Duce Construction Corporation Opens New Location in Glen Head Long Island
Duce Construction Corporation is proud to announce that it has recently opened a second office/warehouse in Nassau County, providing easy access to trade shops and vendors from Long Island, Connecticut, Westchester & Upstate New York. Duce is a full‐service builder & Construction Manager specializing in building and renovating high ‐ end luxury homes, apartments, and estates. After 30 years of servicing our clients both in Manhattan & the suburbs from our Manhattan headquarters, Duce is returning to its roots in Long Island to revisit some of our earliest works and provide excellent local service to our clients in & around Long Island’s Gold Coast. Old Westbury, Glen Cove, Muttontown, and Roslyn will now all be easily accessible for our expert staff of craftsmen. This new, more central location for all areas in Long Island, Connecticut and Westchester is what our clients have been asking for. We already do a fair amount of work in these locations but now with greater and more convenient access to top artisans and craftsmen in these areas, our ability to provide building excellence will be even greater. Rory McCreesh, Founder To see some our recent projects, located in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, visit our website, and to watch a brief intro into who we are and what we do, watch this short video.About our founder: Rory comes from Ireland, from the Ring of Gullion, in the County of Armagh. He was educated at the Marist and the Newry Technical College. Rory came to New York in 1985 and began his career as a carpenter. He worked his way up to becoming a foreman and then a general foreman due to his strong leadership qualities, expertise and knowledge. In 1989 he started Duce Construction Corporation and began to renovate homes in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, NY. Today, Duce specializes in constructing, building and renovating high‐end homes and apartments in Manhattan, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. Many projects have been highlighted in top architectural and home magazines such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Classic Home, Interior Design, Metropolitan Home, House & Garden, Bathroom Trends, Elle Decor, Home Video and various other trade related publications. In addition, Duce is proud to be featured in the article “Best Building Pros in America” in This Old House Magazine, October 2004 Issue. A concerned participant in New York’s Irish community, Rory has been honored by multiple associations including The Armagh Association in 2003 and The New York Irish Center in 2009. Rory received a Proclamation from the New York City Council in 2009 and again in 2013. Rory was honored by the Irish Voice as one of the top fifty best business leaders in 2010 and in 2011 the Irish Echo honored him and Duce Construction for being one of the top fifty best Irish businesses in New York 2011. Rory was honored by the New York city Emerald isle Immigration center in 2013. He is a continuing contributor to the Kip’s Bay’s Charity and GLAAD and is a board member for the prestigious Downtown Magazine. He has patented a multi‐purpose hand tool (US Patent WO/2005/018880) which is currently being marketed to high‐end contractors and construction firms.For more information contact: info@ducecc.com
The Homeowner’s Guide to DIY HVAC Maintenance
If you’ve ever had the air conditioning stop working in the heat of summer or the furnace break down in the dead of winter, you appreciate the importance of HVAC maintenance. However, maintaining your HVAC system does more than prevent temporary discomfort. Timely maintenance reduces monthly energy bills and extends the life of your HVAC system so you save money over the long term; it also prevents a deadly carbon monoxide leak or fire. While some HVAC jobs are best done with the assistance of a professional technician, there are certain HVAC maintenance tasks that homeowners can handle themselves. Monthly Check the filter The general recommendation is to replace your HVAC filter every 90 days. However, there are several common contributors to poor indoor air quality that may result in needing to replace your filter more often, including: animal allergens, cleaning products, hobby products, beauty and personal care products, and gas appliances. Get in the habit of checking the filter monthly. If it looks dirty, dark, or clogged, go ahead and replace it. Take note of the air filter size before throwing out the old filter. You’ll need that information to buy the correct replacement filter for your system. Also, keep in mind that some filters last longer than others; pleated filters, for example, typically last for 90 days, while fiberglass filters only last for around 30. Clear around outdoor units Leaves, twigs, pollen, and more can accumulate on and around your outdoor air conditioning unit. It’s important to clear this away regularly to keep your system running. Aim to brush debris off your outdoor unit weekly while mowing the law and cut back grass and weeds to maintain two feet of clearance around outdoor units. If you want to hide your outdoor unit without affecting its performance, follow Consumer Reports’ landscaping advice. Clean vents and registers