Managing a property or facility involves many moving parts, and an effective electrical maintenance plan is essential for the ongoing operation and longevity of your system. Routine electrical preventative maintenance not only prevents unplanned outages and disruptive failures but can also mean the difference between a $500 fix and an unexpected $10,000 repair. Understanding and implementing electrical maintenance requirements is key to keeping your facility operational and protecting the infrastructure of your electrical system over time.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS: BASIC SAFETY STANDARDS

There are tasks that building owners and facility managers must follow to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Non-compliance can lead to serious liabilities, making it crucial that electrical work meets the BC Electrical Code.

These requirements are put in place to ensure that your facility’s electrical systems function safely. Ignoring them can result in fines, liability, and serious safety hazards.

RECOMMENDATIONS: GOING BEYOND THE BASICS

These additional steps are best practices for extending the life of your electrical systems, improving reliability, and minimizing downtime.

1. Schedule regular preventative maintenance: Routine electrical maintenance catches issues early before they escalate into costly emergencies.
2. Test breakers and protective devices: Regular testing ensures breakers trip when needed, as performance may decline over time.
3. Plan for Arc Flash Safety: An Arc Flash is an explosive burst of light, heat, and pressure caused by an electrical fault, where electricity jumps through the air (causing an arc) due to malfunctioning electrical equipment. Proper maintenance of equipment minimizes the risk and potential damage to your electrical system.
4. Keep electrical diagrams up to date: Keeping single-line diagrams up to date helps electricians work more efficiently, reducing any errors.

These steps go beyond compliance, ensuring your facility runs smoothly while preventing outages, costly repairs, and safety incidents.

why choose Houle?

• Expertise and Certification: Our 200+ Field Safety Representatives are licensed electricians, ensuring high-quality analysis and compliance with industry standards.
• Safety: We prioritize safety by ensuring that all our thermographers and electricians are equipped with the proper PPE and have completed comprehensive Arc Flash Training.
• Detailed Inventory: Our technicians maintain a detailed inventory and a unique tagging system for labelling your electrical equipment, allowing for precise and efficient service while minimizing downtime and disruptions.
• Local Support: With locally based teams across our nine offices, we offer cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

CONTACT US TODAY!

An effective electrical maintenance plan is crucial for the ongoing operation of your facility’s electrical system. By understanding the requirements and best practices, you can prevent costly repairs, reduce disruptions, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. To learn more about our comprehensive electrical maintenance services, call us at 1.844.GO.HOULE or click here to learn more about the importance of electrical preventative maintenance.

An Electrical Planning Report (EPR) is a mandatory requirement under the Strata Property Act for BC strata corporations with five or more strata lots. It enables strata to understand the building’s current electrical capacity and evaluate their ability to meet future demands, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and heat pumps. An Electrical Planning Report helps to manage the current electrical system, avoid costly upgrades, and identify improvements needed to prevent overloading. Strata corporations must obtain an EPR by December 31, 2026, or December 31, 2028, depending on their location in British Columbia.

KEY COMPONENTS OF AN ELECTRICAL PLANNING REPORT

An EPR provides a comprehensive assessment of a strata’s electrical system, including:

process for obtaining an electrical planning report

1. Electrical Infrastructure and Capacity Assessment: We begin with a site survey to evaluate your building’s electrical infrastructure and assess its current capacity.
2. Forecast and Planning: We provide projections of future electrical demand, planning for additions such as EV charging stations, heat pumps, air conditioning, and conversions from gas to electric systems.
3. Recommendations: We suggest cost-effective upgrades to prevent system overloads and potential failures.

An Electrical Planning Report helps strata corporations to plan and budget for electrical upgrades. By planning early, an Electrical Planning Report helps avoid costly surprises and ensures systems remain compliant as energy demands evolve.

why choose Houle?

• Expertise and Certification: Our 200+ Field Safety Representatives are licensed electricians, ensuring high-quality analysis and compliance with industry standards.
• Local Support: With locally based teams across our nine offices, we offer cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Seamless Customer Experience: Following the completion of your Electrical Planning Report, we can support the implementation of recommended upgrades—ensuring your facility’s electrical system meets all compliance requirements.

CONTACT US TODAY!

