If you’re getting back to business following the COVID-19 pandemic, your buildings and equipment may have been left idle or reduced in capacity, which can lead to quickly deteriorating conditions and other issues.

As you plan your reopening, be sure to consider cleaning and disinfecting requirements as stated in national and local health guidance. If operations have continued under a limited basis, consider additional cleaning and disinfecting procedures. For more information, the Government of Canada has created guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces during COVID-19.

Evaluating the building

Evaluate the walls and roof of the building to ensure it has not been compromised during the shutdown. Roof maintenance may have lapsed, and your building may have sustained damage due to severe weather. Inspect interior walls and ceilings for water damage, as well as cracks or settling of foundation walls. Be sure to clean out debris located around roof drains to help prevent standing water.

Inspect gutters to make sure they are free from debris and are discharging water away from the building. Check windows to ensure there are no broken panes or signs of water damage. If applicable, verify that the building’s sump pump is functioning properly.

Electrical

In most cases, electrical systems will have remained in service at significantly reduced load during a property shutdown.

Emergency power systems, such as emergency power generators or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, should be tested as soon as practical in accordance with the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) guidelines and normal practices. Extreme caution should be taken to prevent unexpected personal safety hazards while reenergizing the system.

HVAC and Plumbing

In most cases, HVAC and plumbing systems will have remained in service during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Whether or not the systems were shut down, their proper operation should be verified as soon as practical prior to re-occupancy of the buildings.

Efforts should be made to flush the building’s water system to help remove any mold or bacteria buildup.

Emergency Systems

If your property was shut down or operations were limited due to the pandemic, check and confirm that your fire alarms and sprinkler systems are functioning properly. Begin by reviewing the records of the last inspection or service and complete the inspection, testing and maintenance that have lapsed.

When and where applicable, consider hiring the appropriate contractors to come in to inspect, test and make any repairs to your electrical, plumbing, water, building, HVAC and emergency systems,

Health and safety on the job site matter at all times, but they matter even more so during a pandemic. All policies regarding health and safety on a job site should be clearly communicated, and employees should feel comfortable while working. 

We invite anyone who is unsure of their insurance needs at this time to take advantage of our free assessment offer. With this no commitment call, we’ll help you ensure you have the right coverage for your current needs.  Honestly now is also a great time to shop for insurance, to make sure you have the right coverage and the best value.