Ocala Electric Utility Volume 3 Issue 3 | Page 9

Are you considering a “whole house” installed generator system?

Please – Ensure your installer adheres to all installation specifications! A family from my church had a very close call following Hurricane Irma. They have an installed 20KW propane generator that started up when power went out during Huricane Irma. The generator system had been professionally installed when the house was built. The family was sure it was safe for the generator to run continuously throughout the week.

Unfortunately, by the following Saturday the entire family, mom, dad, four children and two dogs were all getting sick with flu-like symptoms including headaches and nausea. About noon on Saturday, dad shut down the generator to check and top off the oil, spilling some oil in the process. Shortly thereafter, the smoke/CO alarm went off. Thinking the alarm was smoke from the spilled oil the family ignored it.

The alarm went off again that Saturday night and they pulled the battery – still believing they were safe. The generator was professionally installed, it couldn’t be carbon monoxide setting the alarm off, right? By late Sunday morning dad had to drag the entire family out of the house and called 911.

The family was transported to a hospital in Tallahassee where they were all treated for CO poisoning in hyperbaric chambers. Nearly a month after the incident the children are still experiencing adverse effects of CO poisoning.

The investigation into this near-tragedy is still ongoing, but the family does know a few facts: The generator is installed just 13 inches from the house instead of the specified 5 feet, and it is in close proximity to the dryer and bathroom vents. CO levels in the house were measured at 1900 ppm which is lethal in less than two hours.

Lessons learned:

1) Make absolutely certain that your generator is installed in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

2) Never disregard or override your smoke or smoke/CO detectors.

3) If you’re running a generator near your home and you start feeling flu-like symptoms, seek help immediately.

After a storm like Hurricane Irma a generator can be your friend – but it can be a deadly friend!

Glen Moehling

Utilities Safety Training Coordinator