Hurricane Preparedness: Generators

As we prepare for the 2021 hurricane season, over the previous seven days we have highlighted SAFETY (always #1), STAFFING COVERAGE, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, EMERGNECY OPERATIONS PLANS, BUSINESS CONTINUTY PLANS, SUPPLY CHAIN, and STAGING SITES. 

GENERATORS are the focus of this article. Generators are scattered across coastal and inland areas, having been installed to serve critical facilities and assets. These generators may support government Emergency Operations Centers, Critical Infrastructure assets, businesses and homes. 

Generators can operate on natural gas, gasoline or diesel, depending on their size and need. No matter the fuel source, each can be interrupted by the same event that they were likely installed to address. We have seen locations where natural gas was interrupted by an uprooted tree tearing up gas lines, or even more recently, gas curtailment. Gasoline and diesel generators, which rely on fuel delivery, can be challenging due to damaged roadways, driver shortages, and having fuel commandeered by other responding agencies, which has actually happened to me in the past.  

After Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, there were a lot of communications about optimal generator designs, and how to take SLOSH (Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes) modelling into consideration.  Post-Sandy, many generators that had been installed in basements, were relocated to outdoor locations. Generators that were identified as being vulnerable to hurricane surge and flooding were elevated. 

The fact is that a lot of attention need to be given when identifying a generator location.  Another often neglected decision if the tack size for the larger diesel generators.  The larger those tanks, the longer you can run your facility between refueling, and the less you have to manage fuel delivery among all of your other tasks. I would be remiss not to mention, during a malevolent act, you want to minimize the number of visitors to your facility when you are on lockdown.

Once designed and installed, these generators should not be neglected, and require regular maintenance to ensure their availability when needed.  We advise our clients to develop and maintain a maintenance programs based on periodic inspections, including verifying the integrity of the fuel source, checking fluid levels, and inspecting the asset to make sure that the generator remains in good working order. I have actually witnessed a neglected generator where the fuel degraded and clogged the fuel system, rendering the generator inoperable. Also make sure that fuel tanks are clearly marked at the tank nozzle in writing, so in case of a dual-fuel delivery truck (gasoline / diesel) the correct fuel is delivered.

Many organizations have established protocols that require their generators be operated on a monthly basis, and that load be switched over and actually serve the specific facility and/or critical asset periodically.  Recently I have interacted with a number of water treatment facilities that start their generators on a weekly basis, and periodically operate their facilities on their generators (full facility load) prior to hurricane season. They also have the most common generators parts, such as filters, sitting in the shelf if needed.  

When the potential for a hurricane or tropical storm becomes apparent, protocols should be put in place for emergency inspections, and if needed, fueling. Hopefully, this does not occur, but we have observed facilities that push back refueling for some reason.

Lastly, make sure that you have your fueling agreement in place, and that you establish and schedule far in advance. Also make sure that your procurement method is current, so that in the middle of a storm you do not discover that an payment authorization (Purchase Order) has not expired. I have seen this occur as well.    

Next, FLEET MANAGEMENT.