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Emergency, Standby, Backup September 26, 2023

Your questions answered: Know how to design power systems in mission critical facilities

Learn about the choices and criteria for the planning and design of mission critical facility switchgear, automatic and static transfer switches and UPS in this Q&A.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 5, 2023

Your questions answered: EPS, EPSS in NFPA 110

Understanding emergency power supplies was covered in a recent webcast about NFPA 110.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 10, 2023

Your questions answered: NFPA 110

Does your mission critical facility need backup power? Learn to specify by reading this Q&A from a recent NFPA 110 webcast.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Emergency, Standby, Backup February 7, 2023

Critical Power webcast: NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

Do you need to know about backup power? Attend this educational webcast to learn more about NFPA 110

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Emergency, Standby, Backup February 25, 2022

Your questions answered: Critical power: Backup, standby and emergency power in mission critical facilities

Questions left unanswered from the live webcast event are addressed here

By Zachary Carter
Emergency, Standby, Backup January 14, 2022

Webcast: Specifying generator set paralleling controls

Learn how to parallel generators for emergency power systems, along with their fundamental control features

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Emergency, Standby, Backup July 14, 2021

Understanding emergency power

How to understand generator type, class and level

By Sean C. Hu and Kenneth A. Frazier
Emergency, Standby, Backup May 24, 2021

How to design standby power systems to withstand storms

Facility owners and design professionals must consider protection from severe weather events when designing standby power systems

By Paul Pouliot and Michael T. Alford
Emergency, Standby, Backup November 20, 2020

Designing an emergency power supply system

Engineers and owners must consider NFPA requirements when designing and maintaining alternate power supply systems to ensure reliable service

By Mario Vecchiarello, Jeff Donaldson and Tyler Roschen
Emergency, Standby, Backup November 10, 2020

Implementing 2019 NFPA 110

The 2019 edition of NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems includes a variety of revisions and updates that clarify design

By Richard A. Vedvik, PE
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 4, 2020

Your questions answered: How to specify backup, standby and emergency power in mission critical facilities

Additional information from the Feb. 27, 2020, webcast was provided by the presenters

By Bart Hogge, PE, ATD, LEED AP; Danna Jensen, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Emergency, Standby, Backup August 22, 2018

Case study: Hospital electrical distribution system design

Health care facilities require circuit protection for electrical systems.

By Danna Jensen, PE, LEED AP BD+C; WSP USA, Dallas
Emergency, Standby, Backup June 20, 2018

Case study: Emergency call center

A robust grounding system was required at an emergency call center in Texas. Lighting protection also was included.

By Ben Stevens, EIT; Page Inc., Austin, Texas
Emergency, Standby, Backup June 4, 2018

Gaining perspective: Post-hurricane deployment to Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria, both Category 5 storms, caused extensive damage to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. James Mawby and Shannon Reed were among several Dewberry employees deployed to the territories under the firm's Strategic Alliance for Risk Reduction (STARR II) contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

By James Mawby and Shannon Reed, Dewberry
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 14, 2018

Case study: Planning electrical rooms with the future in mind

New construction and renovations at Froedtert Hospital required careful consideration of the electrical equipment rooms.

By Scott Kesler, PE, LEED AP; CannonDesign, Chicago
Emergency, Standby, Backup January 22, 2018

Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, Jan. 15-21

Campus emergency power case study, arc flash mitigation and solar power, backup power systems for high-performance buildings, sizing domestic water pipes, and data center design were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, January 15-21. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.

By Sierra Grayson, CFE Media
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

Emergency signaling system

The Emergency Signaling System is designed to expedite, mobilize, and improve worksite emergency-response time when an affected employee uses an emergency shower or eyewash fixture.

By Bradley Corp.
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

Large-facility UPS

The Galaxy VX UPS is an easy-to-deploy power-protection solution with flexible operating modes that supports efficiency, flexibility, and reliability in large facilities, data centers, and industrial applications.

