The following is a guest post from Ross Haigler, senior director of commercial lines at Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Opinions are the author’s own.
When a hurricane threatens a community, hotels often become much more than a place for travelers to stay. They provide shelter for displaced residents, house utility crews and first responders; support insurance adjusters and news crews; and serve as a base of operations for recovery efforts.
Additionally, when hotels remain open after a hurricane, they can support emergency responders, recovery workers, displaced residents and local businesses that depend on visitor activity. Keeping these facilities operational before, during and after a storm has the potential to help the entire community recover faster.
The best time to prepare a hotel for hurricane season is well before a storm is in the forecast. Annual property inspections give operators the opportunity to identify maintenance issues before they become costly losses.
Inspect the roof, the first line of defense
Let’s start with the roof.
The roof is the building’s first line of defense against wind and wind-driven rain. During routine inspections, look for signs of deterioration such as standing water, staining, missing or damaged shingles, and rips, tears, or punctures in the roof membrane. Even relatively minor damage can allow water to enter the building or create conditions that lead to much larger failures during high winds.
"The best time to prepare a hotel for hurricane season is well before a storm is in the forecast."
Ross Haigler
Senior Director of Commercial Lines at Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Roof-mounted equipment deserves the same attention. HVAC units, exhaust systems, vents, solar panels and other rooftop equipment should all be securely attached to the roof and in good condition. Loose equipment can slide across the roof surface, damaging the roof covering, or become airborne and damage nearby buildings. Inspect mounting hardware, supports, cables and attachment points for signs of deterioration, corrosion or loose fasteners.
Routine housekeeping on the roof is just as important. Vegetative debris, construction materials and trash should be removed regularly. Debris can damage the roof covering as it moves across the surface during high winds, but it also creates another problem by blocking roof drains, gutters and other drainage systems designed to move rainwater away from the building. Keeping these clear reduces the potential for water intrusion and slip hazards around the hotel.
Check windows, AC and doors
The roof is only one part of the building. Hotels often have many exterior windows, one of the most common paths for wind-driven rain to enter the building.
Over time, the glazing that seals the glass within the window frame begins to deteriorate. Sealants, weatherstripping and gaskets also degrade with age, causing exposure to the elements. When deterioration is found, these components should be replaced before they allow water into the building. Rust, corrosion and excessive movement within the frame, or signs of water staining around windows, drywall or carpet, often indicate that repairs are needed.
"Exterior doors are another common entry point for wind-driven rain. Inspect the sealant around the door frame, weatherstripping, thresholds and gaskets for cracks, gaps or deterioration."
Ross Haigler
Senior Director of Commercial Lines at Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners require many of the same inspections. Units should be securely fastened with no noticeable movement, and the sealant around the exterior opening should be intact and free of cracks or gaps. PTAC units should also slope slightly toward the exterior, so rainwater and condensation drain outside rather than back into the building. Inspect drains regularly to verify they remain clear and function properly.
Exterior doors are another common entry point for wind-driven rain. Inspect the sealant around the door frame, weatherstripping, thresholds and gaskets for cracks, gaps or deterioration. Verify that doors close, latch and seal tightly without excessive gaps. Sliding doors should operate smoothly, and the tracks should remain clean and free of debris that could prevent the door from closing properly.
Whenever windows or doors are replaced, verify that the products are rated for the building's required design wind pressures. Your contractor or design professional should be able to confirm that the replacement products meet the site's performance requirements.
Preparing for hurricane season isn't about trying to eliminate every risk. It's about reducing vulnerabilities before they become costly failures. Routine inspections, timely maintenance and thoughtful upgrades can help hotels remain operational.
