The Grounds Maintenance unit in Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FM&O) oversees the maintenance and landscape construction on the Service Center grounds and the County’s outlying facilities, including lawns and irrigation systems, snow removal, on-site composting and brush and tree chipping, pest control, signage, and minor asphalt repair.

Grounds Division Snow Policy

The grounds division transformed a six-acre lot along Telegraph Road into a vibrant sunflower field the size of four football fields. This change not only saves on weekly mowing and reduces emissions but also supports wildlife by providing essential nutrients for pollinators and a food source for local animals.

Snow Policy

The purpose of this snow plan is to standardize Oakland County FM&O’s snow removal protocol and procedures. During the winter months, the Grounds Division will closely monitor the weather forecast from various providers to remain proactive for upcoming storms. This snow policy is subject to change at any given time without notification.

FM&O will routinely review the results of this plan and make revisions to improve the effectiveness of the snow and ice control efforts.

Operational snow and ice removal schedules will be based off many variables which include projected weather conditions, duration of the storm, time of day, and the time of year. While snow removal crews will work steadily to keep the snow/ice clear during severe weather conditions, it is unlikely that campus crews will maintain all sidewalks and entryways in real-time. Individuals must be prepared to commute to and from campus buildings safely.

Visitors and staff are encouraged to plan their paths of travel. Alternate routes may require travel that they might not generally use. If conditions make for unsafe travel, please try to remain in a safe place and make alternate arrangements until the snow or ice is reasonably clear.

Goal

The goal of FM&O's snow and ice removal operation is to maintain adequate traction for pedestrians and vehicles during winter storm conditions. The implementation of the removal procedures does not mean that bare pavement should be expected during or immediately after each event.

Safety & Training

The safety of the campus community is the utmost importance. Training of all employees involved in snow and ice removal operations will occur before every winter season. Equipment utilized will include pickup trucks, loaders, and utility vehicles equipped with plows, salt brine sprayers, rotary brooms, and shovels. Cautionary signs are placed around the campus to remind pedestrians and drivers to be extra careful in hazardous conditions.

Areas of responsibility

Grounds services are responsible for clearing snow and ice from campus parking lots, sidewalks, stairways, building entryways, and emergency egresses. Areas also include loading docks and walkways to/from parking lots.

Event procedures by snowfall amounts

Trace amounts to 1" of snowfall accumulations: Crews will apply pre and post treatments of salt brine only as conditions require (minimum application rate).

1" to 2" of snowfall accumulations: Crews will sweep, plow, and shovel as necessary. Crews will apply pre and post treatments of salt brine to parking lots, walkways, building entryways, steps, and ramps.

2" to 6+" of snowfall accumulations: Crews will sweep, plow, and shovel to keep lots and sidewalks open. It is important to conserve as much salt brine as possible to ensure we have adequate stock for following storms. Therefore, during heavy periods of snowfall, salt brine and deicers may not be applied until the snow has slowed or ceased.

Forecasted & non-forecasted events

Weekdays during business hours: If a storm develops during business hours, crews will work the event throughout the day and into the evening hours to cover shift changes.

If a forecasted storm develops during the week between non-business hours, crews will be scheduled in advance. Generally, crews will begin snow removal operations within 2 hours prior to the forecasted beginning of a storm.

If a non-forecasted event develops during nonbusiness hours, Building Safety will notify the Grounds division after any trace amounts of accumulation. Crews will be called in immediately and deployed upon arrival.

Priorities

During regular business hours, we try to keep every building cleared and treated. On weekends and after hours, buildings that are in operation 24/7 are the first priority. If there are special events or circumstances that would require your building to be cleared or treated outside of normal circumstances, please contact building safety at buildingsafety@oakgov.com.

When does salt work, when does it not?

As no two storms are alike, salt is most effective at temperatures above 20° F. As the temperature drops, the salt's effectiveness drops dramatically. Around 10° F and below, salt hardly works at all. Salt is also ineffective against freezing rain, or rain that changes over to freezing rain because it gets washed away. Please remember to use extreme caution when traveling during these periods. We combine Salt Brine with a sugar-based additive at a ten-percent rate that lowers the effective working temperature to -10°Farenheit. A feature of this additive is that, in addition to lowering the working temperature, it also acts as a corrosion inhibitor.

What can you do?

Always remember to do your part by using extreme caution in adverse weather conditions and dress accordingly to the weather forecast to ensure safe travels. Campus grounds personnel will do their best to provide safe paths of travel, and we ask that staff and visitors take personal responsibility for their safety by using cleared routes.

Work with our snow-removal experts to ensure safety. Snow-removal equipment is large, loud and difficult to stop. Pedestrians and vehicles should allow a wide safety area around plows and equipment during operations. While equipment operators are on the lookout, their main focus is on the task of removing snow for public safety.

Avoid darting out in front of or behind such equipment and make eye contact with a snow-removal driver before crossing in front of them. Walking or driving too closely in front or behind equipment can create unsafe conditions. Stay back & stay safe!

On sidewalks: Avoid parking so close to the sidewalk that the car's bumper hangs over the walk. It creates an obstacle for snow removal equipment.

Fun Facts

• Over 175,000 gallons of salt brine is applied every winter
• Every storm, the grounds crew clears and salts…
• Over 212 building entryways
• 4 million square feet of roads, sidewalks, and parking lots
• 11.5 miles of sidewalks
• The grounds division produces their own salt brine
• Salt usage has been reduced by 80% by switching from rock salt to salt brine
• Since switching to salt brine, ice melt does not track into buildings
• Before switching to salt brine, a custodian found ice melt on the 5th floor of the courthouse