Prepare your business for a hurricane before the storm hits

Having an auxiliary power generation plan is often the key to business protection and recovery.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season June 1 through November 30 with 13 to 20 named storms in 2021. Three to five of the storms are forecast to be major hurricanes, and forecasters also predict a 60 percent chance that the total number of storms will be above normal for the year. While any one of these storms could impact the U.S., officials caution businesses that the best time to make hurricane contingency plans that protect their businesses and customers is before hurricane season arrives, not when a storm is forecast to make landfall.

Prepare for a power outage before it happens

“Owning or renting a generator or multiple gen sets is often the first thing people think of when it comes to storm preparation, and it’s a logical starting point,” explains Mike Prendergast, Rental Manager for Carter Machinery’s Power Systems Division. “However, it goes beyond just ‘having a generator.’ We help customers look at the big picture by working together to develop hurricane planning strategies and a written contingency plan detailing their rental power generation needs well before a weather emergency strikes. Some customers choose to rent equipment prior to periodic storms, while others rent for the duration of hurricane season as a form of risk management to support their operations during an unexpected utility outage.”

Whether it’s a single generator to power a household, or multiple gen sets to keep the lights on at a business during and after the storm, Carter Power Systems rents a wide variety of power generation equipment. 

“The speed of recovery after a storm often depends on how well a business has prepared,” Prendergast adds, “and that’s also true for businesses that already own their generators and have them installed on-site. For these generators, periodic electrical system testing and fuel polishing also need to be part of any storm-preparedness plan and conversation.”

What is fuel polishing, and how does it impact generator performance?

Poor fuel quality is one of the leading causes of engine failure in generators, in part because today’s fuel injection systems and electronic unit injectors operate at very high pressures and tight tolerances, and water and other contaminants in the tank can destroy these critical components, Prendergast adds. Fuel polishing is the process of removing water, contaminants, and sludge that have built up in the generator’s tank over time. Having it performed periodically will help keep the fuel in optimal condition at all times. More information about fuel polishing’s importance and the services that Carter Power Systems provides is available here.

Electrical Testing

Regular electrical system testing helps ensure that your backup power solution will be ready to work for you when you need it, and is an important part of hurricane preparation. The experts at Carter Power Systems are certified and able to perform all the necessary inspections and testing needed to keep your automatic transfer switches, generators, and full range of electrical systems working safely and reliably, ensuring that they’re ready to go when weather disasters strike.

“We understand it’s a critical situation when the power goes out,” Prendergast says. “Whether it’s a potential loss of data or a loss of customers, businesses can’t afford to go dark. That’s why Carter Power Systems is here to help you plan and prepare for any power outage, before the storm hits.”

Contact Carter Power Systems today at 1-800-835-1166 for assistance in developing an emergency preparedness plan that ensures you’re prepared to weather the storm.