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

Breadcrumb
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.