As the cold winter months approach, it’s crucial to make sure your commercial and industrial properties are prepared. Freezing temperatures, fierce winds, or heavy rain and snow can collapse roofs, rupture pipes, cause flooding, and bring business operations to a halt. Even a minor freeze-up can interrupt production and prove costly. 

When it comes to keeping a business running even in cold snaps, planning is key. In this article, we go through a checklist of measures to take before, during and after cold weather to maintain a warm working environment.

Getting ready for cold weather

There are a number of preventative measures you can take to help prepare your property for colder environments:

• Check that heating systems work and set them to maintain a minimum temperature of 4°C. You may even want to look for a temperature-controlled warehouse to maximise reliability.
• To keep a constant check on the temperature, place thermometers in hard-to-heat areas, as well as those housing vulnerable equipment (e.g., near sprinkler systems).
• Provide adequate and safe additional emergency heating equipment in areas prone to freezing. Set them to activate automatically when temperatures fall below 4°C.
• Check roofs, gutters, and drains to make sure they’re in good working condition and free of debris.
• Consider consulting with neighbours if there are shared gutters, drains, roofs, or circulation spaces to ensure the whole site is properly protected.
• Appoint a dedicated individual or team to monitor weather forecasts.
• Set up a plan to routinely record temperatures, including at night and on weekends. An alarm system or sensors can assist in continuous monitoring.
• Gather cold-weather emergency supplies:
• Salt, shovels, wheelbarrows, and snow blowers
• Antifreeze supplies for cooling systems
• Steam hoses for thawing frozen lines
• Extra tarpaulins for windbreaks
• Portable heaters (make sure they have appropriate safety interlocks)
• Warm work clothing and hand protection for maintenance and operating crews
• Keep all fire protection-related equipment (e.g., hydrants, hose houses, pumper connections, sprinkler control valves) free of snow and ice for easy access.

With a rented property, the property manager will be able to tell you whether the landlord is taking preventative steps to prevent you from having to work in cold conditions. Your lease will also specify what maintenance and repairs you are responsible for, in the event of weather-related emergencies.

Avoiding roof damage from snow

• Snow can build up on roofs, eventually leading to collapse or water leaks. In preparation for a storm or snowy period, check the estimations for snowfall.  
• Have an adequate number of roof drains, and ensure they are kept open and free of ice.
• Once snowy or stormy weather has passed, check your roof and drains to see if any repairs are necessary.

Keeping boilers and equipment operational in cold weather

Essential heating equipment can struggle or even break down in frosty environments, so make sure to know the risks.

• To ensure that your boiler can keep going in cold weather, make sure it has had its annual check before freezing temperatures start. Ensure someone at your business is familiar with the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and winter safety precautions.
• Perform regular cold weather-maintenance and have an emergency plan.
• Drain water-cooled equipment that is unprotected from cold.
• Completely drain any idle equipment like boilers and air conditioners. Residual water in equipment can freeze, particularly on machinery not protected from the cold. Be sure to regularly drain condensed moisture from compressed air lines.
• Cold weather can impact machinery’s ability to produce steam. Prioritise keeping such equipment warm. You may even need to consider prioritising more essential functions.

Watch out for frozen pipes

If you notice no water flowing from a faucet or frost or bulges appearing on a pipe’s exterior, you may have a problem with frozen piping. Luckily, this doesn’t automatically spell disaster. Prompt action can avert a burst pipe and safeguard your materials and equipment. 

If you find a pipe that’s frozen yet intact, follow these measures immediately to prevent it from bursting and protect your possessions:

• Turn off the stopcock.
• Remove any furniture or equipment in the area that may get damaged by any leaking or escaping water.
• Open a faucet closest to the area and begin gently warming the pipe with a hairdryer or hot water bottle, starting from the end closest to the tap and working away from the faucet.
• Check both wet-and dry-pipe sprinkler systems regularly to make sure they are ice-free.

Remember, significant frost damage can require expensive repairs. Depending on the commercial lease you have for your property, you may be responsible for these costs. With this in mind, you must be sure to contact your property manager to discuss frost protection and repairs in plenty of time.

Protecting a cold property when it’s empty

If you’re going to leave your property vacant for an extended period of time over the winter months, it’s important to consider the following:

• Don’t turn off the heating! Leave it on low at around 4°C.
• Close all openings, especially doors and windows.
• Have someone keep an eye on your property on a weekly basis. If there are any on-site personnel, make sure they know how to implement the cold weather emergency plan.
• Drain all equipment that carries water or is susceptible to condensation or freezing. Add antifreeze to any equipment that cannot be drained.
• Consider installing a supervised alarm system to monitor power supplies, building and exposed water-storage tank temperatures, and boilers.

Help to keep your property running in cold weather

Are you looking for commercial properties covered by expert property managers? Mileway renters enjoy both client and asset management services. We work with third-party companies to ensure you have access to the expertise and local contacts to help sustain operations year-round.

Contact the Mileway team to find out more about our UK portfolio.

FAQ

Is working in a cold environment bad for you?

Working in cold environments can indeed be bad for you. As well as causing cold stress symptoms, it can also lead to fatigue or even hypothermia. It can also make it difficult to perform physical work, especially tasks that require manual handling. 

Does the warehouse I work in have to be warm?

In the UK, there is no legal requirement for a warehouse to be warm. However, employers must keep the warehouse at a comfortable temperature to satisfy health and safety laws.

What is the legal cold limit for work?

For physical work, the official recommended minimum temperature from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is 13ºC (for strenuous activity) or 16ºC. 

There are no legally defined minimum or maximum working temperatures in the UK. However, employers are expected to make working conditions reasonably comfortable.