ElecComm Power Services Blog

At ElecComm, we keep our eyes out for interesting and informative articles that we believe our customers will find beneficial to help their emergency contingency plans.  The article below is from Dr. Jim Kennedy at Continuity Central who does a great job detailing the thought process behind developing such a plan.

According to a recent Forrester Research survey nearly half of the declared disasters reported over a one-year period were due to power failures. To ensure that this type of event does not escalate into a disaster that results in business disruption and lost revenue for your organization you need to be prepared. And this requires a power failure response strategy as part of a wider business continuity plan.

This article explains how to develop such a power failure response strategy.

Determine what you have
The first step in preparing a power failure response strategy is to identify and understand the electrical distribution system layout and design in the facility to be protected. Most building or office electrical power distribution systems are quite complex. In order to properly understand them, wiring documentation will need to be reviewed and brought up to date. If up-to-date documentation is not available when conducting the review, it needs to be developed as soon as possible and prior to developing the power failure response strategy. An electrician or electrical engineer can aid in this effort.

An up-to-date electrical system schematic or wiring diagram will clearly identify how the main components of the electrical system are connected. It should include any special systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies or power protection devices. Specifics regarding equipment voltage and current ratings should be identified and documented. It is also important to identify each major component with a unique name describing its location and important power ratings.

In addition to identifying the equipment on the drawings, it is equally important to physically match the system or component to the drawings by affixing a permanent label to the actual equipment for identification purposes. This, along with a flashlight, facilitates finding the equipment quickly in the case of an emergency.

Determine what your organization’s mission critical requirements are for emergency power
Critical electrical power requirements, or ‘loads’ as they are often called, are usually developed as part of a business impact analysis and risk assessment. However, if these assessments have not been developed as part of an on-going business continuity or disaster recovery program, then now, before a crisis occurs, is a good time to identify the organization’s critical need for electrical power.

Once the electrical power distribution system is documented and understood, the next step is to identify business critical loads that will require emergency power in the event of a power failure. At this point it is important to note that uninterruptible power supplies and emergency generators may not normally provide for all of an organization’s electrical needs. So, decisions will need to be made to determine what equipment in the operation in time of a disaster or incident absolutely need to have power maintained during a power outage.

As I indicated earlier, this is usually done as part of an overall business impact analysis, where business critical systems and devices within the organization are identified. These are systems for which special considerations need to be made in case of any type of failure — of which power failures are only one example.

After critical systems have been identified their sources of power within the facilities need to be identified on the electrical drawings to make sure it is understood that they are critical to the operation (i.e., critical computing systems, LAN/WAN network devices, PBXs, production and/or security equipment). If the electrical distribution system has been properly designed, all business equipment should be connected to common circuits and separated from non-critical equipment. This makes it much easier to isolate mission critical circuits and to properly connect them to emergency power sources during an emergency. It is also important to keep the documentation up-to-date for the equipment contained on these circuits, so that the electrical load (current required to keep the equipment running) is properly identified and emergency power generation equipment can be properly sized.

Determine what type of emergency power your organization should use
Typically if the power failure lasts less than an hour an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may be able to sustain power – if properly sized and maintained. However, if the power outage lasts in excess of an hour, as has been the case with several US, UK, and European blackouts in the last few years, emergency generators will be needed. If it is absolutely critical to maintain power for an entire operation throughout a blackout, regardless of the length of that blackout, then consideration to possibly installing permanent emergency generators should be made. It should be noted that this type of installation is quite expensive and complex to install, operate and maintain, and may not be viable due to local building codes or environmental constraints. If it is decided that the organization wants to install permanent electrical generation equipment, then an experienced professional’s help should be solicited.

Portable electric generators can also be used. They can be installed after the power has failed and before the UPSs would shut down. If a portable generating unit is to be used, it is absolutely critical that the electrical load of each emergency circuit (measured in amperes) be known so that the generator(s) can be correctly sized (be large enough to supply the rated current of all devices to be powered during the power failure). The wattage and voltage ratings for each generator should be defined prior to the outage and procedures documented, so that when acquiring them, the load does not have to be calculated under adverse conditions: which usually leads to error and further disaster. If it is decided that the use of portable generation is the best alternative, it is prudent to arrange a pre-emergency contract to rent or lease the generators.

If a pre-rental or lease agreement is undertaken, be sure that the contract specifies delivery time and maintenance if a provided system/component fails to operate correctly. It is also important to understand in what priority order you your generators will be delivered especially in case of a widespread emergency outage. However, even with a pre-contracted agreement in place, there is no real guarantee that the generators will be available if the power outage is widespread.

