EMERGENCY POWER
INTRODUCTION
The current spate of blackouts plaguing California
underscores the County’s need for dependable emergency power.
In times of blackouts or even more serious emergencies (such as a major earthquake or fire), County citizens must be able to depend on backup emergency power to run emergency operations centers, emergency dispatch centers, police and fire facilities, public works operations, and water treatment and sewer plants.
During its investigation, the 2000-2001 Grand Jury
observed an actual power outage at the Santa Barbara City police station in
October 2000. If anything should alert
Santa Barbara County and its incorporated cities to the need to connect
adequate circuits to the generators and supply Uninterruptible Power Source
(UPS) to computers, the threat of blackouts should be that trigger.
1999-2000 Grand Jury Report
This Jury is following up a report of the 1999-2000
Grand Jury in order to cover additional facilities in the County that were not
included in that report. This year’s
Grand Jury also looked at municipalities, special districts and authorities to
be sure to inspect not only fire stations and jails, but also water supply and
wastewater operations.
The 1999-2000 Jury tested the reliability of
emergency power generators at 33 public safety facilities (including the Main
Jail and 16 fire stations) that are under County or City of Santa Maria
jurisdiction. The question at that time
was could the County depend on emergency power in case of a Y2K incident.
A complete list of the facilities inspected, and the
findings and recommendations made by last year's Jury, is available by
accessing the 1999-2000 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Report on the Internet
at www.sbcgj.org or by contacting the Santa Barbara County Clerk's office.
There were some almost unbelievable discoveries
during the 1999-2000 Grand Jury investigation including one fire station where
there was no lighting in the equipment bay during times of emergency, and
another fire station that lost the use of all its telephones when the station
was switched to emergency power.
That Grand Jury found that many emergency power
generators were tested weekly but with no realistic load applied or with the
assigned load applied while normal utility power
was still up and running. That Jury found, in several areas, electrical code violations
that would have resulted in citations if found during inspections in privately
owned facilities.
The 1999-2000 report was critical of the frequent
refueling that many motor-generator sets needed, and questioned the use of
diesel engines in many facilities. The
use of diesels was frowned upon by that Jury because diesels are usually loaded
to about 10% of capacity. That Jury
suggested that they should be tested and used at a minimum of 50% of rated
power.
The
1999-2000 report also noted numerous problems in identifying circuitry for
emergency power within facilities.
OBJECTIVES AND PROCEDURES
The 2000-2001 Grand Jury made site visits primarily to conduct tests to
determine the type, capacity, and operational readiness of emergency power
systems. The speed and adequacy of emergency power response was the key
determination the Jury wanted to make during each visit, but when problems such
as electrical code violations and safety hazards were discovered, they were
noted. In the course of these visits, maintenance records and contracts were
also reviewed. The following sites were
visited:
·
Santa Barbara Main
Jail (Sheriff’s Department)
·
Santa Barbara County
Male Honor Farm (Sheriff’s Department)
·
Santa Barbara County
Public Safety Dispatch Center (9-1-1)
·
Santa Barbara Juvenile
Hall (Probation Department)
·
City of Santa Barbara
Fire Stations (six locations)
·
City of Santa Barbara
Public Works Department
·
City of Santa Barbara
Police Station
·
City of Santa Barbara
Airport District Facilities (four locations)
·
City of Santa Barbara
Wastewater Treatment Plant
·
City of Santa Barbara
Wastewater Lift Stations (three locations)
·
City of Santa Barbara
Water Treatment Plant
·
City of Santa Barbara
Water Pump Stations (four locations)
·
Carpinteria/Summerland
Fire Stations (two locations)
·
Montecito Fire
Stations (two locations)
·
City of Lompoc Fire
Stations (two locations)
·
City of Lompoc
Equipment Maintenance Department
·
City of Lompoc
Electrical Department
·
City of Lompoc Beattie
Park Repeater Site
·
City of Solvang Fire
Station, City Hall and Communication Center (one location)
In addition, the Jury held discussions with the Santa Barbara County
Building Department and the Santa Barbara County General Services Department
about emergency power issues.
PRELIMINARY NOTES
·
All code violations
noted throughout this document reference the National Electrical Code (NEC).
·
References are made to
the “3-foot rule.” This is an NEC
specification requiring a 3-foot clearance in front of all electrical equipment
so that it is readily accessible for operation and maintenance. The NEC references are Articles 110-26,
110-26a, and 110-26b (NEC).
·
The acronym UPS is
frequently used and means Uninterruptible Power Source. A UPS is a unit interposed between the
central processing unit of a computer or other electrical devices and the main
AC power source. In the event of a
power failure, the UPS will provide uninterrupted power for 5 to 15 minutes to
enable the computer system to be shut down in an orderly manner, avoiding data
loss and other damage.
