When power outages strike, whether from storms or grid failures, facility managers fall into two categories: those who are relieved they invested in backup power through professional building technology services, and those who wish they had.
Across commercial buildings of all types, including offices, warehouses, hospitals, retail stores, and universities, one requirement remains the same. Every facility must comply with critical life safety standards, which often include the need for emergency or standby power systems.
These requirements are built into local building codes and are typically based on the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
In many cases, local codes go even further than the NFPA’s baseline requirements. To ensure compliance, it is always important to consult with an experienced professional who understands the regulations specific to your location.
Understanding Backup Power Systems
There are three general types of backup power systems that commercial facilities may use, depending on the needs of the building and the local code requirements.
1. Emergency Power Systems
Emergency power systems are designed to protect human life. When normal utility power is lost, these systems must activate within ten seconds. Emergency power supports critical systems such as exit lighting, fire alarms, evacuation systems, smoke control mechanisms, elevators, and escalators.
Because of their role in protecting building occupants, emergency power systems must be completely separate from the building’s normal power distribution. This separation includes independent conduits, panels, switches, and control elements.
Source: FSG
According to the NFPA code, these emergency generator systems must be completely separate from normal facility power and must have their own electrical conduits, panels, switches, and associated control elements.
2. Standby Power Systems
Standby power systems are intended to protect systems that are important but not necessarily life critical. These systems are allowed up to sixty seconds to activate after a loss of utility power. In many facilities, standby power supports servers, HVAC systems, and general lighting.
While standby power systems are similar to emergency systems, they are not required to maintain complete physical separation from the building’s regular electrical infrastructure. Standby power is often recommended to help businesses maintain operations during outages, although it may not be strictly required in all jurisdictions.
3. Optional Backup Power Systems
Some facilities choose to install additional backup power systems that go beyond what code requires. These optional systems help protect key processes, machinery, or comfort systems such as HVAC during an extended outage.
Optional backup systems are still responsible for providing power to critical systems like emergency lighting and fire alarms when necessary. Careful planning is needed to ensure that all mandatory loads are included when sizing these generators..
When is a Generator Required?
Generators are essential for facilities that must maintain continuous operations, especially during emergencies. Healthcare facilities, for example, rely on uninterrupted power to protect patient lives and maintain critical services. Municipal buildings, police stations, fire stations, emergency dispatch centers, prisons, mental health facilities, and water treatment plants are other examples of facilities that typically require backup generators.
In addition to requiring backup power, many local codes specify the type of generator allowed and the type of fuel to be used. Some jurisdictions require diesel generators for specific applications, while others mandate a minimum amount of on-site fuel storage to ensure uninterrupted operation during long-term outages.
Because requirements vary between states and municipalities, it is important to consult a professional familiar with the local standards that apply to your facility.
The Business Case for Backup Power
Even when backup power is not strictly required by law, it can still be a wise investment. A major power outage can cause significant financial loss, especially for businesses that rely on uninterrupted operations. Downtime can result in lost revenue, damaged equipment, and a loss of customer confidence.
Investing in backup power allows businesses to continue operations, protect equipment, maintain employee and customer comfort, and meet insurance or risk management requirements. Over time, the cost of installing a backup power system often pays for itself many times over.
FSG Provides Solutions for Emergency Power & Lighting
Since 1982, Facility Solutions Group (FSG) has helped businesses across the country design, install, and maintain emergency and standby power systems. Our teams work closely with facility managers to identify critical loads, evaluate peak and average power needs, and ensure compliance with NFPA standards and local building codes.
We provide full-service support for:
- Commercial generator installation
- Emergency electrical service deployment
- Switchgear and control system integration
- Temporary power solutions for disaster recovery
FSG has decades of experience serving healthcare facilities, data centers, municipal buildings, and a wide variety of essential businesses. Our strong industry partnerships allow us to deliver the best equipment and support, even during emergencies.
Start Planning Your Backup Power System Today
Power outages are unpredictable, but your backup plan should not be. Schedule a consultation today to get started. We are ready to answer your questions and provide emergency power options for your facility.
We can help you choose between natural gas and diesel options, determine whether a portable or permanent solution is right for you, calculate your power requirements, and plan your installation around the unique needs of your facility.
Whether you are looking for a small emergency generator or a complete multi-unit system with parallel switchgear and advanced controls, FSG is ready to help.