An Electrical Planning Report is essential for the long-term safety, reliability, and efficiency of your building’s electrical system. By identifying capacity limits and planning for future upgrades, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure your strata stays ahead of growing energy demands. To get started with your EPR or to learn more about our electrical upgrade services, call us at 1.844.GO.HOULE or click here to learn more about electrical operating permits.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a system that provides temporary power in the event of a utility power failure. These systems act as a buffer, ensuring a continuous electricity supply to protect equipment from power abnormalities and potential disruptions. UPS systems are crucial for maintaining power in essential facilities such as hospitals, airports, control centres, and manufacturing plants.

A UPS system requires regular inspection, testing, and maintenance to function properly during critical times. A well-maintained UPS system could mean the difference between seamless operations and significant downtime during power outages.

how does a ups work?

A UPS system protects your electrical equipment from power failures by providing the following:

BENEFITs OF A UPS SYSTEM

A reliable UPS system ensures uninterrupted power for critical operations during outages while protecting equipment from damage caused by electrical surges and fluctuations.

our solutions

At Houle, we provide comprehensive solutions to meet your specific needs. Our services include:

1. UPS Installation: Houle works with manufacturers to provide the right solution for your business,
   from product selection to final installation.
2. Preventative Maintenance: Regular inspections and tests ensure that your UPS system operates efficiently. This includes checking for alarms, inspecting battery conditions, and ensuring all components function properly.
3. Efficient Service: The unique tagging system and detailed inventory allow for precise and efficient service, minimizing downtime and disruptions.
4. Battery Testing: Battery testing is a critical component of UPS maintenance. The batteries must be in optimal condition to supply the load during utility interruptions.

annual and semi-annual mainTENANCE services

To keep your UPS system running smoothly, we recommend:

• Annual Maintenance: A thorough service that includes physical inspections, testing of operations, and verification of critical load support.
• Quarterly/Semi-Annual Maintenance: Regular inspections to ensure consistent performance and address any emerging issues.

CONTACT US TODAY!

A UPS system is an essential asset for any facility that relies on continuous power. At Houle, we are dedicated to keeping your operations uninterrupted. Our backup power solutions ensure a seamless power supply, protecting you from outages and keeping your essential applications ready for action. To schedule an inspection, call us at 1.844.GO.HOULE or click here to learn more about the importance of electrical preventative maintenance.

Infrared scanning is an advanced technology that uses specialized cameras to detect abnormal heat signatures invisible to the naked eye. Also known as thermal imaging, IR scanning is a valuable preventative measure in identifying hot spots before disruptions or electrical disasters occur. Interpreting thermal images requires expertise because different materials emit heat in various ways. This is why having a qualified thermographer is essential for accurately diagnosing potential issues

BENEFITS OF INFRARED SCANNING

Predict. Prevent. Protect.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN INFRARED INSPECTION rEPORT

At Houle, our Infrared Inspection Reports offer detailed insights and valuable information:

1. Thermal Analysis: We use top-of-the-line FLIR T540 series infrared cameras to identify and analyze temperature variations in your electrical systems, helping to pinpoint potential problems without disrupting operations.
2. Visual Inspection: Our Red Seal Electricians perform a thorough visual inspection to uncover any electrical code or safety issues, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.
3. Detailed Inventory: We provide a complete inventory of your site, including photographs. This documentation is beneficial for insurance purposes and offers a clear overview of the inspected equipment.
4. Unique Equipment Tagging: Each piece of equipment is tagged with a unique reference number. This system streamlines service calls and repairs, ensuring that our electricians arrive with the right parts and knowledge about the equipment in question.

WHY CHOOSE HOULE?

1. Safety: We prioritize safety by ensuring that all our thermographers and electricians are equipped with the proper PPE and have completed comprehensive Arc Flash Training.
2. Expertise and Certification: Our Thermographers are both FLIR-trained and Red Seal Electricians, ensuring high-quality analysis and compliance with industry standards.
3. Efficient Service: The unique tagging system and detailed inventory allow for precise and efficient service, minimizing downtime and disruptions.
4. Local Support: With local support and minimal travel time, we offer cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

CONTACT US TODAY!

Infrared scanning and visual inspections are essential for keeping your electrical systems working safely and reliably. Through early detection of hotspots and electrical issues, you can prevent unexpected outages and avoid costly repairs. Routine electrical preventative maintenance will save you money and could be the difference between a $500 fix and an unplanned $10,000 repair. To schedule an inspection, call us at 1.844.GO.HOULE or click here to learn more about the importance of electrical preventative maintenance.