A disaster can occur at any moment, which may be a natural disaster or a manmade one. Many businesses suffer because most times it hits without any prior warning. One of the first issues caused by a natural disaster is often a power breakdown.
Generators Help During Emergencies
Climate change has made natural disasters a part of life all over the world. Not a day passes by without hearing about hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods, and other natural disasters taking place in different corners of the planet. If you are running a business, it is in your best interest to prepare ahead for any emergency situation brought forth by a natural disaster. This includes making sure that you have a power backup. With almost every business relying heavily on a power supply for the daily operations a power failure can spell disaster.
In fact, the power grid failure in developed countries also paralyzes the entire state with businesses coming to a standstill. You can avoid these situations by having a generator on hand. In case your power backup supply fails to start, you can have one installed and get your business up and running in no time. It will allow you to power your computers, enable payment services, charge mobiles, and keep the lights on.
Although installing a generator is relatively easy, it depends on several factors. In an emergency situation, businesses do not have the time for a regular installation that involves various steps like setup, testing, and approval. The time taken for the power back up and running time is given more preference in such situations. Companies offer installation of power backup sources during emergency situations. This includes a fast track process like site preparation, acquiring required permits, and delivery times.
Factors that Determine Your Choice of Generator During Emergencies
While there are different models available in the market, the ones that are installed during an emergency relies on several factors. This includes the application it is intended for, whether it is a part of a Genset and the required level of dependency. For example, hospitals require the ability to provide power during emergency situations to help save lives, while data centers rely on a power back up sources that are highly dependable.
Other factors that determine the generator preferred during an emergency include sound reduction, starting equipment, water cooling, vibration damping, foundations, and cost. However, emergencies do not let us go through things at the same pace as otherwise. Hence it is best to choose something that is handy and easy to install. The general rule of the thumb is that larger generators are more expensive and also require more time for installation.
Ease of installation is also a point to consider. According to experts from https://krugerpower.com.au/diesel-generators.html, lower the kilowatts of the machine, easier the installation. So choosing something that offers optimal power during an emergency becomes the need of the hour. No matter big or small, a backup power source is always handy. Businesses that are big on data or support systems need it all the more. This helps prevent data loss in the event of a disaster.
Transporting Generators to the Location
Depending on the size, they can be transported by trucks or cars. It is essential to pay plenty of attention to loading the machine safely into the vehicle and ensuring that it stays safe during transportation. While transporting generators during a normal day is not too difficult, it may become a point of concern during emergencies. Portable power backup sources are preferred in such situations. The size of the machine will have a say in whether it is feasible to transport it to the required location and installation time. When a disaster hits, the roads are often damaged hence posing a serious challenge.
Since the site also plays a role in the time taken to install a generator, some other factors too need to be considered. This includes
- The physical location of the installation
- Access point for fuel supply
- Security
- Stable platforms
- Unloading facility
In case it is to be installed outdoors, the natural conditions of the site also have to be taken into account. For example, in high altitude locations, the generator has to be derated, while it has to be placed on a raised platform in flooded areas. In such situations, these machines may also need additional accessories. It can be anything like an electric water jacket or heater depending on the temperature of the site.
Installation
After the site has been prepped for installation, it is time to get started. Once the required permits for the generator have been obtained from the local authorities, it is time to prepare the installation pad and place the machine on it. This process includes:
- Connecting the fuel line
- Making electrical connections
- Installing the transfer switch
- Setting up security fencing
- Adding additional accessories
After it has been installed, it is put through a series of tests to make sure that it is operating properly. This is followed by cleaning up the site of all packaging materials, equipment, and tools that were used during the installation and testing process. During emergency situations, it is a good idea to hire a company with plenty of experience to install a generator. It helps reduce installation time without compromising on quality or safety. In fact, portable power backup sources are a great boon during emergencies.
If you do not have the budget to install a power backup supply during an emergency, you can also consider renting one for a while. This will not eat into your profits and also allows you to continue running your business. This also helps prevent data loss, which can be a huge blow for small businesses. In fact, many small businesses go under as a result of being unprepared for natural and manmade disasters. You can avoid being a part of that statistic by installing generators immediately and having your power back on.
It is a good idea to have a solid power backup supply to keep your business afloat in case of an unexpected emergency. After all, nobody wants to see the business that they’ve toiled for years go down because they were unprepared in the event of a disaster.