Get Ahead of Winter Snow Removal

Winter is just around the corner, the first storm can bring operations to a halt. Start preparing now so you're not caught off guard.

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Steps to prepare your facility for snow removal:

• Evaluate your property's needs

• Determine the scope of snow removal service

• Request & review proposals

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Evaluate your needs to determine scope

Each property has different snow removal needs based on purpose and hours of operation. Are you an office park that will send people home and close around a snowstorm? As opposed to healthcare operations that must be open and have safe access to the building 24/7 no matter the weather conditions. By prioritizing protecting people first, property second you ll create a successful strategy.

Things to consider in determining your needs:

• Hours of operation?

• Number of staff and visitors on site during bad weather

• Times of the day or night people will be coming or going

• Access needed by emergency vehicles?

• Fire lanes need prioritized service.

• Which entrances will be used

• Parking lots and sidewalks that will be prioritized

• Will staff be used for snow removal or only contractors?

• Does the property need to be kept clear during a storm or only after?

• Will an area need to be set aside to store equipment or ice melt?

Check with your facilities department. They can offer valuable insights to help avoid trouble areas or building features that require special attention. Such as loading docks, ambulance bays, helicopter pads. Once these points are clearly understood, set the scope you are requesting from your snow removal contractor.

Step one is once a storm is predicted or begins, determine when services need to begin. Many companies have a 2-3" accumulation trigger for the first plow clearing. Using a site map of the property, prioritize areas for clearing; this is essential if a storm becomes severe and helps identify the most important areas to keep clear. Main entrances, emergency exits, and mechanical rooms will need to be accessible.

Step two is outline actions to be taken at the end of the storm event. Parking spaces may need to be cleared as vehicles come and go. Fire hydrants, sprinkler connections, and trash enclosures need to be prioritized to resume normal building services. Walkways could need continued ice melt applications, especially at night due to freezing temperatures. Pushed snow piles may need to be relocated to other areas of the site or removed completely.

Areas requiring special attention

• Front entrance

• Accessible parking spaces

• Emergency exits

• Fire hydrants, fire department connections

• Mechanical rooms

• Parking garage ramps

Using all of these points, create a brief scope of service to request from your contractor. This will help them understand your needs and the extent of service needed. In some cases, this scope of service can even become part of the final snow removal contract.

Request & Review proposals

Now with your scope of service in hand, reach out to local snow removal companies and request proposals. Remember to ask the contractor about extra charges that may be incurred during heavy ice or snow events.

When proposals come in, evaluate cost and how closely they are able to meet your scope of requested services. Ask contractors for references and speak with current and past customers. Ensure that the contractor's certificate of insurance lists your property as additional insured and meets your needs in the event of an incident. Once you have chosen a proposal that meets your needs, reach out to the contractor for signing of the contract.

Clear communication as a storm approaches and during the event will give you peace of mind and aid the contractor in providing effective service to maintain safety and operations at the site.

Now you're well prepared for the season's start when the first storm arrives.

How are you handling your snow removal?

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