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Emergency Prep- How to Keep the Lights On

 

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Emergency Prep- How to Keep the Lights On

Author: Mark Parkinson BsPharm:  President  AFC-CE

Credit Hours 2 - Approximate time required: 120 min.

Educational Goal

Teach the basics of Emergency preparedness for electrical power generation 

Educational Objectives

• Tell caregiver why they have to learn about electrical power generation in an emergency.
• Provide an overview of, pros and cons, AFC considerations for the following.
  • Standby and portable generators
  • Emergency battery systems
  • Energy consumption meters

 

Procedure:

Read the course materials.  2. Click on exam portal [Take Exam].  3. If you have not done so yet fill in Register form (username must be the name you want on your CE certificate).  4. Log in  5. Take exam.  6. Click on [Show Results] when done and follow the instructions that appear.  7. A score of 70% or better is considered passing and a Certificate of Completion will be generated for your records.

Disclaimer

   The information presented in this activity is not meant contraindications may be of concern. All applicable manufacturers’ product information should be reviewed before use. The author and publisher of this continuing education program have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of acceptance for publication. Nutritional products discussed are not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.to serve as a guideline for patient management. All procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this article should not be used by care providers without evaluation of their patients’ Doctor. Some conditions and possible

 

 

 

Emergency Prep- How to Keep the Lights On

Many spouses are not the primary caregivers. Nevertheless take my courses because they have to, to keep the home licensed. They dutifully suffer through every medical mumbo jumbo lesson that I spout out and wish that there was, just for once, a lesson that could appeal to their “mechanical” side. Well Hallelujah and pass me my wrench and wire cutters. Finally, a CE that a Gearhead can get into. For all the rest of you who are not Gearheads let me explain why you need to take this CE.

 

 

As Adult Foster Care providers you have a responsibility over everything the residents need. From waking up and putting clothes on in the morning to sleeping comfortably at night, you’re the one who is supposed to “make it happen”. Cooking, keeping the lights on, powering the TV and medical devices, cleaning the home, and washing the clothes. You, nursing home and hospital administrators are the only health professionals responsible for so many non-medical duties as part of their medical practice. What do all those duties have in common? - Power. You are responsible for keeping the power on, no matter what emergency occurs. It’s all part of the Emergency Preparedness Plan that you are responsible for either setting up or running when the need occurs. So let’s make it Hap’n Cap’n. Flip that switch, and power up this CE. Fair warning, there will be exam questions covering some videos contained in the lesson.

 

 

 

No-Power,Emergency Situations

From time to time the flow of power in the utilities that we take for granted will sometimes be interrupted. Whether it is a long time or short, you are responsible for coming up with alternative power sources that will keep the place running. If you’re thinking flashlights, fireplaces, and candles sound kind of fun, it’s not. Having gone through that a couple of times myself, it turns out that’s a lot of extra work and worry to go through. You try cooking a large meal in a fireplace, it’s not that easy. In addition, where are you going to get the power to run essential medical devices?  What about charging cell phones? What about keeping everyone entertained? What about all that perishable food and medicine in refrigerators? Do you even have enough firewood stored in the first place?  Today fortunately, you have better alternatives available to you. It’s just a matter of choosing the right power system for your circumstances, installing it, and keeping everyone trained in how to use it.

Generate electricity

If you can generate enough electricity, you will be fine in any emergency. There are enough electrical devices available today to meet your essential needs until the public utilities can be restored. The trick is choosing a system that will generate enough power to meet all your needs.

I need to interject two points at this point in the CE lesson.

1. Even though I have successfully faced several of these emergency events, I am no expert. I have done the research and will do my best to give you a good understanding of the basics. I do recommend though that you consult with an electrical contractor. They are the experts. They will know the building codes and zoning restrictions for your neighborhood and your care business. Tell them that your goal is emergency power for an In-home care business. If they know their stuff, they will keep you from getting into trouble with the fire marshal, first responders, and the utility company. I’ll explain more about that as we go on. On the flip side of that coin, the electricians are going to want to sell you as much stuff as possible. Buyer beware and know your minimum requirements before you spend any money.
2. You have to decide how far you are going to go and how much you want to spend. If you spend enough money, you could take yourself completely off the electrical grid permanently. In my experience, you only have to realistically worry about powering some devices for at the most 1 or 2 days. Usually, power outages only last a couple of hours. You know your local area better than I ever would, so be smart with your expenditures.

Now back to the lesson. Where were we? Oh Yes, choosing the right option for your circumstances.

Generators

Grid vs Off Grid Power

The extreme top-of-the-line emergency power option is an off-grid power system. That means using solar panels, wind turbines, or on-site whole home fuel-powered generators to meet all of your power needs. No care home would really consider this option unless you have to. If you do have some solar panels or wind turbines that supplement what the power grid supplies your home, you have to know one thing. During a power outage, those systems will be shut down too.  Why? Because electricity flows both ways, in and out. The power you are generating can flow out into the very wires that the utility repairmen are working on. You could electrocute the very people who are trying to help you. In order to use these systems for backup power you have to be able to isolate them from the power grid. Whoever installed or manufactured your power system should be able to tell you how to do it. It will be a device called a transfer switch.  

