What precautions do you or techs do when working outside during the bitter cold?

RayWohlfarth · January 24

About half our work is rooftop unit service. Its hot in the summer and cold in the winter. What do you or your employees do to prepare for it? I have tried layers and this year purchased heated gloves. We have tried infrared heaters that mount on a 30 pound can of propane. Just curious what you do

Ray

SlamDunk · January 24

postpone it until it warms up.

HydronicMike · January 24

I have a buddy who does a lot of rooftops. He started trying/using different brands of heated vests. Says they work great.

pedmec · January 24

PTO

pedmec · January 24

Just kidding.

HVACNUT · January 25

When I did RTU's in winter, I would work a bit, fingers would freeze, then go to another RTU that's running, and bask in exhaust gasses to warm my digits. And that's why I dont do commercial anymore.

RayWohlfarth · January 25

Yep RTUs are miserable to work on

Mad Dog_2 · January 25

Our old foreman would say:

"I don't wanna hear it! You think this is cold????? We froze our A---s off in Korea in 1951… The Heat is in the tools...all I wanna see is A—-s and Elbows movin" - Old School ha ha. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2 · January 25

I use the same clothing I use for Subzero Hunting and Cod Fishing 🎣:

Oversized Insulated boots with the highest level Thinsulate available, 3 pairs of Alpaca Wool socks and Disposable handwarmers in the toes.
Heavy Cold Weather Hat, full face if windy.
Thin Deerskin gloves.
One piece Subzero Bibb Overalls and Parka.

Mad Dog

Dave Carpentier · January 25

Did decades of below zero work outside , in telecom.

Extreme rated boots, good quality insulated overalls and parka , 2 layered gloves (those grey/blue stretchy kinda gloves for dexterity and fur-lined mitts over them for warm when less dexterity is required).

Buddy Heater type heaters that use the 1 pound bottles are nice and portable but the propane costs are high.

leonz · January 25

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1883999#Comment_1883999

Hello Matt, your old boss was at the Chosin Reservoir eh?

ch4man · January 25

calories are fuel for body heat.. EAT A LOT. oh and stay dry..

RayWohlfarth · January 26

thanks appreciate the advice

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 27

For RTUs I used to do as @HVACNUT said and warm up my fingers in a running unit but the exhaust is wet and doesn't help much.

I have been out on the roof at 0 degrees with no wind and you can be quite comfortable. But wind chill is for real.

Many times, I would have to go down to the truck to warm up.

Drop a little screw in the snow and your screwed. Fingers are numb and you can't wear gloves with really small parts.

You get so cold its hard to concentrate on the wiring diagram.

We used to say how efficient is a tin box on a roof used for heating in 0-degree weather with maybe 1" of insulation in it.

RayWohlfarth · January 27

@EBEBRATT-Ed My first foreman sent me to a mall for a no heat call. I asked how can I tell which unit is down. He said look for the unit with snow on top

Mad Dog_2 · January 27

The Coldest job I ever worked on was the East River Esplanade (Jogging path) on Manhattans East Side. January and February late 198os. Single digits for days at a time with strong winds..8 hours outdoors...no shanty..no cars to warm up in. Even the Old Man Harry said it was Korea-Cold....You do the best you can...Fingers and toes must be freeze-protected..then face...Mad Dog

Intplm. · January 27

Florida

RayWohlfarth · January 27

@Mad Dog_2 glad you didnt lose digits

tonynap · January 27

I have rechargeable handwarmers that are outstanding.

Ginaol OT-119

Mad Dog_2 · January 28

Thanks Ray Ray. My big toe on my right foot sustained frost bite back in the 1990s in a treestand for 10 hours in low single digits and a 25 mph wind. Thats on me..seeing what I could take...ha ha...semi numb and always a bit sore, but still on my footsie!!!! Mad Dog

RayWohlfarth · January 30

@tonynap I bought heated gloves this year and my son teased me about that. He uses them all the time LOL

@Mad Dog_2 Wow thats dedication.

SuperTech · January 30

I use a rechargeable hand warmer and dress in several layers. Unfortunately I can't really dress to prepare for the weather properly all the time, I am limited to my work uniforms. It seems like whenever I have all my warmest gear on I end up working in a hot boiler room all day. When I don't dress for the cold weather I get sent to fix a rooftop unit or a mini split when it's cold and windy outside.

Joannie · January 30

I have a huge amount of respect for folks who work outside to keep any kind of infrastructure or building system operating and safe. I'm a fan of being outside in winter, but I can go inside any time I want.

RayWohlfarth · January 31

Its funny when working outside, I get so sleepy once in a warm place. On more than one occasion, I kept the window open on the drive home

maddog1950 · February 5

Winter coveralls good to -40 with a hood…if possible find another rtu close to the one your working on, remove the side discharge panel, jumper it out and hope it’s blowing in your direction, if not at least you can go over and warm up without leaving the roof

What precautions do you or techs do when working outside during the bitter cold?

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