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Show Volume XXX Issue XI The Ogden Valley News Page 3 March 15, 2023 GasOgdenMeter & Vent Safety exhaust Valley is experiencing record snow and while it brings lots of fun and excitement to our outdoor activities, we are seeing some negative side effects. Dominion Energy shared this message with some tips on gas meter and vent safety. Your outdoor natural gas meter is designed to work in harsh winter weather. However, heavy accumulations of snow and ice can damage your meter and threaten your safety. Dominion Energy asks that you follow these basic tips: • Make sure your meter is free of clutter and other obstructions, especially snow and ice. • When clearing walks or drives, do not pile snow on or near the meter. • Keep water from dripping from your roof and freezing on the meter. • Carefully remove icicles and snow build-up from roof eaves above the meter and on the meter itself. • Never kick or strike the meter to loosen builtup ice or snow. • Ensure snow and ice aren’t blocking FIRE DISTRICT cont. from page 1 is crucial for effective use. Deep snow-covered hydrants can be challenging to locate and clearing them in an emergency can take precious time that firefighters cannot afford to lose. Additionally, fire hydrants buried under snow can cause delays in accessing the water supply, resulting in potentially disastrous consequences for both property and human life. Similarly, snow covered driveways can create significant obstacles for firefighters. Having to dig through piles of snow to reach the build- Be sure to dig out your hydrant and a path to it. vents or combustion air ducts on your roof as this could leave occupants exposed to deadly carbon monoxide. Your natural gas appliances, including your furnace, 昀椀replace, water heater and clothes dryer, require good ventilation to operate properly. Following these simple steps will reduce the risk of hazards, including natural gas leaks. If your meter is in one of Utah’s high-snowfall areas and/or you regularly have snow burying the meter, please contact us at CustomerCare@ DominionEnergy.com or 800-323-5517 for a snow shelter evaluation. If You Smell Gas.... • Do not attempt to locate the source of a gas leak. • Do not remain in the building when there is a strong gas odor. From a safe distance, be ready to let our representative into your home or business so he or she can investigate. • Do not turn on or o昀昀 any battery-powered, rechargeable or electrical device, including phones, garage door openers, radios, TVs, computers or any device that could create a spark. • Do not turn on or turn o昀昀 any lights or electrical switches, or unplug appliances. • Do not use telephones of any type, including cordless, cell or landline. • Do not use elevators. • Do not position or operate vehicles and power equipment where leaking gas may be present. • Do not smoke or use lighters, matches or other open 昀氀ames. Not sure what natural gas smells like? Request one of our scratch-and-sniff cards and we’ll mail one to you. Also, don’t forget to be a hydrant hero and clear the snow from your neighborhood hydrant! ing can significantly slow down the response time of firefighters. Blocked driveways can also prevent fire trucks from getting close enough to the building to use their hoses effectively, causing further delays and potentially exacerbating the fire. Keeping fire hydrants and driveways clear of snow is not just a matter of convenience but one of safety. A delayed response can mean the difference between a minor fire and a total loss of property—or even human life. By keeping fire hydrants and driveways clear of snow, we can help emergency responders respond quickly and effectively, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage. Although Weber Fire Crews take time out each day to shovel hydrants, with all the continued snowfall, it is impossible to keep up. Therefore, we are asking that every resident of Ogden Valley assist with ensuring their safety and the safety of their neighbors, especially seniors and individuals who may not be able to clear their driveways and sidewalks. By taking the necessary steps to clear these areas, we can significantly contribute to public safety and potentially save lives. In conclusion, clearing fire hydrants, sidewalks, and driveways of snow is a simple but crucial step that can make a significant difference in emergencies. We must all take the necessary measures to contribute to public safety, including those providing emergency medical services. By doing our part and keeping fire hydrants and driveways clear of snow, we can ensure that emergency responders have quick and easy access to the building and the water supply they need to put out the flames, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage. Huntsville Town Announces Tree Committee Vacancies As you enter Huntsville Town, you will notice the sign that designates Huntsville as a “Tree City USA.” This designation is from the Arbor Day Foundation, which has been recognizing green communities across America since 1976. One of the requirements for this designation is an official Tree Committee. Members of the Tree Committee are responsible for planning an annual Arbor Day celebration in town along with some other minor duties. Huntsville is currently looking for volunteers who would like to be members and or chair the town’s Tree Committee. If you are interested, please contact Sandy Hunter at 801-791-0927. To Shovel or Not to Shovel…. ing to come out and check to see if your build- By Shanna Francis To shovel your roof or not to shovel your roof… that is the question many have been debating as snow totals continue to rise. A call into building officer Stan Berniche with Weber County’s building inspection department didn’t provide any definitive answers, but information was offered that provides some broad common-sense-direction. According to Berniche, since about the 1990s, the engineering for roof design has considered several factors, including slope, exposure (is it on the north or south side, covered or not covered, etc.), if the roof has a slippery coating (metal versus standard shingles), and if the roof covers a heated or non-heated space. Based on a fifty-year snow average of the navigational ground snow load of a region, engineers then consider the previously mentioned factors to find the “balanced snow load” for each structure under review. For instance, depending on if you have a flat roof or a chaletstyled steep-pitched roof, the engineering numbers for the load capacity of your roof structure will be calculated to compensate, along with the other factors noted. Thus, given the fiftyyear history of the Valley’s snow totals, most roofs should be able to handle current snow loads. With this said, Berniche notes, however, it all comes down to common sense. There are other factors that should be considered, too, which could add extra weight. For instance, unusual drift loading in some areas, the development of heavy ice dams, and the density and water content of the snow load, etc. He suggests that if you aren’t shoveling your roof, keep an eye out for areas of concern—such as drift loads and ice dams—which you may want to address. Also, watch for areas of your roof that may begin sagging or buckling or, inside your home, cracks around the ceiling that may indicate severe pressure loads that are bearing down on your walls, creating the cracks. If you do find signs of stress, staff from the county’s building inspection office—as second-line emergency responders—are will- CLOSURES cont. from page 1 that rise and fall to allow for the release of water out of Pineview Reservoir over the spillway at its west end near the top of Ogden Canyon. According to Pineview Water Systems General Manager Ben Quick, this is the last of the two gates that have been refurbished. The metal material had corroded and needed to be repaired on both gates to ensure their integrity. Quick stated that each gate weighs close to 12,000 pounds, with two accompanying arms, each arm weighing an additional 7,400 pounds. The size and weight of the gate and arms necessitate the need for heavy equipment and cranes to reinstall them; thus, the need for the road closure. Pineview Dam is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and is operated and maintained by the Ogden River Water Users Association. ing structure’s integrity has been compromised, creating a safety risk. If you find signs of excessive stress that are looking problematic, you can reach out to the county inspection office at 801-399-8770. Berniche stated that, fortunately, there have only been a couple of structure failures in the Valley this winter that the building inspection office is aware of. One was on a new building being constructed that hadn’t been completed yet, and a second on a “not-permitted” out building that probably hadn’t gone through the county’s formal permitting process, including inspections, to ensure that it had been built to code. Berniche also noted that, as a Valley resident, he has been taking some snow off his roof in a couple of places around the edges on his north side that had some drift loading. He recommended that if you do decide to take snow off your roof, leave at least a foot of the snow in place to prevent damage to your shingles. This remaining snow can also provide extra traction so you don’t slide off while clearing high snow areas. “Don’t go all the way down to the shingles.” Roof rakes are another tool you can use around the edges where snow levels may be at their highest, allowing you to remove snow while staying safely on the ground. Until spring comes to Ogden Valley… stay safe out there! Snow being removed from Valley Elementary March 9. |
