Getting Serious About Safety and Loss Prevention Emergency Power and Standby Generators

Abstract

Power failures can occur for a variety of reasons. The consequences of such outages range from mere inconveniences to damaged equipment, ruined goods, lost revenue, and diminished safety. In all buildings lighting is among the greatest safety requirements during a power outage. Depending on the type of facility, other systems and equipment may also be considered critical. Batteries may be used to provide power for emergency lighting as well as computers, telephone and intercom systems. However, they are not an option for powering large users such as HVAC systems and elevators. Backup generators are a viable solution in these cases. They can provide electricity as long as fuel is supplied and can run virtually any type equipment. This paper will discuss how some schools and other facilities are addressing building safety and functionality during power outages by using backup generators. Issues involving selecting, operating, and maintaining generators will be discussed. Also, several case studies will be presented.