Preparing for Arctic Freeze & Winter Storms
Before the heavy snow warnings are broadcast and the frigid blasts of arctic weather arrive, it’s important to prepare your facility and your employees. Preparations now can save costly damage to equipment and facilities and maintain important fire and life safety systems.
Loss Data
A study by property insurer FM Global1 for the period 1984 through 1995 revealed over 3500 freeze-related insurance claims. Of these incidents, 42% were due to sprinkler leakage, which accounted for 17% of the gross dollar loss estimate. Process equipment breakdown due to freezing accounted for 10% of the incidents but 26% of the gross dollars. FM Global’s analysis revealed a pattern of freezing over the Christmas holidays when planned reductions in production, shutdowns, and vacations occur. Idle facilities contributed to reduced space heating, reduced or no heat in production equipment, and few or no people to monitor temperature and respond to freeze conditions.
See Preparing for Arctic Freeze & Winter Storms.
Tags: arctic freeze, freezing, storm, winter damage
