WINTER WEATHER CHECKLIST – Be Prepared!

When preparing for a possible winter storm or freeze, use this checklist to minimize your facilities exposures. The following checklist is intended to provide you with the general information needed to plan and implement an adequate response to catastrophic winter weather exposures. The purpose of this form is to help protect lives, property, and other assets and to ensure a prompt and efficient transition from emergency operations back to normalcy. (This checklist provided courtesy of Philadelphia Insurance Company)

 

Actions to Take Prior to Freezing Temperatures/Winter Storms Checklist
General Precautions  
Review and implement a strategy to combat pipe freeze, breakage, and subsequent water damage Yes __ No __
Initiate a well-trained emergency response team and review annually to ensure duties are current Yes __ No __
Develop a list of phone numbers for emergency response contractors, and appoint someone to monitor weather reports Yes __ No __
Buildings Yes __ No __
Maintain indoor temperatures above 45° F in heated areas to prevent pipe freeze-ups. Install low temperature alarms at remote buildings  
Ensure windows, doors, and skylights are weather-tight Yes __ No __
Insulate walls and investigate concealed spaces for areas lacking insulation. Consider providing temporary interior openings to allow in heat Yes __ No __
Roofs Yes __ No __
Assess your roof’s capacity for excessive snow loads Yes __ No __
Institute a roof snow removal program for after a heavy snow to help reduce excessive snow loads and blocked roof drains from ice  
Ensure attics are fully insulated; maintain ventilation in attic spaces to control for ice dams Yes __ No __
Heating Systems Yes __ No __
Examine the entire heating system components (e.g. boilers, piping, burners, and controls) prior to the cold weather. Repair all deficiencies Yes __ No __
Schedule complete routine inspections for all space heaters to ensure safe operation Yes __ No __
Ensure adequate clearance is maintained between all heating equipment and combustible walls, floors, partitions, platforms, and stock  
Fire Protection Equipment/Domestic Water Lines Yes __ No __
Establish a procedure to ensure snow is routinely cleared away from hydrants, sprinkler control valves, smoke and heat vents, and other essential

equipment, and to make sure this equipment is easily accessible

Yes __ No __
Lubricate all sprinkler control valves and locks to permit ease of operation Yes __ No __
Label location of outside sprinkler control valves and hydrants for easy visibility Yes __ No __
Convert any wet pipe systems in unheated areas to dry or anti-freeze systems Yes __ No __

 

 

 

Pre-Storm Precautions Checklist
For dry systems: maintain all dry valve rooms above 45°F, insulate enclosure or provide portable heaters if necessary. Check pitch of piping and drain all low points and auxiliary drains Yes __ No __
Make sure fire pump room is properly heated and the system is operational Yes __ No __
Inspect all gravity tanks for leaks (ice accumulation can create risk of collapse) Yes __ No __
Shut and drain “close-in-winter” systems or convert to anti-freeze systems Yes __ No __
Check the specific gravity of all existing anti-freeze systems to see if more concentrate is needed Yes __ No __
All wet pipe standpipe systems with piping located in areas subject to freezing should be heated, insulated, and monitored for temperature Yes __ No __
Connections to all water flow alarms should be properly drained to prevent freezing Yes __ No __
Use a fire protection impairment kit when shutting off fire protection systems for maintenance Yes __ No __
Insulate water supply, drain, and condensate lines susceptible to freezing (near doorways, uninsulated outside walls, or adjacent to open

windows) or provide UL listed heat trace insulate

Yes __ No __
Remove all hoses from outside water faucets and install “frost-proof” self-draining type faucets or isolated indoors and opened to drain Yes __ No __
Miscellaneous Maintenance  
Provide adequate heat for water-cooled equipment Yes __ No __
Use lubricants on low-temperature applications in equipment such as pumps, blowers, and compressors in areas subjected to freezing temperatures Yes __ No __
Remove water from oil coolers and water jackets, and drain condensers of chilling units for air conditioning Yes __ No __
Check pressure vessel vents, relief valves, and safety valves to assure moving parts are functional Yes __ No __
Construct wind breaks for piping and instruments subjected to low wind chills Yes __ No __
Verify adequate fuel supplies in the event of a large storm, particularly with oil-fired equipment and for emergency generators Yes __ No __
Contact manufacturers and contractors of critical machinery to establish a contract for priority support with backups Yes __ No __
Install water detection devices and/or water flow monitoring systems to quickly identify water leakage Yes __ No __
Actions to Take Following Freezing Temperatures/Winter Storms Yes __ No __
Initiate salvage activities immediately, including: Yes __ No __
Secure site (remove high value or water sensitive items) and assess damage (take photos and video) Yes __ No __
Implement the action plan for the storm emergency team Yes __ No __
Institute the emergency repair program with utility contractors after loss of electric or gas power, telephone services, or public water supply Yes __ No __
Return all fire protection systems to service as soon as possible Yes __ No __
Contact your insurance agent to report any claims Yes __ No __