It may be in your organization’s best interest to acquire portable generators ahead of time and store them for a time when they are needed. If you choose this course, it is important to establish and implement proper maintenance procedures (e.g., running the generators periodically and changing the gas and oil as recommended by the manufacturer) to make sure that the generators function when needed.

Making the generators ready for the next outage
Before any power failure occurs is the time to plan how each generator will be connected during an emergency. Here is where an electrical engineer, electrician or experienced technician is critically important. Manual transfer switches can be placed near the emergency panels ahead of time so that switching to emergency power, once the generators are connected and started, is made easier.

All of the necessary connection equipment (e.g., cables and connectors, etc.) should be stored near the place where the generators will be used. In addition, fuel and operational supplies need to be planned for as generators will consume large supplies of gasoline and oil if they need to run for many hours. Emergency generator procedures need to be well documented beforehand and attached to the generator or the transfer switch. This ensures that the generators will be connected properly and will not damage any wiring or critical equipment.

If the connection is very complex then part of the emergency response procedures should include an on-staff or contracted electrician or experienced technician to perform the connection of the generators.

Ensure the generators are functional when needed
To ensure that the emergency generation equipment (permanent or portable) is ready in case of an emergency, regular testing is essential. Testing procedures should be established (and internal audits conducted to regularly review compliance) to ensure that the generators will work properly when called upon for service.

The generators should be tested under actual circumstances and full load, if possible, but, if not, then a simple functional test will have to suffice. This functional test should include starting and running each generator for a minimum of thirty minutes at least every month or minimally, once each quarter. Also make sure that each generator’s fuel tank is full upon completion of each test and that there are documented procedures to obtain fuel during an emergency (perhaps the local gas station may not be the best source). Manufacturers of generating equipment typically recommend that fuel be replaced that is more than one year old.

Formal process and procedures are critical to success
Experiences of business continuity and disaster recovery professionals have shown that proper planning in advance of any incident makes response to that incident much more effective and electrical power failures are no exception. The group responsible for reacting during a blackout should make sure that well documented and easily understood procedures are developed and maintained.

During a crisis, people react differently than when there is no stress, so the procedures should be clearly written. One method to make the procedures easier to follow would be to use step-by-step check lists or flow-charts. Having these procedures available at each generator site to connect each portable generator will save a great deal of time during an actual crisis event. It is also important to note that the procedures should include both how to connect the generator and how to disconnect the generator when power has been restored.

Running generator installation tests periodically can help make sure everyone is comfortable and prepared for the time when the drill may be replaced by a real power outage situation.

Source:   Continuity Central (Dr. Jim Kennedy)

If you are running an industry, managing a large office building, a hotel or are in charge of a hospital, you should expect unannounced emergencies. Theses emergencies can take any form, including those concerning your air-conditioner suddenly failing on a hot day. For these emergencies you need to consider air conditioner rental.

Air conditioner rental could also be used when running a special event or venue, such as an exhibition or outdoor charity event, for a week or two. Obviously, air conditioner rental is a better option than purchasing this equipment for short term use.

During an unseasonable warm heat wave, when your air conditioning system is working too hard, a supplemental AC system could be rented in order to air condition entire warehouses, office spaces and entertainment venues.

Rental air conditioning units is available in a very wide range of capacities. Air conditioners can be rented for any length of time from one day or a season to several months. ElecComm Power Services can provide a wide range of air conditioning units, ranging from the standard office cooling units powered by a normal 110-volt outlet to an 80-ton heavy-duty industrial package. These industrial units can be used for emergency, planned and contingency cooling projects.

Possibly, you may need a generator to run the air conditioning unit. The generators range in size from 20kW to 2MW. These are portable diesel sets and can be provided to you as a turnkey solution to your air conditioning requirement.

There are many situations and any number of occasions when you may need a generator for rent. Such occasions could be due to the kind of business that you run. You could be the administrator of a huge office building and may feel the necessity of generator rentals as a sort of backup. If you own a hospital or a hotel similarly you would need generators as backup support.

In the case of an emergency procedure such as in the ICU you may need the generator to function as the main source of power supply since you may not like to risk a power failure during a critical stage of the surgery. There are special event venues that require generators on hire as well as construction sites that may not have the facility of a ready power source at the offsite location.

