With the Atlantic hurricane season entering its peak period, experts are warning business owners to take precautions now.

Stephen Jones, New Jersey governmental relations regional manager at the International Code Council, said many companies have already taken important steps toward preparation. “You are seeing increased provisions for flood protections,” Jones said. “We are having people do risk mitigation. Recent reports indicate that for every dollar spent on mitigation, you can save up to $11 in post-recovery costs. We need to be cognizant that the old saying ‘we do not need to worry about that day’ is long over. We have experienced what hurricanes have put us through.”

The International Code Council serves about 64,000 members, according to its website. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build, and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

“The Code Council’s number one goal is to ensure overall public safety and with severe weather occurrences becoming more frequent in New Jersey, preparation is key to protecting the safety of buildings and communities in storm-prone areas of the Garden State,” Jones explained. “By taking the necessary steps now, residents can ensure that their families, homes and communities are adequately prepared when a natural disaster threatens.”

The International Code Council develops the building code models for all 50 states. New Jersey reviews and amends revisions as it deems necessary, Jones said. “New Jersey is fortunate because it is one of the few states that has a state-wide building code,” he added. “You do not see buildings falling down. ICC develops the codes.”

Some storm preparations amount to common-sense steps. “I do think it is important to make sure businesses prepare their employees by getting a written plan into effect that addresses hazards,” Jones said. “Have an incremental disaster plan and back up your files. Make sure we work from remote locations. Put fuel in your vehicles. Are you going to shelter your employees in place? Certain companies cannot shut down.”

Jones cited logistical companies that operate on standby.

Flood barriers

“As a building owner, you can put in resistant glass, storm panels, and products to prevent flooding,” said Verity Frizzell, the immediate past president of the New Jersey American Institute of Architects. “The barriers prevent flood waters from entering buildings. It is not meant to be 100 percent water-tight. It prevents costly damage if you keep most of the water outside.” Frizzell’s organization promotes understanding of architecture through advocacy, education and service.

Frizzell recommends moving belongings off the floors, backing up electronics and hard drives, moving essential documents to higher ground where there is less likely to be flooding.

New Jersey businesses face obstacles in protecting their buildings from storms, Frizzell said.

“Part of the problem as a tenant is you do not own the building and you cannot do anything without the landlord’s approval,” she said. “Putting up flood barriers would have to be permanently installed. … The problem is you cannot leave the building once the barriers are deployed because it is physically impossible. It is an effort to install the barriers. You do not want to install them unless there is a hurricane.”

To lessen the likelihood of damage, Jones recommended water-proofing buildings and doing payroll in advance. He suggested business owners ask themselves these questions: Is my power supply above ground or below ground? Do I need to trim branches? Do I need to service my generator? Do I have adequate building insurance?

“When Hurricane Sandy hit, how many buildings burned because of a broken gas line?” Jones asked. Sandy hit New Jersey in 2012, causing widespread damage to coastal communities.

“If the weather conditions are correct, you get the perfect storm of tornadoes,” Jones cautioned. This year, New Jersey has been hit by six tornadoes as of Aug. 8.

Jones argues the expense of preparation is actually a wise investment, especially as severe weather becomes more common. “The frequency and intensity of storms are increasing. I do not see it lessening up soon.”