Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine, August 2014

Businesses and individuals in any region expect that sidewalks steps entryways and parking lots will remain open and safe during bad weather and will be quickly returned to ice and snow free condition after a storm Make Mechanical Removal A Priority The most economical and lowest impact method of snow and ice control is mechanical removal during and after winter storm events Prompt removal of snow and ice from walkways and parking lots minimizes compaction by foot and vehicle traffic Mechanically removing loose snow before applying ice melter enables the deicer to more quickly penetrate and break the bond between remaining ice and the underlying pavement This can reduce the amount of deicer required and the potential for impact on walkways buildings and the environment Apply Ice Melter Properly The most effective responsible and economical snow and ice control programs apply the smallest amount of deicer needed to penetrate ice and disrupt its bond to pavement Calibration of application equipment is important for cost effective product use and to minimize introduction of ice melter into the environment Compared to hand application spreaders provide more even distribution patterns help avoid formation of deicer piles that can lead to indoor tracking mess and help make sure the proper amount of deicer is used potentially reducing waste by as much as 50 percent This is especially important where large quantities of deicers are applied from vehicles across broad surface areas For smaller areas like entryways and steps use of a handheld mechanical dispersing spreader is typically a far better choice than using a simple scoop Follow the application instructions on product packaging to avoid over applying deicer For example solid calcium chloride ice melters should be distributed evenly and given time to loosen the bond between ice and pavement Then the resulting slushy ice should be removed mechanically Application of calcium chloride should start shortly after snow begins to facilitate easy mechanical removal and prevent ice buildup Removal of thick ice may require higher application rates to penetrate and undercut the ice layer Use Anti icing Treatments To Prevent Slippery Conditions When foul winter weather is in the forecast ice melter materials can be applied in advance as anti icing treatments to keep subsequent freezing rain or light snowfall from bonding to pavement This may eliminate the need to mechanically remove light accumulations and can make removal of heavy snow and ice faster and easier Dont use anti icing if rain or freezing rain is predicted because the treatment may wash away Over application of liquid anti icers can result in slippery conditions In storm events with heavier snowfall and dropping temperatures anti icing may not be effective in preventing ice and snow from bonding to the surface Respond Quickly And Reliably Winter maintenance plans should be designed to provide clear and safe conditions for the first vehicle and pedestrian traffic to arrive during and after a storm Adequate supplies of ice melting material should be available for immediate access Maintenance crews should be trained and ready to remove snow and ice quickly and properly Standards for crew response and performance of winter maintenance activities should include adequate time for deicer to penetrate ice and loosen it for mechanical removal This will help eliminate the tendency to over apply ice melter in an attempt to achieve faster results a wasteful practice that may cause large amounts of residual deicer to remain on the surface after snow and ice have melted increasing the potential for indoor tracking and environmental impact Choose The Right Ice Melter Several performance characteristics should guide the selection of an ice melter but two are particularly important Reliable Cold Temperature Performance Will the deicer perform well in the coldest temperatures you may experience Ice Melting Speed How quickly will the deicer melt ice to minimize pedestrian exposure to dangerous conditions Avoid Excess The goal of any ice melting program is to minimize slip and fall hazards using the least material When used excessively all ice melting materials can have an impact on the natural environment lawns and shrubbery metal architectural features and interior flooring Excessive application also increases costs Using a faster deicer that performs well at low temperatures reduces the tendency to over apply Calcium chloride in particular is known for its cold temperature performance It has a lowest effective temperature of 25 degrees F 32 degrees C which is below that of other common deicers Calcium chloride also releases a significant amount of heat as it dissolves in contact with snow and ice This speeds melting action at lower temperatures making calcium chloride even more effective in extremely cold winter conditions Effective Ice Control Addresses All Business Needs Advances in snow and ice control practices have made it easier for custodial professionals and building service providers to minimize the hazards of ice and snow and maintain access for pedestrians and motorists By using the right deicing products and following best practices for their application business needs for cost savings and reduced impact on buildings and the environment can also be met Together thats a robust prescription to meet the challenges presented by the forces of nature and a demanding business climate www CMMOnline com 31