Commercial Snow Management
During a snowstorm, emergency services need to reach properties quickly. Blocked fire lanes, buried hydrants, and inaccessible entrances create life-threatening delays. Ontario property managers have both legal obligations and moral responsibilities to maintain emergency access.
Fire lanes are designated and painted for a reason — they must remain clear of parked vehicles and snow accumulations at all times. During and after snowstorms, fire lanes often fill with plowed snow pushed from parking spots. Your snow contractor must prioritize fire lane clearance.
Liability and Safety
Fire hydrant clearance: while municipalities are primarily responsible for clearing hydrants on public property, private hydrants on commercial properties are the owner's responsibility. Hydrants must be visible and accessible — a buried hydrant adds minutes to emergency response times.
Building entrances and emergency exits: main entrances should be prioritized for clearing in the immediate post-storm period. Emergency exit pathways — side doors, rear exits — must also remain accessible, though they're often overlooked in the post-storm clearing rush.
Reliable Winter Services
Accessibility: Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires that accessible parking spaces and accessible routes to building entrances remain usable. Snow cannot be piled in accessible spaces or blocking accessible routes.
Signage visibility: stop signs, directional signs, and parking restriction signs buried in snow create traffic confusion and liability. Ensure snow storage areas don't cover property signage.
Work with your snow contractor to define a 'priority map' for your property that puts fire lanes, hydrant access, and accessible routes at the top of the clearing order. D&D Snow Services develops site-specific clearing plans for all commercial clients.