Key precautions to reduce the risk of property damage this winter

This winter freezing weather is almost certain to be the cause of property damage. While many events won’t cause major losses, there will be smaller incidents that bring about business disruption resulting in time and money losses for numerous organisations throughout the UK.

Given that in many cases these disruptive incidents can be avoided, Zurich Municipal is keen to help customers take precautions to minimise the risk of damage against their properties this winter. Below you’ll find a list of simple and practical steps you can follow to reduce the risk of property damage and business disruption this winter.

• Heating systems, particularly boilers, should be inspected and maintained under a full maintenance contract.
• Frost thermostats should be fitted to ensure that boilers and heating systems automatically come on in cold periods.
• Heating systems should be left on to ensure the ambient temperature of the building is high enough to prevent the possibility of water pipes freezing.
• Inspections should be made to ensure that pipes and water tanks are adequately lagged. Particular attention should be given to roof spaces and areas where pipework could be exposed to low temperatures.
• Roof spaces should be inspected to ensure insulation materials are in good condition and correctly installed.
• Ensure that automatic sprinkler systems are fully maintained and that alternate systems are switched to air during winter months.
• Ensure that heating is provided in the sprinkler valve room.
• All water pipes, tanks and heating systems in unoccupied buildings should be drained and water supplies disconnected. Regular inspections should also be made to ensure the buildings are in good order. 
• Any external water taps should be protected with insulation to protect them from frost.
• Ensure plans of the building which highlight the location of stopcocks should be available, so water can be quickly turned off in an emergency.
• Implement maintenance contracts to ensure that gutters are cleared of fallen leaves and debris. This will reduce the risk of blockages and subsequent overflowing of water into the building.
• Roofs, ridge tiles and chimneys should be inspected to ensure they are in a good state of repair to withstand the rain, snow and high winds of winter.

We hope you find these key precautions of benefit to you and your organisation.