1. Consult – Define Needs and Goals

It all starts here with gaining a solid understanding of the clients’ needs and goals of their back-up power system. Too often, these important fact finding missions are glossed-over and the result can be one that doesn’t meet the client’s needs or has significant delays and/or change orders. Your power partner should be able to ask the right questions to help the client identify their needs and goals.

Power Plus services and maintains over 10,000 generators across the country and have seen the vast differences of well thought-out generator installs vs poor ones. We help guide our clients in the right direction.

2. Conceptual Design & Considerations

Once the needs and goals are defined we develop the conceptual design of the back-up power system. There are a variety of technical and budgeting considerations that not all power partners will think about. Some of these include:

• Understanding how the generator placement/location impacts overall cost.
• What fuel source (nat. gas, diesel, propane, hydrogen, bio & alternative fuels) best fits with the customer’s application requirements?
• How to support load demands of both linear (motors, pumps, HVAC, etc.) and non-linear (VFD motors, UPS systems, etc.)
• Air Quality Regulations – city and state specific. Will the generator be near any “sensitive receptors” that have more strict emissions limitations?
• Aesthetics of where the generator will be installed and any municipal or city requirements of shade structures (screening) or other requirements
• Noise levels – many Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) are imposing stricter noise limits at nearest property lines.
• Which generator manufacturer is the best fit for the application requirements?

3. Architectural & Engineering

From the Conceptual Design, prepare the submittal package that illustrates the design & requirements set by the local AHJ. This package generally includes:

• Architectural
• Civil
• Structural
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Planning/zoning

These finalized plan sets are customer owned, regardless of whether Power Plus performs the installation or not.

This A & E package can also be customer provided

4. Submit Designs to Authorities Having Jurisidiction For Approval

Chaperone the submittal package through the multiple stages of the approval process within the AHJ.

• Planning
• Zoning
• Electrical
• Structural
• Civil
• Mechanical
• Fire
• Building

5. Permit Management

We will process the plan check fees, submittal fees, and final permit cost on behalf of the customer.

6. Equipment Procurement

There are a wide range of critical power systems and manufacturers on the market each with their own positives and negatives.

Power Plus takes a brand-agnostic approach and makes recommendations based on the client’s needs and our years of experience with various equipment manufacturers.

In addition to relationships with OEM’s, we also regularly engage non-OEM supplier that have new and reconditioned equipment in stock.

7. Installation, Start-Up, Commissioning & Testing

Installation – provide and manage the construction schedule, coordinate local AHJ & third-party inspections, manage/coordinate our teams and other trades, maintain quality control, communicate progress.

Start-Up – After final AHJ approval, qualified personnel will perform initial start up and confirm proper operation of “the system”.

Commissioning – Programming the ATS, verifying communication, exercise schedule, etc.

Testing – All electrical components and operation characteristics meet local AHJ requirements.

Power Plus can work in conjunction with the customer, if they choose to fulfill any of the SOW themselves.

8. On-Site Training, Warranty & Close-Out Package

On-Site Training – Basic operations of the back-up power system and its components.

Warranty – After start-up & commissioning, process paperwork with the equipment manufacturers.

Close-Out Package – Final document package that includes the original approved plans, permits, signed-off inspections, construction photos, warranty paperwork and any other pertinent documentation.