Don’t Let Wildfires Shut You Down
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Wildfire Season Is Coming—Will Your Business Be Ready?

In both California and Alberta, wildfire season has become a predictable, high-risk reality. For organizations that depend on consistent power and operational uptime, these fire seasons now pose a serious threat—not just to infrastructure, but to the safety of personnel and the bottom line.

At Collicutt Energy Services, we specialize in more than just backup power. We help businesses build comprehensive contingency plans designed for real-world resilience.

The Risks: Downtime, Safety, and Uncertainty

California’s wildfire season now stretches from late spring through fall, often triggering grid instability, rolling blackouts, and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).  Alberta’s season runs from March through October, with peak threats in late spring and summer.

These events can:

  • Halt operations across industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities
  • Compromise communications and safety systems
  • Cause unplanned downtime and financial losses
  • Place employees and infrastructure at risk

The Solution: Resilience Through Preparedness

1. Backup Power Solutions That Perform

Collicutt offers diesel, natural gas, and CHP generator systems designed to match your facility’s energy needs and risk profile.

  • Diesel Generators – Fast-start, high-power output
  • Natural Gas Generators – Cost-effective, lower emissions
  • CHP Systems – Simultaneous heat and electricity generation for high-efficiency needs

We handle site assessments, design, permitting, installation, and commissioning—all tailored to meet local codes and fire safety regulations.

2. Seamless Power Transfer with ATS

Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) ensure a seamless transition between utility and backup power. In the event of a failure, your ATS activates within seconds—keeping your operations online and your equipment protected.

3. Remote Monitoring

Stay informed with cloud-based remote monitoring tools that provide:

  • Fuel level tracking
  • Real-time system health diagnostics
  • Fault alerts and reporting

Collicutt also offers 24/7 remote support to help you act fast when it matters most.

4. Routine Testing and Preventative Maintenance

Without testing, your backup generator is just an expensive placeholder. Collicutt provides scheduled maintenance services that include:

  • Load testing
  • Battery checks and fluid replacements
  • Comprehensive inspections and reporting

5. Full-Scope Safety Preparedness

True resilience includes safeguarding your personnel. We help implement:

  • Emergency lighting and alarms tied to backup power
  • Grid-independent communications systems
  • Stocked emergency supply kits (PPE, water, first aid)
  • Evacuation plans and coordination with local fire authorities

 

The Customer Benefit: Uninterrupted Power, Enhanced Safety

With a Collicutt-engineered contingency plan, you gain:

  • Uninterrupted operations during wildfire-related outages
  • Reduced risk of safety incidents and costly downtime
  • Confidence that your people and assets are protected by proven, reliable emergency power solutions
  • Expert support before, during and after fire season

Your Partner in Wildfire Resilience

Collicutt Energy Services delivers more than generators—we engineer resilience. From backup power to integrated emergency systems, we help businesses operate with confidence through any wildfire season.

Don’t Leave Your Business Exposed.

Contact us today to schedule your wildfire preparedness consultation.

 888.682.6888 |info@collicutt.com

Read for more information on Wildfire Preparedness: How to Prepare for California Wildfire Season

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How to Stay NFPA 110 Compliant
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How to Stay NFPA 110 Compliant

In today’s world, where power outages can disrupt critical operations, having a reliable backup power system is essential. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 110 Standard provides crucial guidelines for emergency and standby power systems.

First things first, what is NFPA 110? NFPA 110 is a set of regulations that sets requirements for the installation, maintenance, operation and testing of emergency and standby power systems. It addresses the following areas:

  • Installation
  • Regular Testing and Maintenance
  • Fuel Management
  • Ventilation System Compliance
  • Documentation and Record-Keeping
  • Working with Authorities

Why NFPA 110 Compliance Matters

  1. Safety First: NFPA 110 compliance helps prevent fires and explosions that could result from improper storage or handling of fuel.
  2. Operational Reliability: A compliant generator ensures reliable operation during emergencies, minimizing downtime for critical systems.
  3. Legal Requirements: Adhering to NFPA 110 standards reduces the risk of penalties or legal issues during inspections by authorities.
  4. Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regular checks and maintenance as per NFPA 110 guidelines help prolong the life of your generator and its components.

Key Components to Check

  1. Safety Features: Verify automatic shutdown capabilities and fuel leak prevention measures.
  2. Electrical System Connection: Ensure the generator can safely connect to the building’s electrical system within 10 seconds.
  3. Ventilation: Check that air inlets and outlets are properly sized and unobstructed.
  4. Alarm Systems: Confirm that failure alarms and temperature sensors are functioning correctly.
  5. Starting System: Verify that the starting system batteries and charging systems are properly maintained.

By following these guidelines and working with certified professionals, you can ensure your generator remains NFPA 110 compliant, providing reliable emergency power when you need it most. Regular inspections and maintenance are key to maintaining compliance and the overall health of your backup power system.

What’s Included in Our Preventative Maintenance Plan?

