Hurricanes pose a threat to office buildings as well as homes and other structures. Making plans to protect your office building and its contents, and preparing in advance for potential power outages and other problems caused by hurricanes, will ensure your investment is safe and your business remains operational following the storm. Knowing prepare office buildings for hurricanes is essential for all business owners.
Instructions
Prepare Office Buildings for Hurricanes
1. Cover the windows of your office building with hurricane shutters or sheets of precut plywood. This will protect your windows from damage caused by winds and will protect the inside of your office building from damage caused by wind and water coming in through broken windows.
2. Bring all loose objects inside the building. This includes loose signs, ashtrays, roofing materials, awnings, and any decorations or furniture that is not attached to the office building or tied down.
3. Check the trees and shrubs around your office building for loose branches, and trim them if needed. Loose branches can cause considerable damage when picked up by hurricane winds.
4. Turn off utilities to the building in advance of the storm, if possible. Also, make sure all electronic equipment inside your office building is unplugged from electrical outlets and phone and cable jacks.
5. Make sure propane tanks are turned off, and move any flammable or dangerous items to a more secure location. Consider the risks posed by flooding, lightning and fire when making your determinations.
6. Determine what will be needed to keep your business operational during or following a hurricane, if you plan to remain in business. Make a list of all necessary staff, equipment and materials for keeping your business running, and put a plan into action to make these items available after the storm. Purchase generators, if needed.
7. Develop a plan to continue operations if your office building becomes damaged or is inaccessible due to flooding or storm damage. Choose a secondary location to continue working, such as a home office or another office building.
8. Review the emergency plan for your office building with your staff, and check for any updates to local evacuation procedures that affect your business. This is especially important if you or any staff members will remain in the building during the hurricane.
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