What would you do if your business suddenly lost power? Advanced planning is critical to minimize the risk to your operations. Are you ready? If not, where do you start? Here are some suggestions that can help.

Know the System

The first step in preparing a response plan is to be thoroughly familiar with the electrical distribution system layout and design. System documentation should include "one-line diagrams" that show how main components of the electrical system are connected, including redundant equipment and available spares.

Identify Critical Loads

Typically, emergency generation can not be provided for all of a facility’s loads. Equipment that would be essential during an outage should be identified and clearly marked on the one-line diagrams as being emergency loads.

Emergency Generators

If you don’t have emergency generators, consider a rental agreement with a dependable local vendor. Ask how many generators they have in stock, how they will be delivered, guaranteed response time and what service is included. Where would you rank on their list of priority customers? During an outage, demand will be strong. Plan how each generator will be connected during the emergency and keep step-by-step procedures that are clearly written. If staff training is an issue, arrange for a contractor to do the work. Keep generator fuel tanks full and replace fuel more than a year old.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

If the facility has computer loads or communications systems that utilize a UPS to ride through short-term outages, have procedures in place for an orderly shut down. Typically, a UPS will provide power for only 15 to 60 minutes, to allow you to back up system and data files and bring the systems down.

Surge Protection

Probably the greatest cause of damage to equipment from a power outage is from electrical surge when the power first comes on. Damage from externally generated surges can be greatly reduced by installing a surge protection device (SPD) on the incoming electrical service of a building.

Power Outage Procedures