Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

What is a Backup Sump Pump?

Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

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Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

Backup sump pump is another pump that is installed to operate should the primary sump pump fail. Surprisingly enough there are many reasons to primary pump may fail including: electrical power ouTAGe, float or switch failure, broken impeller or drive shaft, clogged intake screen.

What Factors Should Be Reviewed?

There are eleven major factors to consider when comparing backup sump pumps: power source, charger strength, triggers, dependability, material used in construction, operational capability, diMensions, size of discharge, protection against solids or sludge, alarm notification, and manufacturer warranty.

1. Power Source

The backup system installed should besourced by something other than electricity.

What are the different types of power sources used?

A Battery provides the power to enable a backup sump pump Plugged into it through the use of a wired housing to perform the pumping cycle for the removal of the water from the pit. Twelve or twenty four volts battery power is used. The volTAGe and type of battery required varies by manufacturer. Water Pressure provides the power to keep a backup sump pump running. The water used must come from a municipal source and have a pressure between 40 and 100 PSI (pounds per square inch). A portable generator provides power through the conversion of energy into gas or propane. The pump must be Plugged into the generator. Automatic start standbygenerator provides the power when the sump pump is Plugged into it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different power sources?

Batteries require monitoring to make sure they are operational in the time of need. Most backup systems have an alarm that lets the owner know when a battery requires maintenance or replaceMent and is being used by the backup pump. Batteries are rechargeable. Water power requires no batteries and has no moving parts. Operation of power systems requires a watered PSI water pressure between 40 and 100 PSI (pounds per square inch). Private well water cannot be used and the municipal provided water must have reliable water pressure. It takes 1 gallon of municipal water to remove sump pit 2 gallons of water so canbe costly to operate. Portable generator: The generator must be placed outside. It must be started manually. Most operate from propane tank. Automatic standby generatorstart: They are expensive to purchase and install (four to ten times more expensive than battery power) but are very reliable. This type of generator runs off of natural gas or propane tanks and can provide power to multiple household appliances during power failure.
2. Charger Strength

This term applies when batteries are used as the source of power.

The higher The strength the Faster the charger battery will be recharged after usage. Charger strength varies from 4 to 20..
3. Trigger

Each backup system has a trigger thatactivates the non electrical power source to begin operation.

What are the different triggers?

For battery powered backup sump pumps, when the water level raises the float, the battery is activated into operation. For water powered backup sump pumps, when the float raises, a valve allows water to flow down pressured to the pump. The flowing of the pressured water activates the backup system into operation. An automatic standby generator start is activated when the transfer switch senses a utility power interruption. A portable generator becomes operational when a human starts it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each trigger?

The transfer switch for the standby> generator is the most reliable and quickest way to activate the operation of a backup system. The backup pump is operational as soon as the power goes out. Battery and water powered systems are not activated until the water rises to the height of the float. That means water has already collected in the pit.
4. Dependability

Batteries loose charge deplete and. Municipal water pressure is not constant. A drop below 40 PSI means the backup system is not operational. The float-switch mechanism, impeller or clogging of the backup sump pump plugged into a battery or standby generator source of power could fail. The tether switch is not as dependable as the vertical switch. Dual vertical switches offer twicethe reliability.
5. Materials Used in the Construction of Backup Sump Pumps

What are the different materials used?

Thermoplastic: Outer casing is made of a hard, durable plastic. Cast Iron and Stainless Steel: The outer casing and bolts are made of metal.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials?

Plastic weighs less and is cheaper. Cast iron and stainless steel lasts a lifetime, weighs more and is constructed to handle heavy duty usage. This material is more expensive.
6. Operational Capacity

What are the volumes at which backup pumps can discharge water?

Pumping capacity is measured by the number of gallons per minute or hourat a specific rise. Capacity is determined by size of motor and source of power.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of operational capacity?

Larger motors using battery or generator power move more water during operation. Smaller motors move less water during operation and require less battery or generator power. The amount of water moved during operation of a water powered backup sump pump is determined by the municipal water pressure. The greater the pressure the greater volume of water that is discharged. Water powered pumps Generally have a lower operational capacity.
7. Backup Sump Pump Dimensions of and Pit

Each backup sump pump has unique measurements.

