How To Plan For Commercial Snow & Ice Removal

A well-developed snow and ice removal plan is essential to maintaining the safety, accessibility and profitability of retail shopping centers, corporate office buildings, industrial properties, healthcare facilities and other large commercial complexes. 

The most effective snow and ice management plans are proactively established before the arrival of winter storms.  Failure to prepare in advance for commercial snow clearing services could have devastating consequences including lost productivity, lost customers, lost revenue and increased liability due to slips, falls and automobile accidents.

The following Top Five Considerations for Developing a Commercial Snow and Ice Management Plan offer simple, step-by-step guidelines to help commercial facilities prepare for the winter weather.

 Snow Plowing vs. Snow and Ice Management

The real concern for large commercial facilities is not simply moving snow, but controlling safety and accessibility. This involves significant advanced preparation in order to determine the need for melting agents, evaluate which plowing equipment is best suited for a facility’s needs, designate an area for snow relocation and prioritize which areas should be cleared first for maximum accessibility.  Snow and ice management also involves monitoring storms in advance to ensure that facilities are adequately prepared for oncoming weather.

 Commercial Snow Clearing Equipment

Another area of concern for commercial facilities is the sophistication of snow plowing equipment.  For larger facilities, it is important to choose a snow and ice management firm that has adequate equipment to support snow and ice clearing for all parking areas, access roads, walkways and entrances.  The right equipment will not only provide snow and ice removal in the most cost effective manner possible, but will also prevent damage to parking areas and vehicles.

 Versatile Snow and Ice Clearing Methods

By planning a multifaceted approach to snow and ice clearing, commercial facilities will be able to maintain maximum accessibility and safety.  It is most advantageous to use separate crews for sidewalks and snow plowing, as it provides a more efficient service and allows for the use of high-tech snow blowers and deicing products. 

Site Preparation and Storm Monitoring

It is absolutely critical to meet with a snow and ice clearing firm before the winter season to address the details of which areas will be cleared, what melting agents will be used and how ongoing snow and ice clearing will be handled for optimum accessibility.

In addition to being prepared to handle a particular site, a proactive snow and ice management provider utilizes advanced storm watch technology in order to monitor a developing storm days before the event occurs.  By maintaining up-to-the-minute weather forecasts, a provider will be much more prepared to spring into action once the need arises.

 Provider Availability and Capabilities

Adequate experience, availability and capacity are vital characteristics of a commercial snow removal services provider.  Asking the following five questions can help to determine whether or not a firm is capable of providing the level of service required.

1. What is your service area?  For retail stores and other commercial facilities that have nationwide locations, it is essential to choose a firm that can service every site.  This will result in the most effective service and eliminate the hassle of working with multiple providers.

2. When can you be reached? An effective snow and ice management firm offers 24/7 availability to offer you worry-free account management.  

3. How many total commercial properties do you service?  The number of properties currently serviced will give you an idea of the firm’s capabilities.  It is also important to find out how many total properties can be serviced, in order to determine whether the firm is poised and ready for growth.

4. How long have you been in business?  The more experience, the better!  The longer the firm has been providing commercial snow and ice clearing services, the more that firm will be outfitted to handle the specific challenges presented by each unique commercial facility.

5. Who are some of your current customers? A snow and ice management firm that already services large commercial facilities has proven its ability to take on the task successfully, and to earn the trust of reputable corporations.

Corporate and retail facilities with a predetermined snow and ice management plan are able to operate smoothly while others are busy trying to recover from the storm.  For more information on developing a commercial snow and ice clearing plan, please visit http://www.lipinskiland.com or call Lipinski Outdoor Services at 800-644-6035.

About the Author

Founded in 1976, Lipinski Outdoor Services offers a full spectrum of exterior facility maintenance services to more than 2,200 client sites in over 25 states nationwide. Today, Lipinski is nationally recognized as a leader in commercial snow and ice removal, commercial landscape maintenance, parking area maintenance, and commercial pressure washing services. For more information visit http://www.lipinskiland.com

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