Dirt, dust, and pet hair loves to settle in a home’s vents and registers, especially if you have floor vents. Clean these areas as part of your regular chore rotation to prevent build-up from blocking air flow. Vents and registers can be cleaned by removing the grille with a screwdriver, gently vacuuming the entrance to the vent or register, and washing the grille before replacing it. If you’re wiping down grilles without removing them, use a dry microfiber cloth instead of water to avoid smearing dust around. Every Three Months Replace the filter If you haven’t already replaced your HVAC filter, now is the time to do it. Turn off your HVAC system, remove the old filter, and use a rag to dust the area before inserting a new filter. When installing the new filter, keep in mind that HVAC filters have a front and back side. It’s important to insert your new filter properly in order for it to be effective. After replacing your air filter, turn the system back on and take note of the date so you can schedule the next replacement Wash outdoor units Despite monthly clean-ups, your outdoor air conditioning unit accumulates dirt over time. If you don’t clean it away, the dirt will eventually infiltrate your system and impair its performance. Before tackling this job, shut off the power to the outdoor unit. Use a screwdriver to remove the access panel and set it aside. Then, gently use a shop vacuum to suck dirt and debris out of the unit, taking care not to bend fins or coils. After you’ve finished vacuuming, use a garden hose to rinse down the unit and a wet rag to wipe fan blades clean. After you’re finished, replace the access panel and restore power to the unit. While DIY maintenance extends the life of your system and saves you money, it’s not a replacement for professional HVAC servicing. Superpages.com recommends that homeowners have their HVAC system professionally maintained either once or twice per year so a trained technician can handle all the tasks that aren’t suited to DIY. These include lubricating moving parts and inspecting and replacing belts, refrigerant, drain lines, and electrical and gas connections. Professional servicing keeps your system running at optimal performance, saving you money and keeping your family safe.
Top Ten Tips For Staying Safe on Workplace Scaffolding
Top Ten Tips For Staying Safe on Workplace Scaffolding Scaffolding is the ingenious construction of supports and walking planks that line the perimeter of a structure. This building might be partially or wholly constructed as workers walk along the scaffolding for exterior access. Because scaffolding can be constructed into countless configurations and heights, OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires several rules to be followed by both employers and employees. Be aware of these top ten tips when you’re about to work on any scaffolding project. 1. Only Work on Verified Scaffolding Scaffolding is initially built for a project that can last for weeks or months. Before anyone steps onto the planks, the entire configuration requires an initial verification. Depending on the region and scaffolding size, the inspector may need a certificate or engineering degree. These inspectors may also bring other professionals to the site in order to back up their verification process. If there’s no verification of a new configuration, don’t start any work above the ground. Any weak points on the scaffolding can be dangerous underfoot. 2. Heed the Capacity Limits In general, scaffolding must support its capacity along with four times this value in order to be safe. The structure should have an advertised capacity based on the number of people and weight in pounds. Ideally, it supports at least one worker and his or her gear to perform the job. Larger configurations hold several people that walk along its length most of the day. Never try to add just a few pounds over the maximum limit on a scaffolding section, however. Dangerous circumstances may be the result. 3. Use Guardrails Scaffolding is merely a mixture of planks and a frame so guardrails make up the extra support that’s necessary to keep it structurally sound. As of January 2000, guardrails must be between 38- and 45-inches tall. Hold onto the guardrails as much as possible because wind gusts, balance mishaps and other issues can cause falls. Every open side of the scaffolding must have a guardrail. There are no exceptions. The rails should also be made of strong metal that’s permanently affixed to the scaffolding’s framework. 4. Avoid Clutter Structures with scaffolding in place are constantly busy with workers, equipment and supplies moving to various locations. Each working space, however, cannot be cluttered with a lot of debris. Supplies, tools or personal items cannot dot the scaffolding because they become hazards to anyone trying to maneuver around the area. If you see any clutter along a plank, point it out so that the issue can be resolved. When debris strikes the scaffolding, such as stucco or drywall pieces, every effort should be made to clean up the area before moving forward with the project. 