Fire Station
#2 (Lillie Ave.)
This Fire Station is in need of inspection for electrical violations. The emergency generator is a portable unit located at the front left side of the station inside the garage door. The portable emergency generator supplies emergency power via an extension cord that is routed overhead through the attic space that feeds keyless porcelain light fixtures in numerous locations. This is a violation of NEC Articles 400-3 and 400-8. These Articles refer to the proper use of extension cords. There is equipment stored in front of electrical panels, which violates the 3-foot rule.
The Summerland Fire Station is in the poorest condition of all stations inspected by this Grand Jury. The need for renovation and updating is so acute that demolition and rebuilding might be preferable.
The Jury suggests that the citizens of the
Carpinteria/Summerland Fire Protection District visit this facility in order to
form their own opinions and present them to the District Directors.
Finding
1: The Summerland Fire Station is in marginal
condition at best.
Recommendation
1: Consider demolishing the station and
rebuilding it on the same or another location.
Finding
2: An illegal extension cord supplies emergency
power to station lights.
Recommendation
2: Correct the electrical code violation.
Finding
3: There is equipment stored in front of
electrical panels that violates the 3-foot rule, which requires clearance in
front of all electrical equipment.
Recommendation 3:
Correct the 3-foot violation.
An emergency generator supplies the facility and
appeared to function properly. It also
supplies emergency power to the associated Emergency Operations Center.
SANTA BARBARA
COUNTY FACILITIES
When the 1999-2000 Grand Jury visited the Santa Barbara County Jail to inspect provisions for emergency power, it noted and commented about the kilo-ammeter used. The 300-kilowatt generator was so lightly loaded that the ampere readings were not discernible on the meter. Subsequent to the first visit from the Jury, there was a major breakdown in the power transfer switch and a repair/replacement had to be made. The requested meter corrections were incorporated in the contract and now the actual current drawn from each phase is independently readable.
Finding
4: Galvanized pipe is used to feed diesel fuel
to the generator.
This facility was inspected to check items of concern that were observed by another committee of this Grand Jury. The Sheriff’s staff authorized the facility maintenance supervisor to inspect the entire facility for electrical problems and, if warranted, to make corrections.
Finding
5: Assorted electrical violations were found
and reported to Sheriff's staff.
The
Jury inspection of this facility took place while the emergency generator was
energizing the buildings. Some minor
items of concern were noted and these were later corrected.
The Grand Jury observation in October 2000 happened
to take place during one of Southern California Edison’s unexpected “Turnpike
Circuit” power outages. The Turnpike
Circuit feeds the area bounded by Santa Barbara, Pueblo, Milpas, and Montecito
streets. The Santa Barbara City
Facilities Manager believes this circuit is old and is in need of replacement.
The Police Station has two generators, one dedicated
to the 9-1-1 Control Center and the other for the remainder of the station. Both of the generators appeared to function
properly.
The non-9-1-1 generator supplies light fixtures and
receptacles needed to keep the facility partially functional during an
emergency. This emergency generator is
definitely large enough to accommodate additional load. The Jury observed that the facility was
under-illuminated and otherwise inadequately powered by the emergency generator
during the power outage condition.
Emergency lighting was absent in the emergency generator room,
restrooms, the hallway to the men's locker room, and other locations.
Finding
6: The Police Station is under-illuminated when
on emergency power.
Recommendation
6: Additional light fixtures in the generator
room, in hallways, bathrooms and other locations should be added to the
emergency generator.
Finding
7: The non-9-1-1 emergency generator is under
utilized.
Recommendation
7: The City Public Works Department should
analyze the power load on the facility's non-9-1-1 emergency generator and
calculate the amount of additional load it could handle. If supported by this analysis, the
modifications necessary to enable the emergency generator to supply the entire
facility or as much as is warranted during emergencies should be made.
El Estero Wastewater
Treatment Plant (520 E. Yanonali St.)
This
facility is well prepared for an electrical outage. The Grand Jury observed the operation of the emergency generator
with the utility power shut off. The
plant remained in full operation and seemed to function properly.
This facility's emergency
generator appeared to function properly.
The electrical backboard needs to be replaced. There is no first-aid kit on the premises. There is a high step to the electrical pad.
Finding
8: The edge of the step to the electrical pad
at the La Colina Wastewater Lift Station is not visible and could be a hazard.
Recommendation
8: A yellow stripe should be painted on the
step to the electrical pad.
