Power cut advice for businesses

Establish a business continuity plan that includes responses to power outages with key employees. It should consider the impact of service disruption to health and safety, customer services and business processes.

• Determine the processes and equipment that would be affected by an outage such as computers, security / alarm systems, elevators, lighting, heating, ventilation and any specialist equipment that may be unique to your business.
• Define roles and responsibilities and make sure everyone is trained on what to do in an emergency.
• Ensure facility safety/evacuation procedures are clear and regularly tested. If doors are electrically powered, for example, ensure they can be opened manually.
• Review and test the plan regularly.
• Maintain an inventory of equipment. Identify critical equipment and determine what needs to be turned off during an outage.
• Locate your electrical supply panels and know how to shut-off equipment power switches.
• Make sure mobile devices are fully-charged at all times. Small, mobile battery packs can be purchased to provide extra power.
• Consider a back-up power source such as a portable generator or Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) for equipment serving critical business processes, or for sensitive equipment requiring a controlled shutdown
• If you have an emergency lighting system, make sure it is tested and in working order.
• Contact your customers and suppliers and share your plans with them in advance as appropriate.
• Set up an off-site meeting location in case you have to evacuate.

Some businesses could purchase an Uninterruptable Power Supply device (UPS). This is a device (or bank of devices or ‘cells’) that lets you work through short power cuts and will shut down your computer equipment safety minimising risk of loss of data.

A UPS contains a battery that automatically takes over when the device senses a loss of primary power, giving you time to save your work and shut down your computer in a timely manner before the battery runs out.

• Test your back-up battery systems, emergency lighting, phone, security and fire protection systems regularly.
• Ensure that the sizing of your back-up facilities is reviewed regularly to accommodate changes to any expansion of your business or internal electrical reconfiguration.
• Review the required shutdown/restart times of all equipment. Determine how such timing can be accommodated in relation to power outages or interruptions.
• Unplug or turn off all electrical equipment to protect it as power is restored.
• Have at least one phone that operates without a switchboard or other system that requires power. A simple single line or a dedicated emergency cell phone (kept charged) can make the difference.
• Train staff in the use of back-up equipment and ensure regular planned preventative maintenance and repair arrangements are in place.