In Calgary, flat roofs don’t just deal with “bad weather” – they deal with hail, heavy summer downpours, sudden Chinooks, deep freeze, and heavy snow. For facility managers, the question isn’t if your roof will be tested – it’s when, and how ready you are when it happens.
An emergency preparedness plan for your flat roofs helps you:
- Respond quickly and safely when storms hit
- Minimize leaks, interior damage, and downtime
- Protect tenants, operations, and critical equipment
- Improve insurance outcomes and support renewals
This guide outlines a practical storm readiness checklist for Calgary facility managers and shows how CMP Roofing ties preparation, inspections, and emergency response together.
For an overview of commercial roofing services and emergency response, see:
https://cmproofing.ca/services/
For more Calgary-specific technical guides, visit the CMP Roofing blog:
https://cmproofing.ca/blog/
1. Know Your Risks: How Calgary Storms Affect Flat Roofs
Before you can prepare, you need to understand what your roofs are up against:
- Hailstorms – bruise or puncture membranes, damage flashings and edge metal.
- Intense rain events – overwhelm drains and scuppers if they’re partially blocked.
- Snow and drifting – add weight, bury drains, and cause meltwater issues during Chinooks.
- Freeze–thaw cycles – open up seams and flashing details that were marginal to begin with.
- High winds – test edge securement, copings, and mechanically fastened systems.
An effective plan assumes all of these can happen in a single season.
For a deeper climate overview, see:
“How Calgary’s Weather (Hail, Chinooks & Freeze–Thaw) Impacts Flat Roof Systems” on the CMP Roofing blog.
2. Pre-Season Planning: Build Your Roof Emergency Framework
Storm readiness starts long before clouds roll in. At least once a year (ideally before hail and heavy-rain season), you should:
a) Create or Update Your Roof Inventory
For each building:
- Roof system type (TPO, SBS, EPDM, BUR, coated, metal).
- Approximate age and last major project date.
- Known weak spots (chronic leak areas, ponding zones, heavy mechanical clusters).
- Access points (ladders, hatches), safety systems (guardrails, anchors).
This information supports both emergency decisions and long-term planning.
For portfolio-level planning, see:
“Roof Asset Management for Calgary Property Portfolios: Budgeting, Lifecycle & Risk Planning”.
b) Schedule a Baseline Roof Inspection
Have a commercial roofing contractor perform a comprehensive inspection to:
- Identify and repair existing defects before storm season.
- Document current condition with photos.
- Prioritize repairs that reduce storm risk (open seams, failing flashings, blocked drains).
Use:
- “Calgary Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist: What Inspectors Look For & When You Need One”
- “How Often Should You Inspect Your Commercial Roof in Calgary? Annual, Seasonal & Post-Storm Schedules”
as your inspection framework on the CMP Roofing blog.
c) Establish a Roof Maintenance & Emergency Plan
Your plan should outline:
- Roles: who decides when to call for emergency service.
- Thresholds: what events trigger inspections (hail size, rainfall intensity, heavy snow).
- Vendors: pre-selected 24/7 roofing contractor (like CMP Roofing) with contact details handy.
- Documentation: how you’ll log events, photos, and repairs.
For program structure, see:
“Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans in Calgary: How to Extend Flat Roof Life by 10+ Years”.
3. Storm Readiness Checklist: BEFORE a Storm Hits
When severe weather is forecast, facility managers should follow a clear pre-storm checklist:
a) Confirm Contact & Escalation Protocols
- Ensure all after-hours and emergency contacts are current.
- Confirm who is authorized to approve emergency roof work.
- Share CMP Roofing’s emergency contact details with your on-call team:
https://cmproofing.ca/contact-2/
b) Check Roof Access & Safety
- Verify that roof access (ladders, hatches) is safe and compliant.
- Confirm guardrails, tie-off points, and walkway pads in high-traffic areas.
For upgrades and safe access planning, see:
“Roof Access & Safety Upgrades for Calgary Commercial Buildings: Ladders, Guardrails & Tie-Offs”.
c) Ensure Drains, Scuppers & Gutters Are Clear
- Remove debris from drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts.
- Check for ponding patterns that suggest poor drainage.
This significantly reduces overload during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt.
For more on drainage issues, see:
“Flat Roof Drainage Problems in Calgary: Ponding, Freeze–Thaw Damage & Permanent Fixes”.
d) Review Snow Load Areas (Winter/Shoulder Seasons)
- Identify roofs or sections that tend to accumulate drifts.
- Confirm snow removal procedures and safe access.
For detailed guidance, see:
“Flat Roof Snow Load Management in Calgary: Safety, Shovelling & Damage Prevention”.
e) Prepare Interior Protection for High-Risk Areas
- Keep tarps, plastic sheeting, and buckets/bins available near known leak-prone zones.
- Identify sensitive areas (server rooms, medical areas, electrical rooms) that need priority protection.
For what to do if leaks occur, see:
“Calgary Commercial Roof Leak Repair: What Facility Managers Should Do in the First 24 Hours”.
