Black & White Facilities / Service brief
Generators and Backup Power
Backup power needs a defined continuity brief before equipment is selected. Facilities teams should identify essential loads, acceptable interruptions and support duration, then assess existing generation, changeover and maintenance arrangements so a fault response or planned shutdown is based on the site's actual operating needs.
Overview
Use outage history alongside a clear account of what must stay powered, what may stop and the interruption each activity can tolerate. The history alone does not determine the appropriate backup arrangement.
Our full service catalogue, including every individual service, is available across every listed sector and location. For one site or several, we agree the scope, access and programme around the buildings concerned.
What the work can include
The scope may review demand and existing plant, define connection and transfer arrangements, coordinate installation or replacement and specify servicing and functional checks. Temporary generation requires its own plan for connection, position and removal.
Outputs identify supported circuits, operating assumptions, changeover and applicable inspection or test evidence. Consider fuel, exhaust, ventilation, access and controls with the electrical work, naming any foundations, enclosures or associated services within the package.
Important decisions
Supporting selected circuits differs from supplying the whole installation. Assess starting loads and the sequence in which equipment resumes operation instead of relying only on the sum of nameplate ratings.
Generator starting and transfer create an interruption that some equipment cannot tolerate. An integrated UPS may be needed, with compatibility assessed; Eaton’s generator and UPS guidance discusses those interactions.
Decide whether operation is manual or automatic before selection. That choice affects site attendance, control and monitoring provisions and the testing required.
Before we visit
Provide supported-equipment lists, demand data, drawings and details of generators, UPS units and transfer equipment already installed. Identify sensitive processes, required running time and permissible interruption.
Assess space, delivery and maintenance access, fuel provision and effects on neighbouring areas. Exhaust presents a carbon-monoxide risk; generator siting is addressed in HSE's electrical safety guidance. Both placement and electrical connection need appropriate technical design.
How the work proceeds
We define supported loads and site constraints, then assess supply and distribution interfaces to establish the package. Check applicable connection requirements with the relevant network party; a client instruction does not permit work on assets that party owns.
Use the agreed safe-work and outage arrangements for installation or maintenance. Verify the relevant transfer sequence and supported loads, not merely engine starting. Handover records tested scope, operating instructions, maintenance needs and remaining limitations.
What affects cost and timing
Capacity, running period, noise control, fuel, delivery access, foundations, exhaust and cabling affect price. An existing connection may reduce work, but its suitability still has to be established.
Allow for design, procurement, external permissions where needed and coordinated testing. Agree the connection and proving interruption with those responsible for the equipment it affects.
Sector applications
At industrial sites, separate essential controls from equipment that can stop. Specialist continuity needs set the client's design requirement in healthcare and care. For offices, distinguish IT support from ordinary building loads.
The full sector range also includes FM companies, public and community buildings, leisure, construction, veterinary, energy and utilities, social housing, laboratories and secure estates. Our full services and projects cover these sectors, with the technical instruction determined by the site.
Local coverage
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley are within our North East coverage. Included locations are Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough, alongside the areas in the full locations directory.
Give each property address and operating contact so an estate programme can accommodate local access and dependencies.
Frequently asked questions
Will a generator keep equipment running without interruption?
Starting and transferring supply take time in generator arrangements. Identify interruption-sensitive equipment so any combined continuity solution can be assessed.
Can we connect a generator to the existing building supply?
A technically designed connection is required, including supply separation, protection and operating interfaces. Improvising a feed through a socket is not an acceptable connection method.
Is a successful engine start enough to prove the system?
Engine operation alone does not prove useful backup. Test the required loads and changeover, including distribution or controls that could prevent supply reaching equipment.
Can temporary generation support planned work?
Temporary support is possible with defined loads, siting, connections, duration and removal. Safe integration and an accountable operating person remain necessary.
Knowledge and useful reading
Use what fixed-wire testing covers for installation-assessment context and how maintenance frequencies are determined for recurring care. These supporting activities remain distinct from testing the particular backup operating sequence.
Related services and your next step
The Electrical Services family connects with UPS systems, Power and Distribution, Shutdown and Out-of-Hours Maintenance and Testing and Commissioning when planning continuity equipment, its distribution interfaces and the verification package.
Explore the all services, maintenance and all projects directories for other work; sectors, locations and the Knowledge Centre provide application, coverage and supporting guidance.
Share sites, protected loads, existing arrangements and continuity requirements, naming the operational contact and proposed outages. Use Contact Black & White Facilities to define the assessment or resulting works.
Discuss the scope
Tell us what needs attention.
Share the site, the issue and any access requirements so we can discuss the next step.