Several small and large industries require generator rentals to keep them going on a regular basis such as the movie industry or the tower power generators for the telecom industry.

You can order a generator for rent in various power output specifications such as one between 25 to 125 kW or a generator that is rated between 150 to 400 kW. There are generators for hire in the 500 to 1500 kW category as well as one that goes up to 2000 kW output. Then there are generators for movie production and those for the telecom industry. Each of these types of generators can be hired during any time of the day or night and right through the week. So, if your industry grinds to a halt in the middle of the night due to a power failure you'd know that the right kind of generator rentals is only a phone call away.

A generator for rent in the power output limited to 125 kW would have the facility of selecting the right voltage and would include an electronic governor. The 2000 kW generator would be the quietest you will ever see in the US. For your movie production your generator would be whisper-silent with an output of 60 kW/75 kVA.

For further information on generator for rent or generator rentals please visit us at www.eleccommpowerservices.comor call us on 1-800-736-8251.

Generator rentals – Is it economical to rent a generator versus buying one?

Renting a portable generator may be the best solution in various situations. Like , for instance, if you are renting an office somewhere and the power goes down for a day or so.

Generator rentals can keep your business up and running for less than the cost of having to buy a power source, if it is only for a few days.

It's a great idea for on the job power if you want to do a small construction job. Like building that cabin in the woods for your getaway! :)

Course, most folks that are looking at a power supply for their preparedness plan will want to either build a generator or buy one so that it is available when the need arises.

But for things like outdoor parties or special events having a place where you can rent a generator can come in handy.

Renting Generators for Emergency Use

If you are banking on renting a portable generator for emergency situations, bear in mind that they can get almost extinct as soon as there is a crisis.

A couple things to do in advance when looking at possibly renting a power unit.

• Find a good generator rental in your area and set up a plan with them.
• Make sure they will come in, set up your unit and also come pick it up when you are done with it.
• Figure out what you need as far as how big of a unit, etc, and if you don't know that info, they should be able to help you figure it out.
• Diesel generators come in all sizes and units and some of the companies like Marson Energy offers both diesel and natural gas generators.
• If you live in a crowded neighborhood, you will want to look for something that runs a little quieter so put that on your list as there is quite a difference in sound of the various generator rental units.

No one is ever ready for a power outage or a short circuit, but being prepared is the best solution. Such as having a contingency plan or back up plan. When these outages occur Eleccomm Power Services is there to serve your business at anytime. We understand that power is vital to keeping a business running smoothly, not only for the company but also if the company provides support to others. Here is a list of important entities that should always have emergency back up power.

• Hospitals and Outpatient Surgery Clinics

Hospitals and outpatient surgery clinics are an obvious choice for emergency power equipment. Without it, a power outage could cause widespread casualties in emergency care units, critical care units, and during the course of operations. Today's hospitals and outpatient clinics depend on electricity for a majority of their treatments and life preserving techniques, making back up generators an absolute necessity in any hospital or outpatient surgery clinic.

• Police Departments

When the power goes out in a metropolitan area police know to expect more crimes, But if the power goes out in police departments, what would be a difficult situation could turn into catastrophe more than moonlight illuminates the streets. Because most police departments don't have heavy electricity needs, a single industrial scale generator usually supplies enough power to last until the power company addresses an outage.

• Retail Stores

Most retail stores simply close their doors until a power outage is resolved. But if they have a back up generator, they can conduct business while their competition literally remains in the dark.

• Data Centers

Data centers are another obvious choice as their very function depends heavily on uninterrupted power supply. Most data centers are well equipped with generators, protecting information that could cause companies and individuals alike severe difficulty if it were lost.

• Laboratories

Depending on the nature of their work, laboratories often need uninterrupted power supply to ensure that projects occur as planned. From animal and plant studies to situations where pharmaceuticals are being produced, most laboratories can't afford to do without a steady supply of electricity.

• Prisons and Jails

Keeping prisons and jails supplied with electricity isn't a matter of keeping inmates' cells and recreation areas lit; it's a matter of keeping inmates incarcerated. Today, most prisons and jails use security systems that are at least partially powered by electricity, using powerful magnetic locks to secure cells and various points of passage.

Providing emergency power supply to these businesses is what Eleccomm is all about. Our certified, safety-trained technicians provide fast, reliable service with our state-of-the-art, EPA certified fleet of equipment. Contact us today to learn more information about back up generators and other products we have to offer. 

