Page 13 - IEC Insights Mar-April2020

I equipment. In addition to recommending
t can happen in the blink of an eye
the development of a preventive
and without warning; one minute
our lives are running smoothly;
maintenance program, NFPA 70B also
the next minute we’re in complete
contains a chapter that is dedicated
chaos as we look at the task that
looms ahead of us — recovering from a to preparing the electrical system to
be resilient in the wake of disaster.
natural disaster. Electrical contractors
are often at the forefront of this Chapter 32 of NFPA 70B is titled,
recovery effort; they know, the sooner “Electrical Disaster Recovery” and is
the electrical infrastructure is restored, aimed at setting up a sequence of
the sooner we can all get back to our events for when a building’s electrical
day-to-day schedules. Most areas have system is faced with a natural or man-
no shortage of electrical contractors made disaster. This process is intended
willing to jump in and help pick up the to minimize the damage to the system
pieces after disaster strikes. But what from the event and also to expedite the
we sometimes fail to realize is, even process of recovery and minimize down
before a tragedy strikes, there are many time. As with most aspects of electrical
things that can, and should, be done safety, it all starts with a plan for what to
that can help ease the recovery effort. do leading up to and following the event
will help prepare a facility for the worst.
As electrical contractors, our clients rely
on us to understand the lay of the land Of course, the plan is going to vary based
and to know the ins and outs of their on the type of event that causes damage
electrical system. It’s a lot of responsibility to the system. The recovery from a flood
on our shoulders, but it is the reason is very different than recovering from the
why people hire a contractor in the first effects of an earthquake, for instance.
place. We know how to get the job done NFPA 70B recommends determining
safely, we understand the importance of which category of event a facility is likely
proper installation and maintenance, and to be exposed to. This helps to better
we know the role each plays with regards prepare for the kinds of disasters a facility
to electrical safety in the workplace. might encounter. For example, a building
in California will likely need to be prepared
What we must capitalize on, however, is for a structural damage event like an
the opportunity to educate our customers earthquake and a fire damage event.
and point them to resources that they Part of any recovery plan is determining
can use to provide this level of safety. the back-up power system for fueling
One such piece of information includes recovery efforts. In the case of California,
NFPA 70B: Recommended Practice earthquakes tend to do a number on
for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, natural gas lines and for that reason the
which is an important part of the natural gas infrastructure includes valves
electrical safety ecosystem but is often to prevent gas leaks that could create
overlooked by electrical contractors as a greater hazard after the initial event.
a recommendation for clients after the Using a natural gas-fired generator or a
building is turned over to the owner. fuel cell as the temporary power system
would be inconsistent with the area’s
Natural disasters often strike with little disaster category. In this case, the fuel
or no warning and the condition of supply might not be reliable enough to
equipment maintenance often plays be effective during the recovery effort.
into how quickly a system can recover
from such an event. NFPA 70B has Another important part of the recovery
recommendations for developing an plan for a building owner to consider is
electrical preventive maintenance program taking stock of the equipment within the
to help ensure that electrical equipment building. Knowing and understanding
stands the test of time and might even the limitations of the equipment helps
help it to weather a storm by maintaining to shape the preparation/recovery
the original installations’ condition of the plan. Determining and documenting

www.ieci.org | March/April 2020 | Insights Magazine 11