by Shane Henson — June 15, 2012—The best defense against any type of strong storm can be a plan and the means to be prepared. To help facilities managers of commercial buildings keep employees and visitors safe, RoofConnect, reportedly the largest national commercial roofing service provider in the country, has released its 2012 Tropical Storm and Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Commercial Roofs.
According to RoofConnect, actions to take well before a storm include:
- Perform your roof’s annual maintenance if you have not done so already.
- Create a proper plan to meet specific needs at each building site by working with a company such as RoofConnect.
- Train property management staff now; educating during a hurricane warning can be stressful.
- Take photographs or video of all establishments inside and out, from all angles. This will help to substantiate insurance claims later.
- Have RoofConnect or facilities maintenance crews regularly clean drains, gutters and downspouts of all buildings.
- Verify that all permanent rooftop equipment is secure. Improperly secured machinery can cause membrane separation and leaks.
- Determine and acquire emergency equipment and supplies to have on hand in the event of a storm (e.g., heavy plastic sheeting, tie-downs for sheeting and rooftop equipment, duct tape, masking tape, sandbags, emergency generator, storm shutters, large pieces of plywood, hand tools and other essential items).
- Create a proper plan to meet specific needs at each building site by working with a company such as RoofConnect.
When a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued, RoofConnect advises to:
- Check and secure equipment on rooftops. HVAC equipment, ventilation piping, exhaust fans and vents must be secured to the roof as these things can become missiles.
- Remove loose objects, loose gravel and debris from the roof.
- Bring in signage and other objects usually left outside.
- Remove antennas and outdoor signs, especially those that swing or are portable.
- Close all doors and secure all windows. RoofConnect says a Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues study found that a surprising number of roof failures were due to doors and windows that had been left open or shattered. When high speed winds enter buildings through these spaces, roofs can be compromised.
- Remove loose objects, loose gravel and debris from the roof.
