For those of us on the coast, hurricane season is a serious consideration during the summer. Businesses in Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, must be vigilant for storm warnings, for they can spell disaster to a facility and its tenant company. Even if a building is not physically affected by a storm, power outages after major hurricanes can last for weeks. That’s why we recommend that every commercial facility invests in a backup generator for operations continuity and safety of staff.
Backup generators allow your business to stay afloat even after a brutal hurricane. Some industries, such as healthcare and emergency response, are required to have backup generators to provide 24/7 service to the community. However, not every facility will need the same capacity generator for their operations. Here’s what you should consider before choosing a commercial generator for hurricane season.
Fuels types
Backup generators are run on gasoline, propane, diesel, natural gas, or in some instances solar energy. The fuel type of your generator will greatly impact its cost, efficiency during hurricanes, and ease of use. Some fuel types may be safer or cheaper, but you must also consider whether you will be able to effectively transport the fuel, or whether it will provide the power you need for several weeks at a time.
Size requirements
Generators are built to serve every building size from a single room in an office to entire hospitals at full capacity. Depending on the nature of your business, you may only need minimal power to continue operations after a hurricane. If your employees are able to work from home or do not need your facility space, then a small generator may be best suited to your needs for the bare minimum essential business. However, if your facility is integral to the community (for example, a grocery store or gas station), you will need a higher-powered generator to ensure that operations are minimally disrupted.
Maintenance requirements
The larger and more powerful the generator, the more maintenance will be required to keep it operational during the summer. A portable generator will likely only need testing periodically to ensure it can power basic office needs. However, larger installed generators will need periodic preventative maintenance from a trained electrician.
MaintenX provides installation and electrical maintenance services for businesses from coast to cast. We take hurricane season very seriously and will work with you to create solutions that work. Contact us today to learn more!
