Is your site ready to weather the next storm? Here’s what you need to know...

Winter is coming. There is no escaping this fact, and, unless you are prepared, the winter and the severe storms that can come with it can have a serious effect on your doors, your staff and, ultimately, your bottom line.  

 

Although there is no way to provide a sure-fire way of fully storm-proofing your site, we have gathered together a list of tips to help you cope with the changing conditions that winter can bring... 

 

 

This is crucial. No equipment can be expected to work to its optimum potential if it has been allowed to fall into disrepair. Maintaining a regular maintenance schedule is the best way to ensure that your door can withstand the rigors of the weather and temperature changes that occur. Combined with regular site checks, there can be no more effective defence against emergency situations occurring. Learn more about our servicing options here. 

 

 

If you operate in a particularly windy area or one which is especially prone to seeing adverse weather conditions, you may want to invest in wind resistant roller shutters. These specially designed shutters help the curtain of the door to resist the flexing action of the wind and therefore blowing out of its guide channels. 

 

 

It may seem obvious but it needs to be said. The longer a door remains open, the more damage it can suffer as the wind blows against it. To help keep your door closed as much as possible, you may want to invest in a door auto-closing mechanism. This will ensure that your doors only open and close when necessary – minimising the damage that exposure to high winds can cause. Alternatively, you could invest in remotes that allow your drivers to remotely control the door mechanisms or even a wicket door – learn more here – which allows pedestrian access without having to open the entire door. 

 

 

Alternatively, there are other ways that you can help protect your door against the adverse effects of high winds without having to replace the entire curtain. One of these ways is to install additional locks, bracing bars or supports across the shutters. These help the curtain remain in place by resisting the flexing action that excessive wind can cause. 

 

• Install rubber weatherseal strips 

 

These strips help to defend your doors (and staff) against unwanted drafts by creating a seal against cracks along the edges of your door which helps prevent not only air leakage but also water ingress. This insulation is not only helpful to keep heat in but also to help keep the weather out. 

 

• Defend against heavy rain with rain canopies 

 

A heavy storm will not just batter your doors with wind but can also leave your site vulnerable to water ingress and can cause damage to electrical components. One way to help defend your door mechanisms is to install a rain canopy above your door. These act a bit like an umbrella for your door by providing shelter as well as drainage opportunities – meaning you can direct excess water away from your doors – protecting both your site and stock. 

 

There is no way to guarantee that your door or equipment will not suffer damage at the hands of a storm, however, we do know that we see an increase of 32% in the number of emergency call outs that we receive within the winter months – proving that winter weather and storms can (and do) cause a lot of damage. Pre-empt this by following the advice above and you could help avoid an unexpected failure on your site this winter. 

 

Contact us now to arrange your free site visit to assess your specific needs or to arrange your next service schedule and enjoy peace of mind knowing you have done all you can to help stormproof your site this winter.