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Protecting
Vacant Business Properties
Vacant buildings both face and pose several unique risks that must be addressed by property owners to safeguard their properties. These risks include elevated exposure to criminal activities, water damage, maintenance concerns, fire hazards, pest infestation, and environmental risks.
If a commercial property stays vacant for any period, it’ s crucial to protect the investment and prevent potential risks. Property owners must understand the potential dangers their vacant buildings might face as well as the hazards they might pose, regardless of how long they are closed.
This article explores essential protective measures for vacant buildings to ensure the safety of the premises and minimize the risk of potential hazards.
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Vacant and idle buildings can attract trespassers, vandals, thieves, and others who might conduct unlawful activity. Property owners should collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to inform them of the vacant status of the building and update them on any suspicious occurrences on the premises.
Property owners should invest in security measures, such as security guards, alarm systems, fencing, exterior patrols, security cameras, and motion-activated lights. Alarm systems could be used on the windows and other entry points to alert a security company of any entry. Regardless, entry points must be locked.
Moreover, owners can implement measures that make it look like the building is occupied. This helps deter individuals from breaking in. Property owners should conduct regular inspections to make sure there are no signs of break-ins or re-keyed locks. These inspections should be frequent and never at the same time of the day.
WATER DAMAGE
Water damage poses a threat to the integrity of a building. If unchecked, it can lead to rot, deterioration, and structural compromise. Water that is absorbed by insulation will cause the insulation to be ineffective. In addition, wires or electrical outlets that are exposed to water can increase the risk of fire. Therefore, property owners should turn off water supplies to unused fixtures and systems. To protect against a water leak, water detection sensors can be installed to detect water in areas that it’ s not supposed to be in. Such a system should alert a property owner of a potential leak.
In the cold months, property owners should make sure to winterize the building if necessary and wrap outside pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting. If owners are unable to winterize the building, then a minimum building temperature of 40 ° F should be maintained to prevent freezing in areas where water is not shut off or where water-filled fire sprinkler systems are present. During harsh winter conditions, the roof should be monitored for excessive snow accumulation and ice dams. Internally, property owners should inspect for leaks and water stains.
Gutters should also be kept clear of debris and regular roof inspections should be conducted, particularly before and after storm seasons. After severe weather events, it’ s important to inspect the roof for signs of damage.
FIRE HAZARDS
Fire poses a significant threat to any structure, with increased risks in vacant buildings. Since vacant buildings are unoccupied, a combination of neglect, vandalism, or arson as well as the accumulation of combustible materials makes them more susceptible to fires.
Property owners should remove combustible items from the premises, maintain functional fire alarms, and verify the operability of fire sprinkler systems and water supplies. They should also perform regular inspections of sprinkler control valves to make sure they are in the open position. In addition, routine inspections of fire extinguishers and other fire-protection apparatuses are necessary
30 • SpectrumInsGroup. com