Questions answered regarding winter weather

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • Tinker Air Force Base
Winter is quickly approaching and with it comes unpredictable conditions in Oklahoma. In the event that severe winter weather impacts Tinker, the Base Civil Engineer office is taking this opportunity to address some questions that are commonly asked by the base community. 

How do I check the operating status and reporting procedures at Tinker? Personnel are encouraged to check the Tinker Web site at www.tinker.af.mil or call the Straight Talk Line at 734-1900. In addition, there are several local radio and television stations that Tinker Public Affairs will contact regarding operating status. Those include KFOR Channel 4, KOCO Channel 5, KWTV Channel 9, OETA Channel 13, KOKH Channel 25 and the Commander's Access Channel 20. 

Under no circumstances should personnel call the Tinker Command Post, security forces, base weather or base operations. These agencies must maintain an open line of communication for emergency services. 

Who maintains the sidewalks at facilities during snow/ice events? The only two facilities maintained by Civil Engineering are Bldg. 3001 and the Base Chapel and Religious Center. Bldg. 3001 is maintained weekdays and includes the pedestrian entrances on the east side of the building and the two crosswalks leading to the north overflow parking lot. The main entrance is also maintained during weekends and holidays. The Base Chapel and Religious Center is maintained at all times. All other facilities are the responsibility of facility managers. 

As a facility manager, where and how do I obtain sand for my facility? Sand can be obtained from the snow control center at Bldg. 773. Facility managers must provide their own containers and it's recommended that sand be obtained in advance. Pickup times can be scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 734-5053. Collection and disposal of residual sand material on sidewalks will be the responsibility of facility managers and building personnel. 

Can we use chemicals to remove snow and ice? Calcium Chloride, NSN 6810-01-200-3457, is approved for de-icing stairs and stair landings only. Entryways, walkways, and sidewalks are to be treated with sand. Calcium Chloride is not authorized for melting snow. This product can be purchased from Base Supply, in Bldg. 469. While safety is paramount, the environment is very sensitive to these chemicals. Facility managers should apply the chemical judiciously and clean up the residue as soon as the ice is melted. 

Why are parking lots not plowed? This is the most commonly asked question by base personnel. A parking-lot priority list is identified in TAFB Plan 32-1002 "Snow and Ice Control Plan." However; it is only initiated after all street priorities are completed so we can get you to your designated work area and for emergency vehicles. Typically parking lots are sanded, not plowed. Due to funding and environmental constraints, chemicals are not used for parking lots but are only used for airfield operations, gates, bridges and major intersections. 

In 2007, plowing created a huge mess. What happened? In January, a thick layer of ice accumulated and the buildup would have taken several days to melt due to the low temperatures. Plowing had to be done to reduce the hazard. One drawback of plowing operations in a parking lot is that it requires snow/ice to be temporarily stockpiled within the parking lot. This takes up valuable space, creates problems for people needing to get over the snow "windrows," and creates new ice every time the windrow melts and refreezes. The piles need to be hauled away which is a very time consuming and costly.
That is why unless we have a severe ice storm, our preference is to sand the lot to provide as safe a footing as possible for our employees. It is important to wear appropriate footwear to get to and from your vehicle and workplace.