FM Global has launched its new Worldwide Freeze Map, providing information to allow businesses to more effectively assess and address their specific climate risk profile.
Freely available to all, the map is based on 100-year return period daily minimum temperatures (100-year DMT) and can be used to determine necessary freeze protection for essential business hardware. This includes, for example, pipes, tanks, and outdoor equipment which may be susceptible to freezing.
Geographical regions having a significant weather-related freeze hazard are identified by the 20°F (-6.7°C) or colder temperature bands, which are a good indicator for freeze damage based on historic losses as well as laboratory and field experiments.
"It's common to think that only warm climate areas are at risk of the freeze hazard," says Jessica Waters, vice president and manager of natural hazards and structures at FM Global. "However, loss history shows that the hazard is just as prevalent in areas accustomed to cold weather. The extreme cold brought by polar vortexes has caused lots of freeze damage, especially when facilities are shut down for a weekend or holiday.
Waters summarizes, "A power outage from severe weather will result in disruption. But if the building loses heat, the freeze can cause a much bigger disaster and a lot more headaches."
The Worldwide Freeze Map gives businesses the information to understand if their operations are exposed to the risk of freeze and take the necessary precautions to protect their business.
