Living along the Gulf Coast we know that at some point a storm or other natural disaster will interrupt electrical service from the utility company. An emergency power supply protects your products and equipment, allowing your business to stay open for business while your competitors are closed.
Get the Right Commercial Emergency, Backup and Standby Power Systems
The National Fire Protection Association sets the standards for performance requirements on emergency and standby power systems for commercial buildings. These systems provide electrical power in commercial buildings and industrial facilities when the utility-provided electricity stops flowing.
While the NFPA sets the standards for emergency systems, there is a large range of options for backup systems. Depending on your business and the equipment you need to keep running, a backup electrical system may only need to keep a few lights and coolers running. For others, a backup system may need to keep large-scale data centers or critical equipment up and running for extended periods of time.
What are the differences between Emergency, Standby and Backup Power Systems?
Emergency Power Systems
Emergency power systems are designed to provide automatic backup power within 10 seconds of standard power loss to all systems that ensure the safety of individuals. These include egress lighting, smoke ventilation and fire alarm systems to name a few. These backup power systems must be built separate from main power systems, right down to their own conduit runs and electrical panels.
Standby Power Systems
Standby power systems are required for certain industries to provide automatic backup power within 60 seconds. Unlike emergency power systems, standby systems may use the same components as a building’s standard electrical system. A standby system can be used to run important but non-critical systems for safety, such as HVAC and communications systems.
Backup Power Systems
Backup power systems are designed to provide power to functions that are important to your business during power outages. They may be engaged automatically when an outage is detected, or may need to be activated manually. Like standby systems, backup systems can share the same components and wiring as the main power system. Typically backup systems are used to keep occupants comfortable and prevent loss of data or funds.
Keep Your Investment Safe with Emergency and Backup Power Supplies
Call Henderson Electric of NWF to discuss the emergency and backup power supply needs of your business or commercial buildings. We explain what is required by law and how a backup system keeps your company going when the lights go out.