Standby / Emergency Power

• Insufficient ventilation by radiator – water level is low or inadequate opening in the generator room.
• Overloading or unbalanced load.
• No acoustical control is provided.
• Vibration isolator is ineffective due to improper mounting.
• Vee belt is loose or too tight.

• Design mains failure standby power generation system as per code requirements.
• Provide sufficient headroom (>2600mm) in generator rooms for maintenance tasks — i.e. sufficient height to
  enable any portion of the generating set or equipment to be raised freely for dismantling — as per SS 535:2007. (See also BS 7698-7:1996, ISO 8528-7:1994, NFPA 110:2016).
• Comply with the general guidelines for earthing of generator sets and substations (BS 7430: 2011+A1:2015, SS 551:2009).
• Adhere to the recommendations for daily diesel service tank package and tank storage (i.e. safety and suitability of design, emergency provisions, and minimisation of vapour hazard) as per SS 532:2016. (See also BS 5908-1:2012).

Construction

• Conform to requirements for the construction, installation and testing of generator systems for buildings.
• Provide sufficient access and clear passage for construction and maintenance.
• Allotted spaces must be of sufficient strength or suitably strutted to support the loads (SS 535:2007, BS 7698-
  7:1996, ISO 8528- 7:1994, NFPA 110:2016).
• Install indoor fuel tank with a level indicator that can be easily accessed for observation.
• List and mark electrical wiring and equipment located near/within hazardous zones (i.e. day tank) (as defined by NFPA 70B [7] or IEC 60079) for installation in an appropriate manner (SS 532:2016, BS 5908-1:2012).

Maintenance

• Practice proper housekeeping and avoid stacking and storing of combustible materials in the generator house.
• Maintain records of preventive maintenance activities in a secure manner.
• Conduct general inspections daily and check on fuel, lubrication and cooling systems.
• Perform a monthly running of the generator on no load for half an hour.
• Check battery charger, starting batteries and drive belt tension.
• Adhere to the requirements for operation and maintenance of standby generator systems for buildings.
• Once a year, run load test on the generator and check to ensure that emergency supply can support all essential emergency services (SS 535:2007, BS 7698-7:1996, ISO 8528-7:1994, NFPA 110:2016).

• Filters are clogged and dirty.
• Poor servicing – rusts should be removed and after that parts should be painted or lubricated.

• Damaged during transportation and not checked before installation.
• Frequent / extended operation at stand by rating.
• Overheating is not detected through testing for a long time.

• Unsafe practices and no housekeeping rules for generator house.

• Power source is not reliable or under capacity.
• Wrong circuit design or wiring – it is unable to activate the generator or battery when the normal power supply is cut. Such control should be tested and marking on DBs are recommended to avoid ambiguity.
• Generator fails to start automatically due to insufficient air intake for combustion, excessive corrosion or faulty limit switch.
• Battery goes flat – over discharged or not charged properly, tampered, electrolyte condition not satisfactory.
• Leakage in battery due to excessive rusting, poor cleaning or painting.
• Poor contact at any junction or battery terminals – careless maintenance or rusting esp. in damp and dirty storage place.
• Voltage-dip during transfer of power to alternate source if the transfer mechanism is faulty. UPS should be used for critical circuits.