Where we live, we’re still enjoying autumn weather, but winter is just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare your facility to withstand the brunt of winter weather and help ensure smooth operations until spring.
First, determine the supplies you’ll need for winter, order everything, and store them safely. These might include:
- Kerosene for heat-sync devices
- Fuel for generators HERE’S WHAT WE CAN DO
- De-ice materials for walkways and other areas
- Absorbent for use in spills as well as slippery wet conditions
- Non-slip material for ramps and other walking surfaces
- Wrapping material for pipes
You’ll also need to get your buildings ready to weather whatever winter has in store. For example:
- Make sure all buildings are weather-tight. Seal any gaps or openings in doors, windows, walls, ceilings, roofs or floors as much as possible.
- Wrap any vulnerable pipes, and don’t overlook those in concealed spaces. Test all piping heat-trace.
- Confirm that electricity is hooked up to emergency eyewash/shower stations and that pipes are wrapped and prepared for cold. It’s vital that these remain fully functional during the winter months.
- Arrange for inspections of your heating system, generators, and roof to make sure they’re in good order before winter hits. That gives you time to get any necessary repairs made, too.
- Verify that all roof drains, drain pipes, gutters, and scuppers are free of debris and draining easily.
- Check all interior and exterior lighting, and also update automatic timers to align with the time change.
With some thought, planning, and preparation, your plant will be ready to withstand the cold and wet of a southern winter. Taking steps like these will help ensure that your winter operations will run as smoothly as possible, no matter what the weather. Need some advice to be winter-ready? Give us a call at 800-399-2783.