Although the first day of winter isn’t for a few weeks (Friday, December 21), you just never know when winter weather will appear.
As a commercial business owner – even in the coldest weather or harshest snowfall – your facility must be:
- Comfortable
- Accessible
- Safe
- Secure
If it isn’t, you risk losing customers. In the worst case scenario, you could be subject to a lawsuit should anyone become injured on your property during winter.
So when Old Man Winter does his worst, ensure your commercial building is at its best with these tips.
Doors
In winter, your commercial doors and frames are going to be busy. Not only will they be opened and closed on a regular basis, they also have to deal with the following winter elements:
- Snow
- Ice
- Cold temperatures
- Wind
If your doors aren’t in tip-top shape, they’ll allow cold winter air from the outside to enter your building, which can increase your monthly energy bills.
In addition, they won’t be as safe and secure as you want them to be.
Here’s what you should do.
- Replace Old Weatherstripping: Installing new weatherstripping will keep cold air out and warm air in. It also helps your commercial doors shut more tightly.
- Test the Locks & Hardware: If you have commercial locks & hardware that sticks or is hard to operate, it could be one of two things. The commercial door lock needs replacing or the door itself has become warped, thus making the locks and hardware ineffective.
- Look at the Frames: Are the frames warped, cracked, or old? Damaged frames are a prime entry point for would-be thieves to target.
- Caulk any Gaps: If there are any gaps around the outside of your door, fill them up with commercial grade, super strength caulking.
Windows
Even though you won’t be opening your commercial windows much (if at all) during winter, you still want to make certain they’re safe and secure.
Just like the doors listed earlier in this blog, you’ll want to keep cold drafts and potential burglars out.
Feel for any drafts around your windows. If there are any, you’ll want to seal them quickly with weatherstripping and caulking.
You also want to test the operating mechanisms of your windows to ensure they work properly. In particular:
- CRANKS: When you turn window cranks, is it easy? Or is it a struggle to fully crank it open/closed?
- HANDLES: Do the handles stick? Do you have to really exert yourself to lift or pull them?
- LATCHES: When latches are engaged, do they close all the way, or leave a little gap? Is it easy or hard to open them?
- SASHES: When lifting or sliding a window sash, does it slide freely or does it get jammed or stuck halfway?
If it’s a struggle to open and close your windows, it’s more than likely they won’t shut properly; even if they appear to do so.
That means:
- Warm air gets out
- Cold air gets in
- Energy bills get higher
- Burglars can get in
Make a snow removal plan
Whether you’re planning on hiring a snow removal contractor or doing it yourself, make sure you have a plan in place to cover:
- WHEN to remove snow?
- HOW to remove it?
- WHO will remove it?
- WHERE will it go?
Many cities have local by-laws which govern snow removal. For example, in Hamilton, business property owners must:
- Clear snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their commercial location within 24 hours of a snowfall.
- Clear snow and ice that builds up on roofs or eaves which overhang a city sidewalk.
- Keep snow and ice away from a fire hydrant, sewer drain, or off of roads/streets surrounding the business location.
Meanwhile in Waterloo, the fines for failing to remove snow are quite severe:
- FIRST CONVICTION: Fines range from $250 to $100,000.
- SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS: Daily fines up to $10,000.
In short, if you don’t remove snow and ice in a timely and responsible manner, you could end up paying dearly for it.
Re-evaluate your commercial access control
Depending on the nature of your business, it may become incredibly busy in winter due to the Christmas shopping season.
Commercial access control gives you greater protection over who enters your commercial location and where they go.
For example, you can use swipe cards to limit where seasonal workers can go. Or install key code access to separate areas of your business.
The point it, when the Christmas season hits, you’ll be dealing with an influx of customers. The last thing on your mind is boosting commercial access for your business.
That’s why you should take care of it now, while it’s still relatively quiet.
Have us help your business this winter
While we can’t help with snow removal, we can help with the other items featured in this blog.
We can secure your windows and doors for you. We can install a custom commercial access control solution for you.
In fact, we can also perform a detailed security consultation for your business.
Don’t wait for winter to arrive. Get an early start by contacting us with your questions or comments about any of our products or services.
