Introduction to FEMA's Guidance Document: Emergency Power for Critical Facilities

Abstract

The electrical utilities that supply power to most buildings are much more vulnerable than the buildings they serve, and emergency power requirements in most model codes and standards are focused on the minimum power that is required to allow occupants to leave a facility safely during a fire. Designing electrical utilities that are more vulnerable than the buildings they serve may be appropriate for facilities where power interruptions are of little or no significance, but more reliable electrical power is needed in critical facilities where electricity must be available to allow them to function. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing a new guidance document, tentatively titled Emergency Power for Critical Facilities, that is scheduled for completion in 2012. The document will provide guidance on identifying emergency power needs, designing emergency power systems for existing critical facilities, and selecting the type of emergency power system.