|  Planning
for Power Outages
Energy
usage increases during the winter months for businesses as
they cope with cold weather, ice storms and other winter hazards.
When extra consumption by residential customers is added to
the mix, brownouts and blackouts can be the result. Is your
organization prepared for power outages?
Power interruptions are estimated to cost
commercial and industrial businesses more than $75 billion
per year, according to a study at Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory. Yet, many organizations are not prepared to deal
with outages.
A 2004 survey conducted by Emerson Electric,
showed 62 percent of small businesses do not have any type
of backup power supply. Yet, 80 percent of these businesses
experienced at least one electrical power outage in 2003.
While larger organizations may be better equipped to handle
outages, there are preparations that businesses of all sizes
should undertake.
 Disaster
recovery plans should contain action plans for responding
to a power outage. It is important to identify critical operations,
data and documents and have backup plans in place for each.
Include information on backup generators, Uninterruptible
Power supplies and surge protectors. In addition, information
on specific limitations of equipment or software should be
obtained from your vendors.
Keep an updated list of vital telephone numbers
and plan for alternate communication devices. Give key staff
cellular phones, two-way radios or pagers. Make sure batteries
for these devices – as well as those for laptop computers,
flashlights, exit lights and other equipment - remain charged.
Have a facility evacuation
plan and make sure to test it with employees. In addition,
train employees the proper shutdown procedures for all industrial
equipment.
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Hurricanes
Deliver ‘Worst-Case Scenario’
Additional
Articles Found in Fall 2005 Issue of DRJ
