Planning For Power Disruption

The time to prepare is now. For the past decade or more, at least on large-scale disaster has occurred somewhere in the world every year. Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, floods, fires - cataclysmic events have become a mainstay of the media.

But it doesn't have to be a major event or even a direct hit to put you out of business. And it isn't always Mother Nature who deals the devastating blow. Blackouts, brownouts and planned or emergency shutdowns can also put your operations on hold. Depending on the length and severity of the interruption, preventing significant losses or ensuring the very survival of your business could well depend on management's ability to reestablish critical functions.

We can't always predict the timing of natural disasters or man-made events, but we can plan for them. Including Hawthorne Power Systems in your comprehensive business continuity or contingency plan can ensure that when the worst happens, you and your organization will respond in an organized, disciplined way.

Step 1

Without proper planning, it can take several days to restore power to your facility in the event of a natural disaster or disruption of the utility grid. Hawthorne Power Systems strongly recommends contacting an authorized electrical contractor to determine your electrical load and to provide you with a safe and legal method to hook up an auxiliary or standby generator. This same contractor can also make arrangements with your facility to respond anytime, if called upon.

Step 2

There is no substitute for a licensed electrical contractor. However, Hawthorne Power System’s Rental Department offers a free site audit to assist you with the development of your contingency plan.

Step 3

Answer by thinking about the following before the power goes off at your facility.

• How will the generator sets get from the dealership to your facility?

• Where will you put the generator sets?

• How will you get cable from the generator sets outside your building to electrical distribution boxes inside?

• Where will you get cable?

• Can you store enough fuel, safely, close to the area where you plan to keep the generator sets?

• Do you have people on staff who can hook up the generator sets and check to ensure they will operate properly?

Step 4

Develop a contingency plan.

• Contact Hawthorne today to set up an appointment with one of our rental specialists.

• There is no substitute for a licensed electrical contractor. Hawthorne Power System’s Rental Department offers a free site audit to assist you with the development of your contingency plan.