Category: Electrical

How to Better Prepare for Power Surges and Power Outages at Your Facility

Power outages are majorly detrimental to the functioning of any facility for a number of reasons. Not only can they grind production to a halt by halting equipment operation, but they can also produce a dangerous or uncomfortable environment for employees and customers who are inside when the air conditioning is offline. Even if the power comes back on right away, a phenomenon known as a power surge, there could be data lost that might set the facility back. These reasons and more are why you should prepare your facility for power surges and power outages and take steps now to prevent problems later.

 

Install a backup generator.

 

The most obvious, but also the most helpful, thing that you can do to prepare your facility for a power outage is to install a backup generator. If you have a backup generator in place, the power will naturally come back on as soon as it is lost and some even before power goes out across the main facility. If you are the manager of a large facility, it may be necessary to install multiple generators or one very powerful one in order to meet the power needs of the building.

 

Have the right equipment and a plan in place.

 

Even if the power comes back on right away, you still want to have surge protectors on important equipment in the facility. Most individual battery backup units have these and they can be built into the infrastructure of the outlets as well. Additionally, you should devise a plan now to ensure that everything will be working properly later. The best way to do this is to schedule preventative maintenance for backup generators and surge protecting equipment so that you can rest easy knowing that they won’t fail when you need them the most.

 

At MaintenX, we specialize in all aspects of facility maintenance and preventative maintenance plans. If you have any concerns about power outages, it is worth looking into and investing into now in order to protect you, your employees, and your facility later on. To learn more about our preventative maintenance plans and equipment, please call us today at (855) 751-0075.

What Services are offered at MaintenX?

Facility Maintenance

MaintenX is a full-service Facility Maintenance company serving 14 states across America, including major restaurants and Fortune 500 companies.

With just a call or click, we can take on a project, schedule preventative maintenance, or jump into action on an emergency service call in many locations in the U.S.

We offer 24/7 professional Facility Maintenance service and repair, including:

– Air conditioning

– Refrigeration

– Plumbing

– Electrical Work

– Roofing Repair

– Backflow Programs

– General Contractor Needs

– Rapid Disaster Response

– Preventative Maintenance

– Floor Maintenance

– Snow Removal

– Landscaping

– Dark Closed Stores

– Property Management and Maintenance

– Extensive Self-Performing Facility Maintenance & Repair

MaintenX is one of the largest Facility Maintenance service companies in the U.S. We are always expanding our service area.

Our extensive system of more than forty-five thousand contractors lets us to provide quality Facility Maintenance work throughout the United States. To maintain the standards for our self-performing technicians, contractor selection is not based simply on price, but also quality, experience, consistency, dependability, and service history, coupled with proper preparation and certification.

Green Power Incentives

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 and other federal laws have provided tax incentives for certain energy management projects that exceed the minimum energy consumption benchmarks. Certain utilities companies and state energy offices also have demand-side management rebates and low interest loans to help foster sustainability and energy conservation projects. At MaintenX, we encourage you to look into these Green incentives, as they could be used towards your next project.

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light: Pros and Cons

It’s easy to assume natural light is always preferable to artificial, but poor planning or lack of availability can offset its advantages. The light you choose for your residence or workplace can affect comfort and health. Below are some of the pros and cons of natural and artificial light.

 

Natural Light

Pros:

– Affects the tone of colors and makes skin appear healthier and more natural than does artificial lighting.

– Has been shown to improve mood, raising well-being, productivity, and overall happiness.

– Can decrease eyestrain.

– Reduces electricity costs.

Cons:

– Glare; direct sunlight on shiny surfaces reflects bright light, making it difficult to see or work.

– Though it brings life to homes and offices, sunlight will fade colors of furniture, artwork, rugs—anything it touches—over time.

– Heat; if not planned well, natural lighting can result in unwanted and expensive heat cooling costs.

Artificial Light

Of course, we don’t always have the luxury of natural light. Light bulbs were invented for a reason and, like it or not, most of us will spend a lot of time in their glow.

Pros:

– Extra time for work, schoolwork, and relaxation. Certain artificial lights can even mimic some of the features of natural light.

– Can dramatically change the mood and beauty of an interior room without windows.   

Cons:

– Can have a negative effect on our sleep patterns and overall health.

– Contains both UV and infrared radiations, and wavelengths of light in artificial bulbs vary widely, making it hard to create a consistent lighting environment.

Unless you live underground or have sworn off electricity altogether, you will often be exposed to both artificial and natural light. Fine-tuning is the best way to get to the right balance for you, your family, or your employees.

What to do when your Business has an Electrical Emergency

As a facility manager, the goal of your maintenance plan will always be to prevent major problems. Sometimes, however, emergencies happen and the best you can do is try to mitigate the damage. In the event of an electrical emergency, there are a few things to keep in mind to manage it as safely and effectively as possible.

The first thing you should do in an electrical emergency is to shut off the main power source as quickly as possible. No maintenance can be done on the system if power is still flowing. All buildings have a breaker board, so shut off the main line if you are unable to determine the specific source of the problem. Doing this will prevent the risk of shock, fire, and related injuries to employees or customers.

If your emergency involves fire or injury, call 911 immediately. Never try to assist someone with a damp object, and never try to put out an electrical fire with water. Use a fire extinguisher, as it won’t spread the flames.

You should always have a plan in place to deal with electrical emergencies, but it’s preferable to prevent them. This can be done through a preventative maintenance plan, which MaintenX can help you develop and execute. For this and other emergency repairs to your electrical equipment or systems, please contact us any time!