Departments may be tempted to bring in small generators to support key freezers and refrigerators. This practice is prohibited due to the fire and safety hazards associated with storing fuel and operating the generator in potentially poor ventilated areas. Signs will be posted on restrooms that should not be used because of their inability to drain in the event of a power outage. Regardless of the availability of back-up power in some locations, normal business operations should be suspended until services have been restored. This is especially important for clinical operations, where non-emergency patient care should be discontinued and rescheduled.
Emergency lights are for evacuation purposes only.
Most emergency lighting is supported by battery ballast, which will operate for up to one and one-half hours in the event of an outage. These alternate lighting sources do not provide sufficient lighting to conduct routine and ongoing business activities. Plant Operations will monitor internal building temperatures. In the event of an extended power loss, the doors will continue to operate a minimum of 4 hours. At the point where the batteries fail, the doors will automatically lock and will have to be opened with a mechanical key.