Finding 9: The
electrical backboard and supports are in bad physical shape.
Recommendation 9: The
electrical backboard and supports should be replaced.
This station is in good condition. This facility's
emergency generator appeared to function properly.
This
wastewater lift station facility has just been renovated. The vent at the top
of the pump shaft is in a location that could permit mud and debris to flow
into the pump shaft. Communication
cable from the pump shaft now lies on the concrete pad then goes through an
electrical condulet-type fitting. This
facility's emergency generator appeared to function properly.
Finding
10: The vent at the top of the shaft could allow
debris to flow into the pump shaft.
Recommendation 10:
Relocate the vent to prevent debris entering the tank.
Finding
11: Communication cable is not installed inside
of electrical conduit.
Recommendation
11: The communication cable should be installed
in a conduit for protection from damage.
Escondido
Hydropneumatic Pump Station (at Escondido Reservoir off Skyline Circle)
This
facility is well prepared for an electrical outage. The Grand Jury observed the operation of the emergency generator
with the utility power shut off. This facility's emergency generator appeared to
function properly.
Bothin Pump
Station (at East Reservoir on Crestline)
This
facility is well prepared for an electrical outage. The Jury observed the operation of the emergency generator with
the utility power shut off. This facility's emergency generator seemed to
function properly.
Tunnel Road
Hydropneumatic Pump Station (at Tunnel
Reservoir at the end of Tunnel Road)
At
this facility the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit-encased ground cable is not
properly attached to the concrete pad.
This facility's emergency generator seemed to function properly.
Recommendation 12: The
PVC conduit should be properly attached to the concrete pad.
Cater Treatment Plant (1150
San Roque Road)
This
facility's emergency generator appeared to function properly while on emergency
power.
All Wastewater Lift Stations
and Water Pump Stations
Finding
13: Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are
lacking at these facilities.
Recommendation
13: Public Works Department should inspect all
wastewater and water pump station facilities and install fire extinguishers and
first-aid kits as needed.
This Grand Jury thanks the staff of the Santa
Barbara City Public Works Department, Cater Water Treatment Plant and El Estero
Wastewater Treatment Plant for their cooperation and patience.
Fire Station #2 (819 Cacique
Street)
A
UPS unit is needed for the computer system.
Cans for recycling are stored too close to electrical equipment in
violation of the 3-foot rule. This fire
station's emergency generator appeared to function properly.
Finding
14: A UPS unit is not installed on the computer
in this station.
Recommendation
14: Install a UPS unit on this computer.
Finding
15: There is a 3-foot violation.
Recommendation
15: Correct the 3-foot violation.
The
height of the opening of the truck bay cannot be increased because of design
and aesthetic considerations. This
limits the height of the fire vehicles that can be used there. This fire
station's emergency generator seemed to function properly.
Some
electrical panels were not labeled (NEC Articles 230-66 and 384-13). The
City Public Works Department reported this facility as being energized 100%
when the emergency generator is operating.
The Grand Jury found this to be incorrect. Some of the receptacles in the kitchen were not on emergency power. This fire station's emergency generator
appeared to function properly.
Finding
16: Some of the electrical panels were not
labeled.
Recommendation
16: Label all panels in this fire station.
Finding
17: The fire station is not 100% fed by the
emergency generator as reported by the Public Works Department.
Recommendation
17: The City Public Works Department should
analyze the power load on the facility and, if warranted, connect the entire
fire station to the emergency generator.
At
present, the fuel tank at the emergency generator site must be filled by hand
from an underground tank at the front of the station, a major concern when
personnel have to be taken away from the emergency. There can be a serious inconvenience when the station must be
operated on emergency power for an extended period. Illumination in the generator area is inadequate for the size of
the area being lighted. The edge of the
back step at the station is not very visible and could be a hazard. This fire station's emergency generator
appeared to function properly.
Finding
18: The edge of the back step to the station is
not visible.
Recommendation
18: A yellow stripe should be painted on the
back step to the station.
Finding
19: The fuel tank that feeds the generator is
not convenient to fill.
Recommendation
19: A larger tank that can be filled directly
from the underground fuel tank or made accessible for filling from a fuel truck
should replace the existing fuel tank at the generator.
Finding
20: Illumination in the generator area is
inadequate.
Recommendation
20: Additional lighting should be installed to
illuminate the generator area.
The
emergency generator was demonstrated for the Jury and seemed to function
properly. There is no UPS unit for the
computer.
Finding
21: A UPS unit is not installed on the computer
in this station.
Recommendation 21: Install a UPS unit on this computer.
This is a new station. It is 100% energized when on emergency power.