5. Wear Fall Protection Every construction site has slightly different rules when it comes to fall protection. You might be working only a few feet off of the ground. In these cases, fall protection isn’t always necessary. Working several stories up in the air, however, requires harnesses and proper attachment to a sturdy component. Fall protection doesn’t mean that guardrails are optional either. Both safety mechanisms must be part of a construction site so that workers concentrate on the project instead of inherent dangers surrounding them. 6. Daily Inspections are Mandatory Although your scaffolding may have passed with flying colors during the initial inspection, the structure remains in place for weeks and months. It’s possible for the structural components to break down overnight in very subtle ways. Staying safe on the worksite means that you must wait for a daily inspection before starting the morning’s tasks. A foreman or other official will look over the scaffolding and verify that it’s safe to work on before the day’s shift. Don’t assume that the scaffolding is safe because any minor issue can turn into a serious problem. 7. Point Out Suspension Rope Faults When scaffolding is supported by suspension ropes, these elements must be constantly verified for stability. After a morning inspection, every worker on each plank should periodically look at the ropes. If they appear to be breaking down or unraveling at any location, immediately notify your supervisor. These ropes have intricate weaves that can break down from weathering and normal, wear-and-tear conditions. At some point, the ropes might fail. Keeping an eye on the ropes will only make you feel better and contribute to the safety of the entire project. 8. Don’t Work on Ice-Covered Scaffolding Scaffolding is almost always exposed to the elements. If icy conditions persisted overnight, the planks will probably have slippery surfaces. Verify any icy conditions and notify your supervisor of these hazards. Don’t attempt to work on a slick surface. Your work shoes may have the best soles in the industry, but no safety gear is immune to ice’s slippery features. The scaffolding must be warmed to remove the ice, or your work will need to be put off until later in the day. 9. Always Wear Hard Hats Most of the heavy-duty work is often performed within a structure rather than on the scaffolding itself. With this fact in mind, you might believe that wearing a hard hat isn’t necessary. In most cases, you’re required to wear a hard hat at any point during the workday. Any dropped items along the structure’s edge can easily strike workers. Your head is a valuable asset so keep it protected. 10. Use Caution During Welding With some exceptions, qualified workers can weld along a scaffolding plank. It’s critical to take the proper precautions during this work, however. Secure your tools and point the flame away from any flammable objects. If the scaffolding becomes affected by the wind, stop your work until it’s safe to resume it. Being observant about your surroundings is critical during any scaffolding work. Be a voice of reason as you work each day by pointing out any concerns. Everyone must pitch in to keep the crew safe. Noticing one broken or out-of-place item
Duce Construction Company Ranks in Franklin Report Top 10 Cleanest Contractors
(link to original article) Duce Construction Company Ranks in Franklin Report Top 10 Cleanest Contractors “I don’t let my guys bring a change of clothes to the job site, because if it’s okay getting yourself dirty, it’s okay letting the job site get dirty. I tell my guys to dress like they’re going on a first date right after work.” – Peter McIntyre, Hibernia Construction The path to a serene, freshly chic home can be fraught with mess and chaos–anyone who has endured stacks of lumber in the lobby and sawdust in the elevator knows that. However, there are still contractors who embrace zero-tolerance cleanliness, and we’ve found ten of the best. Our method? Ask the people who see high-end renovations up close, all day every day: Park Avenue superintendents. Relying on our network of contacts, we reached out to supers at some of the city’s most coveted addresses. They dished up the dirt (or lack thereof) on New York’s Top Ten Cleanest Contractors: 1. Clark Construction Corp. 2. Best & Company NYC 3. SilverLining Interiors 4. NYC Brownstone 5. Duce Construction Corporation 6. Hibernia Construction 7. Eljin Construction of New York, Inc. 8. Metamorphosis Construction Corporation 9. Taconic Builders Inc. 10. Cornerstone Contracting Equipped with this list, we reached out to find out how these firms get the job done. One, NYC Brownstone, invited us along on a patch-up project for one of the buildings they maintain (by the way, it’s a historic home of Eleanor Roosevelt’s, and it’s for sale). Helmed by veteran contractor Jack Kaltner, the firm has a reputation for superior work on smaller jobs. Their technique for dust-free repairs involves a system of double plastic draping, including the taping of hands in bags. The average operating room is less hygienic. However, a trustworthy crew is the secret ingredient. “I know all my guys personally,” Kaltner said. “You have to, working on significant properties like this.” Echoing this sentiment, Metamorphosis’ Konstantine Tsombikos told us “It’s about people, not about tricks. We do all the normal things: protective cloths, spraying with water to contain dust, careful taping and covering, all of it. But