The Holiday season may be over, but winter sure isn’t. Sadly, we’ve got a few more months of it until we return to more friendly climates.
Consequently, there are some rules and regulations that govern the way all of us manage and interact with the buildings in which we live and work. Snow and Ice Removal, Heating Requirements, and safe practices for your household piping are all essential to getting through the winter effectively and safely.
Here are the major winter building regulations summarized for your reading pleasure:
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
Whoever is responsible for the property needs to keep the sidewalks clear of ice and snow. This is typically ownership or management’s responsibility, although not 100% of the time—so it might be a good idea to check your lease. Failure to shovel could cost you a $100 fine (to begin with) and possibly much more in the case of an accident, as the property owner bears the liability for injury if snow is not removed by the following timelines:
7:00 a.m. and 4:49 p.m. - you must clear within four hours.
5:00 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. - you must clear within fourteen hours of snow stopping.
9:00 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. - you must clear by 11:00 a.m. the next day.
By the way, you can’t just shovel that snow—it should be relocated into a yard, behind the stoop line (if applicable), or into a grassy curb. Tossing the snow into the street to take advantage of salting or later plowing is a no-no, and could incur a $100 fine of its own.
HEATING REQUIREMENTS
Own or manage your building? It’s midwinter now, so the heat has likely been going for some time, but if you need a refresher—here are the temperature guidelines during “heating season”, which is October 1st to May 31st.
From 6 am to 10 pm: If the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature must be at least 68 degrees everywhere in your apartment.
From 10 pm to 6 am: If the outside temperature falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature must be at least 55 degrees everywhere in your apartment.
KEEPING INDOOR PIPING SAFE
- Make sure your house and pipes are thoroughly insulated.
- If you haven’t already, make sure the water attached to outside faucets has been turned off and disconnected.
- If you’re going away for a prolonged period of time, make sure to have a neighbor or friend check in occasionally to run your faucets and make sure things are flowing smoothly.
