Commercial buildings, properties for the purpose of commerce, are facilities that have to always be accessible to the general public. It is their responsibility as product and service providers in the area. Reactive Generators isn’t just an installer of building generators in Brisbane but we are also a tradie ultimately, and we know that means that we have to be available to the public at all times. Consistency in the power supply is a must for our premises and many other commercial property owners and we understand these unique needs. Maybe, it’s finally time for you to buy one and this process doesn’t have to be a headache. You will need to determine the right size of the generator for your office building, and we have some advice below.

Why office buildings need generators?

This question seems a little bit self-explanatory because office buildings are places of work, and the work here cannot afford a sudden shutdown. This is why we spend most of our time in these buildings, up to 8 hours for many of us.  Office buildings are structures that house critical services to keep the country running for many different reasons. Any old office may not seem important to you but maybe it is essential for taking care of family finances or the prompt delivery of the food in our local grocer. Office buildings need consistent power to ensure that they can continue doing what is required even during power outages or instability in the national grid. Even separate from their function, office buildings also cannot afford a lack of power because they are facilities that house very expensive equipment that can be damaged or negatively affected in instances of an outage.

Sizing a generator for an office building 

It may seem like tedious work but the best way to start is by making a list of the equipment on your property and the amount of power it needs to run. You can outsource this service by employing a company that specialises in generator installation in Brisbane. The specialist may be more positioned to quickly estimate the power requirements to keep everything on in your commercial property during a power outage. They won’t have to go through the process of making a list because they can make an accurate estimation just after one site inspection. The team at Reactive Generators has been installing generators for over 50 years now, so it has become second nature to us. Office buildings may have particular requirements like powering lighting, telecommunications, security and other essential techniques that will allow people to evacuate the building safely. Choosing the right generator size is very important because it has to supply just enough for your needs.

Underestimating your power needs can not only slow your operation but also cost you a pretty penny to fix. Even though all industrial generators will vary from site to site, there’s a general acceptance that they can run at a minimum of 30% of capacity. This is the absolute minimum and far from ideal load capacity for safe and efficient use. The acceptable maximum load capacity is at 60-75%. The consequences of low or underloading your generator can include a number of expensive results that we should do our best to avoid.

You’ll also need to consider other aspects outside of the appropriate size. You’ll have to choose between single or 3-phase power, voltage regulation, and noise levels. Most owners of commercial properties for work will need generators that have greater reserve or surge capability especially when large motors on multiple pieces of equipment operate independently of each other and turn on and off frequently. You also need to consider the best fuel choice for your installation. Diesel engines are known for longevity and enhanced efficiency when compared to petrol. However, you may not have ample access to diesel distributors and that’s why you should explore your options. These fuel types will also need to be stored according to government codes and it is up to you to ensure compliance.

How to install a generator for your office building?

• Installation clearance procedures

You should expect the installation of your commercial backup system to also take a few weeks. This is because there are permits and local body clearances required to allow for its installation. There is also the time for the delivery of your specific generator brand to be shipped to Brisbane to take into account.

• Unit installation preparation

After permits and generator parts are concluded, your local generator expert will build or create an area that is ready for the placing of your new commercial generator. That may include the construction of a concrete pad to place it on, the building of an adequate shelter for cooling or any other site preparations necessary.

• Installation and operational testing 

The technician needs to make sure that everything is working as it should. This will involve a number of processes including turning off your main power supply and testing the new generator’s capability to maintain the same operation across your commercial property. Testing, just like the normally required load testing, will make sure that your generator can handle the power required and that it is functional enough to automatically take over when your main power source suddenly switches off.

Generator installation for office buildings

It may be time to consider the permanent installation of a commercial generator to keep critical systems up and running through outages, from data centres to elevators, fire alarms, and more. When Reactive Generators installs a commercial generator for any building, there are a couple of factors to consider like the building’s age, location, use, and layout that will come into play. Call us and we can give you the best advice, and a quote for free, that will give you a better indication of the price. Call us on (07) 3710 8212, and we’ll not only install your generator, but we’ll also set a servicing schedule to keep it running smoothly. Our team is available to customers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Ipswich. We’ll also provide valuable insights about each factor that will affect the maintenance required and your enjoyment of the generator over its lifetime.