you have to have people who care, otherwise it doesn’t matter.” As a successful executor of lavish homes for over 25 years, principal of Duce Construction Rory McCreesh considers his practices Job Site 101. “Construction sites can be incredibly complex. We map out every stage of the game in excruciating detail to save the client’s time and money. Hyper-cleanliness isn’t just an objective, it’s the byproduct of a well-executed project.” Chip Brian of Best & Co. takes it one immaculate step further with a multitude of live cameras at every site to ensure his personal zero-tolerance standards are being met. Furthermore, no food is allowed onsite and tool organization is paramount. Says Brian, “A disorderly job site indicates the contractor’s disinterest in the success of your project. Disarray is unacceptable and disrespectful of clients’ carefully considered investment in the project and resources. A messy site should never be tolerated at any stage of the project including demolition.” Those high standards, along with superior work, transparent communication and a sense of urgency keep Best & Co. at the top of all lists. Another advocate of high-tech solutions for large scale projects is Josh Wiener, of construction heavyweight SilverLining. To placate the neighbors while ensuring a safe site for all, his crew lines all involved elevators with plastic zippered jackets to ensure even the slightest bit of debris doesn’t slip through the shaft to the floors below. Inside the apartment, a negative air pressure machine is used to suck in dirty air particles, scrub them clean and expel them back into the space. But, like the others in the Top Ten, Wiener also goes back to basics. “One precaution we always take is to keep either a wet cloth or a carpet sample by the front door. That way, even when the client or designer come to check on the progress, nothing from the outside comes in and nothing is tracked out.” While it may seem like the city’s best contractors just spilled their secrets to success, the real takeaway is that cleanliness is something essential for distinguishing the very best. As head of Eljin Construction, Denis McCarthy, summarizes, “The simple answer is embedded in the company culture. We take a holistic view that in every job we work for everyone in the building. It’s easy to be considerate of neighbors and the building staff. After all, they are our partners in getting the job done.”
5 Things From Your Job Site You Can Recycle
5 Things From Your Job Site You Can Recycle Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle. Our planet could be spared from untold amounts of pollution if only we took those three words seriously. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated an estimated 254 million tons of trash less than 3 years ago. From that amount, only 87 million tons, which is less than 35 percent of the total, were actually recycled. https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures In the workplace, there is a place for everything, even when it is no longer needed. Thinking with some creativity, and with a true interest in keeping our planet fit enough to live in, we can spare mother Earth from becoming its own, worst enemy. Make your job Earth friendly by recycling these: All glass jugs Glass jugs come in every form, from wine bottles to leftover flower arrangement vases. Make a collective effort to gather each and every glass jug, container, or holder that is brought to the work place, and covert each one of them in any of the following: “Flower boxes” to decorate the office with fresh plants Spare change banks for an end-of-the-year office party fund Pen, pencil and scissor holders = add sand, rocks, or other binding powder and stab the sharp objects onto it, while the glass container holds all in one place. Ice coolers to keep drinks cool- they also make great ice-cold water coolers if you fill them with ice that will eventually melt. Creative fish tanks to keep one beta fish in each Snack serving trays for community lunches. Water and juice pourers (cleaned out, glass vases are especially beautiful for this) Wood or plastic crates These are used in workplaces to transport bottles, cartons of products, and other items that are bought in bulk. Do not get rid of crates. Everyone at the workplace will end up needing one if you make them into one of these: Stepping stools- With a solid wood top, any crate can be creatively made into a stepping stool for the “vertically challenged” coworkers that cannot reach certain high areas. Foot rests- Crates can be personalized and made into foot rests to keep feet elevated while sitting at work. Everyone likes the feeling of elevated feet. Extra storage seats- Crates can also become storage and sitting cubes for the common areas, and you can store things inside the crates as you use them, too. Just make sure that the tops can be lifted. Recycling bins- assign a recyclable material to each crate so coworkers can deposit glass, plastic, paper, and other reusable items once they are finished using them. Take out containers, especially those with lids! Create a “company china set” using take out and refrigerator containers, such as butter tubs and sour cream tubs, that can be washed and reused. Systematically divide them by soup bowls salad bows