When there is bad weather such as hurricane, tornado, ice, or even just a thunder storm you can experience a power failure. Commercial emergency rental generators can help during those times the power is down. Especially if your business is left without any power for a long time. Industrial commercial generators will keep your appliances and equipment still running when your power is down.

During powerful storms when a large area can be left without power, generators are in high demand. Ensure that your business is not left struggling to find a commercial generator still available, by renting one ahead of time. Do not wait until your power goes out to seek one. Its better to have one that you didn’t need as oppose to not having one that you did need.

You can rent a commercial generator as small as 20 kilowatts or as big as 2 megawatts or more. To estimate the generator size you will need, you will first need to determine what your purpose in getting one is for. What appliances and equipments are you wanting to run with the generator?

Once you have figured out what you will need to run during a power outage and the watts for each appliance, you can then figure out the size of the commercial generator needed. It is very important that you get a generator with the right size, otherwise you can overheat your appliances and the generator.

For business who cannot afford to lose power for long periods of time, renting a commercial generator can help. If you own a business, you should seek out a rental company in your surrounding areas that will deliver a generator to you quickly. When searching for a generator rental store, make sure they deliver your generator along with an electrician who will install it for you. Some companies will leave you to install it on your own.

Just because you are in need of an emergency generator, does not mean you have to rent out a costly one. If you suspect you might have power failure, seek out rental companies in your area ahead of time. Learn the different rental stores out there and find the most affordable one for you.

Remember to keep your generator running out doors and not inside your building or garage, since it runs on fuel. Emergency rental generators can help in those times when you experience a power failure. The right generator can really come in handy.

When you need temporary electric heaters to keep your operation safe and productive this winter, ElecComm Power Services delivers.

ElecComm Power Services offers flame-free, emissions-free and moisture-free electric heaters that ensure maximum productivity and comfort-no matter the application. From comfort heating to emergency backup, we make sure your people and equipment are protected, so you can get back to the business at hand.

And because ElecComm Power Services is the industry leader in temporary utilities, you can be sure that although the seasons may change, the profitability of your operations doesn't have to.

Get Equipped

Located in Massachusetts and 24/7/365 service to all of New England, the solution to your temporary heating needs is never far away.

Tired of being caught in between power interruption? Afraid of not meeting the deadline because of unscheduled brownouts? Of all the wonders, that the industrial age has brought, electricity is the most rewarding source of energy. Almost all industrial equipments, computers, networks, and other electronics that are housed in buildings uses and depends on electric power. It is the primary source of energy, wherein modern mechanical wonders are anchored.

However, electricity as a source of energy is limited. Power shortages are common nowadays and that little has been made to improve its supply. Increase in power interruption brought about by power shortages has plagued numerous business establishments for quite some time. It makes work and production a little bit difficult for the businesses that heavily rely on electrical energy. Thus, the industrial equipment that help businesses to produce work at some point will be useless once electric power is interrupted or cut off.

Commercial generators existed in order to address these power shortages. The average small-business cannot readily avail or buy commercial generators to use during power interruptions. One option less costly is to rent one. ElecComm Power Services offers a wide variety of choices to choose from according to the business' needs. In renting commercial generators these essential points should be consider.

PURPOSE- it answers the kind of generator you need for the specific task at hand. Generator companies have a catalog of commercial generators that will cater to every need in the market. These portable industrial generators can generate power on emergency situation. Industrial grade generators are fixed or stationary; they are designed to generate high capacity power output to manage higher demands on electricity. An auxiliary criterion to be considered is the mobility of the generator. Meaning the generator you intend to purchase should be movable from one site to another upon demand.

CAPACITY- refers to the generating output of the generator. The capacity of a generator is measured by how much KVA (kilo volt ampere) it can produce when it is running. Industrial grade generators can generate higher KVA and are mainly use to power up building and industrial. These kinds of generators are used as back-ups in case of unscheduled power interruptions. Portable commercial generators on the other hand are built for emergency purposes or mainly for small-business use.

FUEL- generators also need fuel to operate. Generators are can run on various fuels, however, what must be considered is the availability of the fuel in the place. Others consider the price; fuel consumption is relative to number of hours a generator is used. So the longer the generator is used, higher fuel consumption is expected.

COST- refers to the price tag of the generator one wanted to buy. The cost of the generator is dependent upon the feature the goes with it. Normally a generator is priced according to its KVA capacity output. It is because the higher its KVA output, results in higher kilowatt output is generated. A higher kilowatt output results to a higher load capacity for the generator.