Building temperature should be monitored, documented, and maintained at 55° F or higher

• Shut off water in unoccupied or unheated buildings
• Drain all interior and exterior water lines, and leave faucets open
• Cover pipes with foam sleeves or fiberglass insulation, a minimum of 2 in (5.08 cm), the thicker the better, including in crawl spaces
• Monitor the temperature in buildings by installing thermometers in locations susceptible to freezing
• Use heating cables and tapes
• Install an additional source of heat in rooms that are consistently below the recommended temperature of 55 degrees
• Leave interior doors open to allow warmer room air to circulate
• Ensure all exterior openings are closed or sealed (cracks, windows, etc.), it is especially important to keep cold wind away from pipes, which speeds up the freezing process
• Leave faucets running, even at a trickle, to help prevent pipes from freezing
• Remove and store exterior hoses inside during cold weather
• Perform freeze protection inspections and be cognizant of shutdown procedures
• Have a contingency plan with contractors and suppliers
• Pre-emergency planning for fire, water damage, and snow removal should be established
• Boilers, furnaces, heaters, and flues should be serviced regularly
• 24 hour building surveillance
• Enforce a no smoking policy
• Safeguard flammable or combustible liquids

Water Supplies

• Tanks should not leak and pressure should be checked
• Water temperature should remain at 42°F or above
• Check fire hydrants for proper drainage by outside contractor or water department
• Buried sprinkler control valves and valve pits should be marked in the event of heavy snowfall
• Fire pump room should not drop below 70°F
• Post indicator valve, OS&Y valve, and test header to pump inspected regularly

Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems

• All areas of buildings with sprinkler systems should maintain a temperature of 40°F or above
• Cold weather valves should be closed while all others remain open
• Windows, skylights, and doors should be in good condition and sealed tightly
• Check temperatures with thermometer

Dry Pipe Systems

• Dry lines should be checked for proper drainage so trapped water doesn't cause breakage
• Check drains located in cold places for freezing
• Dry-valve clapper should be properly set with temperature maintained at 40°F or above
• Low air pressure alarms should be provided, calibrated and connected to constantly attended locations
• Low pressure switches should be set at 5 psi which is above trip point of dry pipe valve
• Air pressure checked regularly with records maintained to indicate normal pressure
• Air drying equipment available to supply air to system as designed

• a rapid freeze
• a rapid thaw

This rapid freeze and thaw cycling produce weighty snow/ice buildup that places excess stress on your roof. Flat roofs are especially prone to excessive accumulation and build up by the lack of natural grading, pitch and lack of runoff.

Maintain all roofs and keep current with repairs. Winter weather will only further damage any underlayment and the damaging effects of water infiltration will be costly and may cause business interruptions. Arrange to have all roofs cleared of snow especially where snow drifts are visible. Hire a competent contractor for this dangerous task. Request contractor to clear any and all roof drains to allow for runoff and limit ponding especially on flat or relatively shallow pitched roofs. Clear pathways to the eaves in situations where there is a pitched roof without drainage pipes.

Vacant, idle, or otherwise “unoccupied” buildings or large buildings with unused space (compartments, floors, rooms, or basements, etc.) present another set of hazards that an organization must consider for best practice winter weather controls.

• Maintain fire protection services including water based fire protection services (sprinklers) - consult your contractor to maintain these systems in service
• Maintain interior heat at 40°F or greater
• Maintain remote (electronic) monitoring of indoor temperatures
• Visit and survey daily to verify conditions of building or space
• Install water alarms to detect of release of water, burst pipe, etc.

• Close main water valves with potable/domestic water
• Contract a plumbing professional to drain all piping from water heaters, faucets, and supply piping
• Notify proper authorities when plans call for fire protection system (sprinkler) impairment