Earthquake Preparedness: Backup Power for Hospitals, Schools and Residential Sites

After a major earthquake, mains power can be lost for hours or days. During that time intensive care units and operating theatres in hospitals, assembly and shelter areas in schools, and water booster pumps, lifts and emergency lighting on residential sites are left without power. Having a generator is not enough on its own: the set must survive the earthquake undamaged, start automatically and have enough fuel. This guide goes through the preparation step by step.

1. Which loads must be supplied?

Start with a priority load list. In a hospital: life-support equipment, operating theatres, intensive care and emergency department. In a school: emergency lighting, the public address system and the assembly area. On a residential site: water pumps, the booster set, at least one lift, stair lighting and security systems. Add up the list in kW, include motor starting, and select the set accordingly. See what size generator do I need.

2. Automatic start

Nobody should have to walk to the generator during an outage. The ATS panel starts the set when the mains fails and transfers the load, and hands it back when the mains returns. In hospitals, transfer time and the supplied departments follow the applicable regulation.

3. Anchoring and flexible connections

The set and its connections move during an earthquake. Fix the set to the floor with anchor bolts together with its anti-vibration mounts, and use flexible connections on the exhaust, fuel and cable lines. Keep shelves, fuel cans and loose material that could fall out of the generator room. Our article on generator room installation covers the room.

4. Fuel: stock, quality and refuelling

Refuelling may be delayed after an earthquake. Set a target running time and multiply it by the set’s consumption at real load to size the tank (fuel tank sizing). Water and sediment build up in fuel that is stored for a long time, so check the tank regularly and maintain the filters and water separator. Keep contact details of more than one fuel supplier ready.

5. Monthly test and maintenance

A generator that runs once a year cannot be relied on for the day of an earthquake. Test it on load once a month and check the battery and charger, oil and coolant levels, the block heater and the ATS transfer. Details: generator maintenance checklist.

6. Post-earthquake checklist

1. Make sure the building is safe before entering the generator room.
2. Do not start the set if you smell fuel or see a fuel or oil leak.
3. Check the exhaust line for breaks or separation; exhaust gas must not leak into an enclosed space.
4. Look for damage to cables, switchgear and earthing connections.
5. Once the set is running, watch voltage, frequency, oil pressure and temperature.
6. Record the fuel level and start the refuelling plan.

Next step

Terex Diesel sets are built at our facility in Tuzla, Istanbul and load-tested before shipment. Send us your priority load list and we will prepare a written offer for the set rating, ATS and fuel autonomy: contact us.