Signs Your Commercial Electrical System Needs Upgraded

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No matter how well your building’s electrical system was designed, there comes a time when an electrical upgrade is necessary. Upgrading your electrical system improves both the safety and utility of your building. If you find your electrical system no longer meets your needs, there are a few things to consider before contacting an electrician.

Signs You’re Due for an Electrical Upgrade

Many older buildings were designed when demand for electricity was lower. They were typically built with 60 or 120 amps and a few circuits for an entire commercial building. This was enough decades ago, but it isn’t enough to power the amount of electronics and machinery in use today. Nowadays, even small workshops require at least 200 amps.

One of the biggest signs you need an electrical upgrade is that there doesn’t seem to be enough power for everything. Your lights flicker or go out entirely when a large appliance or machine is turned on. Your equipment shuts itself off for no obvious reason. You have extension cords run between different circuits in attempt to balance the load.

You might also notice the breakers frequently trip when you try to run all the electrical equipment you need at once. You may find yourself carefully planning which equipment to use at what time in attempt to avoid tripping your breakers. Worse yet, your breakers fail and don’t trip when they should, allowing your equipment to overheat.

Safety issues are another indication your electrical system is in need of an upgrade. Check your electrical panel and wiring contacts for corrosion or other deterioration. Inspect your wiring for melted wires or melted wiring insulation. Damage like this means your building is at risk of an electrical fire. The need for surge protectors on nearly every outlet is another sign your safety could be at risk.

Even if you don’t have problems like these, consider an upgrade if you’re planning to renovate or bring in new equipment that will add to the load on your electrical system. This is especially true if you want to add air conditioning or electric heating.

Plan Ahead for Your Electrical Upgrade

Before you get in touch with an electrician, take some time to evaluate the electrical needs of your business. Make a list of the electrical appliances and equipment you currently use and any you’re planning to add, including lighting. If you’re existing lighting doesn’t allow you to work efficiently, consider upgrading to higher-voltage lighting or adding lights.

Note any areas where you’d like to have more electrical outlets, such as those where you’re currently relying on extension cords. Also consider whether you’ll be building any additions that will also need an electrical supply.

Your electrician will use this information as well as information gathered by inspecting your building to calculate your building’s total electrical load. If the only upgrade you need to your system is an additional circuit, your electrician may be able to accomplish this by adding a subpanel. This is only possible, however, when your main electrical panel already supplies enough power for the entire building and your wiring is in good condition.

Otherwise, the main electrical panel can be upgraded to provide 200 amps, 400 amps or even more if necessary.

Your electrician will need to open up sections of your walls to access your wiring, which means some noise and mess is unavoidable. Schedule your upgrade for a time when it won’t interfere with your ability to do business. While your electrician will do some basic cleanup, you’re responsible for patching and repainting your walls, so factor this into your budget.

October 30, 2020

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Reference Source: Sobieski Services – www.sobieskiinc.com 

Keeping Up to Date with Electrical Services

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Keeping Up to Date with Electrical Services

Source: ohsonline.com

What many businesses may not understand is that electrical safety training is required for all personnel, not just those performing electrical work.

Keeping up with maintenance requirements is critical for any industrial or commercial business. Electrical maintenance is one of the requirements that are essential for performance and safety. Businesses must also stay up-to-date with changes in electrical requirements.

 

Equipment Performance and Safety
Preventative maintenance is just that, service steps required to prevent failures. You can tell when you have a plumbing leak, but electricity cannot be seen. Often the only way to notice a problem is when a failure occurs. Repairs after the fact are more costly than simple prevention steps.

Repairing a wiring problem that is causing a motor to overheat is less expensive than replacing the motor and wiring, and the lost production time. Something as simple as a loose connection may create intermittent equipment failure. A technician could spend hours trying to find a mechanical fault when the true problem is not in the equipment, but the power to the equipment.

Electrical failures can halt commercial and industrial business operations. The time spent diagnosing and correcting the problem, or time spent waiting for new parts, is production time and money lost. Failures from overheating or short circuits can also lead to fire, which could completely shut your facility down. Full electrical service maintenance covers everything from the switchgear to outlets and control panels.

