Preparing for Winter Weather

Communications Plan

• Keep a current staff contact list for emergencies and send snow day procedure reminders to parents and staff. Verify that student contact information is complete and accurate.
• Post timely announcements on the district website and on other district social media platforms or communication tools.
• Post reminders that staff should report downed power lines and broken gas mains to the authorities immediately.

• Identify on-call staff for emergencies or specific weather-triggering events such as temperature or flood exposures.
• Promptly contact the Risk Co-Op to report any weather-related damage claims.

Tree Inspections

• Conduct tree inspections, specifically looking for damaged branches, tree rot and dead trees, and remove any trees and damaged limbs immediately to prevent injuries from falling branches and limbs.

Transportation

• All district-owned vehicles should contain emergency supplies such as first aid kits, etc.
• Review new bus routes and assign alternate routes for safety, if needed. Use alternate routes if hazardous conditions are present.
• Review hazardous routes with all substitute drivers.
• Remind bus drivers not to allow students off the bus if there is any question about their ability to reach their home safely, or if the bus route cannot be completed. If these conditions are present, instruct the bus drivers to return students to their school.
• Remind students to use extra caution when boarding the bus, crossing streets, and walking down the side of the road during icy and snowy conditions.

Maintenance

• Monitor and maintain building temperatures at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during periods freezing weather. Open attic hatches and air vents to help disperse heat.
• Inspect existing pipe insulation/winterization for cracks, separation, or deterioration and repair accordingly.
• Per manufacturer’s recommendations, winterize your heating systems, sprinkler systems, air conditioning equipment, pressure vessel vents, relief valves, and other mechanical equipment to prevent freezing damage.
• Protect water-based fire extinguishing equipment from freezing, including all types of wet automatic sprinkler systems. Drain condensation from low points.

• Inspect and winterize dry automatic sprinkler systems.
• Insulate water pipes to prevent freezing. Drain water lines if they cannot be protected. Give special attention to areas that are likely to freeze first, such as entryways, remote stairs, towers, and concealed spaces.
• Perform storm drain inspections.
• Inspect all roofs, drains, gutters, and downspouts; clear and repair them as needed. Make sure the roof can handle heavy snow accumulation. Have a contractor on call to remove snow off roofs and clear driveways and parking lots.
• Ensure that building staff shovel, sand, or salt exterior stairs and paths to clear ice and snow. Be careful not to create slipping hazards by stacking snow in locations relative to walkways where runoff could freeze, causing slippery conditions.

Gates at Parking Lots & Driveways

• Secure and lock gates in either the open or closed position to minimize them from swinging and potentially causing injury or property damage.
• Chains across driveways should be well marked and highly visible to drivers and not pose a tripping hazard to pedestrians. Placing a “closed gate” sign, painting the chain in a highly visible color, or attaching fluorescent caution tape to the chain helps drivers and pedestrians easily see the chains across driveways.

Holiday Decorations & Lights

• Remove holiday trees and wreaths before leaving for winter break.

• Unplug holiday lights, extension cords, and power strips.
• Remove holiday decorations and any combustible materials that may pose a fire risk.
• Unplug personal electrical space heaters and any other personal appliances.

• Winter Weather Planning Before Cold Weather Checklist Addresses preventative measures to prepare your facilities before winter arrives. This checklist outlines mitigation methods to address roof inspection and repair, gutter and downspout cleaning, tree inspection, snow removal, heat system management, rooftop units and equipment protection, water supply and sprinkler system drainage.
  

• Winter Weather Planning During Cold Weather Checklist Addresses crucial elements to proactively monitor and implement your winter weather practices. This checklist specifies measures to maintain regular monitoring of building temperatures, activating snow/watch removal crew for roof, drains, and sidewalks, and inspections of mechanical equipment including fire protection, and wet-pipe and dry-pipe sprinkler systems.
  
• Winter Weather Planning After Cold Weather Checklist Addresses essential post-cold weather review and maintenance of your facilities. This checklist highlights active assessment of roofs, surveillance of water system lines, maintenance of mechanical equipment including fire protection, and wet-pipe and dry-pipe sprinkler systems.