A sump pit with an 18 "diaMeter basinor larger provides the greatest flexibility in being able to fit a primary and backup sump pump into the pit. To tether float requires a larger diaMeter-based pit than a vertical float.
8. Size of Discharge Port DiaMeter

What are the different sizes?

The size is either 1 or 1 .25 .5 inches in diameter. Most backup pumps have an adapter to accommodate either size of PVC piping.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different sizes?

The capability to adapt to either a 1 or 1 .25 .5 inch PVC pipe size is extremely beneficial. Size of 1 .5 inches is required to handle heavy volumes of water.
9. Protection against Debris, Sludge, or SPh Meter under or over 12 "?

The watchdog pumps have the smallest width (9 ") and require only .25" additional for the vertical switch. In most cases the backup sump pumps are installed on top of the primary sump pump I know size is not as much of an issue. Do you want to exchange a faulty float/> switch mechanism without having to remove the enTire pump from the sump pit?

The watchdog sump pump float/switch mechanism is external to the pump so the float-switch can be replaced without removing the pump from the sump pit.
Check Out These Backup Sump Pump Systems Today

Your home is an important asset. Make sure it is protected against water damage. It is cheaper to buy good backup sump pump systems than to clean up after a sump pump failure during a heavy rain storm. Be prepared before those heavy rains come.

Backup Sump Pump Review-What is Right For You?

NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets minimum standards for egress safety in commercial buildings. This includes standards for standby generators (a.k.a. gensets), which in many buildings, are responsible for powering emergency egress lighting (a.k.a. backup lighting). NFPA 110 contains the association's guidelines for generator testing for buildings that require a Level 1 or Level 2 generator. Testing requireMents are as follows:

NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator

NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator

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NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator

NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator

Monthly Testing (Section 8.4.2.)

A genset should be tested under load for 30 minutes each month. A successful test can be judged in one of two ways: when the load raises genset exhaust gas to the minimum temperature that the manufacturer recomMends for monthly testing, or when a gensetruns at a minimum of 30% of its nameplate Kw rating for at least 30 minutes.

Some generators cannot operate until their water pressure and oil pressure to establish. For these generators, the 30-minute test should be concluded in less time to allow them to standby resume sooner than later.

Alternate Testing for Diesel Generators (Section 8.2.4.3)

Diesel generators that don't achieve the proper exhaust temperatures or fail to operate at 30 percent of the Kilowatt nameplate rating for at least 30 minutes should be (a) exercised under load for 30 minutes each month, and (b) exercised under-supplied load (i.e. from a load bank) for approximately two hours each year.

When conducting the test, yearlytesters should operate a genset for 30 minutes at 25 percent of its nameplate Kw rating, 30 minutes at 50 percent of its nameplate Kw rating, and 60 minutes at 75 percent of its nameplate Kw rating.

Companies that don't have emergency power Supply system (EPSS) technicians on staff should have a commercial power solutions provider perform NFPA 110 requireMents for generator testing.

The Importance of NFPA Generator Testing

Most commercial buildings are subject to a combination of federal, state and municipal codes that govern egress safety, and usually adDress backup lighting. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards determine federal egress codes, while International Building Code(IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), OSHA and NFPA standards, determine state and municipal codes.

When a building features generator-powered backup lighting that is subject to federal, state, and/or municipal codes, it is also subject-either by code or implication to keeping and maintaining a working genset. When a genset malfunctions, so does generator-powered backup lighting-an occurrence that could lead to deadly egress jams.

In addition to issuing testing guidelines for generators, the NFPA has issued guidelines for testing backup lighting, and guidelines for impleMenting luminescent exit routes egress stripes in. In combination, these guidelines ensure that buildings are well prepared for low visibility evacuations, which protects building owners againstinjury claims, wrongful death claims, and workers comp claims that result from botched evacuations.

If your building is subject to NFPA testing guidelines for generators, conducting monthly and/or annual testing can ensure that it and the equipment that it would power are ready for a power ouTAGe. For emergency power equipment testing, call a commercial power solutions provider today.

NFPA 110 Requirements for Testing Your Generator