Power is a necessity for your business to have consistent operation; however, your main supply cannot always be depended on. Secondary generation sources are often considered after the costly effects of not having a generator are experienced. You can take preventative measures by having a provider of these services evaluate your building and install a sufficient backup power source. Generators are designed to kick on within less than a minute of electrical failure. They operate by diesel fuel or natural gas and can be an important component for emergency systems and critical equipment or processes.
To protect your building from electrical hiccups, you must first consult with a provider of dependable power generation services. Technicians are an essential tool when you need a generator installed or properly maintained.
NFPA 110: Defining Backup Source Installation and Maintenance Requirements
Many things must be decided before selecting a size, type, and installation method for backup systems. NFPA 110 standards serve as a guideline for technicians working with emergency, critical, or optional systems. An emergency generator designates power to specific building components to ensure human safety, while a critical system is typically required for health and responder facilities. Any business has the option of having a backup system installed by these guidelines.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) created 110 standards to better regulate proper setup and maintenance of emergency systems. Local officials use these guidelines to inspect building emergency generators and technicians follow them to ensure all systems meet local codes. NFPA 110 guidelines specify the generator class, type, and level required for various structures.
A technician will have to evaluate your particular building requirements before a generator can be installed. Structure size is the first consideration because it determines the type of fuel, tank specifications, generator type, and the number of generators needed to supply sufficient backup power.
System usage purposes and personal preferences are used to gain an idea of how long the backup source should supply electricity when an outage occurs. Sixteen to twenty hours of electrical performance is the recommended average. This allows your business to continue operating if power cannot be restored during the day of the outage. It is also the safer choice when a system is designated for emergency use. The fuel reservoir plays a big part in the length of operation and is an important consideration when evaluating the size and the number of generators needed for your building.
Providers of power generation services will also take into account why secondary power is necessary for your structure. Some buildings need a transfer switch setup that operates on the concept of "make before break." This means the system is designed to kick on before the main power is cut off. Others are designed to work in an opposing manner, meaning they have a setup for automatic starting after power loss is detected.
Those supplying electricity before an outage are common in hospitals, laboratories, defense facilities, and in any structure with critical processes at stake. A Prime Power professional can help you determine what will best suit your secondary electrical needs. Schedule an appointment today to begin your quest for a sufficient backup system.
