For facility managers, the best time to address snow and ice is before the first storm appears in the forecast. A clear pre-season plan gives your team and snow contractor time to review the property, identify problem areas, establish priorities, and prepare for different storm conditions.
The final 30 days before snow season are especially important. Use this period to confirm that your commercial snow management plan accounts for how your property operates and what needs to happen before, during, and after each storm.
30 Days Out: Walk the Property and Identify Risk Areas
Start with a complete site walk with your snow management provider. The goal is to identify areas that could create safety, access, or operational problems once snow begins to accumulate.
Pay close attention to:
- Main entrances and pedestrian walkways
- Parking lots and parking structures
- Loading docks and delivery areas
- Fire lanes and emergency access routes
- Drainage areas
- Sloped pavement and shaded areas prone to ice
- High-traffic areas that require additional attention
Facility managers should also identify any pavement damage, raised concrete, drainage problems, or other existing conditions crews need to know about.
A documented site assessment gives the snow team a clear understanding of the property before conditions become difficult to see beneath accumulated snow and ice.
21 Days Out: Establish Your Commercial Snow Management Priorities
Every property operates differently. A healthcare facility may need continuous access to emergency entrances, while an office property may prioritize employee parking and main walkways before the morning rush.
Your commercial snow management plan should establish which areas are serviced first and how the property needs to function throughout a storm.
Review expected operating hours, peak traffic periods, tenant needs, delivery schedules, emergency routes, and any areas that require a low tolerance for snow or ice.
This is also the time to confirm snow storage locations. Snow piles placed in the wrong areas can reduce parking capacity, block visibility, interfere with drainage, or create problems as melting and refreezing occur.
14 Days Out: Confirm Communication and Documentation
During a winter storm, facility managers should know what is happening on their property without having to repeatedly request updates.
Establish the communication process before the season begins. Confirm who your primary contact will be, how storm updates will be delivered, and who should be contacted if conditions change at the property.
Documentation should also be part of the plan. Service records, site photos, weather information, and pre- and post-storm assessments can provide a clearer record of property conditions and completed work.
DCPS uses storm monitoring, photo reports, pre- and post-storm assessments, quality control measures, and time-stamped communication as part of its snow planning and risk management process.
7 Days Out: Review the Final Site Plan
One week before your snow plan goes into effect, complete a final review with your provider.
Confirm plowing routes, snow storage locations, priority areas, de-icing expectations, property access instructions, and areas that require special attention. Any recent construction, pavement repairs, tenant changes, or access changes should be communicated before crews arrive.
Your snow contractor should have enough information to understand how the site needs to be serviced without making those decisions for the first time during a storm.
Build Your Snow Plan Before the First Storm
Effective commercial snow management starts long before snow reaches the pavement. The work completed during the final 30 days gives facility managers and snow crews a shared plan for keeping parking lots, walkways, entrances, and other critical areas accessible throughout winter.
DCPS provides commercial snow removal, de-icing, ice abatement, planning, risk assessment, and snow hauling for commercial properties across Colorado. Our team develops site-specific snow plans based on property conditions, traffic patterns, operating requirements, and safety priorities.
Contact DCPS today to schedule a property assessment and prepare your facility for the upcoming snow season.