One of the rooms was not completed during the
original construction but is being used as sleeping quarters. It needs lighting fixtures, bathroom
fixtures, faucets, and flooring.
Finding
22: One room was not completed during the
original construction.
Recommendation
22: Complete the construction of the unfinished
room.
The
Grand Jury noticed that the 3-foot rule was being violated at several fire
stations in the City of Santa Barbara.
This is a violation for which a citation could be given in the private
sector.
Finding
23: The 3-foot rule is violated at several fire
stations throughout the City of Santa Barbara.
Recommendation
23: Inspect all Fire Stations throughout the city
and correct all 3-foot rule violations.
A yellow stripe should be painted on the floor directly in front of all
electrical equipment to remind personnel not to store items there.
S-2 Building 480 (Terminal)
The Grand Jury inspected this facility with the
normal utility power off in March 2001.
This facility's emergency generator seemed to function properly during
the testing for the Grand Jury. The
emergency generator started up with everything operating within five seconds.
S-3 Air Field Operations Area (Runway Lighting)
This operation was inspected at 6 A.M. when the
first flight was ready for departure.
The Jury shut off the 600-ampere main circuit breaker to de-energize the
runway lights. The emergency generator
for the runway lights started up in approximately three to five seconds, and
simultaneously, the runway lights re-energized as designed.
The Grand Jury observed that
a portable emergency generator is located behind this building on what appears
to be on a permanent basis. The
generator has an extension cord that is plugged into the building to feed the
necessary items for the entire building.
The transfer mechanism is a manual transfer switch.
When a power outage occurs:
·
Personnel
would have to get to the site,
·
Start
the emergency generator,
·
Switch
OFF normal utility power, and
·
Switch
ON to the emergency power supply side of the transfer switch.
This is a time-consuming operation that is
compounded if brief outages occur numerous times during a day. An automatic transfer switch would enable a
smooth transfer of power with no human intervention. This facility's portable emergency generator seemed to function
properly during the testing for the Grand Jury.
Finding 24: The
facility has a manual transfer switch.
Recommendation 24:
Install an automatic transfer switch to the system to have a smooth
transfer of emergency power.
In observing security
operations, the Jury noticed that the closed-circuit monitors in the console
are old and outdated. With security as
essential as it is in today’s world, the Jury thinks that Airport authorities
should consider updating their equipment to optimize this aspect of the
security capability.
The Grand Jury observed that a portable emergency generator is located on the side of this building, seemingly on a permanent basis. This generator has an extension cord that is plugged into the building to feed the facility. The transfer mechanism is a manual transfer switch.
When a power outage occurs:
·
Personnel
would have to get to the site,
·
Start
the emergency generator,
·
Switch
OFF normal utility power, and
·
Switch
ON to the emergency power supply side of the transfer switch.
This appears to be a time-consuming operation that
is compounded if brief outages occur numerous times during a day. An automatic transfer switch enables a
smooth transfer of power with no human intervention. This facility's portable emergency generator seemed to function
properly during the testing for the Jury.
Finding 25: The security console and monitors that observe the main terminal and tarmac are outdated.
Recommendation 25: The console and monitors should be replaced with updated equipment.
Finding
26: The facility has a manual transfer switch.
Recommendation
26: Install an automatic transfer switch to the
system to have a smooth transfer of emergency power.
The
emergency generator that powers Solvang City Hall, the fire station, and the
communication center is new, but it is on a manual transfer system. The Grand Jury was informed that it could
take up to 20 minutes to get everything on line after a power outage, and this
is only if the outage occurs during working hours, when personnel are close
by. If the outage occurs at any
other time, someone would have to be notified to go to City Hall. Once there, they would have to follow
written procedures for shutting off utility power disconnects and circuit
breakers, then start up the emergency generator, switch over to generator
power, and then switch the circuit breakers back on. This is a time-consuming operation that is compounded if brief
outages occur numerous times during a day.
An automatic transfer switch would enable a smooth transfer of power
with no human intervention no matter when the outage occurs.
Finding
27: The emergency generator is on a manual
transfer switch operation.
Recommendation
27: The system should have an automatic transfer
switch installed to eliminate lost time and other problems during power
outages.
The City of Lompoc provides its own electric power
as the City has its own municipally owned utility. The department in charge of this operation has portable
generators mounted on trailers to supply facilities throughout the City in case
of power outages. The Jury inspected
one portable emergency generator that was stored in the Corporate Yard.
This portable generator is not suitable for outdoor
use. The flexible electrical conduit
and a junction box are not approved for wet locations. It is not rated per National Electrical
Manufactures Association (NEMA) 3. The
City is awaiting documentation from the manufacturer stating otherwise.
