• Roof: inspect and repair. Seal around vents and other protrusions to prevent roof leaks.
• Gutters and downspouts: remove all obstructions and make sure they are properly secured.
• Exterior water lines: drain and winterize to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Drains: clear debris so that water drains away from your property.
• Basements: are you prepared for water backups?
• Trees: inspect trees near structures and walk areas and remove unsafe branches.