Employee Safety
In addition to production issues, employers are responsible for the safety of the company’s workers. Frayed wires or breaks in insulation are accidents waiting for an opportunity. The same wires that have loosened over time may cause electrocution or other injuries. A worker may see equipment that is not operating and assume that it is shut off. Machinery that starts again suddenly can entrap the employee.

Improper grounding or broken ground bonds are another hazard. The lack of a strong ground bond can cause problems ranging from intermittent equipment failures to the electrocution of a worker in a wet environment. Ground fault protection testing should be performed periodically. Without routine electrical service, you may not know the potential hazards exist.

Requirements and Changes in Requirements
Electrical service work is not a job for the unskilled. When it comes to commercial and industrial operations, the risks are greater due to higher voltage levels. In order to avoid violations, employers must comply with safety standards. In the U.S., this means compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) covers the United Kingdom. What many businesses may not understand is that electrical safety training is required for all personnel, not just those performing electrical work.

In addition to meeting established safety requirements, businesses must meet any local or national code regulations and keep up to date with changes in the regulations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released new rules in 2015. NFPA 70E-2015 requires all employers to assess the risk of arc flashes. Unfortunately, not knowing about regulations and changes does not excuse a business from being cited for violations.

Your business or property insurance must also be considered in the need for electrical maintenance. If property damage or injuries occur due to a lack of adequate service, you may not be covered. Normally any work must also be performed by a qualified electrician to avoid being held liable for accidents.

Finally, as a business operation grows, the electrical needs may increase. The number of outlets and circuits that were sufficient at the beginning may no longer support the equipment now in use. Without routine electrical maintenance, performed by skilled personnel, you may not be aware of the potential for overloads. Keeping up with electrical service requirements will help ensure your continued business operation.

Commercial Building Fall Maintenance: Top 8 Tips

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While each commercial building’s needs will be different according to the tenants it holds, its purpose, and its location, consider the following tips when preparing your property this season.

  • HVAC:

Before tenants start to crank up the heat to combat colder temps, make sure your building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is running efficiently and effectively. Replace filters, inspect and repair broken parts, identify and respond to cracked duct work, drain line clogs, and make sure your HVAC system is the proper size for your unit. While doing so, store or cover air-conditioning units that will go unused during the fall and winter seasons.

 

  • Fire: 

Service your fire prevention and safety equipment, making sure all sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms are in working order. Also, update emergency fire procedures and schedule a fall or winter season drill so tenants can practice how best to respond.

 

  • Outdoors:

Winterize your landscaping, including trimming trees and shrubs to reduce exterior damage. Ensure that vegetation and grass are properly graded to avoid water and ice sitting against your property’s foundation. This can lead to interior water damage. Also, inspect the exterior of your building for cracks, stains, and leaks, which could lead to potential for safety and security breaches. 

 

  • Lighting:

Decreased daylight means your tenants may be more at risk for falling should hazards not be easily identifiable. Install proper exterior lighting on your commercial property, and check bi-annually that light bulbs and fixtures are clean and in working order. If public walkways have cracks, potholes, or other trip hazards, repair and seal to reduce hazards, or install signage to make people aware.

 

  • Roof:

Inspect and repair your commercial property’s roof for loose shingles or damage to existing flashing. To prevent the potential for ice dams to form, clean gutters and make sure they are properly secured to the building. Fall is also a good season to increase the insulation in existing attics. Doing this can decrease heat costs while also further reduce ice dam formation. 

 

  • Windows:

Inspect windows both inside and outside to ensure they are properly sealed. Doing so can reduce energy bills while simultaneously preventing excess moisture and mold risks. Replace windows that are showing signs of aging to avoid potential interior or exterior building damage.

 

  • Plumbing:

Colder temperatures put pipes at higher risk for freezing and bursting. Leaving your commercial building at risk for ater damage. Avoid the wet mess by insulating and sealing cracks and openings around exposed pipes. Also, set internal thermostats (and instruct tenants to do the same) to keep interior temperatures at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

 

  • Tenants:

Check in with tenants regarding any maintenance requests or building concerns they may have. Living and/or working in your commercial property means they are on constant alert to their surroundings. If they see–or hear or smell–something, ask that they say something.