up close | Occidental Chemical Corporation Optimizing a Sidewalk Ice Melting Program To Improve Safety At Commercial Facilities A Are you ready for snow and ice? Prevent-ing winter slip and fall accidents has never been more important. It’s just good busi-ness. There are many good reasons to ef-fectively control snow and ice on walkways, stairs, landings and other outdoor surfaces. These include: ● Minimizing expensive slip and fall liability ● Complying with local regulations ● Minimizing insurance costs ● Maintaining a quality reputation for your facility The need for speed – Plan for the quick-est mechanical removal and deicer treat-ments possible to provide for safe passage to your facility both during and after weath-er events. sonably well by this measure. But no other deicer penetrates faster than calcium chlo-ride pellets. Choose the Right Ice Melter for Speed and Efficiency There are many different ice melters to choose from, including rock salt, calcium chloride, and many other chemistries. The ideal choice works quickly and reliably at the coldest temperature your property may experience – and will do so at low use levels. A low working temperature is a critical asset for the ice melter you’ll have on hand when colder-than-expected temperatures strike. As shown, ordinary rock salt is effec-tive only down to about 20oF (-7oC). Calcium chloride stands out by this measure, with a low effective temperature of -25oF (-32oC). Get Going with a Formal Snow and Ice Control Plan Every facility should have a well-document-ed plan for managing snow and ice, and have staff ready to implement it for preven-tative action when a storm is forecast, or for speedy removal of ice and snow once foul weather arrives. Understand your facility’s needs – Con-duct a comprehensive review of your facility to understand traffic patterns, access require-ments, weather exposure, visibility issues, and the total paved area you need to manage. Plan for worst-case conditions – While average winter conditions for your area are a good starting point, make sure you’re ready to handle extended periods of snow and cold up north, or surprise ice storms or snowfall in southern climates. Make mechanical removal a priority – Plan for prompt mechanical removal of snow and ice during and after storms; it’s the most economical and lowest-impact ap-proach. It minimizes deicer use and allows the deicer you do use to penetrate to pave-ment level faster. Be Watchful of Blended Products In recent years, blends of common rock salt and higher-performance deicers have become increasingly popular. Formulated properly, these products can be an effec-tive ice control tool. But a word of cau-tion: always look for labeling that specifi-cally identifies the chemical composition of these products. Avoid unlabeled products or those that are mostly rock salt. Learn More About Effective Ice Melting Speed of penetration is also important; it defines how quickly an ice melter can penetrate ice and break its bond with pave-ment. As shown, rock salt performs rea-To learn more about structuring a snow and ice control program that keeps your facil-ity safe and ready to welcome tenants and visitors, visit http://www.oxycalciumchlo-ride.com/. ADVERTORIAL DALLAS, TEXAS 75244 U.S.A 888•293•2336 Visit http://www.oxycalciumchloride.com/ 34 FREE INFO: Reader Service 208 or CMMOnline.com/freeinfo CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® July 2014
CMM – Archives July 2014: 34
