How to Prevent Cold Weather Losses

Cold weather conditions can result in freeze-ups and water-line breaks, which may damage your facilities and cause disruptions to your operations.

Quickness counts. If you have a cold-weather situation or emergency, immediate action is most important to reduce the extent of damage and the length of a disruption to your department.

In the event of a loss, report any damage as soon as possible to the Risk Management office at http://www.yale.edu/finance/controller/riskman/forms.html.

Please call Peter LeMay at 2-6606 if you have any questions.

Risk Management has put together some helpful hints to allow all Yale staff to “weather” the chill:

• Make sure all windows are completely shut.

• Do not “prop” open outside doors.

• Check outside doors and windows often to make sure they remain tightly closed.

• Check around for locations where water supply lines are in unheated areas such as closets or storage areas; keep the inside doors to those areas open so the heat can get in.

• Keep thermostats at a consistent temperature day and night.

• Keep an eye on areas that have had problems in the past, as problems are likely to occur again:
o Move computers and valuables away from problem areas.
o Keep plastic tarps on hand.
o Have mops and buckets available.
o Keep important materials off of the floor.

• Establish a departmental freeze emergency plan:
o Keep a reliable watch when outside temperatures are below 20° F.
o Know where equipment and building shut-off valves are located.
o Have emergency numbers handy for Facilities, the Fire Marshal’s office, and key staff to notify in the event of a loss (see above).
o Have employees trained to respond by:
Contacting the Facilities Dept. or your Building Attendant
Protecting property from further damage
Knowing which shut-off valves control the sources of water
Having an awareness of potential problem areas