Weekly Generator Testing

Many of you who are here on Thursday mornings have experienced the weekly generator test and know this at times is a bit inconvenient. But it must be done.

 Several Regulatory  agencies require that we test our emergency power system under load weekly, and that is why you see a momentary outage of about 5 to 10 seconds.

 This outage is a result of the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) making the transition from our normal utility power source to our emergency generator power.

 More and more we have been depending on our emergency power because of all the construction and required maintenance. We don't take scheduled power outages lightly. In fact, there are several days of planning that take place. Most scheduled power outages will take place during the late nights or early mornings in order to create less impact on the hospital. Remember, next time you see a notice for a scheduled power outage, were hard at work trying to make sure that it's a successful transition from normal utility power to emergency power and back again.

 All red outlets and light switches are connected to the emergency generator and everyone should become familiar with their work areas and know where all emergency outlets are located. The Electrical department also has extension cords that can be issued during these outages or in the event of a disaster.

So the weekly generator test is not only to meet regulatory requirements, but is also to make sure that were ready for a city power outage or disaster

Are small appliances a problem at CHLA

Every week somewhere in this facility a small heated appliance is left unattended causing smoke and occasionally fire.

These unattended appliances that set off the fire alarms in the hospital take half of the Facilities department staff away from their duties to respond to these alarms.

This costs the hospital many non productive employee work hours each year. If you have to leave a heated appliance, please turn it off before you leave.

Can you get out alive

There is a fire, the lights went out and there's a lot of smoke.

If you were in this corridor on your hands and knee's because the smoke was so thick you couldn't breath and it was dark, could you see the exit or exit sign to escape safely? Probably not, this is not only in violation of the fire code  but it's endangering your life. THINK ABOUT IT

Please don't block the hallways. It might be your life you save.........