Commercial snow and ice management are among the most important property maintenance services for buildings located in colder parts of the nation. For example, Denver’s winters are cold, snowy and icy, with especially heavy snowfall between November and February. With a total snowy period that lasts for half of the year, it’s easy to understand that good snow and ice management is vital for commercial properties around Colorado.
What Is Commercial Snow and Ice Management?
Commercial snow and ice management services safely clear snow and remove ice from around a property. This allows a business to remain open and fully functioning during inclement weather.
Services typically include:
- Snow removal using the most suitable equipment operated by trained technicians
- Appropriate placement of snow piles
- De-icing measures that use a combination of technology and melting agents
- Sweeping of snow debris
Why Is Commercial Snow and Ice Management Important?
Keeping your commercial premises clear from snow and ice is important for several major reasons:
Legal Compliance
Under Colorado’s Premises Liability law, commercial property managers have a legal duty to make their grounds safe for pedestrians and vehicles. This includes clearing snow shortly after snowfall and removing ice during freezing conditions. Legislation also covers how you must dispose of snow.
Accessibility
Clearing snow and ice in a timely manner from parking lots, walkways and entrances allows people to maintain access to your property at necessary times. Staff members can arrive at work as expected, deliveries aren’t impeded and customers don’t have problems visiting your business. Additionally, customers are naturally inclined to take their business to places that are the most convenient or easy to access. A U.S study found that 40% of motorist avoid driving to business where parking and accessibility is challenging. In short, correct snow and ice management allows operations to continue as normal during the wintertime.
Personal Safety
Snow and ice can present a number of hazards. One of the greatest risks to people during wintry conditions is slipping on slick surfaces. There’s also a greater risk of vehicles sliding, which can potentially injure vehicle occupants and pedestrians. If staff members incur injuries, this can impact your workforce.
Property Safety
Vehicles that lose control in icy surfaces can damage company or customer property, such as vehicles, signage and the building itself. Excessive ice can cause cracks in walkways, road surfaces, and similar. Snow melt can block drains and lead to flooding. In severe situations, snow melt can even affect the structural soundness of a building by causing cracks in the foundations.
Costs
Without adequate commercial snow and ice maintenance plans, there’s a higher risk of people becoming injured while on your premises. This can lead to costly litigation and compensation payouts. Furthermore, absent staff members can impact your revenue and property damage can be costly to repair. Arranging routine snow and ice services is typically more cost-effective than trying to arrange one-off or last-minute services without prior planning. It can also be more costly than expected to try and remove snow and ice using an in-house team; you need to consider staff wages, equipment costs, training requirements, safety gear, chemicals, and more.
Commercial Snow and Ice Management Services in Denver, CO
DCPS provides comprehensive year-round services for commercial properties. Our tailored snow plans include a thorough walk-through of your property to identify possible hazards and create a detailed risk assessment. Our managers have completed the ASCA snow management program and our processes will help keep your site safe over the winter. Contact the experts at DCPS for further information and to discuss your commercial snow and ice management needs.