Watch this video for a visual explanation.

AFC Considerations

If you intend to use these systems as emergency power, you will have to train all care providers how to do it properly. Include these procedures in your Emergency Preparedness Plan.  I recommend that you also include pictures. If there is no capability to isolate the system, then consult with a capable electrician to install one.

Whole Home Generators

The next step down from total off-grid power is standby generators.  

“A standby generator is a backup electrical system that operates automatically. Within seconds of a utility outage, an automatic transfer switch senses the power loss, commands the generator to start, and then transfers the electrical load to the generator. The standby generator begins supplying power to the circuits. After utility power returns, the automatic transfer switch transfers the electrical load back to the utility and signals the standby generator to shut off. It then returns to standby mode where it awaits the next outage. To ensure a proper response to an outage, a standby generator runs weekly self-tests. Most units run on diesel, natural gas, or liquid propane. “

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_generator

Watch this video for a visual explanation

Pros

For an adult foster care home, a standby generator is the most hands-free emergency power option. Since it operates automatically there is no interruption of home operations, and no training of employees is needed. It’s as if there is no power emergency at all. Once installed, the only consideration it has is the need for periodic inspections by a professional. Just like your furnace.

Cons

The drawbacks of a standby generator are

• Set up is very complicated and needs to be done by a professional.
• The cost of purchasing and setting up is very expensive. We are talking thousands of dollars.

For the Adult Foster Care Homeowner, the question boils down to, is the hands-free, worry-free operation worth the added expense? You could reduce the cost by purchasing a smaller unit that powers just the essentials instead of the whole home.

Portable Generators connecting to transfer switches

A more affordable but less automatic version of the whole home option is portable fuel-powered generators. They are large generators that have wheels attached. When the need arises, you can roll them out from storage and plug them into your transfer switch. You then can power anything that you have previously connected to your transfer switch panel.

Watch this video for a visual explanation.

Pros

Large portable generators are big enough to power your whole home at a significant cost savings. In addition, being portable you can take them with you if you have to evacuate your home.

Cons

• There is still the expense of hiring an electrician to set up the transfer switch system.
• Fuel has to be manually supplied to the generator.
• Portable generators are loud and have a significant amount of exhaust fumes.
• Fuels may not be readily available during major power outages. Storing enough combustible fuels at your home comes with its own batch of problems.
• You have to take extra safety steps to operate portable generators in wet conditions to avoid electrocution hazards.

The issues that Adult Foster Care providers have to contend with are-

• Someone has to be assigned and trained on how to safely set up and operate the generator.
• You have to ensure that the generator is operated in dry conditions. Maybe under a trap or other cover.
• Operation and set-up training have to be included in the emergency preparedness plan just in case the designated person is not available.
• You have to worry about how the noise and fumes affect the neighbors.
• There may be state and local government requirements about how you store larger quantities of fuel at your business.

Portable Generators Without a Transfer Switch

You do not have to have a transfer switch system to use a portable generator. Each generator comes with multiple power outlets where you can plug in extension cords. You still have to operate the generator outdoors because of the fumes. Extension cords used have to be long enough to reach where they are needed, large enough to handle the heavy electrical flow, and are weatherproof. Finally, if you are powering anything that is hardwired into the house, the main circuit board switch should be turned off to prevent power from leaking back into the grid and harming repairmen.

 Pros

Without a transfer switch involved, portable generators are even more affordable and placement flexible. They can be purchased and used immediately when the need arises.

Cons

This generator setup has most of the same cons as transfer switch systems and they are more hazardous to operate.

• Doors and windows have to remain ajar to accommodate the extension cords. Even if the weather is bad.
• Extension cord use creates trip, electrocution, and fire hazards.
• Placing generators near windows or doors may let in too much noise and fumes into the house.

Adult Foster Care providers should include in their emergency preparedness plan where the portable generator and extension cords are to be safely placed.

You should not plan to operate the generator in the garage to keep it out of the weather. Do not underestimate how much smelly fumes and dangerous Carbon Monoxide can leak into your home from the garage.

Also, you will need to manage the extension cords properly.

 “A 20-amp three-prong extension cord with #12 copper wire should be sufficient for any appliance that works on an ordinary North American 120VAC household branch circuit as long as the extension cord does not exceed 50 feet in length.”

Source: Lewis Edge B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Georgia Institute of

Technology

The extension cords you use for Christmas tree lights are not going to be good enough to plug straight into the generator. It also creates a fire hazard to use them to power anything that pulls a larger amount of electricity.

Watch this video about extension cords

Batteries

Integrated Home Battery Backups  

An integrated home battery backup is a system of high-capacity rechargeable batteries that are hardwired straight into your home. They can be recharged from solar panels, the utility grid, or any other properly connected electrical source.