dessert plates bread baskets entrée plates Assign a place for these items and make a sign asking people to “contribute to the company china set” by washing and leaving their best take out containers (some restaurants are better than others) and placing a label on the container stating the use of the bowl, like the list above shows. Nothing shows esprit the corps more than sharing a common cause. Decorate the office space with old CDs, DVDs, floppy disks and discarded technology Rediscover your love of “steampunk” with an office deco that shows your creativity reusing “old school” technology, and your desire to have a clean and better world. CDs and DVDs make awesome wall decorations, especially when you put them together as one big mirror. If all else fails, put together all of the discarded tech items and see if you can sell them at auction for a company fund. Ask people to bring their items, and find one of many online sites that will take it from you and pay for it, too! Boxes and paper The worse culprits of garbage, these can be properly recycled by placing them in a recycling bin to be taken, or re-used for other purposes. Boxes can be re-used to re-pack things They can also serve as mini garbage cans, carriers, and recycling boxes Make a habit of not sending out flyers; that is what emails are for. Ask for all workplace catalogs to be sent online and refuse paper copies Establish a zero paper policy and give incentives to those who use the least amount of paper products in a specific period of time. Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Econoheat., the world’s #1 leading waste oil heaters manufacturer.
Apartment built by Duce Construction Corp for Frederic Fekkai goes to market.
(link to original article) Hairstylist extraordinaire Frédéric Fekkai lists Fifth Ave duplex for $8.5M The apartments living room and Fekkai (photo credit: Frédéric Fekkai) Frédéric Fekkai, the celebrity hair stylist and shampoo maker, has listed his duplex co-op at 953 Fifth Avenue for $8.5 million. Originally from France, Fekkai is known for styling the coifs of celebrities like Hillary Clinton and for his eponymous shampoo and hair product brand. His flagship salon is located at the top of Bergdorf Goodman’s (where it’s been since 1989), and he also has salons in Bendel’s department store, Greenwich, CT, St. Barths and elsewhere around the world. According to the Wall Street Journal, which first spotted the listing, Fekkai bought the apartment in 2006 from the late billionaire John Kluge for $7.4 million. The interiors were designed by Robert Couturier, who told the Journal that the apartment has “a very European feeling, obviously French.” In addition to views of Central Park, the apartment has a library with wood panels from Versailles, a butler’s pantry, a bathroom with views of the park and five fireplaces. The listing is shared between Leonel Piraino of Douglas Elliman and Serena Boardman of Sotheby’s. [WSJ]
Protecting Your Artwork: Advice from Duce Construction Corporation
Art is an investment on many levels. It has emotional, sentimental and fiscal value that can last for years or lifetimes. It is thus important to consider the installation of the art as carefully as the art itself. The physical constraints when hanging an artwork depend on a few factors. There are two quick questions that you can ask yourself before you make any holes in a wall – How heavy is my piece of art?, and What is the makeup of the wall that I am attaching this to? If your art is clearly on the lighter side, under 20 lbs, then it can be screwed straight into the wall. More often than not though, the piece is on the heavier side, 25 lbs or heavier and must have extra support. Walls are usually composed of drywall covering a sturdy framework. This framework is the ideal place to attach the art and can be found using a stud finder. If there are not any studs in the location where you want to hang your art, you will have to add additional plywood pieces (called blocking) to bridge between the studs. If you are redesigning a home and know in advance that you will have heavy art it is beneficial to think forward and design the blocking into the wall. If your walls are made of brick you can drill straight into the wall using a drill and a masonry bit. Be sure to drill into the mortar and not the brick itself. Another important factor to consider when hanging art is its environment. An appropriate temperature, humidity and light within the space all contribute to the longevity of the art. The ideal temperature recommended by museums and insurance companies is between 65-75 oF, and the ideal humidity between 55% to 65%. These numbers should be maintained even while you are absent from the home; a digital thermohygrometer monitors both temperature and humidity and can help to keep the environment consistent. Both interior and exterior light can have a profound effect on your artwork. The UV rays found in sunlight can fade and damage your art. Placing the art on a non-sunny wall or framing it in UVblocking glass can lessen the effects of the UV rays. The interior lights should be low lumen lighting. LED bulbs and incadescent lights have the appropriate lumen level (55 lux or below). If you follow these guidelines you will have long lasting art pieces. Enjoy the view!
