Every Building Needs a Reliable Freeze Prevention Sequence This Winter

When temperatures drop, one of the most critical safeguards inside any commercial building is its freeze prevention sequence. This sequence, programmed into your Building Automation System (BAS), automatically responds to low-temperature conditions to keep equipment protected, maintain occupant safety, and prevent costly downtime.

In other words: a good freeze protection strategy isn’t optional. It’s essential.

What Is a Freeze Prevention Sequence in a BAS?

A freeze prevention sequence is a programmed series of automated actions that activate when conditions fall below a safe threshold. Depending on the building and equipment, this may include:

• Opening heating valves

• Starting heating coils or pumps

• Engaging recirculation

• Modulating outside air dampers

• Sending alarms to facility teams

• Locking out unsafe sequences (like excessive OA during extreme cold)

These automated steps help keep coils, pipes, and critical HVAC components from freezing, which is especially important in colder climates or buildings with high ventilation requirements.

Why Freeze Protection Is Non-Negotiable

1. It Prevents Expensive Damage to Pipes and HVAC Equipment

Frozen coils or burst pipes can cause:

• Major water damage

• Equipment failures

• Lost heating capacity

• High repair costs

• Multi-day operational disruptions

A single frozen coil in an air handler can cost thousands to repair. A burst pipe can damage walls, ceilings, flooring, and tenant spaces.

Your BAS freeze protection sequence is your building’s first line of defense.

2. It Protects Occupants and Critical Safety Systems

If pipes freeze, your building can lose access to water, creating serious risks during emergencies. Freeze-related failures can impact:

• Fire suppression systems

• Potable water

• Heating and ventilation

• Medical or mission-critical operations

Ensuring your freeze prevention sequence is functioning helps maintain a safe, reliable environment for everyone inside your building.

3. It Improves Building Reliability and Reduces Energy Waste

A well-designed freeze sequence doesn’t just react, it optimizes:

• Minimizing unnecessary steam/hot water usage

• Avoiding false alarms

• Reducing emergency service calls

• Keeping equipment in a stable operating range

This leads to better comfort, fewer surprises, and reduced operational costs throughout the winter season.

Signs Your Freeze Protection Sequence Needs Attention

Building owners should schedule a winter BAS checkup if they notice:

• Inconsistent discharge air temperatures

• Slow valve response or stuck dampers

• Nuisance freeze alarms

• Poor heating performance during cold snaps

• AHUs drawing too much outside air

If your system hasn’t been tested since last winter, it’s time.

How QBS Helps Protect Your Building in Freezing Weather

At Quantum Building Solutions, we help facility teams stay ahead of winter by evaluating and optimizing freeze sequences across:

• Tridium

• Johnson Controls

• Honeywell

• Distech Controls

• ABB

• Siemens

• Multi-vendor or legacy systems

Our winter readiness service includes:

• Validating freeze stat operation

• Verifying valve and damper control

• Checking coil sensors

• Reviewing alarm thresholds

• Testing emergency sequences

• Ensuring reliable communication between controllers

Your building deserves a BAS partner that understands both performance and protection.

Final Thoughts

A reliable freeze prevention sequence is one of the smartest investments you can make in your building’s safety, efficiency, and long-term health. With the right BAS strategy in place, you prevent damage before it happens and keep your building running smoothly, no matter how cold it gets.

If you’d like help verifying or updating your freeze protection sequence, contact us.