Reality Alert: A severe thunderstorm caused a facility to lose power for several days. While the facility was prepared with a standby generator, they ran out of fuel due to the length of the power outage. After losing the generator, the facility’s sump-pump stopped working causing the basement to flood. Everything stored in the basement was ruined and there was a significant amount of property damage.
Power outages are a serious problem that nearly every home and business in the United States will experience at some point each year. As the story above illustrates, significant physical damage can be sustained if a power outage lasts long enough. Loss of power can cause essential systems to shut down, which is why having a working backup generator can help protect your business.
Power outages can occur anywhere and anytime, so having a functioning backup generator available ensures all necessary operations continue.
A generator can prevent a wide range of unwanted outcomes. Without power to the furnace, the pipes in a building can freeze causing thousands of dollars of damage. Without power to the sump-pump, any portion of a building below grade like a basement can flood. Without power to computer and communication systems, a business’ operations could be shut down, resulting in long-term financial repercussions. And, perhaps most importantly, without power it can be dangerous (and in some cases, impossible) for people to evacuate a building safely during a disaster.
Installing, operating, and maintaining a generator properly is essential when trying to ensure a building’s needs will be met. Because generators are important and potentially dangerous pieces of equipment, only qualified individuals should maintain and install these devices. A contractor can help determine the size and type of generator your organization needs in order to keep all necessary operations running. If you or someone in your organization is not suited for the task, contact a certified electrician to do the job for you.
A generator, like any mechanical device, needs proper care and maintenance to ensure maximum function. The vast majority of generator accidents or failures are attributed to poor maintenance. The following tips are designed to make sure a generator functions safely:
Generators run on fossil fuels and emit poisonous Carbon Monoxide (CO). It is important to use generators properly and place them in well-ventilated areas to ensure there is no buildup of dangerous CO. The following tips will reduce the likelihood of CO poisoning:
A dangerous situation can occur if a generator outlet is plugged directly into a wall outlet. This is called “back-feeding” and can create a serious electrocution hazard. Plugging a generator directly into the wall outlet poses a serious threat to utility line workers trying to restore power in your area. If you are unsure about setting up a generator safely, contact a licensed electrician and they can easily and safely set one up for you.
Generators run on flammable and combustible fuel. Due to the dangerous nature of generator fuel, it is important to store and handle it as safely as possible: