BLACKOUTS

Introduction
Blackout is a situation where your external as well as
internal supply of power fails and hotel is in complete dark.
Generally blackouts means there is no power supply from
external agencies but in our hotels we have generators to
back up such situations. Most of our hotels have one
generator on automatic switchover mode dedicated to restore
emergency lighting and starts automatically the moment all
supplies from the external agencies stops. Generally it takes
approximately 20sec for the restoration of emergency
lighting. Hence we will consider being in a blackout situation
only when our internal generators fail to restore the lighting
in the hotels. The other situation could be a partial blackout
to some part of the property due to fault in electrical cables
or equipment, panel board etc.
Maintenance/ Engineering Department plays a key role in
ensuring that property doesn’t face Blackouts situation and
for this purpose they are required to do the following.
Impacts of Blackout
1. Direct
2. Indirect
Direct Impacts of Blackout
 Hotel shutdown
 Damage to electronic data and loss of
computer services
 Injuries
 Panic
 Elevator Emergency
 Food spoilage/ and raw material
spoilage
 Overtime wages for correctional
personnel
Indirect Impacts of Blackout
 Long term
1. Litigation costs
2. Contamination due sewage disposal
3. Consequent increased disease
 Short term
1. Property losses from looting and arson
2. Cancellation of Events/Arrivals
 Medium term
1. Cost of recovering from looting
2. Lost revenues during recovery period
3. Consequent increase in insurance rate
problems
4. Incarceration of looters
 How to avoid Blackouts
“As blackouts do happen, always keep your power
system restoration updated!”
For us we do not only rely on external power supply. We
do have generators (3), and also HSD tank with enough
HSD(10767) in it.
 Periodic preventive maintenance of all available
generators in property.
 Test the generator on daily basis (by switching on and
putting off).
 Battery operated (UPS) emergency lighting should be
considered.
 IF POWER SUPPLY IS LIKELY TO RESUME IN LONG
TIME WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

DUTIES OF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

o Maintenance person on duty will immediately rush
to diesel generator room.
o Second person on shift will check the elevator for
the trapped guests/staff. In case anyone is trapped
inside, rescue them and inform duty manager.
o On the way to diesel generator room, maintenance
person will call Director of Engineering, supervisors
who in turn will call diesel generators AMC company.
o Maintenance person on reaching diesel generator
room will check condition of diesel generators.
o If one of the diesel generators is not working and
other two are normal, then he will provide supply to
section under breakdown from running generators.
o He will also check that there should be sufficient fuel in tank and
no leakage in fuel line.
o He will ensure proper distribution of power is maintained.
o Maintenance person along with other person on shift will check
the reason for nonfunctioning of diesel generator and try to
rectify it unto other persons reached on site
o In case all generators are not working, un to other engineering
persons arrive, maintenance person will check the cause of all
diesel generators failure and try to rectify it.
o Once other persons from engineering department arrives, they
will work on feedback given by engineering person on shift and
restoring the power with diesel generators
o Once power supply is resumed, Director of Engineering will inform
the operator to communicate everyone that power has been
restored and situation is normalized.
o A detailed report of the incident will be made by Director of
Engineering in consultation with engineering shift in charge.
 DUTIES OF SECURITY DEPARTMENT
• Ensure the guest and employee do not use any open
flames for emergency illumination.
• Pacify the guest.
• Ensure that the security personnel patrols (carrying
battery powered torches) the affected areas during
blackout to reassure the guest and staff of their
safety.
• Manned effectively all entry and exit points of the
property.
• Prevent any act of vandalism, looting or sabotage on
the property.
• Pay special attention to the fire hazard on property.
• Intensify rounds of the entire property including car
park, periphery if staffing so permit.
• Rescue guest/staff trapped in the elevator.
 DUTIES OF TELEPHONE OPERATOR
 Keep the switchboard free for
emergency communication as
telephone system provides an essential
communication link.
 While answering the guest queries try
to reduce the duration of calls, answer
the callers as per the talk line.
 Do not entertain general/specific
enquiries regarding situation in the
hotel to the outside caller.
HOUSE KEEPING DEPARTMENT
 Station the housekeeping staff at various places in
public areas, guest floors to assist the guest.
 Assist Security on the floor.
DUTY MANAGER / FRONT OFFICE
 Immediately inform emergency team about any
disabled persons and pregnant lady if any stay in our
hotel.
 Ensure sufficient staff strength at the reception
counter to answer the guest queries.
 Duty Manager not to move from the desk.
 Give special attention / assistance to physically
challenged guest.
 Depute bell desk associates to assist the guest on
floors.
 Instruct Cashiers to lock up all cash drawers.
 Ensure Bell desk / Front office staff to take extra care
FOOD AND BEVERAGE / KITCHEN
 All restaurant associates to secure the cash and
charge slips.
 To ensure that battery operated lights used for menu
reading are switched on and placed on all table.
 The kitchen associates to take precautions to
protect the perishable items.

All other departments

To assemble at assembly points and wait for further
instructions from emergency chief.