3. Choose the Right Tools for the Job
Ultimately, successful snow fighting depends on utilizing the right tool for the job at the right time. Although liquid deicers are extremely effective when used properly, they are not intended to replace solids. Anti-icing expedites plowing and deicing strategies, and is just another tool in the toolbox.
Liquid Deicers: It is important to know your tools, as well as when and how to use them. To select the best liquid deicers for the application, the contractor needs to know the eutectic and effective temperatures, chemical properties, and functional capabilities of the deicer he intends to use. From a cost perspective it is also important to understand the regional availability of various deicers. As a general rule of thumb, magnesium chloride is more widely available west of the Mississippi River and in the Northeast. Calcium chloride is more readily available in the Great Lakes region.
Use Purpose-Built Equipment: Deicing liquids and brine solutions have different compositions than other liquids, and they can cause pump failures, clogged nozzles and other issues in sprayers not designed to handle them. Agricultural sprayers may seem like a cost-effective solution, but many have tried and failed going this route for winter usage. Purpose-built sprayers for winter applications are specifically engineered for deicing chemicals and application rates, and most importantly for winter temperatures and conditions. They typically offer features tailored to ice management needs such as multiple independently controlled spraying zones for surface and curb applications and hose reel spray wands for treating areas inaccessible to trucks.
4. Know When to Utilize Anti-icing Strategies
Every storm is different and presents unique challenges. When deciding to utilize anti-icing strategies, it is essential to monitor storm specific conditions prior to and during the event. Those conditions include surface temperature, the amount of moisture present and anticipated, the time of day and impact of solar radiation on the surface, anticipated traffic during the application timeframe, the type of deicing chemical being used, and duration of the coming storm.
It is a best practice to execute anti-icing measures just prior to or at the onset of a storm, paying very close attention to the amount of moisture present to minimize premature dilution. Anti-icing with salt brine is most effective at surface temperatures between 15 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Blended enhanced brines, calcium and magnesium chloride brines can be effective at lower temperatures. Anti-icing is typically not recommended for events with high moisture content, freezing rain, mist or rain turning to snow, or very cold temperatures with dry blowing snow, although with advanced knowledge and the presence of other factors it may be possible.
Original article can be found here: http://www.sima.org/resource/library/newsdetails/2017/08/29/six-steps-to-anti-icing-success