ESTIMATING ELECTRICAL LOAD FOR EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATOR

(Also applicable for estimating the total power load under normal [Meralco, etc.] power)

How to use this guide:

0. Before you proceed, some conversion:
Volt-amperes [VA) (Table 17.1) is watts [W].
1 VA is 1 W.
1 kilovolt is 1000 watts
1 Kilovolt ampere [KVA] is 1 kilowatt [KW].

1. Compute the floor area of the spaces in your plan.

Note that the guide uses sq. ft. in measurement, so convert to square feet.
Sq.m. x 10.76 = sq. feet

2. If you are computing only for generator capacity, decide whether:

a.) you are going to power the whole building during a brownout (100% emergency power). In this case,
use Table 28.1 all the way;
b.) or just portions of the building.
(1.) If this is the case, not all portions of the accompanying Table 28.1 will be used.
c. ) How do you decide? This should be decided during the architectural programming phase. In other
words, do research - look for standards or ask people who know, check existing buildings similar to your
project as to what they have, etc.

Example:
a. For most residential condominiums, emergency generator power is supplied to only one outlet
and one light {usually ref outlet plus one kitchen light} per unit PLUS lights for all common areas
(corridors and public spaces) PLUS water pumps PLUS elevators PLUS miscellaneous life safety
systems like detectors, alarms, fire pumps.
Not all portions of the accompanying Table 28.1 will be used.
You may have to individually check the power consumption of each equipment to get the
emergency load.

b. Call centers may require 100% emergency power.

c. Hospitals may require 100% emergency power. Check guidelines.

3. When you get the total capacity, look for generators (internet – generators or generator manufacturers, or
genset brochures) that meet your capacity. Provide some allowance for generating capacity. How much
allowance? Look at the last column on the attached Table 28.1 regarding “Ten year percent load growth”.

4. Note the size of the generator you found in the internet or brochure. Then provide allowance all around the
genset for service clearances and electrical control equipment and 50-gallon fuel drums. This will determine
the size of your generator area or generator room.

5. Generators can be located outside the building (in a separate structure) or located inside a building (interior).
Control equipment (panel boards, automatic transfer switches, etc.):
a.) can be located in a separate area but near the exterior genset , to save on wiring cost; or
b.) in the same room as the interior genset.

Generators are noisy. Consider zoning for noise/vibration and use thick walls.
6. Consider the exhaust caused by the genset; the location of the genset should be properly chosen. In the case
of an interior location, the room must have an exterior-facing wall so that the exhaust pipe can be routed to
the exterior.

7. Provide an access door for maintenance technicians and also doors for to accommodate delivery and pull out
of the generator.

Generators located on the 2nd floor of a high rise building. In this particular case, the 2nd floor also serves as a parking area.
Note the permeable walls and the protrusions of the exhaust pipes.
Source: Google Maps. Street view. Location: Arnaiz Avenue near Makati Ave., Makati City
Source: Electrical and Mechanical Equipment for Buildings, 11th ed., by W.T.Grondzik, A.G. Kwok, B. Stein and J.S. Reynolds.
p. 1284