With businesses turning the heating down or off to keep their energy costs down, Allianz Commercial is sharing tips on how to prevent water pipes and storage tanks from freezing and bursting during the winter months.
Along with leaks and flooding, burst pipes are a common cause of water damage.
Although businesses get a discount this winter on gas and electricity unit prices, those prices are still double what they were in
In this context, some pubs have considered closing for the cold season, while other businesses are looking at their heating costs. These steps come with some risks that need to be mitigated.
To stop pipes from freezing, businesses should consider:
Lagging their pipes or having low-level heating near exposed pipework and tanks; keeping the thermostat at 12-degreeC or 13-degreeC maintains a consistent heat level that stops pipes from getting too cold
Ensuring a frost stat is fitted in areas vulnerable to freezing temperatures
Shutting and draining the water system in unused areas but keeping sprinkler systems active and suitably protected from freezing
Following manufacturer guidelines for shutting down and restarting the heating
While some businesses might contemplate alternative means of heating, they should avoid portable heating, wood burning stoves, waste oil heaters or other appliances which can create increased fire hazards. In the first instance, it's important to discuss the options with their broker or insurer.
If they decide on alternative heating, these should be fixed, purpose-designed systems, installed and maintained by a competent person and operated according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
All heating appliances should be positioned clear of combustible materials. Surplus fuel supplies should be stored separately, spillage controls in place and refuelling and cleaning carried out according to manufacturer guidelines.
stuart dawes
Further risk management advice is available in the Allianz Business Resilience Guide.
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