4. During the Storm: Safety, Monitoring & Communication
Once a storm has started, the priorities are safety and stabilization, not roof repairs.
a) Protect People First
- Restrict access to areas with active leaks or wet floors.
- Use signage, cones, and temporary barriers around slip hazards.
- Never send staff to the roof during lightning, high winds, or dangerous conditions.
b) Monitor Interiors, Not the Roof
- Watch ceilings and walls in high-risk areas for new stains or active dripping.
- Note locations relative to roof layout (near drains, parapets, mechanical units).
- Capture quick photos or short videos for documentation.
If leaks threaten critical equipment or operations, reference:
- “Emergency Roof Leak Repair in Calgary: 24/7 Process, Response Times & What It Costs”.
5. After the Storm: Post-Event Response Checklist
Once conditions are safe, your emergency plan shifts into assessment and action.
a) Interior Walk-Through
- Look for new water stains, wet ceiling tiles, drips, or odours.
- Prioritize critical areas: electrical rooms, data centres, medical or production spaces.
- Document all findings with photos and brief notes (time, location, severity).
b) Initial Roof Check (When Safe)
Have a qualified person or contractor:
- Walk the roof safely and note obvious damage:
- Impact marks and membrane bruising from hail
- Dislodged or damaged flashings and copings
- Debris blocking drains and scuppers
- Avoid stepping into suspected soft or compromised areas.
For hail-specific assessment, see:
“Hail Damage to Commercial Roofs in Calgary: Inspection, Insurance Claims & Repair Options”.
c) Engage Your Roofing Contractor
Contact CMP Roofing or your designated contractor promptly:
- Share storm details and your initial observations.
- Request post-storm inspection and emergency repairs as needed.
- Ask for photo documentation and a short report summarizing damage and recommended next steps.
The post-event process aligns with:
- “Calgary Commercial Roof Leak Repair: What Facility Managers Should Do in the First 24 Hours”
- “Emergency Roof Leak Repair in Calgary: 24/7 Process, Response Times & What It Costs”.
6. Documentation & Insurance: Protecting Your Position
Good documentation can make a major difference in how smoothly insurance claims and renewals go.
Your storm file for each event should include:
- Weather details (date, type of event, severity).
- Interior and roof photos, labelled with locations.
- Roof inspection reports and repair invoices.
- Notes on any tenant impacts or business interruptions.
This record helps:
- Support any storm-related insurance claims.
- Prove that damage was addressed promptly and professionally.
- Strengthen your position at renewal time.
For the insurance side of roof condition, see:
“Insurance Renewals & Commercial Roof Condition in Calgary: How Inspections Affect Premiums”.
For managing expectations with tenants if leaks occur, see:
“Roof Leaks and Tenant Disputes in Calgary: Documentation, Response & Best Practices”.
7. Integrate Storm Readiness into Ongoing Roof Management
An emergency plan isn’t separate from your regular roof program—it’s part of it.
Tie storm readiness into:
- Regular inspections (annual, seasonal, and post-storm).
- Your maintenance plan, including drain cleaning, flashing repairs, and mechanical coordination.
- Long-term decisions about restoration vs replacement and system upgrades.
Helpful resources:
- “Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans in Calgary: How to Extend Flat Roof Life by 10+ Years”
- “Commercial Roof Replacement vs Restoration in Calgary: Coatings, Overlays or Tear-Off?”
- “Commercial Roof Coatings in Calgary: Silicone vs Acrylic vs Polyurethane Compared”
- “Energy-Efficient Roofing Upgrades in Calgary: Insulation, Reflective Membranes & Payback”
all available on the CMP Roofing blog.
8. How CMP Roofing Supports Storm-Ready Flat Roofs in Calgary
CMP Roofing works with facility and property managers across Calgary to:
- Perform baseline and annual inspections focused on storm readiness.
- Clean drains and correct drainage issues that increase storm risk.
- Repair and upgrade flashings, terminations, and high-risk details.
- Provide 24/7 emergency leak response during and after major events.
- Help document roof condition for insurance, lenders, and internal reporting.
- Develop multi-year roof and capital plans that factor in hail, snow, and severe weather.
Learn more about our Commercial Roofing Services:
https://cmproofing.ca/services/
Confirm your area is covered:
https://cmproofing.ca/locations/
Explore more guides on inspections, drainage, hail, snow load, leak response, warranties, tenant disputes, and asset management at:
https://cmproofing.ca/blog/
9. Next Steps: Put a Storm Readiness Plan in Place Before the Next Weather Event
If your current approach to storms is “we’ll deal with it when it leaks,” it’s time to change that.
CMP Roofing can help you:
- Conduct a storm-readiness roof assessment for one or multiple buildings.
- Build a practical emergency preparedness plan and checklist for your facility team.
- Prioritize repairs and upgrades that will reduce storm-related risk the most.
- Provide ongoing support during hail, heavy rain, and snow events in Calgary.
To discuss an emergency preparedness plan for your Calgary flat roofs or to schedule a pre-storm inspection, contact CMP Roofing at:
https://cmproofing.ca/contact-2/
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