In the event of a power cut or mains outage, it’s so important to have a backup generator on hand. For colleges and universities with lots of research, data, equipment and student information on hand, loss of power can be catastrophic. Similarly, loss of power can compromise the safety and wellbeing of students and teachers alike. Keeping the heating system, lighting, internet connections, security systems and more online for students and staff is vital at all times.
Backup Generators for Schools, Universities and Higher Education
Why do schools and universities need a backup generator?
Power outages at an educational institute don’t simply mean the lights go out for a while. It can also mean an unsafe environment for hundreds of students and staff without the heating system, security systems, air conditioning, internet and more. Outages can even cause safety and housing equipment to fail, which can cause flooding or compromise fire safety.
For higher education colleges and universities, a loss of power can also lead to serious data loss. For institutions with laboratories, data centres, computer systems or other critical facilities that rely on power systems, a loss of power can have long-lasting consequences.
Many universities and campuses also have medical facilities – whether onsite medical centres or medical school facilities. In the case of a power outage, emergency care, outpatient equipment, research labs and more could be affected. Life-saving equipment often needs electricity and power to function, and even things like ventilation in chemical labs and sample refrigerators will fail without access to electricity.
Power loss during exam season is another concern for schools and universities alike. Particularly during finals and end of year examinations, it’s a good idea for administrators to consider a source of backup power for computer networks and internet access. Power loss and the way it’s handled can have a real impact on the reputation of a university, and can even put you at risk of legal action or regulatory measures.
However, with correctly installed and well-sized backup generators, universities and schools can avoid sudden power loss. Keep the power on, protect your reputation and ensure your students and staff are kept safe.
How do school and university backup generators work?
Standby generators are designed to be used in the event of a mains outage. There are a number of options for fuel when it comes to emergency generators. Whether it’s a natural gas, petrol, propane or diesel generator, the overall process is the same – the generator kicks in in the event of a mains power outage and uses fuel to convert mechanical or chemical energy into electricity.
Backup generators can be configured with an AMF or ATS panel, which will monitor the A/C primary power output and detect any power outages. It will then automatically switch to generator backup power.
Find out more about how electric generators work on our blog.
Get in touch with our UK-wide team to discuss your industrial generator options.
Backup generators for schools and university campuses from Vital Power
Vital Power is a UK leading supplier of critical power solutions. We stock a range of leading brand names and manufacturers. Vital Power has operational hubs nationwide, so we can guarantee a fast response and regular service and maintenance visits to your campus.
We provide major and minor servicing including load bank testing to make sure your generator can power everything you need it to. We also offer a range of fuel services including quality testing and refuelling, so you don’t need to worry about maintaining your standby generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do schools have backup generators for power cuts?
UK schools, colleges and universities should ensure that emergency power solutions are on hand at all times. For the safety and protection of students and staff, it’s vital to have a big enough generator to kick in if there’s a power cut or mains failure. Similarly, university generators are required for ensuring no loss of data, compromised research or problems with equipment.
In 2021 the National Grid warned that the risk of power cuts in the UK had increased, which demonstrates just how vital it is for educational institutes to prepare for an unexpected loss of power.
How do backup generators work?
Backup generators convert mechanical energy or chemical energy from fuel into electrical power. Backup generators are designed to switch on and kick in within seconds of power loss from the mains. The generator control system and panel detects a mains outage and switches to generator power to make sure university campuses, schools and other facilities don’t lose power. We have a blog on how generators work, and our team would be happy to help.
What size generator is needed for educational facilities?
It’s really important for university campus administrators to get the right sized generator to meet output requirements. Powerful generators will be needed to ensure the entire campus – classrooms, student accommodation, data centres, laboratories, restaurants and more – don’t lose power.
To calculate the right sized generator, you’ll need to know the overall kilowatts of the devices that will need power, and then convert this to kilovolt amperes to find the right generator capacity. At Vital Power we stock a number of leading brand names and bespoke machines, and will help calculate the right size generator for your needs – both in terms of fuel tank bulk capacity and overall generator size.