-

Is Your Building’s Electrical Winter Safe?

by | Jan 5, 2023 | Commercial Electrical, Industrial Electrical | 0 comments

edmonton winter building electrical issues

Winter is upon us, and with frigid temperatures posing plenty of challenges for Albertans to navigate until the annual spring thaw, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the electrical risks that come with cold weather. Commercial businesses and multi-residential buildings frequently see a significant spike in their electrical usage during the winter months as tenants and operators seek to stay warm and cosy from the outdoors. Without the proper care and maintenance in place, you could find yourself facing significant issues and even putting yourself in harm’s way. Below, we’ll take a look at 5 common winter electrical hazards for Albertans to be aware of. Read on to learn more!

What Makes Winter So Dangerous?

Edmontonians know just how brutal our winters can be, and it should come as little surprise that harsh weather often means harsh circumstances for our electrical systems to endure. Alberta has a surplus of retrofitted older buildings that add to the charm of our cities, but many of them feature outdated electrical equipment and wiring that may not be equipped to handle the demands of a modern business. Knowing what to look for is one of the best ways to protect yourself, as well as your building, from danger this winter. To avoid the risk of electrical fires and other hazards, keep an eye out for:

Overloaded Electrical Systems

As we mentioned above, it’s not uncommon for a commercial space’s electrical usage to increase (or even double) during the colder month. Everything from Christmas lights to vehicles being plugged into your parking lot, tenants using space heaters, and other variables increase your power demand. If your circuitry isn’t set up to handle the extra stress, you could face significant problems or even blowouts once the strain becomes too much.

Power Outages/Flickering Lights

Winter storms wreak havoc with our electrical systems, but if it’s been a while since you’ve had an assessment or maintenance done, you could be at an increased risk for a power outage. Common culprits include overworked breakers, insufficient/poorly functional backup generators, and physical damage caused by blizzards, ice and high winds. One often brushed off, but significant sign you may be in trouble? Flickering lights. If you notice that certain areas of your building have lights that seem to flicker randomly, it’s time to bring a professional in for a thorough evaluation. While this could be an isolated problem with the fixture or bulbs themselves, there’s also a high likelihood you could have persistent wire damage that’s setting you up for much bigger consequences in the future.

Static Electricity

Did you know that static electricity is one of the highest risk factors for electrical fires and damages during the winter months? The electrical discharge caused by static shock can cause sparks that lead to fires or explosions if there is enough build-up or proximity to flammable materials. To reduce this risk, you need to make sure you have protective enclosures where necessary, that employees know to wear clothing that is resistant to static build-up in vulnerable areas, and you may even want to consider adding humidifiers to your environment to lower how dry the air in your building gets.

Buzzing, Hotspots, Etc.

Oftentimes, you may be able to hear or smell an electrical problem before you see it. With the winter months driving people indoors for extended periods of time, you might suddenly notice issues that you were unaware of previously. If you encounter dull buzzing, hotspots in a wall, or other uncharacteristic problems, the time to act is NOW. Partnering with an experienced electrical team like MCL gives you access to the technology you need like infrared equipment to take a closer look and go beneath the surface to stop danger in its tracks!

Advanced Wear and Tear

Finally, even with routine maintenance and upkeep, your wiring and electrical assets will eventually need a more significant tune-up and/or replacement. Don’t be caught off guard, and aim to take a proactive approach that leaves you and your safety under your control when it matters most!

Partner with MCL Power For Your Electric Needs

Since 1993, MCL power has partnered with businesses in and around Edmonton to make sure your electrical assets are ready to stand up to every season. As your first choice for electrical contracting, we offer assistance with the following:

Learn more about keeping your building winter safe by contacting our team today.