1) Insight Balanced Risk Engineering Solutions Winter Weather Precautions Understanding the Risk Every winter, businesses suffer millions of pounds worth of damage caused by adverse weather conditions. The term ‘Winter Weather’ embraces a wide range of natural conditions, which may result in significant loss or damage to your premises and cause a serious interruption to your business. This guide deals with the main weather conditions which give rise to potential damage, and sets out practical steps which can help reduce the risk of damage, and help minimise the cost of any damage that does occur: • • • • Freezing temperatures, causing bursting of water pipes and tanks Storm Flooding Snow • Controlling the Hazards The following precautions and measures should be taken to control the risks: • Burst Water Pipes and/or Tanks • • • • • Where possible, maintain an adequate level of heating (minimum 4° to prevent the freezing of C) water pipes and tanks. Heating systems should be regularly serviced prior to the onset of winter. Install thermostats and frost stats if not already in place. Where adequate heating cannot be maintained, or in unheated areas, all water pipes and tanks should be adequately lagged with good quality lagging to BS6700, or trace heated where practical. Ideally, portable heaters should not be used; if there is no alternative, they should only be used in accordance with the guidance given in the AIG guide ‘Transportable Heaters’. See that building insulation is in place, windows are not broken, and openings are sealed. If the building is to be unoccupied for a lengthy period of time (i.e. over a holiday period) and it is not practical to maintain the heating system, turn off the water supply and drain the water system. Regularly inspect or arrange inspection of any unoccupied premises. AIG Insight | UC434374 Winter Weather Precautions • • • • • Ensure that all stopcocks are in working order, can be turned on and off safely and that all relevant staff know their whereabouts. Find out how to drain the system. Repair leaking taps by fitting new washers. Consider the installation of water loss detection alarms and shut-off valves, particularly to protect sensitive computer equipment or plant. Such alarms should be linked to an alarm receiving centre. Sprinkler installations need special attention and any specific instructions and maintenance requirements should be followed. Please refer to the AIG guide ‘Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Winter Precautions’. Ensure any temperature sensitive materials are adequately stored. Air conditioning units can produce large volumes of condensed water. For externally mounted units, this is generally not a problem, but the small units often fitted internally to computer/communications areas can cause serious problems, as their drain lines can easily be disconnected accidentally. If a pipe does freeze, always isolate the pipe by closing the stopcock on the feed from the tank or main. NEVER use blowlamps or any form of naked flame to thaw a frozen pipe. Before you start to thaw the system, do what you can to protect or remove contents which might be damaged by thawing water running from a burst. 1 of 3 

2) Insight Winter Weather Precautions Storm • • • Keep track of severe weather warnings. Check that buildings are sound and in good condition, including doors, windows and skylights. Inspect trees which are close to the buildings. Remove unsafe trees and branches. General • • Flooding • • • The Environment Agency is the primary source of information and advice for areas liable to flooding. If available, register with the Environment Agency Floodline for early warnings of flood threats. www.environmentagency.gov.uk. Check that basement areas are provided with adequate drainage. Where necessary, proprietary sump pumps should be professionally installed. Stock, machinery and other contents which are susceptible to water damage should, where possible, be stored on upper floors. Where this is not practical, store as much as possible on pallets or racking in order to reduce the possibility of damage. Snow • • Arrange an annual inspection and maintenance contract to ensure roofs, flashings, gutters, downpipes, drains and gullies are in good condition and free from blockages. Plan for weather-related incidents: • Prepare an emergency plan, to include preventative measures • Establish an emergency response team • Ensure that your Business Continuity Plan is up to date and covers weather-related incidents • Ensure critical documents and data are safely stored • Maintain an up to date list of emergency contacts • Consider providing generators as back-up power supplies for any critical operations. Inspect your buildings for damage after any weatherrelated incident, and carry out any necessary remedial work. For further information please contact your local AIG Risk Engineer. Plan for safe methods of snow removal from roofs. Clear accumulations before they reach unsafe loading. AIG Insight | UC434374 Winter Weather Precautions 2 of 3 

3) www.aig.com BELFAST Forsyth House Cromac Square Belfast BT2 8LA Tel: 02890 726002 Fax: 02890 726085 BIRMINGHAM Embassy House 60 Church Street Birmingham B3 2DJ Tel: 0121 236 9471 Fax: 0121 233 3597 BRISTOL Ten Victoria Street Bristol BS1 6BN Tel: 0117 329 1065 Fax: 0117 906 9874 CROYDON 2-8 Altyre Road Croydon, Surrey CR9 2LG Tel: 020 8681 2556 Fax: 020 8680 7158 GLASGOW Centenary House 69 Wellington Street Glasgow G2 6HJ Tel: 0141 303 4400 Fax: 0141 303 4440 LEEDS 5th Floor Gallery House 123-131 The Headrow Leeds LS1 5RD Tel: 0113 242 1177 Fax: 0113 242 1746 LONDON 58 Fenchurch Street London EC3M 4AB Tel: 020 7954 7000 Fax: 020 7954 7001 MANCHESTER 4th Floor, 201 Deansgate Manchester M3 3NW Tel: 0161 832 8521 Fax: 0161 832 0149 American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organisation serving customers in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. This material is for information purposes. Products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. and may not be available in every jurisdiction. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. Registered in England: company number 1486260. Registered address: The AIG Building, 58 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4AB. AIG Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. TPW006 AUG14 AIG Insight | UC434374 Winter Weather Precautions 3 of 3