Vacant/Idle Occupancy Vacant/idle occupancy can apply to entire buildings or specific areas within an otherwise occupied building. • Ensure heat is maintained at no less than 40°F. • Provide monitored low-temperature alarms. • Shut off non-essential water (domestic point-of-use fixtures, appliances). This does not include water for fire protection or critical building systems such as HVAC. • Provide a monitored security alarm system to help prevent copper piping thefts, which may result in escaped water. • Visit the location often, or even daily, during periods of prolonged sub-freezing temperatures. Water Leak Detection, Protecting High Values/Limiting Frequent Loss For high value areas or critical functions (see Key Equipment/ Operations above), or areas that could be a frequent source of loss, such as restrooms, guestrooms, kitchens, etc., additional safeguards may be necessary to help mitigate water damage exposure. Consider implementing water leak detection in the following areas: • Areas with concentrated high value or operational dependencies that are highly susceptible to • Areas of frequent water release history. • Areas with water sensitive and/or high value inventory (food, electronic components). • Elevator pits/equipment rooms. • Primary electrical equipment rooms, upper floor/penthouse mechanical areas. • Stacked rooms with high water release potential (restrooms, kitchens, water heaters, etc.). • Stacked rooms with high water damage potential (electrical, telcom/data, etc.). • Areas where older (over 50 years) bulk water mains enter the building, especially if there is a history of leaks or breaks. • Bottom of vertical water pipe utility chases.
Summary Mitigating water damage has as much to do with planning and preparation as probability and good luck. With water damage, it is not so much “what if” as it is “when.”
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