47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

It is recommended that shelters beprovided with an emergency generator tosupply power for lighting, exit signs, firealarm system, public address system, andfor mechanical ventilation. A standbygenerator is also recommended in theevent that the emergency generatormalfunctions. A cam locking box is alsorecommended to facilitate connection of aback-up portable generator.Back-up portable generators should beviewed as a third source of power (i.e., theyshould not replace standby generators), becauseit may take several days to get a back-upportable generator to the site.Generators should be placed inside windbornedebris resistant buildings (seerecommendations in Sections 3.4.2 and3.4.3) so that they are not susceptible todamage from debris or tree fall. Locatinggenerators outdoors (see Figure 4-44) or insideweak enclosures is not recommended.It is recommended that wall louvers for generators be capableof resisting the test Missile E load specified in ASTM E 1996. Alternatively,wall louvers can be protected with a debris-resistantscreen wall so that wind-borne debris is unable to penetrate thelouvers and damage the generators.It is recommended that sufficient onsite fuel storage be providedto allow all of the facility’s emergency and standby generators tooperate at full capacity for a minimum of 96 hours (4 days). 11 Ifat any time it appears that refueling won’t occur within 96 hours,provision should be made to shut off part or all the standby circuitsin order to provide longer operation of the emergencycircuits. For remote facilities or situations where it is believedthat refueling may not occur within 96 hours, the onsite fuelstorage capacity should be increased as deemed appropriate. Itis recommended that fuel storage tanks, piping, and pumps beplaced inside wind-borne debris resistant buildings, or underground.If the site is susceptible to flooding, refer to Chapter 2recommendations.3.4.5.2 Water ServiceIt is recommended that critical facilities that rely on water forcontinuity of service (especially hospitals and nursing homes)be provided with an independent water supply—a well or onsitewater storage. Facilities that only need drinking water for11. The 96-hour fuel supply is based in part on the Department of Veterans Affairs criteria.3-122 MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM High Wind