Emergency generators serve a fundamental role in various industries. Business downtimes due to power outages can lead to financial losses and customer attrition. They can avoid these by investing in emergency generators for uninterrupted business operations.
An emergency generator is instrumental in healthcare settings since life-saving equipment like ventilators and heart monitors need continuous power. The generator keeps medical services operational during a power outage and enables healthcare professionals to continue their duties.
However, businesses must exercise caution when using emergency generators. This is because diesel or gasoline generators emit harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). These emissions can significantly contribute to air pollution and pose adverse consequences on respiratory health.
Emergency generators can also cause noise pollution. A 1,500 kW (kilowatt) generator could release about 105 decibels of noise, which is akin to a jet airplane flying about 1,000 feet. Some might overlook the noise impact of emergency generators, but excessive exposure to noise may lead to serious health issues over time.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recognizes these dangers and requires a permit for the use of specific emergency generators. Air permitting aids in the regulation and management of emissions, potentially minimizing environmental and health risks. Achieving NJDEP permit compliance helps organizations avoid regulatory action, fines, and operational suspension.
Organizations may consider working with an NJ air permit consultant to guide them if they are not sure which permit to apply for. Working with professionals when securing air permits helps them save time and prevent hefty penalties associated with non-compliance.
While emergency generators are critical for uninterrupted operations in healthcare and commercial facilities, they produce harmful effects on the environment and public wellness. Organizations must do their responsibility of obtaining air permits. NJDEP compliance demonstrates the company’s commitment to fostering environmental sustainability and better health and prevent compliance fines. This infographic from Lockatong Engineering further explains the intricacies of emergency generator air permitting.
