Disaster Preparedness

PLAN AHEAD!

Don’t wait for a disaster to happen to discover what you should have already done.

Construction code requirements are minimum requirements!

You can do better!

Tom Rybak, AIA talks about Disaster Preparedness. Presented before the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce July 10th, 2012 conference on Disaster Planning and avoidance held at the Bergen County Community.

Have TMR and Associates, P.C./ Boiling Springs Group evaluate your facilities for disaster preparation, to include such items as:

o    Move important document storage, IT systems and business critical functions to a location not affected by rising flood waters.

o    Protect business critical functions with construction rated for fire, flooding, high winds, etc.

o    Upgrade building system, such as, security, sprinklers, emergency power generation, etc.

o    Improve site conditions for storm drainage.

o    Create as-built drawings for disaster recovery.

o    Confirm that existing systems are working as they were designed, (keeping up with maintenance, regular product and system upgrades).

o    Check the “Acts of God” exclusions to insurance coverage on items assumed to be covered. Common “Acts of God”, such as flooding and earthquake damage, are generally excluded from coverage by most insurance policies. An option is to purchase an add-on policy, or rider, that provides you with additional coverage.

Create a Disaster Recovery Plan folder stored both onsite and offsite that contains:

o    TMR and Associates, P.C. to evaluate your building’s post disaster condition.

o    Copies of up-to-date drawings showing the building’s plans and construction details, including electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.

o    Copy of insurance policies.

o    Contact sheet for:

- list of people who are critical to keep the business running

- insurance agent

- Boiling Springs Group, General Contractors, for emergency repairs

- suppliers and clients

- nearby hospitals

- town construction officials

- NJ State Office of Emergency Management

- routes to and from your facility that are most likely to remain open during a disaster

o    Records of all warranties for building components and systems, such as:

- roofing membrane, windows, siding or building exterior finish, equipment necessary for company operations, HVAC equipment

o    Locations of building utilities shut offs and instructions on how to use them for:

- electrical main distribution panel disconnect switch

- water service main valve

- gas service main valve

- sprinkler system main shut off valve (turning this valve off will trigger an alarm and notification of the fire department. It should only be done when a pipe breaks or a sprinkler head is accidentally discharged and interior water damage becomes a non-fire related issue. The Fire Department must first be informed of the situation.