Tips for Commercial Customers

1. Computers
2. Review of Operations
3. Back-up Equipment
4. Employees
5. Ventilation
6. If the Lights Go Off

1.  Computers

Back up computer files frequently. 
Consider buying an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for critical computers and other equipment. This provides temporary battery backup power to allow you to save data and turn the computer off safely without losing valuable information.

2.  Review of Operations

Reducing total customer use of power during peak periods can help reduce the likelihood of service interruptions. Identify any "must-run" equipment, and any non-essential load that can be reduced if there is a call to reduce power province-wide. Non-essential equipment may include photocopiers, coffee machines, lighting, and fans.

3.  Back-up Equipment

Routinely check backup battery systems for security, lighting, phone and computer equipment to make sure they are fully functional. Make sure that emergency lighting systems are functional and are adequate for evacuating the building. If your elevators are connected to an alternate power supply, verify the maximum number of elevators that can run without overloading the generator. For information on standby or portable generation - click here.

4.  Employees

Review procedures in the case of an outage with employees, including:

• Procedures for continuing or stopping work.

• Security procedures.

• Alternate evacuation routes if elevators are not working.

  

5.  Ventilation

Adequate ventilation can become an important concern if power is out.

Gas stoves in restaurants will continue to operate, but fans will be out of service. Inadequate ventilation can lead to a build up of carbon monoxide and other hazardous materials.

When turning off equipment, make sure that air conditioning and ventilation systems for the elevator equipment room are not shut off, to prevent equipment from overheating.

6.  If the Lights Go Off

Turn off all high-energy equipment. Leave one light on so that you know when the power is restored.

When power is restored, turn equipment back on over a 15-minute period, to protect your own equipment and help ATCO Electric resume service. This is because restarting equipment can take double the amount of electrical capacity it normally draws. When all this demand is placed on the power system it can cause a series of surges or voltage drops. These may cause protective switches to trip out and cause power to go off again.