Prevent, recognize and eliminate damage caused by storms
Storms are particularly frequent in the summer, but you are not immune to storms during the rest of the year either.
Depending on their size and construction, buildings and properties are at varying degrees of risk from storms.
Regular inspection of buildings and outdoor facilities is crucial to minimize the likelihood and extent of damage.
What dangers do storms pose?
Storms such as storms, rain, snow, hail, lightning and flooding can cause considerable damage to people, buildings, outdoor facilities and vehicles – to prevent damage and detect consequential damage, these should be thoroughly inspected regularly before and after storms.
Storm:
A storm can cover roofs, damage facades, windows or roof trusses and throw scaffolding, solar modules and building materials around, damage flagpoles, tear off loose sheeting, etc. and thus injure people or damage adjacent buildings/vehicles.
Hail:
Hail can cause severe damage to buildings (roofs, windows, facades, PV systems, etc.), vehicles and vegetation (trees, bushes, etc.) and impair the usability, functionality or useful life of buildings and vehicles.
Lightning strike:
Direct lightning strikes can damage roofs, supporting structures, external walls and trees.
Electrical machines, devices and systems are also at risk from an “indirect” lightning strike (voltage peaks in the grid caused by lightning strikes).
Flooding:
Flooding can cause damage to the building from the outside (windows, doors, other building openings) or through backwater in the drainage pipes.
Defective lifting systems can also lead to problems here.
Fallen trees:
Trees can become a danger by falling over or falling branches. Furthermore, trees and branches can cause blockages in streams, canals and rainwater drains and cause flooding.
Snow breakage:
After heavy snowfall, especially when followed by rain, snow loads can place a heavy load on roofs, carports, garden sheds and PV systems and cause damage to systems, roofing or supporting structures.
What can be done preventively to reduce the risk of storm damage?
If you are on site at the time of the storm, you can take a number of proactive or preventative measures in advance to reduce the likelihood and extent of damage.
A regular inspection of all hazardous areas of the property is a mandatory prerequisite for this. Companies and property managers in particular are advised to carry out regular property safety inspections in accordance with their legal duty of care. In accordance with their legal duty of care, companies and property managers in particular are advised to carry out regular property safety inspections (e.g. in accordance with ÖNORM B130/1301). A regularly recurring visual inspection enables damage to be detected and rectified more quickly and therefore leads to improved functional and value retention of the property.
Storm:
Remove or secure loose and light objects (e.g. garden chairs, sunshades, posters, construction fences, flags, awnings, etc.) or firmly close windows, doors, skylights and skylight domes.
Have an object safety inspection carried out at least once a year (for companies, e.g. in accordance with ÖNORM B1300/1301)
Hail:
Park vehicles under roofs, install hail protection covers on vehicles, install hail protection nets,
Lightning strike:
Electrically fuse machines and devices that are not required or disconnect them from the mains, install a lightning conductor system, inspect the lightning conductor system at least once a year (e.g. as part of the property safety inspection).
1 yearly (e.g. as part of the building safety inspection), inspection by a specialist company (for companies) at least
every 3 years (in accordance with the Electrical Protection Ordinance, ÖVE-E 49, ÖNORM E 8049-1, ÖNORM EN 62305-3, possibly as specified in the trade license)
Flooding:
Check gutters and rainwater drains at least
Check gutters and storm drains at least every six months in spring and fall and remove vegetation or obstacles if necessary; do not store any hazardous substances in areas at risk (e.g. cellars).
Inspect lifting systems for proper function, retention basins for sludge deposits and drainage, inspect and, if necessary, clean rainwater gullies
Fallen trees/falling branches:
Trees should be checked for dead spots or loose branches at least once a year (during the leafy season).
Check for dead spots or loose branches at least once a year (during the leafy period) – if in doubt, call in a specialist company
Snow breakage:
When heavy snow events are announced, structurally heavily loaded components should be supported (e.g. cross beams of flying roofs, carports or garden sheds), snow fall areas should be cleared and secured, rough pitched roofs (approx. > 20° roof pitch) should be covered with foil to make it easier for the snow to slide off, trees and bushes should be monitored, etc.
What should you consider after a storm?
After a storm, you should always enter buildings with a high degree of risk awareness and caution (if in doubt, with a specialist) – paying attention to the following points:
Exterior building damage:
Visually inspect the building for damage (especially the components subject to heavy loads, e.g. roof, windows, doors, supporting structure, lifting systems, drains, retention basins, etc.).
Have severely damaged buildings checked by suitable experts before entering.
Roof:
Particularly if the roof is damaged or there are loose components (e.g. sheet metal parts), you should only enter the fall area with extreme caution or preferably not at all.
Secure the danger areas over a large area and ensure that the dangerous components are removed immediately.
The façade:
Damaged façades can allow moisture to penetrate the masonry.
Inspect the entire façade for damaged areas and have them repaired promptly if necessary.
Windows and doors:
Windows and doors are particularly susceptible to moisture damage.
Check window sills, balcony doors and basement stairs for moisture.
Basement/garages:
Pay attention to water ingress via ceilings, shafts, pipes and ramps or the correct functioning of lifting systems (power supply).
Rain drains/retention basin:
Also check lifting systems, rain gutters, rainwater gullies and drainage systems on the building to prevent water damage.
Also inspect the retention basin (if present) and have large amounts of sludge removed if necessary.
Electrical system:
Check all electrical distribution boards to see if safety devices have tripped (e.g. residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), miniature circuit breaker or insulation monitoring).
residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), miniature circuit breaker or insulation monitoring).
If some safety devices have tripped, consult an electrician beforehand to ensure that they can be safely recommissioned.
Check that the PV system has the usual output.
Electrical appliances:
If appliances have been or are in contact with water, do not enter this area and switch off the power supply immediately (in the electrical distribution board).
Only operate electrical appliances if they have not been in contact with moisture.
If some appliances or machines have come into contact with water, consult an electrician beforehand to ensure that they can be safely put back into operation.
Damage documentation:
Take sufficient photos of the damage and also make a note of any important details.
This information is very important for asserting your insurance claims.
Damage repair:
Remember to seek professional help in the event of major damage.
There are a number of companies that specialize in damage repair and restoration of storm and fire damage and can also help you with the insurance process.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider in advance and, once again, the correct inspection and maintenance of outdoor facilities, buildings, systems and equipment is the be-all and end-all for reliable functioning in an emergency and cost-effective operation.
Our MyBuilding24 app helps you to have these important activities reliably “on the screen” . It allows you to easily and reliably keep track of all the necessary tasks and reminds you in good time when they need to be carried out.
If you want to keep your buildings and properties in good shape easily, quickly and reliably and have your inspection and maintenance obligations under control, then use our
My Building24 APP or follow this link and register today – https://mybuilding24.com/de/ – for your own convenience, security and peace of mind.
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