Would you be ready for a power outage at your facility if it happened today? Before the power goes out, you need to assess whether your facility can ensure business continuity during an outage. Power outages can be less stressful and manageable with the right prep. Here are 8 questions facilities managers should ask themselves to ensure that their buildings are ready for a power outage, and solutions to help them through it.

1. Am I able to maintain access control?

To maintain building access during an outage, you will need a backup plan for your entrances and exits that require radio frequency identification (RFID) cards.

Think about the following solutions for access control during power outages:

• Install a battery backup for short-term power outages, such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
• Ensure key access to at least one door for longer power outages
• Consider installing fail-safe locks, which unlocks doors when there is a power outage allowing workers and visitors to safely exit the facilities.

2. Can I keep my alarms functioning?

Fire alarms should have an emergency backup power system. Shawn Mahoney, from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that secondary power supplies, like batteries, should provide “enough capacity to power the entire system for 24 hours on standby and then operate the system for at least 5 minutes under emergency conditions (15 minutes for mass notification systems).”

Mahoney additionally said that if a generator is used, batteries are still required but only need to have capacity for 4 hours.

“In order to ensure that the secondary power supply is always available, the fire alarm system itself is able to monitor the presence of voltage and monitor the battery charging system and will then annunciate a trouble signal if there is an issue with the power supply or charging system,” Mahoney said.

Security systems should have a battery backup so that physical surveillance will continue during the power outage. Be sure to check how long the battery backup will last and whether this will meet your facility’s needs. This will also help prevent bad actors from gaining unauthorized access to your facility during an outage.

3. Can I keep the phone system operating?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns that broadband-enabled telephones will not work without a battery or backup power source.

FEMA says that businesses should check all phones to determine whether they will work in a power outage, how long the battery backup will last, and to test the battery periodically.

Cellular service is not reliable during prolonged power outages when backup power to towers is exhausted. Therefore, have at least one landline telephone you can use for communication.

For those who still use fax machines, they can also be used as touch-tone phones.

Employers should also have an 800-phone number so employees can call it to receive updates about power reinstatement.

Additionally, employers should consider routing calls to another site. This is an especially good solution for companies with multiple locations.

4. Am I able to avoid interruptions to the internet and servers?

CNET reports that many Internet providers offer separate cellular plans or service add-ons to keep people online during outages. Mobile hotspots and tethering are other options.

Consider installing an uninterrupted power supply to back up servers if your website is hosted on them.

Keep your router running during power outages by using a backup battery, connect to an external power bank, or hook it up to a backup generator.

Work with a partner business to manage your website from another location.

Have a plan for backup servers at another location if there is an extended power outage.

5. Can I stay connected to public information and communication?

Purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. This is an automated 24-hour network of VHF FM weather radio stations in the United States to keep you updated.

Be sure to download a severe weather alert app for your mobile device. Your local television stations likely will have a local weather feature on their free apps.

Also, consider purchasing a small battery-operated television with an HD. To learn more, click here.

6. Am I able to keep the building heated, ventilated, and cool? Can I keep my HVAC system going?

Determine what needs your facility has during an emergency. For example, it may only be necessary to heat and cool specific zones.

If you need air conditioning, take note of which emergency cooling type will best meet your needs such as a mini-split system (hotel rooms), window unit (good for cooling single rooms and offices), portable A/C unit (good for a variety of facilities like hospitals, governmental buildings, retail, large offices, and schools), portable evaporative cooler (great for gyms), or window unit evaporative cooler (great for sports halls).

Facilities should have backup power available by setting up a microgrid. Read “Planning for No Power: Experts Provide a Look at Microgrid Solutions” on Facilities Management Advisor.

Small businesses can consider purchasing a portable generator that produces more amps than they need to run their HVAC system.

Employers should provide alternative work procedures if the building’s HVAC system is down due to a power outage. This means that extreme heat can plague a worksite during the summer months and extreme cold can affect a worksite during the winter months. Employers should consider allowing workers to work from home or provide a temporary dress code to accommodate worker needs.

7. What do I do about lighting?

Verify emergency lighting works including those for exit signs.

The Home Depot says that commercial buildings must conform to exit sign and lighting standards for emergencies from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the International Building Code (IBC), and the NFPA.

Specifically, Home Depot says that lights on exit routes and in equipment storage rooms must be at least 54 lux, and exit signs should be red. The IBC requires egress lighting in exit corridors, stairwells, and areas leading outside.

Learn more by reading “Ask the Expert: What’s the Story with Emergency Lighting?,” on EHS Daily Advisor.

Appoint individuals on your team to have flashlights at the ready and consider asking all employees to have a battery-powered flashlight in their desks for evacuation purposes.

8. How can I prevent water or temperature damage?

Keep in mind that even during a power outage, sinks and toilets will continue to function if you get your water through a municipal system but well pumps will fail during power outages.

Sump pumps, tankless water heaters, pump-assisted toilets, and pump-assisted sewer systems will not work. Risks during power outages include sewer backup, frozen pipes, and flooding.

If your facility has sump pumps, a battery, generator, or other backup power source should be installed onto these pumps.

Plumbing lines should be protected during freezing temperatures and drinking water should be stored.

Conclusion

Ensure your facility is prepared for power outages by having sufficient backup power available to perform the critical functions of your facility.

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