Winter Freeze Protection: How To Protect Your Business From Freezing Temperatures
Cold weather puts buildings and people under pressure. Pipes freeze. Heaters struggle. Roofs leak. Security and lighting get tested in long, dark hours. With a clear plan for winter freeze protection, you keep control. You protect your team, your site, and your schedule.
At Brooktech, we help commercial sites prepare before the cold sets in. Here is a straightforward approach you can put in place now.
Your winter freeze protection plan
Start with a simple walk-through. List the cold spots, draughts, and damp areas. Note exposed pipework, plant rooms, loading bays, and flat roofs. Give each item an owner and a check date. Winter freeze protection works best when everyone knows their role and the routine is clear.
Heat, water and electrics: the essentials
Get heating serviced early. Boilers, suspended heaters and warm air units need checks on burners, flues, safety devices and controls. Balance systems so heat reaches the right places. Confirm frost stats work and that time controls and BMS settings suit winter hours. These basics sit at the heart of winter freeze protection.
Protect pipework and tanks. Lag exposed pipes, valves and flanges. Inspect trace heating on vulnerable lines and test thermostats and supplies. Check cold water storage tanks for sound lids, screened vents, correct overflows and intact insulation. Where outlets see little use, flush them to keep water moving and safe.
Keep electrics resilient. Moisture and temperature swings can stress wiring and equipment. Schedule periodic inspection and testing. Review distribution boards for heat marks or corrosion. Check emergency lighting. Include PAT testing for portable heaters, extension leads and tools. Good electrical care supports wider winter freeze protection and reduces fire risk.
Buildings and airflow
Stop heat loss at the openings. Inspect door seals at loading bays and along busy routes. Maintain roller shutters and dock levellers. Reseat or replace worn window seals and check rooflights. Fit air curtains where doors open often. Consider destratification fans in high spaces to push warm air down and cut running time on heaters.
Check roofs, gutters and drains. Clear leaves and debris. Look for cracks, ponding and loose flashings on flat roofs. Make sure rainwater gets away from the building. These simple jobs prevent leaks, damp and structural headaches.
Keep air moving. Service air handling units and extract fans. Replace filters and balance airflow to manage humidity. Good ventilation controls condensation, protects finishes and helps electrics.
Refrigeration that runs cold
Cold weather can harm refrigeration. Ice on condensers, blocked drains and damaged door heaters reduce performance. Clean coils, confirm drain heaters, and replace worn gaskets. Keep air paths clear inside cabinets and stores. Planning these tasks into winter freeze protection keeps stock safe and running costs steady.
Putting a winter freeze protection plan in place
Brief your team. Ask them to report slow flows, cold spots, unusual noises and signs of leaks. Place thermometers and drip trays where they help early detection. Close chiller and freezer doors carefully. Do not leave external doors propped open. Small habits make winter freeze protection part of the daily routine.
How Brooktech helps with winter freeze protection
We support commercial clients across heating, plumbing, electrics, water treatment, ventilation, refrigeration and CCTV. Our engineers service, test and repair systems with minimal disruption. We also provide planned maintenance packages with fixed rates and priority response, so you stay ahead of problems and control costs.
With Brooktech you get a practical winter freeze protection plan that fits your site and budget. We handle the checks. We fix what needs attention. Your people stay safe. Your building stays productive. Your risks stay low.
Ready to prepare your site for winter? Speak to our team about a winter check-up or a year-round maintenance schedule.