5 Easy Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season
5 Easy Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season With the holiday season approaching quickly, thinking of ways to save and spend wisely can help you avoid getting caught up in all the spending. You don’t need to break the bank on gifts and decorations to make the holiday season memorable for your loved ones and friends. Below are 5 easy ways to save money this holiday season that anyone can follow. 1. Make a gift-list and stick to it. It’s easy to succumb to impulse buys while you’re out shopping. Before you hit the malls or surf the web for internet sales watch what you spend by creating a list for your friends & family. The key here too is once you create your list making sure to stick to it. 2. Get daily deals delivered to your inbox. Sign up for emails from sites like Gilt.com and Zulily.com, which offer discounts on popular brands for women, men, kids and the home each day. Most of your favorite websites also have daily deals if you subscribe to their newsletter – so look for that at the bottom of the homepage on most websites. 3. Take advantage of in-store pickup. In-store pickup allows you to save money on shipping fees by having your items delivered to your local store, instead of to your home or office. 4. Hit the sales. Research sales circulars before you shop to make the most of your trip and enjoy big savings. Also make sure to turn to Google and check to see if there are any discounts on your favorite websites like Amazon & Ebay. A simple search like “Amazon discount finder” can help you find hidden deals. 5. Play Secret Santa. Do you come from a large family or have a large group of friends? Instead of buying gifts for everyone, each person draws a name from a hat and purchases a gift for that person. Be sure to set a spending limit that keeps everyone’s budget in mind. Not only does a Secret Santa experience help relieve some of the stress and financial burden of exchanging gifts with every member of my family, it gives us a chance to focus on the giving aspect during the holidays.
Keeping the Stress Out of a New Home Construction Project
When making the decision to start a new home construction project, you’ll find that you will go through a wide variety of emotions: excitement, happiness, fear, stress, anticipation, agitation, and much more. The last thing that you will want to do is focus on the stress of it all, but that can be hard. Building your dream home should be an enjoyable process and you should be able to focus on the excitement of having your very own home built, not the stress of it all! Having been in business since 1990, we’ve found a few simple ways to help reduce the stress and make sure you enjoy the process from start to finish. Below are 3 simple ways that you can keep the stress at bay and focus on the excitement. Choose the Right Construction Company to Build Your Home We’ve found that having a successful project all starts with selecting the right company. If you rush into choosing a construction company, you could find that the rush decision could cause you and your family a great deal of stress. One of the most important steps is making sure to choose a company you can trust. Experience, professionalism and approachability are all qualities you should look for when selecting the right company to help build your dream home. If you take the time to consider the available companies carefully and choose the right one, you’ll find the rest of the project will go significantly smoother. Choosing the right construction company is, by far, the most important de-stressing step that you can take. Keep Track of the Progress One source of stress when you are having a new home built can be not knowing what is going on. If you live close enough to the construction site, visiting it from time to time can help ensure the project is on track. Just seeing the progress and getting an update will certainly set your mind at ease. Of course, you do not want to be there every single day, getting in the way of the builders. Your project manager should schedule periodic meetings with you. This will take away a great deal of the stress of feeling left in the dark. Step Away from it All With all the decisions and the responsibilities of a new home construction, you should know that there is nothing wrong with stepping away for a while and getting in some time to relax. Going back to our first point – when you select the right company to build your home, you’ll feel much more confident everything is going as planned. Knowing that, planning a weekend getaway or even a quick daytrip can be a great way to take your mind off everything going on back at home. No matter what your own stress relieving action may be, take time to get away from it all and just relax for a day or two. Remember you don’t have to be overstressed when it comes to building a new home. While it’s perfectly natural to feel some level of stress, the overall process should be exciting and enjoyable. Duce Construction Corporation has been building beautiful homes since 1990 and is proud to have been named Vendor of the Year 2016 by the New York Building Manager’s Association. We are always happy to answer any initial questions you may have whether you’re looking to build a new home, redesign a room or make an addition. Contact us at info@ducecc.com or call us at (212) 316-2400.