The
corporate yard has another emergency generator that energizes the entire yard
in a power outage. This generator
appeared to do the job, but the Grand Jury believes that better housekeeping is
needed. The unit was coated with oil
and grime.
Recommendation
28: The City should retrofit this emergency
generator to NEMA 3 rating.
Finding
29: The corporate yard emergency generator is
coated with oil and grime.
Recommendation
29: The Public Works Department should have the
emergency generator cleaned and keep it that way.
The
emergency generator for the Police Station and City Hall appeared to operate
properly. When the operation was
demonstrated for the Jury, personnel in each facility were asked if they
noticed any interruption during the transfer of power. Their responses indicated that they barely
saw a flicker.
Electrical panels need to be labeled. It is common practice to have all electrical panels labeled and have a panel schedule that identifies the circuits and equipment fed by each circuit breaker.
There
is equipment stored in front of electrical panels, which violates the 3-foot
rule.
A
UPS unit is needed for the computer system.
We observed insufficient lighting in the emergency generator area.
A portable generator is temporarily in use at this
time (March 2001).
Finding
30: The electrical panels are not labeled.
Recommendation
30: Label all electrical panels and provide a
panel schedule to identify all equipment that the circuit breakers feed.
Finding
31: The 3-foot rule was violated.
Recommendation
31: Correct all 3-foot rule violations.
Finding 32: There is no
UPS system for the computers in this fire station.
Recommendation 32:
Install a UPS unit for the computers.
Finding
33: Lighting was insufficient for the generator
area.
Recommendation
33: Install new lighting for the emergency
generator area or redirect the existing light fixture.
This fire station's emergency generator is too noisy
for this location. It did seem to
function properly for the load. There
is a 3-foot rule violation in the outside area next to the generator.
This fire station could be seriously under-powered in an outage. The Grand Jury was told that there are plans to replace this station, possibly in a year.
Finding 34: The emergency generator is too noisy for this location.
Recommendation 34: Reduce the noise level.
Finding 35: There is a 3-foot rule violation next to the generator.
Recommendation 35: Correct the 3-foot rule violation.
MONTECITO FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Station
#1 (595 San Ysidro Road)
This Grand Jury was generally impressed with this station.
The Jury did notice, however, that one cover plate
was missing on an electrical receptacle.
Personnel present at the time took immediate action to correct this
discrepancy. Also, there was no
consistency in identifying switches and receptacles that were fed by the
emergency generator. Some were
identified and others were not. There
are not enough light fixtures fed by the emergency generator.
There is a 3-foot violation where shelving is too
close to electrical equipment in the basement.
Finding
36: There are inconsistencies in the
identification of emergency powered outlets and switches.
Recommendation
36: Inspection should be done on the entire
facility to correctly identify emergency switches and receptacles. All plates should be labeled as to what is,
and what is not, powered by the emergency generator.
Finding
37: The 3-foot rule was violated in the basement
in front of the electrical panels.
Recommendation
37: Correct the 3-foot rule violation.
Finding
38: The emergency generator does not power the
entire fire station.
Recommendation
38: Evaluate the generator capacity to see if it
could feed the entire facility or at least increase lighting from that which is
presently available.
Fire Station #2 (2300
Sycamore Canyon Road)
The Jury visited the station in March 2001. When the normal utility power was
interrupted, it took at least a full minute for the emergency generator to
start up. The generator did not
function properly and seemed to be in need of maintenance. From our observation of light output, the
voltage appears to be lower than the normal 120 volts. Firemen on duty informed the Grand Jury that
this problem had been reported a month before.
In
the inspection, the Grand Jury discovered that there were no lights in the
change-out room and over the desk where the computer is located when the
building was on emergency power. There
was no UPS unit for the computer.
Finding
39: The emergency generator was not working
properly.
Recommendation
39: The Montecito Fire District should repair
the emergency generator as soon as possible.
Finding
40: Emergency power does not illuminate the
change-out room or the computer area.
Recommendation
40: Connect additional emergency lighting in the
change-out room and the computer area.
Finding
41: There is no UPS unit for the computer in
this fire station.
Recommendation
41: Install a UPS unit for the computer.
Recommendations
1, 2, 3
Findings
1, 2, 3
Recommendations
1, 2, 3
Recommendations
4, 5
Recommendations
4, 5
Recommendations
6 through 25
Recommendations
6, 7
Findings
6 through 23
Recommendations
6 through 23
Recommendations
14 through 23
Recommendations
24, 25, 26
Recommendation
27
Recommendations
28 through 35
Recommendations
28 through 35
Recommendations
30 through 35