Wherever or whenever extreme weather hits, power outages follow. It can be a dangerous situation if the batteries fail in your emergency exit signs or emergency lighting. Make it a routine to frequently check the batteries in all important devices, including:
While you’re at it, make sure there is a clear path and at least 3 feet of space around your heating equipment (boilers and furnaces) and electrical panels to reduce injury risk and potential fires.
The loss of electricity itself can add an additional layer of property damage or risk of liability to what already may be present as a result of the disaster, making things worse. An outage can also happen apart from lightning, wind, heavy rains, or weight of ice and snow:
Any outage, regardless of the cause, can damage or destroy electrical equipment. Here’s what can fail:
Power coming back on can cause a damaging surge, too. Be sure to unplug or turn off large electronics and appliances—like HVAC and refrigeration units—to prevent additional damage. Sometimes the easiest way to do this is by turning off individual breakers at the electrical panel. Once power is restored, systematically turn units back on.
Make sure you can access electrical panels by maintaining a clear path to each one. This enables ministry personnel to quickly access them during any kind of emergency. And to reduce the risk of fire, always maintain at least three feet of space around heating equipment, like boilers and furnaces, and electrical panels. This is required in many locations.
In some ways, preparing to lose power is like preparing for every disaster, all at once. That’s because any disaster can cause power loss, disrupt operations, and complicate recovery. Direct or indirect lightning strikes can cause a power surge that damages everything in its path, including outlets and whatever is plugged in to them.
But you are not powerless—there are things you can do before the lights go out. Consider having the following items on hand to help you power through the darkness. Keep an inventory on stored items and equipment and check to ensure items work.
Build lighting redundancy. If power is out for a while, or you have multiple buildings, a variety of options can help everyone move about the facility safely.
Make sure to regularly test the batteries in all emergency lighting and exit signs. It can be helpful to schedule a monthly check up to make sure you don’t get caught in the dark and to make sure people can safely exit during an emergency.
Alternatives to electricity. Different forms of electricity give you additional ways to power refrigeration units, fans, lights, cell phones, sump pumps, and more.
Protecting electrical panels and network equipment from a power surge is, in effect, protecting your ability to communicate and operate.
Generally, protection comes in two forms: a surge protector that’s mounted to a main electrical panel and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). A surge protector works like an interrupter. It diverts sudden power surges to a grounding wire before the surge can reach and damage critical equipment. However, a sudden shutdown can still damage sensitive computer equipment.
A better option is to install UPS units on all network switches, along with a main panel surge protector. UPS units protect network equipment—they signal your computer systems to power down orderly and safely after an outage. When accompanied with a generator, the UPS unit can keep your systems running until the generator kicks in, often several minutes later, or until you can manually power down affected equipment. A UPS unit also continually protects your systems from those smaller, damaging fluctuations in power.
Hire a licensed electrician to audit your major electrical systems. Ideally, a surge protector or UPS should be installed on all electrical panels and network switches and tailored to your systems’ needs. Also, don’t assume just because you’ve recently remodeled or installed new AVL equipment that you’re protected.
Finally, know what you are and aren’t covered for when the power goes out. For property, ask your agent about coverage for typical losses caused by power outages. Additionally, an outage may expose your organization to liability issues, like if you serve spoiled food or someone gets injured in the darkness.
The information provided in this article is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.