Be Prepared No Matter What
Hurricane Matthew put the entire East Coast on high alert this month and reminded everyone there is no time like the present to make sure you are well prepared for mother nature. When it comes to the safety and well being of your family it’s important to be prepared no matter what. Here are the appropriate steps you & your family can take leading up to any natural disaster that is known to be coming: The Week Leading Up To The Storm Notify all employees for the potential of severe weather and ensure employees have your business’ designated emergency telephone numbers and key contact information. If you are in an office building check the surrounding area for loose debris, which may become a hazard in high winds. Make sure to remove any debris within 72 hours of the projected timeline in case the storm is ahead of schedule. Provide a list of safety preparation & needed supplies to help your employees prepare their homes and families. A simple Google search can provide excellent suggestions based on your geographical area and specific needs. 2-3 Days Before Storm Conditions Occur If not completed already, remove or secure all loose debris, including any landscaping items that may become wind-borne debris. Clear roof drains, gutters and downspouts of debris, to prevent water back-up. If you have an emergency generator, make sure everything is running properly and that you have sufficient fuel supplies. Make sure to anticipate needs for post-storm deliveries. Ensure fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire protection systems are in proper working order. Notify key customers, suppliers, and partners of office/facility closing and contingency plans. Have a written plan about when to excuse employees so that they have sufficient time to prepare their homes and families, and notify employees of office closure details. Make any necessary alternative arrangements for employees that travel or are on the road. Update your website, email signatures & telephone recordings to reflect closing and contingency plans. 1-2 Days Before Storm Conditions Double check to make sure all employees have your business’ designated emergency telephone numbers and key contact information. For hurricanes and other high wind events, install window protection; if window protection is unavailable, close all window blinds, and cover office equipment with plastic sheets or tarps. If your office has a refrigerator – place a frozen cup of water with a quarter on top to check for power outages.The purpose of this trick is if the power temporarily goes out the ice will melt dropping the quarter in the cup. If you come back to find the water still frozen but the quarter at the bottom of the cup you should check food for spoilage. If you expect your building to be exposed to flooding or storm surge, seal all water entry points such as utility penetrations into the building and install flood protection including first-floor drain plugs. Advise employees to check the status of your office/facility at least twice per day. Disconnect all electrical equipment and unplug from power source. Close and lock all office doors, especially perimeter offices. Place a “Closed” notice on office/facility main entrance. During & Immediately After The Storm Update company website with postings on the status of your operations. Activate the company telephone call list process, in order to contact all employees regarding the status of your office/facility. Designate times for key staff members to call into conference calls for situation overviews. Recovery Designated personnel should return to the facility, assess conditions, document damages, and notify the emergency operations teams of their findings. When it is deemed safe, designated personnel should begin start-up procedures. When all safety and operational concerns are addressed and an “All Clear” is provided, employees can return to work. Take an overall inventory, including photos of all damaged property, and report damage and related expenses to your insurance company. Employees returning to the building should be instructed to examine their work area, test all office equipment and report findings back to the designated staff contact. Notify key customers, suppliers, and partners of office/facility re-opening and any necessary property or operational changes resulting from storm damage.