New Generator Maintenance Program Starting January 2023
Contact Us: (951) 827-4214 or facilities@ucr.edu Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM, Mon - Fri After Hours & Holiday Emergencies: (951) 827-4677
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What is the program?
Beginning mid-January 2023, in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 110), we will be conducting monthly tests of the emergency system, including emergency generators and Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS). Reference NFPA 110— Standards for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. This EPS test, or Emergency Power Supply test, will simulate a power outage by using the test switches on the ATS.
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What does this mean?
During these tests, a less than 1-second outage will occur as the system switches from the emergency electrical power source to the emergency generator. After approximately 30 minutes of testing, a less than 1-second outage will occur as the system switches back to the emergency electrical power source.
Only the emergency electrical circuits are interrupted during these tests, which includes emergency lighting, exit signs, and red power outlets. Regular power outlets in the labs and offices, and normal lighting will not be affected.
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How should I prepare?
It is recommended that any equipment using emergency power be plugged into a red outlet, such as -80 freezers, spectrometers, and air compressors, and sensitive equipment be plugged into surge protectors. If the equipment can be powered off during the monthly test, it is recommended to power it down. If the equipment cannot be powered down, it is recommended to plug it into a UPS.
Again, this testing only requires two, short interruptions of the emergency electrical power. Regular power outlets in the labs and offices, and normal lighting will not be affected.
UCR faculty and building stakeholders — to help protect your sensitive research equipment and systems, we invite you to learn more about our campus electrical infrastructure from our How Power Works Presentation. Below is the presentation, set to start at the building generator segment.
Have questions about your equipment and need assistance in preparing for this testing? Submit a service request so a qualified technician can examine the equipment and provide recommendations.
Schedule of campus buildings to be tested and inspected
| Date | Time | Building |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 6-7am | Arts Building Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | 6-7am | Chemical Sciences Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, February 7, 2023 | 6-7am | Plant Research 1 Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, February 14, 2023 | 6-7am | Vivaria Trailer Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 6-7am | Gordon S. Watkins Hall Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | 6-7am | W. Conway Pierce Hall Completed successfully |
| Tuesday, March 14, 2023 | 6-7am | UCR Police Building Completed successfully |
| Tuesday March 28, 2023 | 6-7am | Corporation Yard |
| Tuesday April 4, 2023 | 6-7am | Geology Building |
| Tuesday April 11, 2023 | 6-7am | Environmental Health & Safety |
| Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 6-7am | Physics Building |
| Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 6-7am | Ivan Hinderaker Hall |
| Tuesday, May 2, 2023 | 6-7am | Chemical Sciences |
| Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | 6-7am | Science Laboratories 1 |
| Tuesday May 16, 2023 | 6-7am | *School of Medicine – Education Building |
| Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 5-6am | *School of Medicine Health Science Research Building |
| Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 6-7am | *Entomology Building |
| Tuesday, May 30, 2023 | 5-6am | Psychology Building |
| Tuesday, May 30, 2023 | 6-7am | Botanic Gardens (Pump Station) – South Campus |
| Tuesday, June 6, 2023 | 5-6am | *Biological Sciences |
| Tuesday, June 6, 2023 | 6-7am | Genomics Building |
| Tuesday June 13, 2023 | 6-7am | Robert Gordon Sproul Hall |
| Tuesday June 13, 2023 | 7-8am | Gordon S. Watkins Hall |
| Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 5-6am | *Central Utility Plant |
| Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 6-7am | Highlander Union Building (HUB) |
| Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | 5-6am | *Materials Science & Engineering |
| Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | 6-7am | *Multidisciplinary Research Building |
*Generator will be tested but ATS switches will not be tested, meaning the building will not lose power.