The components of the system are

• Battery- The battery is either a pre-sized single unit like a Tesla power wall or a modular system that can add additional batteries as needed.
• DC/AC Inverter- Battery power has a direct current (DC), but the house runs on an alternating current (AC). An Inverter needs to be installed to convert the DC power to AC power.
• Monitoring- A monitoring system that informs the user about power use patterns and how much electrical capacity is available for use.
• Integrated systems will also have their own transfer switch installed to prevent accidental power from reaching the grid. In most professionally installed systems, switching from grid to backup to grid happens automatically.

Watch this video of a DIY project that installed a modular unit.

Pros

There are no noise, fumes, outdoor location safety problems, or maintenance issues with battery systems. It can be set up as an automatic system so there will be no power interruption. The automatic systems allow the user to use the battery power during expensive grid peak usage times and recharge the batteries during inexpensive nonpeak times. That can potentially lower utility bills.  You can also utilize solar or wind power to provide an ecologically friendly way to power your home. You can even sell excess power back to the power company to offset the cost of the system over time.

Cons

Integrated battery systems can be very expensive, though modular systems can be used to lower costs. Battery power will always be limited, and recharging can take a lot of time. Solar recharging is dependent on good weather conditions. The more things plugged into the system the quicker the power runs out.

Adult Foster Care homes need to include battery use procedures in their emergency preparedness plan. If you own your home, you may be able to get rebates and grants to reduce the cost of the solar/battery system.

Portable Backup Batteries

Portable Backup Batteries are battery power devices that are not hardwired into the house. They are a “plug in and play” device that can be transported and used wherever you need them. They come with their own inverter. Multiple electrical devices that are powered by an electrical cord can be plugged directly into the backup battery. They come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Everything from small portable devices, all the way up to batteries that could power an entire home.

Watch this video for a visual explanation

Pros

These units have all the same advantages as their larger integrated battery system cousins. Plus being easier to move, they can be used for other purposes besides emergency backup power.  Depending upon where they are placed, the need for extension cords is reduced. They can be recharged by solar panels.

Cons

Hardwired devices like the electronics of a natural gas furnace cannot be plugged directly into the portable battery. They are harder to use with major electric appliances. For example, the fridge will have to be moved in order to reach its power cord or the above the stove microwave cord may be inaccessible. Like all batteries their power is limited, and recharging time can take hours.

In an emergency, the Adult Foster Care provider will have to think strategically when finding a suitable place to put the portable battery pack. Where is the best place to put the battery to power the most devices without having the trip hazard of too many extension cords running everywhere? It may be more practical to purchase multiple batteries and place them around the home. If you need to power hardwired devices an additional transfer switch would have to be installed. 

How Big is Big Enough

There is an overwhelming amount of backup power choices. Choosing what is right for you is going to require more research and a good amount of planning. You don’t want to make an expensive purchase and it turns out that there isn’t enough power in an emergency. So, how much electricity will it take to keep your home running?

That depends on what you think is essential. Can you safely use non-electric powered cooking methods? Do you have a fireplace or wood stove you can use for heat? Which rooms need to remain heated and powered? Which electrical devices need to keep running continually like a medical device and which ones only need to be powered only occasionally like a refrigerator?  You will also have to factor into your planning how long you might need to use backup power and what opportunities you have to recharge your batteries. You have to factor in how skilled the hired help is and how much effort do you want to put into training them. Finally, how much maintenance do you want to be responsible for?

You can hire an electrician to help you with your planning or trust what the salespeople tell you. If you are DIY savvy enough, you can use an energy consumption meter to help you figure things out for yourself.

Watch this video for an explanation

 

Conclusion

So that was the basics of backup power. I hope you Gearheads enjoyed taking a CE lesson for once. For the rest of you, your heads are probably spinning right now, trying to understand all the details. You do not have to comprehend everything to make the right choice for your backup power in an emergency situation. For those who are the bosses you can narrow down the choices by asking, “Do you value the worry-free convenience of automatic hard-wired devices or do you value the less expensive more labor-intensive versions.” For the employee, does your emergency preparedness plan give you enough information on how to run the equipment without too much guesswork? As you work through these issues, remember this one thing. You are trying to avoid finding yourself wandering around in the dark and cold, taking care of a houseful of residents with a flashlight that doesn’t work.

As always, Good Luck in your caregiving efforts.

Mark Parkinson BsPharm

References:

1. Taylor Freitas. Backup Battery vs. Generator: Which Emergency Power Option Is Better?. com Oct. 19,23 

           https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/backup-battery-vs-generator-which-emergency-power-option-is-better/

2. A Guide to Choosing the Right Backup Generator for Your Home. Family Handyman.com May 20,19 https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/choosing-the-best-power-generator/

3. Richard Beard. Alternatives During a Power Outage. Utah State University-Extension. 2023 https://extension.usu.edu/archive/alternatives-during-a-power-outage

4. Best Emergency Power Sources. Emergency Prepgear.com. 2023 https://www.emergencyprepgear.com/emergency-power-sources

5. Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices. Americans with Disabilities Act ADA National Network. 2023 https://adata.org/factsheet/emergency-power

6. Prepare Yourself for a Power Outage. gov. Jul 20,23 https://www.fema.gov/blog/prepare-yourself-power-outage

7. Power Sources. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. Dec 1,21. https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/takeaction/powersources/index.htm

 

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