By Schneider Electric
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

Industrial generator

The SDC20 industrial diesel generator is designed specifically to meet the changing market needs for cell-site backup power and is available in 20-kW ac or 15-kW dc options.

By Generac Power Systems
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

On-line UPS

The on-line, double-conversion SC UPS features advanced Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Surface Mount Device (SMD) technologies.

By Falcon Electric
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

Uninterruptible power supply – 2017-04-13 – 2017-04-13

The 93PM UL 924 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) delivers enhanced efficiency for emergency and auxiliary lighting applications.

By Eaton
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 13, 2017

Automatic transfer switch

The contactor-based, UL 1008-listed automatic transfer switch (ATS) is specifically engineered for applications up to 3,000 amps.

By Eaton
Emergency, Standby, Backup December 16, 2016

Design, maintain, test batteries in mission critical facilities

Engineering design, maintenance, and testing of batteries in mission critical facilities is imperative for proper operation and safety.

By Eduard Pacuku, PE, Concord Engineering, Philadelphia
Emergency, Standby, Backup June 1, 2016

Six electrical, power findings identify changes, struggles

Respondents to the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2016 Electrical and Power Study identified six high-level findings impacting the electrical and power industries today.

By Amanda Pelliccione
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 15, 2016

Following selective coordination best practices

Design engineers must coordinate electrical systems so that the protective device closest to the fault opens first, and quickly enough, to prevent the upstream devices from tripping.

By Eduard Pacuku, PE, Jacobs, Philadelphia
Emergency, Standby, Backup June 22, 2015

Design generator rooms for optimum performance

Mechanical engineers should design generator set rooms so that the electrical system meets the design goals set by the owner and electrical engineer.

By Michael Streich and Saahil Tumber, PE, HBDP, LEED AP
Emergency, Standby, Backup April 6, 2015

Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2015 Product of the Year finalists: Emergency, on-site, standby power

Read about the eight finalists in the Emergency, On-site, and Standby Power category for the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2015 Product of the Year program.

By Amanda Pelliccione
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 26, 2015

Power supply systems

Siemens compact and modular Sitop PSU8600 is a power supply system.

By Siemens
Emergency, Standby, Backup November 14, 2014

Reconditioning backup batteries—the right way

Proper backup battery reconditioning methods lead to increased reliability, performance, and savings.

By Jennifer Eirich, EnerSys, Reading, Pa.
Emergency, Standby, Backup November 3, 2014

Project profile: Data center with eNotify system

Cleveland State University's new data center incorporates automatic monitoring system, eNotify, to prevent system downtime.

By Eaton
Emergency, Standby, Backup October 27, 2014

Casino selects backup power system

A 4-MW standby power system backs up life safety equipment, gaming, and security loads for an entertainment venue in the Arizona desert.

By Cummins Power Generation, Minneapolis
Emergency, Standby, Backup June 6, 2014

Specifying engineers tasked to spec out electrical counterfeiting

Several strategies give specifying engineers the opportunity to contribute in the fight against electrical counterfeiting by ensuring authentic components are designated and installed.

By Tom Grace, Eaton
Emergency, Standby, Backup March 11, 2014

Data center tier classifications

Tier classifications have been established to address several issues within data centers.

By Kenneth Kutsmeda, PE, LEED AP, Jacobs Engineering-KlingStubbins, Philadelphia
Emergency, Standby, Backup January 10, 2014

UPS service revenues predicted to grow to $3.1 billion in 2014 despite sluggish hardware sales

Revenues from uninterruptible power supply (UPS) services in 2014 are forecast to grow by an estimated 7.7% over 2013, increasing from $2,894 million to $3,117 million, according to IHS Inc.

By IHS Inc.

A Letter From The Editor

Consulting-Specifying Engineer is written and peer reviewed by engineers and industry professionals. These engineers design, specify and commission mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), fire/life safety, lighting and controls systems for nonresidential buildings. Consulting-Specifying Engineer covers codes and standards, smart and high-performance buildings and design specifications in a variety of commercial buildings.

Amara Rozgus - Consulting-Specifying Engineer