At Collicutt Energy Services, we believe in keeping your generator and automatic transfer switch (ATS) systems running smoothly and efficiently. Our Preventative Maintenance Agreement ensures that your equipment is always ready when you need it. Here’s a detailed look at what our comprehensive plan includes:

Generator Maintenance

  • Load Bank Testing: We verify the generator’s performance under various loads, from 25% to 100% capacity, ensuring it meets customer specifications.
  • Thorough Inspection: Our technicians meticulously check and record temperatures and pressures every 15 minutes during testing.
  • Voltage and Amperage Checks: We monitor voltage and amperage at each phase every 15 minutes to ensure stable and reliable power output.
  • Detailed Procedures: Our process includes warming up the engine, incrementally stepping up the load, cooling down the system, and a final check for any leaks.

ATS Maintenance

  • Contaminant Inspection: We inspect for and remove any contaminant intrusion, such as dust or moisture, to maintain optimal performance.
  • Connection Integrity: Torque checks on main lug connections and inspections for looseness or overheating (when powered down) to ensure secure and efficient electrical connections.
  • Accessory Adjustments: Adjust all accessories to meet your specific requirements.
  • Contact and Hardware Checks: We remove barriers to inspect contacts, arc chutes, and heel contacts, and check the integrity of electrical hardware in the control panel (when powered down).
  • Operational Testing: Complete transfer testing of the system to verify proper functionality.

Bypass Switch Maintenance

  • Isolation and Manual Operation: Safely isolate the switch, manually operate it, and inspect, clean, and test its components.
  • Testing and Reconnection: Comprehensive testing of the ATS and reconnection to ensure seamless operation.

Additional Benefits

  • Trained service technicians
  • Fully stocked service trucks
  • True 24/7 Emergency Service
  • Fast Response Time: Guaranteed 4-hour response time
  • Repairs
  • Full-service maintenance agreements
  • Remote monitoring
  • Operation and Maintenance manuals including a written maintenance schedule
  • Testing logbook
  • Emergency procedures training session
  • Contingency plans

 

 Call us at 888.682.6888  or email us at info@collicutt.com

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How to Prepare for California Wildfire Season
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Understanding the Impact of Wildfires on California Infrastructure

California’s wildfire season has proven to be increasingly destructive, with fires causing widespread damage to infrastructure. The impact is felt across various sectors including transportation, utilities, and communications. Roads can be closed, power lines can be downed, and communication networks can be disrupted, making it difficult for emergency services to respond effectively.

Businesses in particular face significant challenges. Hospitals may struggle to provide critical care without power, data centers risk losing valuable information, and old age homes could face life-threatening situations for residents. Childcare centers, business centers, and construction sites also face operational disruptions. Therefore, understanding the full scope of wildfire impacts on infrastructure is crucial for effective preparedness.

Essential Wildfire Preparedness Equipment for Businesses

To mitigate the risks associated with wildfires, businesses must equip themselves with essential preparedness tools. Fire pumps and generators are at the top of this list. Fire pumps help in controlling small fires and preventing them from spreading, giving firefighters a better chance to contain the blaze.

Generators are equally important, ensuring that critical systems (including fire pumps) remain operational during power outages. This is particularly vital for businesses where any disruption in power can have dire consequences. Additionally, businesses should consider investing in smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting to enhance overall safety.

Strategies for Effective Generator and Fire Pump Maintenance

Regular maintenance of generators and fire pumps is essential to ensure they function correctly when needed. Start by scheduling routine inspections and servicing according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This includes checking fuel levels, testing battery backups, and inspecting all electrical connections.

For fire pumps, ensure that all components such as hoses, nozzles, and valves are in good working condition. Running periodic drills can also help in identifying any potential issues before they become critical. Proper maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the equipment but also provides peace of mind knowing that your preparedness measures are reliable.

Rental Generator Options: Flexibility in Emergency Preparedness

For businesses that do not own generators, rental options provide a flexible and cost-effective solution. Renting allows businesses to scale their power needs based on the severity of the emergency without incurring the high costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment.

Rental generators come in various sizes and capacities, making it easy to find one that suits your specific requirements. Collicutt Energy can also help with your rental needs with individual generators ranging from 20kW to 2MW with paralleling capabilities up to 10MW.

Creating a Comprehensive Wildfire Preparedness Plan for Your Business

A comprehensive wildfire preparedness plan is essential for safeguarding your business. Start by conducting a risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities. Develop an emergency response plan that includes evacuation routes, communication protocols, and roles and responsibilities for all staff members.

Incorporate regular training sessions and drills to ensure everyone is familiar with the procedures. Stock up on essential supplies such as first-aid kits, water, and non-perishable food items. Establish partnerships with local emergency services and other businesses to create a support network. Seriously consider remote monitoring technology for your backup generators as well.  This will provide real-time data to identify potential maintenance issues. By taking these steps, you can significantly enhance your business’s resilience against wildfires. View power outage maps here.

 

Here are a few more resources on California wildfires:

 

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